Being a psychology student myself, let me just assure you that there are A LOT of things that I have believed to be true about psychology that I had to find out was in fact a lie.
A misconception can be defined as a wrong or inaccurate ideology about something. Due to the stigma around the idea of human behaviour and mental health, the psychology industry and becoming a psychologist has been majorly affected by misconceptions. In this article, we will debunk some of these misconceptions for the betterment of fellow psychologists and the society.
Misconception 1 : Psychologist DO NOT study real science
The debate that has been on-going for decades argues the question of whether Psychology is a form of Science or not. Yes, Psychology is a form of real science. Psychology is a science as it is based on the use of many scientific methods. The study of human behaviour being done is obtained through verified theories and evidence of human behaviour and mental processes.
Misconception 2 : Psychologist study “common sense” + psychology is easy
Many people consider psychology to be an “easy way out” as it is perceived to be one of the easiest courses offered. Well, every programme and field has its own set of challenges. Psychology may be somewhat easier for you if you have a strong interest in it but keep in mind it includes designing research studies, analyzing data using statistics, reading A LOT of academic journals and writing research papers.
Misconception 3 : Psychology graduates do not have a lot of job opportunities waiting for them
When you tell your peers that you’d like to study psychology, there is a 90% chance that the first thing they would tell you is “Psychology can’t get you a job”. INCORRECT.
In fact, psychology is one of those fields that allows you a wealthy amount of job opportunities in various industries. Psychology is the study of human behaviour and the understanding of human behaviour is crucial is almost every aspect of the working life. With a psychology degree, you can find yourself from the clinical to the human resource to the communications line. What’s important is for you to constantly develop additional skills whilst earning your degree to further enhance your employability.
Misconception 4 : Psychologist can read minds
If you think becoming a psychologist can give you the ability to read people’s minds just by looking at them, then unfortunately I have bad news for you. Pursuing a psychology degree will NOT allow you to read minds. Yes, psychology is the study of human behaviour. This basically means that with the knowledge and skills that you learn, you will be able to make a knowledgeable guess of what a person may be feeling or thinking based on their non-verbal communication such as their body language.
What is Psychology?
Psychology, in Layman’s terms, is the study of the mind and behaviour. It studies how humans think, act and feel is dependent on biological influences, social pressures as well as environmental factors. The field of psychology is mainly based on the concepts of describing, explaining, predicting and changing behaviour.
Key Skills Needed to Become a Psychologist
As you dive into the world of studying human behaviour, here are a few common skills/traits needed in individuals to become successful psychologists :
1. Communication Skills
As one of the main roles of being a psychologist requires you to work closely with others, having good communication skills is extremely important. Communication skills include verbal, non-verbal communication as well as the ability to receive and interpret messages accurately. Strong communication skills ensure a clear and effective way of doing your job and enabling others to do their job as well.
2. Problem-solving skills
Psychology is the study of humans. Therefore, things are not always set in stone. Problem solving skills enables us to identify problems, analyse the cause factor for these problems and lastly determine a method of solving those problems. The ability to solve problems in a quick and effective manner will help in the varying contexts of human behaviour that you will face at work. Problem solving skills include the ability to use logic, creativity, imagination and determination.
3. Research Skills
No matter the field of psychology that you will be diving into, research skills are a must have. This skills helps in a range of potential roles such as conduction of your own experiments, aiding patients with past experiences of other psychologists or even researching previously done experiments. You should be able to effectively find the information that you need through thousands of scientific journals with decades of data and be able to evaluate it accurately for your own benefit.
Career Opportunities for Psychology Graduates
* To work as a licensed psychologist it is important to note that you would require a Masters Degree/phD
Psychology Job Opportunities
- Clinical Psychologist
- Counselor
- Social Worker
- Special Needs Children Therapist
Other Industries Job Opportunities
- Human Resource Executive
- Market Research Analyst
- Career Counsellor
- Business Developer Executive
Entry Requirement for Psychology Degree in Malaysia
English Requirements
IELTS | Min. 5.0 |
TOEFL | Min. 34 (Internet Based Test) |
MUET | Min. Band 3 |
Academic Requirements
STPM | CGPA 2.00 for 2 subjects with min. C for each subject |
Foundation/Pre-University/Matriculation/Diploma | Pass with min CGPA of 2.00 |
A-Levels | Min. 2E’s |
UEC | Pass with 5Bs including English |
International Baccalaureate (IB) | Min. 24 points |
*Requirements may vary based on universities being applied to.
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Top 5 Universities for Pscyhology Degree in Malaysia
1. University of Nottingham
Program Name | Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Hons) |
Program Duration | 3 years (Full Time) |
Intake | September |
Indicative Annual Fee (2021) | Malaysians – RM 39,500 Non-Malaysians – RM46,000 |
2. Monash University Malaysia
Program Name | Bachelor of Psychological Science |
Program Duration | 3 years (Full Time) |
Intake | February, July and October |
Indicative Annual Fee (2021) | Malaysians – RM 36,977 Non-Malaysians – RM42,315 |
3. Taylor's University Lakeside Campus
Program Name | Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) |
Program Duration | 3 years (Full Time) |
Intake | March, August and October |
Indicative Annual Fee (2021) | Malaysians – RM 28,900 Non-Malaysians – RM35,800 |
4. HELP University
Program Name | Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) |
Program Duration | 3 years (Full Time) |
Intake | January, May and August |
Indicative Annual Fee (2021) | Malaysians & Non-Malaysians- RM 73,700 |
5. UCSI University
Program Name | Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) |
Program Duration | 3 years (Full Time) |
Intake | January, May and September |
Indicative Annual Fee (2021) | Malaysians – RM 21,200 Non-Malaysians – RM23,000 |
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About The Author
Leo baby & a Psych major