Psychological studies is to understand the mechanisms underlying a person’s (or a group of persons’) thoughts or behaviours and the functions and limitations of the human brain, in order to explain, predict, and change human behaviours. Scientific inquiry usually involves direct interviews, observations, questionnaires, or device-based measures. Studying psychology does not make us read other people’s minds.
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Psychology has nothing to do with scientific evidence?
Although psychology has its scholarly roots in philosophy, empiricism and behavioural science has dominated the field over the last century of so. This has led to a strong emphasis on scientific inquiry as a method to approach psychological study in the modern days. While undergraduate psychology students will learn to describe and evaluate scientific evidence, graduate-level psychology students will take part in generating new evidence and contributing to science.
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Studying psychology means training to be a psychological doctor?
What people sometimes refer to as “psychological doctors” are actually clinical psychologists. Clinical psychologists are specialists who provide assessment and treatment to individuals suffering from mental health conditions. As opposed to psychiatrists, who are medically trained, clinical psychologists are not medical professionals and do not prescribe medicine. While the undergraduate psychology programme provides a broad and solid foundation, the professional qualification of clinical psychologists requires completion of a tailored postgraduate curriculum.