Assumptions About Psychology Majors | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Assumptions About Psychology Majors

No, I cannot diagnose you.

1406
Assumptions About Psychology Majors
Stephanie Osczepinski

According to the National Center of Educational Statistics, 16.1 percent of all undergraduate students in college study social and behavioral sciences in 2011. Psychology is one of the major fields of study for college students because it is a diverse degree that can be connected to many other majors. Some people hold assumptions about students who decide to get a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and they don’t seem to understand the struggles of being a psychology major. Most college freshmen do not initially go into college thinking they will become a psychology major. But that doesn’t mean that it is a “last resort” major. Being a psychology major can be tough, and it isn’t quite what most people think.

Psychology majors can’t diagnose others

Some people assume that psychology majors have the knowledge to diagnose their friends and family members with mental illnesses because "that’s what psychologists do.”

I am not a psychologist. I am a psychology major. There’s a big difference. As a student, I’m learning about mental illnesses, how the brain works, why humans behave the way they do, and what medications do to the brain. That does not mean I can figure out what’s wrong with someone, or that I can diagnose a mental illness. That is something a professional, with a doctorate, can only really do. Just because I’m a psychology student does not mean I can tell you what’s wrong.

The psychology job field is large

One of the biggest assumptions people have is that, if someone is studying psychology, they must be going into the field of counseling. But counseling is one of the many fields that a psychology major can go into. A psychology major can go into business, grant writing, research, and many other fields. And just in case you're wondering, most counseling isn't done on a couch anymore. That was Freud’s method of counseling, and it is nearly extinct from current counseling strategies.

Psychology majors can have mental issues of their own

Just because we study mental illnesses, and some of us go into the field of counseling, it does not mean we don’t have problems of our own. Some psychology majors are not “normal” like everyone assumes. I myself have panic disorder, but yet I am studying psychology because I want to help others with their mental struggles. I want to go into research to focus on how to help treat conditions so that others don’t have to go through what I do. I can get very emotional sometimes, but that doesn’t mean I’d be a bad counselor.

Psychology majors are trained how to help others with their problems, and being in the field can be self-beneficial. I have found new ways to help my own mental issues since I became a psychology major. Can I 100 percent “cure” myself? No, because the mental problems will probably never go away. But that doesn’t mean I am unsuited to help others with their issues. If anything, I am able to relate to others with issues more than a “normal” person because I also struggle with similar issues.

Psychology is not easy

Some people think that college students become psychology majors because it's "easy." Have you ever seen a psychology research paper? It's about as hard-core as a biology research paper. Data collection is a tough job, and you have to have a lot of patience with some participants.

Psychology majors may or may not be psychoanalyzing you

But that does not necessarily mean we think you have a mental illness. We just want to help you out with whatever problems you might possibly have. As said before though, this does not mean we can tell you exactly what's wrong. Some people also choose not to psychoanalyze their family or friends, but it might be because they're too focused on psychoanalyzing themselves.

Don't be afraid to come to us for advice

Although we're not certified counselors, we usually don't mind helping our friends out. If it's a small issue, we may be able to give plenty of advice. You don't have to do what we suggest -- it is a suggestion, after all. But please, come to us if you need a friend to talk things out with. Not only will it give us practice with counseling others, but we care about you!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

181643
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

8496
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

453383
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23846
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments