Embarking on the Journey of Psychology: A Comprehensive Guide

If you're genuinely interested in delving into the fascinating world of psychology, this guide is perfect for you. Psychology is not just the study of human behavior and mental processes but a vast field with numerous disciplines and applications. Whether you're looking to learn psychology as a hobby or as a potential career path, this guide will provide you with the essential steps and resources to start your journey.

Understanding the Basics of Psychology

The study of psychology begins with understanding its fundamental definition. Often, psychology is introduced as the study of behavior. This can be a broad and inclusive definition, extending beyond human actions to include the behavior of organisms as simple as plants. For instance, when a plant grows towards sunlight and roots towards moisture, this is an example of plant behavior, which shares some similarities with human behavior.

Traditionally, psychology has been approached with a focus on cognitive psychology (the study of human cognitive processes) and clinical psychology (the study of mental disorders in humans). However, the evolutionary discoveries and experiments in animal behavior have expanded this view. Shockingly, creatures as small as tiny organisms can be trained to do complex tasks, challenging our previous assumptions about behavior. This revelation has led many to explore related fields such as sociology, which examines how societies influence individual behavior.

Accessing Educational Resources

For those looking to take their interest in psychology further, there are various educational avenues available. Many countries offer further education or adult education classes. These courses can be accessed through colleges, libraries, or online platforms like Coursera and edX. Enquiring about such classes is a great first step towards formal education in psychology.

If your aspiration is to follow a career in psychology or related fields, enrolling in a university program is advisable. Most professional psychology careers require at least a Bachelor's degree, followed by either a Master's or Doctorate degree. This path can be rigorous and may take several years to complete, but it opens up a wide range of career opportunities.

starting with Contemporary Psychology Texts

For individuals who are new to psychology, starting with books by contemporary psychologists is highly recommended. These authors have already synthesized the works of influential theorists such as Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Jean Piaget, Erich Fromm, Karen Horney, and later contributors like Carl Rogers. By reading books like:

readers gain a comprehensive and up-to-date perspective on psychological thought. After acquiring this foundational knowledge, one can delve into specific areas of interest within psychology.

Conclusion

Embarking on the journey of psychology is an exciting endeavor. Whether your interest is a hobby or a future career, the resources and opportunities available today make learning psychology accessible to anyone passionate about the subject. Starting with contemporary texts and exploring further through educational resources will set you on the right path. Delve into the fascinating world of psychology and discover the intricate patterns of human behavior and the mental processes that shape our understanding of the world.