Information for intending students and FAQ
What is Psychology?
Psychology is the science of behaviour. It studies the way people and animals interact with the world and each other. This covers a wide range of topics. Here are a few, and the sort of questions they might address:
- Biopsychology
How do sleep, hormone levels and drugs affect our behaviour? - Neuropsychology
How does our brain work? - Development
Why do our abilities and behaviour change with age? - Perception
What do our eyes tell our brain? - Social Psychology
Why do groups of people treat each other the way they do? - Abnormal Psychology
When do we decide that behaviour is "abnormal" and what causes such problems? - Learning
How do our experiences influence our behaviour? - Cognition
How do we remember things, solve problems and use language? - Applied Psychology
How do we apply our knowledge of behaviour to everyday situations?
Who takes Psychology?
Psychology attracts many students. If you specialised in Psychology, you would complete BSc or BA degrees with Psychology as your major subject.
Or, you may take Psychology because it complements other degrees. For example, you may take some psychology papers to go with your degrees in Law, Health Sciences, Education, Philosophy, Management, Marketing, Neuroscience, Computer Science, Physical Education, or Consumer and Applied Sciences.
What does first year Psychology involve?
There are 2 first-year papers, PSYC 111 (Semester 1) and PSYC 112 (Semester 2). You could take just one paper, but you usually must do both before you can take Psychology papers at 200-level. Each paper has both lectures and a laboratory component.
What background do you need?
Any student eligible to enrol at university can take Psychology papers at 100-level at the University of Otago.
Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, therefore we don't assume too much in terms of prior experience. High School English, Biology and Statistics are useful, but are not essential.
What other subjects should you take if you major in Psychology?
It depends on your particular interests and strengths. Here are a few examples, but there are many other possible combinations. You may:
- take biology and chemistry because you’re interested in the biological underpinnings of behaviour
- take management and marketing because you plan to work in industry or an organisational setting
- take mathematics and computer science because you’re fascinated by artificial intelligence
- add some political studies and philosophy to your degree because you’re interested in issues of social change
- like to work with children so you take some education papers
- be interested in the cultural aspects of behaviour, so you take some anthropology and sociology papers
If you were intending to progress to advanced levels (eg, Honours, Masters, Diploma in Clinical Psychology) you should take STAT 110, STAT 115, or equivalent before entering 300-level psychology.
What is the difference between a Clinical Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?
Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatrists are both trained to diagnose and treat psychological disorders and dysfunctions. Both can provide therapy and counseling services for children and adults.
Psychiatrists have a general medical degree and then advanced training in psychiatry. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication for people with serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, whereas psychologists cannot.
Clinical Psychologists have a MA, MSc or PhD in Psychology and advanced training in Clinical Psychology (Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology). As well as therapy and counseling services, clinical psychologists can do psychological testing with well-researched tests. Psychiatrists usually do not do psychological testing.
Disabilities Contact Information
Students are encouraged to seek support if they find they are having difficulty with their studies due to disability, temporary or permanent impairment, injury, or chronic illness.
Either:
Dr Gareth Treharne - Department Disabilities Adviser
Tel 479 7630
Email: gtreharne@psy.otago.ac.nz
Or:
Disability Information and Support
Tel 479 8234
Email: disabilities@otago.ac.nz
Māori Student Adviser/Kaiāwhina Māori
Māori students seeking advice on their courses should contact their course coordinators, or Dr Tamar Murachver who is the Māori Student Adviser in Psychology.
Support for Tauira Māori
The University of Otago Māori Centre (Te Huka Matauraka) is located at 519/533 Castle Street. The Centre provides advocacy for Māori students on campus, study rooms, information on welfare, finance, scholarships, and grants, and a small resource library.
Tauti mai rā ki tō tātau Kōhanga o Te Tari Whakamātau Hinengaro me te rūma Motuhake mā ngā tauira Māori. I toko ake te whakaaro kia whakatungia tēnei rūma hei tautoko i ngā mahi a ngā tauira Māori. He wāhi mahi Te Kōhanga, ā, he rorohiko kei te wahi nei hei āwhina i a koutou. Kei Leith 3 tēnei rūma.
We extend a warm welcome to our Psychology Department and special room, which has been set aside for Māori Students. The idea of establishing this room was to further support Māori students and their studies. The Kōhanga provides a work space with a computer. This room is situated in Leith 3.
“Kia mahi kotahi ai tatau”
“Let us work together as one”
Pacific Student Adviser
Dr Mele Taumoepeau is the Pacific Student Adviser for the Department. The aim of this role is to foster the success of Pacific students in Psychology.