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sabrina
Student
Stony Brook, New York
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What should an aspiring experimental psychologist major/minor in? (besides psychology of course)
#psychology
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John Osborne
Director - External Affairs at AT&T
8
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San Diego, California
Updated
John’s Answer
Think about making yourself a well rounded person. As a psychologist you need to be able to relate to all kinds of people and you need to be able to communicate well. The sciences and math might be a challenge facing students pursuing degrees in those areas. I would consider focusing social sciences, marketing or communications. Try something that interests you but that you don't have a great deal of experience with.
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Vince Bottom
Research Coordinator
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Davis, California
Updated
Vince’s Answer
Hi Sabrina,
This will likely depend a lot on your specific interests. However, there are several minors or majors I would recommend as a complement to a psychology degree for an experimental psychologist track based on my own experience:
1. Computer Science
2. Statistics
3. Philosophy
Computer science provides a technical advantage over many other applicants to PhD programs. The field is trending completely toward computer science, so any skill you have in that arena will translate to simply working more efficiently than someone without those skills. Experimental psychology depends upon data analysis, for which basic principles of computer science programming will allow you to do many more complex things much faster. You can also more easily program computerized experiments, and learn more effectively how to handle more complex types of data (neuropsychological such as MRI or EEG data).
Statistics would also provide a technical advantage. Many psychology PhD applicants may not be as advanced with statistical knowledge, something that is vital to learn to work in experimental psych. In fact a double major in either statistics or computer science may provide a nice back-up plan if you do not decide to go into psychology after all. It is possible to get jobs with solely a bachelor's degree in either statistics or computer science, though with only a bachelor's in psychology you would be working jobs for far less pay and with high competition. So in case you would decide later not to pursue a PhD and simply keep a bachelor's degree, you may be in a better position with a double major in either statistics or computer science. But this would all depend on whether or not you could see yourself doing or enjoying that kind of work.
If you are interested in the kinds of questions experimental psychologists ask, you will likely be interested in many questions in philosophy (which was the case with me). Many people who work in social psychological research share an interest in philosophy, and it can be a great way to become a better writer and thinker. I found it improved my writing and understanding of science, but would probably only recommend if you take a couple classes in it and enjoy them. If nothing else, there are some topics within psychology (such as moral psychology, meta-science, and some arenas of social psychology) that depend a lot upon philosophy.
I hope that this gives you a starting place to think about.
All the best,
Vince
Consider your specific interests in psychology
See if you can take an elective in any of these subjects to gauge your own interest
Consider how adding a minor or major would alter your courseload
This will likely depend a lot on your specific interests. However, there are several minors or majors I would recommend as a complement to a psychology degree for an experimental psychologist track based on my own experience:
1. Computer Science
2. Statistics
3. Philosophy
Computer science provides a technical advantage over many other applicants to PhD programs. The field is trending completely toward computer science, so any skill you have in that arena will translate to simply working more efficiently than someone without those skills. Experimental psychology depends upon data analysis, for which basic principles of computer science programming will allow you to do many more complex things much faster. You can also more easily program computerized experiments, and learn more effectively how to handle more complex types of data (neuropsychological such as MRI or EEG data).
Statistics would also provide a technical advantage. Many psychology PhD applicants may not be as advanced with statistical knowledge, something that is vital to learn to work in experimental psych. In fact a double major in either statistics or computer science may provide a nice back-up plan if you do not decide to go into psychology after all. It is possible to get jobs with solely a bachelor's degree in either statistics or computer science, though with only a bachelor's in psychology you would be working jobs for far less pay and with high competition. So in case you would decide later not to pursue a PhD and simply keep a bachelor's degree, you may be in a better position with a double major in either statistics or computer science. But this would all depend on whether or not you could see yourself doing or enjoying that kind of work.
If you are interested in the kinds of questions experimental psychologists ask, you will likely be interested in many questions in philosophy (which was the case with me). Many people who work in social psychological research share an interest in philosophy, and it can be a great way to become a better writer and thinker. I found it improved my writing and understanding of science, but would probably only recommend if you take a couple classes in it and enjoy them. If nothing else, there are some topics within psychology (such as moral psychology, meta-science, and some arenas of social psychology) that depend a lot upon philosophy.
I hope that this gives you a starting place to think about.
All the best,
Vince
Vince recommends the following next steps: