7 answers
Sarah
Student
Yakima, Washington
1
Question
Asked
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As an English major, would Psychology be beneficial to me?
I am planning on getting my BA in English-Creative Writing and Professional writing but I also have an interest in Psychology. I plan on doing Journalism and working with either a paper or magazine while also doing my own book.
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7 answers
Madeleine Graham
Freelance
12
Answers
Flint, Michigan
Updated
Madeleine’s Answer
Absolutely, psychology could help you. Understanding the human psyche provides fertile ground for writing especially if you want to do advocacy. Mental health is huge now a days.
Many publications are online especially newspapers and magazines. It is rare to see newspapers in print, but some do both print and online.
Similarly magazines are online and print.
You may want to query the publication for what they accept.
As a student you should work with your school publication.
I have freelanced for years, but it is a challenge now to find publications that use freelancers.
Many publications are online especially newspapers and magazines. It is rare to see newspapers in print, but some do both print and online.
Similarly magazines are online and print.
Madeleine recommends the following next steps:
That is what I was thinking as well! Thank you for answering!
Sarah
Philip Vitkus
3
Answers
Updated
Philip’s Answer
Hi, Sarah.
This is kind of a tough question to answer.
Let me recap:
- It sounds like you are just starting college.
- You plan on majoring in English, Creative Writing, and Professional Writing.
- You have an interest in Psychology.
- You want to work in Journalism.
- You want to write a book.
- You want to know, as an English major, would (studying) Psychology be helpful to you.
I was a Psychology major, undergrad - I took courses in developmental psychology (many), educational psychology, theories of personality, abnormal behavior, and organizational psychology. As an undergrad I worked with mentally ill people, developmentally disabled adults, immigrant children, and at risk high school students.
(I studied Special Education in grad school.)
In undergrad college I also studied Spanish, German (in Germany), Latin, and Koiné Greek.
I have worked as a professional writer, part-time or full-time, going on 48 years.
Would Psychology be helpful to you as an English major? This is a broad question, Sarah.
And here is my broad response.
It depends.
It depends greatly upon your instructors, and your textbooks, and how seriously through your instructors and textbooks (and other people and online research and work and volunteer experiences) you pursue the answers to questions about human motivation - why do people do what they do?
Likely, at the undergraduate level, unless you have great resources and a great passion, at a most general level, I would say, not likely.
But, Sarah, if you develop some very specific questions, and pursue very specific answers, you may find that Psychology will help you as an English major, a Journalist, and as a Book Author.
Examples of very specific questions (and I am quite sure every other respondent to your question can give more examples) includes the following:
1. Trauma - what are the different types and causes of trauma, and how can you identify whether someone has gone though trauma, and how do you treat it, and how do you help them make progress in their lives once trauma is resolved?
2. Why do people according to their specific demographics buy what they buy, and how do I appeal to their needs and wants?
3. Why do people donate to a specific cause, and how do I appeal to their needs and wants?
4. What kinds of leadership styles work best with individuals at different levels of task mastery?
5. How do I structure content so that people will attend to what I have to say in writing, agree with what I have to say, and remember what I have to say?
6. What are the different types of athletic personalities, and how do I motivate each to perform best on the athletic field?
7. What are the different stages of normal cognitive development, and how do I structure and present information and skills so that an individual can best master the information and skills at each stage?
And I am sure, Sarah, that you can come up with additional specific questions that as you pursue the answers you will find this benefits you as an English major, a Journalist, and a Book Author.
Phil
P.s., Sarah, I've observed that much of understanding human beings, and human behavior, can also come through an in-depth study of neuroscience,
great literature, and the Bible.
Phil
This is kind of a tough question to answer.
Let me recap:
- It sounds like you are just starting college.
- You plan on majoring in English, Creative Writing, and Professional Writing.
- You have an interest in Psychology.
- You want to work in Journalism.
- You want to write a book.
- You want to know, as an English major, would (studying) Psychology be helpful to you.
I was a Psychology major, undergrad - I took courses in developmental psychology (many), educational psychology, theories of personality, abnormal behavior, and organizational psychology. As an undergrad I worked with mentally ill people, developmentally disabled adults, immigrant children, and at risk high school students.
(I studied Special Education in grad school.)
In undergrad college I also studied Spanish, German (in Germany), Latin, and Koiné Greek.
I have worked as a professional writer, part-time or full-time, going on 48 years.
Would Psychology be helpful to you as an English major? This is a broad question, Sarah.
And here is my broad response.
It depends.
It depends greatly upon your instructors, and your textbooks, and how seriously through your instructors and textbooks (and other people and online research and work and volunteer experiences) you pursue the answers to questions about human motivation - why do people do what they do?
Likely, at the undergraduate level, unless you have great resources and a great passion, at a most general level, I would say, not likely.
But, Sarah, if you develop some very specific questions, and pursue very specific answers, you may find that Psychology will help you as an English major, a Journalist, and as a Book Author.
Examples of very specific questions (and I am quite sure every other respondent to your question can give more examples) includes the following:
1. Trauma - what are the different types and causes of trauma, and how can you identify whether someone has gone though trauma, and how do you treat it, and how do you help them make progress in their lives once trauma is resolved?
2. Why do people according to their specific demographics buy what they buy, and how do I appeal to their needs and wants?
3. Why do people donate to a specific cause, and how do I appeal to their needs and wants?
4. What kinds of leadership styles work best with individuals at different levels of task mastery?
5. How do I structure content so that people will attend to what I have to say in writing, agree with what I have to say, and remember what I have to say?
6. What are the different types of athletic personalities, and how do I motivate each to perform best on the athletic field?
7. What are the different stages of normal cognitive development, and how do I structure and present information and skills so that an individual can best master the information and skills at each stage?
And I am sure, Sarah, that you can come up with additional specific questions that as you pursue the answers you will find this benefits you as an English major, a Journalist, and a Book Author.
Phil
P.s., Sarah, I've observed that much of understanding human beings, and human behavior, can also come through an in-depth study of neuroscience,
great literature, and the Bible.
Phil
Geri Gale
Copyeditor
3
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Geri’s Answer
Hi Sarah,
Studying psychology while pursuing your dream of becoming a writer is a great idea. A writer is knowledgeable in many areas and an excellent writer uses in her writing the techniques she learns from other fields. Psychology is about human behavior and if you want to write about people and rich characters, you will need to grasp the myriad reasons why people behave the way they do. I'm excited for you and hope you not only study psychology, but also take classes in the sciences, mathematics, ceramics, theatre, etc. My life has been full of multiple learning experiences. I consider myself to be a multi-hyphenated artist. Make that a mission--pursue as many learning opportunities as possible. All the best to you on your writing journey.
Studying psychology while pursuing your dream of becoming a writer is a great idea. A writer is knowledgeable in many areas and an excellent writer uses in her writing the techniques she learns from other fields. Psychology is about human behavior and if you want to write about people and rich characters, you will need to grasp the myriad reasons why people behave the way they do. I'm excited for you and hope you not only study psychology, but also take classes in the sciences, mathematics, ceramics, theatre, etc. My life has been full of multiple learning experiences. I consider myself to be a multi-hyphenated artist. Make that a mission--pursue as many learning opportunities as possible. All the best to you on your writing journey.
Tim Hiscock
Editor
10
Answers
Exton, Pennsylvania
Updated
Tim’s Answer
Being able to write is a useful skill. Being able to write about a specific topic is a marketable skill. If you like psychology, go for it. There will be a lot written over the next decades about psychology. If you like gardening, space exploration, women in history, go for it. Find something you like to write about and become knowledgeable in it. People will pay for a good psychology writer, gardening writer, etc.
Tom Behan
Humble retired marketing wizard
94
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Tom’s Answer
I strongly suggest enrolling in an introductory psychology course, along with other foundational courses in any other discipline, perhaps a tad out of comfortable. Maybe it's biology, business, sociology, Chinese, forestry, hotel management, marketing, AI, video gaming, parks and rec, sports medicine, Pre-K education, weaving, poetry. Who knows? (I just read there are 1800 college major across the country. Here they are! https://www.mymajors.com/college-majors/
The point is to fit as many of these into your timetable as possible, perhaps even beyond the usual load, extending into your sophomore year. Stick to the introductory courses for now.
This approach is designed to broaden your horizons beyond what you might typically encounter. Once you've completed your sophomore year, then declare a major.
Having a diverse educational background is incredibly beneficial for careers in journalism and creative writing.
Remember nothing in life is wasted. Every experience has a lesson and adds to who you are.
Best of luck on your journeys!
The point is to fit as many of these into your timetable as possible, perhaps even beyond the usual load, extending into your sophomore year. Stick to the introductory courses for now.
This approach is designed to broaden your horizons beyond what you might typically encounter. Once you've completed your sophomore year, then declare a major.
Having a diverse educational background is incredibly beneficial for careers in journalism and creative writing.
Remember nothing in life is wasted. Every experience has a lesson and adds to who you are.
Best of luck on your journeys!
Steve Jacobson
Creative Leader/Content Creator/Producer/Editor/Storyteller
51
Answers
Westlake Village, California
Updated
Steve’s Answer
Psychology is a truly remarkable field of study that can align with any of your primary interests and focuses. It provides a deep understanding of human behavior, human emotions, and human interactions. As a writer, your goal is to emotionally resonate with your readers. By comprehending what people do, why they do it, and how they do it, you gain a genuine perspective on how to shape your narratives and messages.
I urge you to engage in conversations with those who share your interests, particularly in incorporating psychology into your educational toolkit. Find out what they hope to gain from their studies and why they've chosen this path. Their insights could potentially enrich your own learning journey.
Remember to welcome the hurdles and absorb lessons from your experiences. This will undoubtedly aid you in your journey.
I urge you to engage in conversations with those who share your interests, particularly in incorporating psychology into your educational toolkit. Find out what they hope to gain from their studies and why they've chosen this path. Their insights could potentially enrich your own learning journey.
Remember to welcome the hurdles and absorb lessons from your experiences. This will undoubtedly aid you in your journey.
Jessica Walker
Field Coordinator
2
Answers
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Definitely! If your goal is to become a fiction writer, gaining knowledge in psychology can be beneficial. It can aid you in creating characters with depth, as you'll have a genuine comprehension of their internal dynamics. This should ideally assist you in effectively conveying these nuances on paper.