Psychology is the study of mind and behaviour. It is a broad scientific discipline that includes investigations of the brain, learning, memory, reasoning, decision making, language, developmental and social processes, personality, and mental health and well-being. It is also concerned with practical and ethical applications of psychological research to the profession. The Psychology major is research-led and based on the scientist-practitioner model of education whereby you will learn about psychology within a scientific perspective.
This extended major and minor in psychology is suitable for students who have an interest in psychology or for whom the study of psychology complements their other expertise. (Note: It is not the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited pathway to becoming a specialist psychologist in Australia.)
Registration
Prospective students should note that the minimum requirements for registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a psychologist (clinical, counselling, industrial, research, or educational) include completion of a directed master's degree in psychology, full-time approved internship of 12 months duration, as well as a successful completion of the National Examination of the Professional Board for Psychology. In addition, the HPCSA requires completion of community service in some specialisations.
Availability
Psychology is offered in the Bachelor of Social Science at Monash South Africa as an extended major or minor.
Outcomes
In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this major will be able to:
- describe and discuss theories and research in the core discipline areas of psychology - perception, cognition, learning, motivation, emotion, language, social and biological bases of behaviour, abnormal psychology, lifespan development, individual differences, history and philosophy of psychology, testing, assessment, intercultural and indigenous psychology
- describe and discuss the ethical standards and legislative frameworks governing research and practice in psychology, and demonstrate an appreciation of the role of ethics in maintaining the integrity of the profession.