About My Interest in Psychology

Psychology is a field of study which has a wide range of potential careers and interests. Psychology is not limited to one specific area of study, but instead it encompasses almost all possible studies of human characteristics and human development. I find myself intrigued with developmental psychology, rather than the other subfields. Developmental psychology studies how people grow, change, and develop both mentally and physically across their lifespan. More specifically, the emotional, intellectual, mental and physical development of children, adolescents, and adults ("Child and Developmental Psychology Careers", 2010). Fully understanding the body's process of growing up is beneficial information, I believe, should be taught to everyone. Developmental Psychology gives people an opportunity to better understand and connect with their bodies. In addition, it provides insight to the mental and physical work one's body undergoes in order to fulfill milestones and reach its present form. To become a Developmental Psychologist a four year bachelor's degree in psychology is required. However, acquiring a Master's, Ph.D, or Psy.D. creates more job opportunities. Training includes taking research findings and applying them to such fields as healthcare and human services. However, despite your level of education there are numerous jobs available to someone interested in Developmental Psychology. Those with a bachelor’s degree may work as a psychology assistant in a hospital or outpatient clinic performing diagnostic interviews, scoring patient psychological tests and training staff in the administration of such tests. Research coordinators are also Bachelor’s level professionals who administer and score tests, but in a research capacity, perhaps in a hospital or university. Those with a master’s degree are qualified to become psychological coordinators, specialists or clinicians who assess and treat clients who are dealing with mental health issues, family dysfunction, substance abuse, domestic violence, factors associated with aging or other issues affecting development. If you earn a Ph.D or Psy.D., you may work as a clinical researcher, developmental psychologist, or professor ("What Types of Jobs are Available in Developmental Psychology", 2017). 

I find this branch of psychology especially interesting because it focuses on, of course, mental development rather than physical development. While growing up I recall identifying specific characteristics of myself that were different than that of other kids my age. For example, around the age of seven I was considered a low-maintaneance kid. Children I knew at age seven had incredible amounts of energy. I was one of the only kids I knew at my age that could sit still for an hour and focus my attention on drawing rather than needing to run off energy. I also remember adults continuously telling me I was mature for my age all through my childhood. I also know that everyone has a characteristic to which they describe as "different". For example, one might be OCD about furniture placement, one might have stage fright, one might prefer dancing in order to relieve stress, etc. The way characteristics form and the situations that take place to develop characteristics can all be studied through child development. I would love to study the mental and physical aspects of life which develop a person cognitively. By studying child development I not only better understand myself, but I also am provided with the knowledge of bettering the development of my future children. I will be able to know which ages are most important in physical, emotional, and mental growth. In addition, I can discover which personality traits of mine will best aid in raising a child one day. I have been told by multiple adults that "you are never really ready to have children." This statement is interpreted to mean that no amount of knowledge will ever make you the perfect parent. I am not expecting to be a perfect parent by all means but I do want to the best parent I possibly can be. Therefore, I want to acquire all the knowledge possible to hopefully fulfill the role of a great mom. I believe I would possibly be successful in the career of child development because it not only sparks an interest in me, but also a passion. I could see my future self teaching classes on this type of knowledge because I believe knowledge, wisdom, and experience are the only ways of being certain of what works best in life. I hope to learn more on this subject and discover how it changes me cognitively.