How do I become an experimental research psychologist?
University course discussion for psychology.
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How do I become an experimental research psychologist?I want to study psychology at university, and I'm not really interested in its application, in terms of the post graduation routes such as forensic, clinical, counselling, health, education, etc. I want to be an experimental psychologist and to be able to conduct research. I'm very interested in cognition, and my favourite areas involve perception, language, and general cognitive neuroscience. Anyway, what route would be advised to reach such a position? I was thinking of taking a naked psychology degree, then applying for a PhD in experimental psychology, like Steven Pinker.
Then I found out that there is an MA experimental psychology option. I was also curious as to whether an MA in cognitive psychology should even be considered.
Then I was wondering if I could do something along the lines of psychology and linguistics instead of the naked psychology degree; would I still have the same opportunities? I remember learning you had to take a naked psychology degree to apply for post graduation routes; does that also apply to the straight PhD? I was interested in Oxford's PPL (psychology, philosophy, and linguistics) degree.
Lastly, I was wondering if it was worth studying psychology to reach the position I want to be in. I'm noticing I don't really need to be an experimental psychologist to study cognition, neuronal activities, language etc. I don't even need a psychology degree to conduct psychological experiments involving brain imaging machines; I could have studied neuroscience and been better prepared. Would love some information and opinion.Last edited by Id and Ego seek; 12-04-2012 at 04:35. -
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Re: How do I become an experimental research psychologist?Hey(Original post by Id and Ego seek)
I want to study psychology at university, and I'm not really interested in its application, in terms of the post graduation routes such as forensic, clinical, counselling, health, education, etc. I want to be an experimental psychologist and to be able to conduct research. I'm very interested in cognition, and my favourite areas involve perception, language, and general cognitive neuroscience. Anyway, what route would be advised to reach such a position? I was thinking of taking a naked psychology degree, then applying for a PhD in experimental psychology, like Steven Pinker.
Then I found out that there is an MA experimental psychology option. I was also curious as to whether an MA in cognitive psychology should even be considered.
Then I was wondering if I could do something along the lines of psychology and linguistics instead of the naked psychology degree; would I still have the same opportunities? I remember learning you had to take a naked psychology degree to apply for post graduation routes; does that also apply to the straight PhD? I was interested in Oxford's PPL (psychology, philosophy, and linguistics) degree.
Lastly, I was wondering if it was worth studying psychology to reach the position I want to be in. I'm noticing I don't really need to be an experimental psychologist to study cognition, neuronal activities, language etc. I don't even need a psychology degree to conduct psychological experiments involving brain imaging machines; I could have studied neuroscience and been better prepared. Would love some information and opinion.
Not sure I've ever heard a 'naked psychology' degree! This made me smile! Assuming you mean single honours?
If you're interested in a research career, then you probably will need to complete a PhD in a relevant experimental psychology area.
Although some students jump from undergraduate degree straight to a PhD, normally, PhD students complete some sort of masters degree (usually in research methods) then progress onto PhD level. Consider applying for master courses with ESRC accrediation which include strong research methods training and +1 funding routes for +3 PhD scholarships.
Consider your undergraduate degree as well. Some unis/departments have strong experimental psychology departments which may help you later on- UCL is one of them. Although all undergraduate degrees cover the same sort of modules (as will all British Psychological Society- BPS undergraduate degrees) , you may benefit from attending a university that favours cognitive approaches then other unis which specialise in social psychology for example.
Remember to leave your undergraduate degree with a strong overall classification if considering postgraduate study and also ensure BPS accrediation. ie a First class honours ideally (ie at least a 70% average) or an upper second class honours (ie at least a 60% average).
I think psychologists approach the cognitive stuff from a slightly different angle to other professions exploring cognition within strictly neuroscience and a stronger biological emphasis. But I think a psychology degree is a good degree to have for cognitive type stuff, although I may be biased in that respect.
I think there is the potential option of qualifying as a clinical neuroscientist which may interest you?
http://www.clinpsy.org.uk/forum/view...hp?f=6&t=13727
or indeed, cognitively based MScs.
http://www.clinpsy.org.uk/forum/view...hp?f=6&t=13730
Best of luck
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Re: How do I become an experimental research psychologist?Elizabeth covers the key elements about necessary credentials for a research career. However, if you really want to follow this path you have to start thinking about the following:Anyway, what route would be advised to reach such a position? I was thinking of taking a naked psychology degree, then applying for a PhD in experimental psychology, like Steven Pinker.
1) Getting a good network. Start as early as possible in cultivating contacts with researchers. Practically all modern research is a collaborative process, and careers are built on who you know more than what you know.
2) Thinking about what key skills you need and making early choices that maximise your opportunities. A lot of psychology undergrads go through their degree picking either stuff at random, or what superficially sounds interesting. I would advise the opposite and go for the key modules that teach you the necessary skills to excell in research (like the perenially hated stats or advanced research methods modules).
3) Learn about which areas are up and coming. The way research is driven in the UK and US is very much around what attracts grant money. Find out what areas are hot, and what is not being favoured by the MRC/ERSC etc. That way you don't end up at a career dead end.
4) Get research experience as soon as possible and try to get a mentor. I am currently working on a team research project with a research assistant who has just finished doing her A-levels on her gap year. From knowing who her mentor is, I suspect she is probably going to be able to write her own ticket in clinical, research or any other area of psychology by the time she graduates. -
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Re: How do I become an experimental research psychologist?I don't mean to sound unkind (this is similar to my own career-plan) but, as far as I am aware, this is the realistic pathway for academic research careers in the Life and Social Sciences.
Go to a top 50 University (Psychology, Biology, Neuroscience).
Get a 2:1 or 1st.
Get on a graduate course.
Get a high grade.
Get a PhD placement.
Publish, and defend, an impressive thesis.
Get a postgraduate research fellowship.
Publish a string of papers in noted journals.
Pray that your funding stays around long enough for you to become established.
If you fall at any one of those hurdles, you can look forward to a 'career' teaching Biology or Psychology at some backwater, third-rate private school. -
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Re: How do I become an experimental research psychologist?Thanks for all the information, fellas! Will reply when I've thought through this some more.
brb killing self.(Original post by NeuralGroove)
I don't mean to sound unkind (this is similar to my own career-plan) but, as far as I am aware, this is the realistic pathway for academic research careers in the Life and Social Sciences.
Go to a top 50 University (Psychology, Biology, Neuroscience).
Get a 2:1 or 1st.
Get on a graduate course.
Get a high grade.
Get a PhD placement.
Publish, and defend, an impressive thesis.
Get a postgraduate research fellowship.
Publish a string of papers in noted journals.
Pray that your funding stays around long enough for you to become established.
If you fall at any one of those hurdles, you can look forward to a 'career' teaching Biology or Psychology at some backwater, third-rate private school. -
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Re: How do I become an experimental research psychologist?Haha, yeah, but anything worth doing has a long list of requirements and an even longer list of people who didn't quite make it.(Original post by Id and Ego seek)
Thanks for all the information, fellas! Will reply when I've thought through this some more.
brb killing self.
Good luck!
