HL Psychology- Is it worth it?

I hear that psychology is a very interesting subject but also very essay based. If I’m considering also taking History, is it a worth subject to take for an aspiring lawyer?

If anyone has any experiences they can share it would be very appreciated!

Reply 1

Adam_jar

Psychology can be a really interesting thing to study, provided you like to know the 'why' of things in people. Yeah it’s pretty essay heavy (not that it’s a bad thing), but if you’re also doing History it might be a lot. If law is your goal then stuff like Economics will give you that little bit more of a practical edge. But if you’re into it, Psychology can certainly be an interesting way to approach human behavior — which could be helpful in the law. As long as it’s something you’ll be happy with in the long term!

Reply 2

Yey_yiran

I have a friend who studied History HL and Psychology HL during the IB program. He now studies BA History at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He achieved a 7 in History and a 6 in Psychology, demonstrating his passion and strength in understanding historical contexts. Despite the challenges of Psychology, particularly the need to memorize a large number of studies, he enjoyed how the subject broadened his analytical perspective.

When we were writing our TOK essay about the Arts and History, he often applied insights from Psychology to understand how human behavior, memory, and societal influences shape historical events and interpretations. This interdisciplinary approach helped us explore how historical narratives are constructed and questioned, tying in psychological concepts like cognitive biases or collective memory.

Psychology can be especially beneficial for History and Law students because it provides tools to understand human motivation, decision-making, and social dynamics. For a History student, Psychology offers insights into why people act as they do in specific contexts, enriching the analysis of historical events. For a Law student, it aids in grasping the psychology behind crime, justice, and persuasion, which are crucial in understanding legal arguments and judicial processes.

Reply 3

McGinger

There are no required IB subjects for Law (or for many other social science degrees) - usually Uni entry requirements will be specific HL scores plus an overall IB points score. It makes sense to choose the HL subjects you will enjoy studying and where you feel confident of a high grade. Btw, 'science heads' often make very good Law students - its all to do logic - so don't worry about what you think 'looks good' or is 'relevant' for Law.

Birmingham - LLB Law - Undergraduate degree study - M100 - University of Birmingham - HL 6, 6, 6 plus 32 points overall.
Liverpool - Undergraduate - A-Z - Courses - University of Liverpool - 36 with no score less than 4.
Essex - LLB Law - Law Degree | University of Essex - 30 - 29 points or three Higher Level at 555-554
Etc etc