Confused on with psychology concentration to pick?

[browneyes124]

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I am very interested in abnormal psychology. Such as different disorders in the brain and what causes then. This might sound weird but I really like reading about psychopaths and serial killers because of how un normal their behavior is. I also like studying criminal behavior. I am majoring in psychology but idk what concentration would be best for this... I've research a lot of them but nothing that I've found helps much. I'm trying to choose between cognitive science, behavioral neuroscience, and clinical psych.
Behavior neuroscience comes with a biology minor, clinical psych comes with a sociology minor, and I believe cognitive science is a philosophy minor.
I think clinical psych would fit my interests better just I'm a bit confused because doesn't behavior neuroscience study different behavior and what in the brain causes it?

Thank for your time guys!

 

[Ismet]

These majors are not universal across all universities. What is "clinical psych" at your school may be something different from what it is at another school. You'd probably get more specific information by reading the course descriptions/syllabi of these courses or talking to someone at your school. If you're a psych major you should be able to talk with an advisor in the psych department who can give you more information.

Behavioral neuroscience probably goes quite a bit into the molecular/cellular level of neuroscience instead of simply "studying behavior."

 

[browneyes124]

These majors are not universal across all universities. What is "clinical psych" at your school may be something different from what it is at another school. You'd probably get more specific information by reading the course descriptions/syllabi of these courses or talking to someone at your school. If you're a psych major you should be able to talk with an advisor in the psych department who can give you more information.

Behavioral neuroscience probably goes quite a bit into the molecular/cellular level of neuroscience instead of simply "studying behavior."

I really like behavioral neuroscience but since it has so many Biology classes that have to be taken, I'd be taking a minimum of 3 science classes a semester and that worries me a bit especially as I start getting into the high level sciences for pre med

 

[OGLoc23]

If you're into abnormal behavior, then clinical psych.

Behavioral neuroscience courses do cover some abnormal behavior, specifically their neural underpinnings, but clinical psych will be much more in depth.

 

[dextertrip]

If you are REALLY interested in this type of thing than what are you plans as a physician? you're likely to never run into these types of cases as a psychiatrist. Lots of research and writing?

 

[bwc]

This is something you should discuss with a program advisor. Some schools specify tracks within a major, some don't. If they do exist, they are informal. If you did a certain track, chances are there won't be any indication on your diploma, possibly not even your transcript. However, if you talk to an advisor about your interest, they can help you form a coherent sequence of courses to take.

Medical schools won't care which track within a major, if any, you did. The tracks likely exist for those who are trying to make themselves marketable for a career in the field.

 

[ifnotnowwren]

All of the advice above is great, definitely check out the courses that are encompassed in each major and speak to an advisor. Also have you looked into the field of neurolaw? I'm not sure how set you are on pre-med or how far along in college you are but I figured I would throw the idea out there. I know that some law schools offer neuroscience tracks or even JD/PhDs. There is also the similar field of forensic psychology.

 

[Cytarabine]

If you are REALLY interested in this type of thing than what are you plans as a physician? you're likely to never run into these types of cases as a psychiatrist. Lots of research and writing?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_psychiatry

 

[futuremdforme]

This is something you should discuss with a program advisor. Some schools specify tracks within a major, some don't. If they do exist, they are informal. If you did a certain track, chances are there won't be any indication on your diploma, possibly not even your transcript. However, if you talk to an advisor about your interest, they can help you form a coherent sequence of courses to take.

Medical schools won't care which track within a major, if any, you did. The tracks likely exist for those who are trying to make themselves marketable for a career in the field.

Yup, exactly this.

If you do decide to consider psychology as a career, make sure to talk to some psychologists and some doctors in specialties that interest you. The training is also different and so is what it takes to be competitive as an applicant. Some things are great for both (research, high GPA) but it's worth understanding what will be asked of you along the way.

 

[dextertrip]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_psychiatry

I see this exists in uk and Canada.

 

[Cytarabine]

I see this exists in uk and Canada.

what about it?

 

[dextertrip]

.

 

[browneyes124]

If you are REALLY interested in this type of thing than what are you plans as a physician? you're likely to never run into these types of cases as a psychiatrist. Lots of research and writing?

I want to be a neurosurgeon. I'm just fascinated with the brain in general

 

[classictaylor]

I want to be a neurosurgeon. I'm just fascinated with the brain in general

Throughout my undergraduate education, I was convinced that I would be attending a Ph.D. program in Cognitive Neuroscience. As I began looking at programs, I began realizing that some Cognitive Neuroscience programs encompassed exactly what I want to study, and some really missed the mark. I am now looking at both Cognitive Neuroscience programs and Cognitive Psychology programs that have a Neuroscience research track. Many psychology programs differ by school, and limiting yourself to one "field" could make you miss out on many great labs and professors that have similar interests to you. Speak with an adviser about this and begin looking into research that interests you, the professors that are in those research studies, and what fields they occupy. It is a lot of work, but it means your future, so it matters a lot!

 

[Bergamot]

I am very interested in abnormal psychology. Such as different disorders in the brain and what causes then. This might sound weird but I really like reading about psychopaths and serial killers because of how un normal their behavior is. I also like studying criminal behavior. I am majoring in psychology but idk what concentration would be best for this... I've research a lot of them but nothing that I've found helps much. I'm trying to choose between cognitive science, behavioral neuroscience, and clinical psych.
Behavior neuroscience comes with a biology minor, clinical psych comes with a sociology minor, and I believe cognitive science is a philosophy minor.
I think clinical psych would fit my interests better just I'm a bit confused because doesn't behavior neuroscience study different behavior and what in the brain causes it?

Thank for your time guys!

And what brought upon this fascination with psychopaths and serial killers? *gestures toward couch*