I'm not sure which field of Psychology is right for me

[hopeful Future Doctor]

I'm currently an undergrad student majoring in Psychology with a keen interest in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience and Political Psychology.
While I'm happy with my major decision right now, I'm having a difficult timing deciding what field of Psychology is right for me. I always liked figuring out why people do they things they do, why they feel certain ways, and getting to the underlying thing that sways their decision making. I know that's more in line with therapy, not psychiatry, but I've always seen myself as a doctor. I don't think I would fair well as a therapist.
One of my main goal is to do Neuropolitical studies which is why I'd like to eventually apply to a dual MD/PhD program. I'd like to work with brain imaging and scanning, while also understanding the psychological end of things, not just the biological.
So my question is, what field of Psychology is that? I pretty much know I want to be a Neuropsychiatrist and get a PhD in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience.
I'm just confused by all the different fields conflicting with my interests and goals. I cant figure out what Psychology field is for me.

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[msc545]

I'm currently an undergrad student majoring in Psychology with a keen interest in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience and Political Psychology.
While I'm happy with my major decision right now, I'm having a difficult timing deciding what field of Psychology is right for me. I always liked figuring out why people do they things they do, why they feel certain ways, and getting to the underlying thing that sways their decision making. I know that's more in line with therapy, not psychiatry, but I've always seen myself as a doctor. I don't think I would fair well as a therapist.
One of my main goal is to do Neuropolitical studies which is why I'd like to eventually apply to a dual MD/PhD program. I'd like to work with brain imaging and scanning, while also understanding the psychological end of things, not just the biological.
So my question is, what field of Psychology is that? I pretty much know I want to be a Neuropsychiatrist and get a PhD in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience.
I'm just confused by all the different fields conflicting with my interests and goals. I cant figure out what Psychology field is for me.

You seem to have confused and conflated the fields of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Radiology. I suggest you do some basic research and clear up the confusion before proceeding with any decisions.

 

[psycho1391]

Do you want to do just research, or would you want to do clinical work?

Why do you need an MD to do neuropolitical studies? You could do that with various degree options such as social psychology, neuroscience, etc.

 

[WisNeuro]

Do you want to do just research, or would you want to do clinical work?

Why do you need an MD to do neuropolitical studies? You could do that with various degree options such as social psychology, neuroscience, etc.

Plenty of clinical psychologists/neuropsychologists doing fMRI work in similar niches. It'd be more flexibility than other psych PhDs.

 

[psycho1391]

Plenty of clinical psychologists/neuropsychologists doing fMRI work in similar niches

That was part of my etc. I was more curious about the MD part of the conversation. I am also aware that folks can do purely research as a MD as well.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I would agree with all of the above.

I just popped in to add that if you're certain you want to be a neuropsychiatrist, med school is going to be your only route for that. They definitely do have MD/PhD programs where the PhD can be had in neuroscience or a related area.

 

[R. Matey]

It sounds like you want training in decision-science while also being a neuropsychiatrist. I'm sure you'll get some along the way, but it will likely not be your focus unless you find a mentor interested in this area.

 

[PsyDr]

1) If I said, I want to be the best quarterback in major league baseball, would you think I have a good chance? You'd probably think "Jeez, this guy doesn't even know the fundamentals of the games. If he had spent 5 minutes on Wikipedia, he would have know the difference. If he can't exert the effort to google something, he likely won't put in the effort to become a pro".

2) You are thinking about how you are going to spend the majority of your life until you retire. You deserve to treat that with respect, diligence, and curiosity. Most people would spend a few dozen hours reading “how to become a psychologist”, “how to become a psychiatrist”, etc. many would watch videos like “a day in the life of a neuropsychologist”, “a day in the life of a psychiatrist”, etc. It would be extremely wise to look at the DAY TO DAY life of those professions. What are the hours? What is the pay? How does research get funded? Do researchers have to find their own funding? Do they get to choose where they live? Are there many jobs in many places? What do they do on a daily basis (eg., pediatricians treat a ton of colds and tummy aches, and very few interesting diseases… that affects how their 9-5pm functions; your research would be 90% writing and spreadsheets, not looking at images). How happy are they? Look at their clothes, listen to hints about their lifestyle, etc.

3) honestly, "neuropolitics" sounds like a bunch of academics opining about stuff while the actual politicians do whatever they want. It is common for undergrads to look up to professors. Just be sure to look at how the rest of the world sees it. One of my favorite undergraduate professors was fascinating, but studied a super niche thing that no one cared about, drove a 10 year old pickup, and had a kid that hated him.

 

[Ollie123]

Clinical psychologist who mostly does brain imaging here (and likes to believe he draws a reasonable line at integrating biology and environment). You're kind of all over the place right now. It is normal at your career stage, but I think the main thing is to narrow your focus a bit.

Generally speaking, step one is going to be deciding if you want to be a researcher or a clinician/researcher. If you want to be a clinician/researcher, there is generally going to be some expectation your research has at least some tie in to clinical work. There is certainly some wiggle room for things 1-2 steps removed (e.g., a psychiatrist treating mood disorders while studying basic emotional processes). Neuropolitics is quite a bit more of a stretch though, unless you plan to exclusively focus on the intersection of politics and healthcare. Which would be pretty darn niche. If you are fine being a pure researcher with no ability to see patients (along with the risks of a tougher job market, likely lower pay unless you make it big, etc.) that opens more doors.

 

[Sanman]

I'm currently an undergrad student majoring in Psychology with a keen interest in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience and Political Psychology.
While I'm happy with my major decision right now, I'm having a difficult timing deciding what field of Psychology is right for me. I always liked figuring out why people do they things they do, why they feel certain ways, and getting to the underlying thing that sways their decision making. I know that's more in line with therapy, not psychiatry, but I've always seen myself as a doctor. I don't think I would fair well as a therapist.
One of my main goal is to do Neuropolitical studies which is why I'd like to eventually apply to a dual MD/PhD program. I'd like to work with brain imaging and scanning, while also understanding the psychological end of things, not just the biological.
So my question is, what field of Psychology is that? I pretty much know I want to be a Neuropsychiatrist and get a PhD in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience.
I'm just confused by all the different fields conflicting with my interests and goals. I cant figure out what Psychology field is for me.

None of that is a paying job. If you just get an MD, you will be dispensing meds for money. If you become a therapist, you will be providing therapy for money. It seems like you want to do something non-clinical and be involved largely in academics. In that case, I would see how you like grant writing and the publication process. I would also look at the dismal rate of finding academic jobs in some of these areas even with a PhD.

 

[hopeful Future Doctor]

Do you want to do just research, or would you want to do clinical work?

Why do you need an MD to do neuropolitical studies? You could do that with various degree options such as social psychology, neuroscience, etc.

I've always imagined myself being a doctor one day. When I stumbled upon neuropsychiatry it perfectly blended all my interests together.

 

[hopeful Future Doctor]

Plenty of clinical psychologists/neuropsychologists doing fMRI work in similar niches. It'd be more flexibility than other psych PhDs.

That's what I was thinking, it would give me more flexibility and knowledge. I'm really trying to combine all the areas of study I like.

 

[WisNeuro]

That's what I was thinking, it would give me more flexibility and knowledge. I'm really trying to combine all the areas of study I like.

While that is everyone's goal, I do agree with other posters that your interests are somewhat all over the place somewhat, and you may have to think about what you want your day-to-day to look like. Research? Clinical? A mix? IF so, what kind of clinical work? etc, etc

 

[hopeful Future Doctor]

That was part of my etc. I was more curious about the MD part of the conversation. I am also aware that folks can do purely research as a MD as well.

The MD part because that's been a plan of mine for a while. I would like to be able to do both.

 

[psych.meout]

I've always imagined myself being a doctor one day. When I stumbled upon neuropsychiatry it perfectly blended all my interests together.

This is a problematic way of looking at things and planning your future. Don't get a degree because you envisioned yourself being a doctor and with all the prestige that you imagine comes with it. Instead, do as others are advising here, figure out what you want to be doing day to day and pick the degree path that leads to those outcomes, regardless of whether you're a "doctor" when doing it.

 

[WisNeuro]

The MD part because that's been a plan of mine for a while. I would like to be able to do both.

It's unclear why you need the MD as part of the goals and interests you listed above.

 

[R. Matey]

When I stumbled upon neuropsychiatry it perfectly blended all my interests together.

It's also not uncommon for interests to be broad at your career stage. You are still learning about the different options that are available to you, many of which may seem intellectually stimulating (because they are); but you can't be a master of all because you don't have infinite amounts of time. If your career spans multiple areas, you will likely major in one and minor in another. This is why you hear the resounding message in the thread to think about what you want to do day-to-day. If you're not sure, then perhaps spend some time volunteering in lab in the area that interests you or interviewing people who have a job similar you're thinking about doing. It could be a good way to rule-in/rule-out opportunities.

 

[jdawg2017]

At your career stage I’d recommend shadowing different professions as much as you can (psychiatrist, neurologist, neuropsychologist). Your interests are varied and highly niche, so you need to gather more practical perspectives.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I've always imagined myself being a doctor one day. When I stumbled upon neuropsychiatry it perfectly blended all my interests together.

Quick point: if you happened to go the Ph.D. route, you'd still be a doctor. You just wouldn't be a physician. Although I agree with others in that going for a degree for the title (which may not be the case here) isn't a great idea.

Most neuropsychiatrists I know work in academic medicine. That seems, in part, to line up with your varied interests.

 

[psycho1391]

The MD part because that's been a plan of mine for a while. I would like to be able to do both.

You can do practice and research with a clinical psychology degree. As Wisnuero mentioned there are psychologists/neuropsychologists doing the imaging research with political science stuff.

So the MD part isn't clear. I would encourage you to really think about that part. Do you like medicine? Pharmacology? Chemistry? Problem solving medication algorithms?
Do you want to do therapy?

Happy to connect you with a friend who is doing MD/PhD route. She completed the PhD part recently so will be finishing her MD soon. Her program is heavier on research and she hasn't learned a ton of therapy though. She has said the therapy part tends to be lighter in the PhD/MD programs.

 

[hopeful Future Doctor]

You can do practice and research with a clinical psychology degree. As Wisnuero mentioned there are psychologists/neuropsychologists doing the imaging research with political science stuff.

So the MD part isn't clear. I would encourage you to really think about that part. Do you like medicine? Pharmacology? Chemistry? Problem solving medication algorithms?
Do you want to do therapy?

Happy to connect you with a friend who is doing MD/PhD route. She completed the PhD part recently so will be finishing her MD soon. Her program is heavier on research and she hasn't learned a ton of therapy though. She has said the therapy part tends to be lighter in the PhD/MD programs.

The MD part comes in because I'm not entirely sure if I want to do research full time.

 

[psycho1391]

The MD part comes in because I'm not entirely sure if I want to do research full time.

You could get a doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology which would involve clinical work.


Is there something clinically you want to be able to do with an MD that you can't do with a doctorate in counseling or clinical psychology?