All in the Mind

Interesting ideas from a recent episode of Radio 4's 'All In The Mind'

• Psychology is a subject that interests all of us but is also a scientific discipline. Simultaneously, it is considered by, and accessible to, members of the public, but is also highly academic. There are many ways of understanding people and science offers the best!
• Everyone thinks they know what psychology is because its the study of people and we're all people. If results of research agree with what people think they say there was no point in doing it but if results challenge preconceptions, people say they are wrong.
• Psychiatrists are medically trained, while Psychologists are behavioural scientists. The confusion comes because psychologists can specify in clinical work.
• There are many misunderstandings of what psychology is - if you go to a party and say you're a psychologist people assume you will read their mind, psycho-analyse them or hypnotize them.
• It was introduced as A level subject to get more girls into science. (This certainly worked for me!)
• There are lots of occasions when psychologists aren't consulted but can offer a lot of insight and guidance e.g. law, education, economic behaviour.
• Psychologists are very good at not giving definitive answers. All good scientists are cautious.
• Blogging allows communication with broader audience. Psychology can be understood by more people. 
• Recently, the allure of neuroscience has increased. Care needs to be taken so that it doesn't take over from psychology. Psychology is still important and different; the two subjects need to be integrated.