Psychology

Psychology scientifically explores and explains human behavior and experience. It makes use of experimental and statistical methodologies, which it combines with modern observation, questioning and measurement procedures.

At the beginning of their studies students learn the basic subject areas of psychology. General psychology explores perception processes, information processing, emotions and motivation; it is also concerned with learning theories and models. Biological psychology investigates the mutual influences of mental and bodily processes. Differential psychology focuses on characteristics that differentiate individuals from each other, while social psychology views humans as part of a social structure and examines, among other things, the origin of stereotypes. Developmental psychology, encompassing all of the above subfields, examines changes in mental characteristics and functions over entire lifetimes. It also provides a foundation in medicine, pharmacology and education.

Building on the aforementioned basic subject areas, specialized fields of psychological application (clinical psychology and psychotherapy, industrial, work and organizational psychology, educational psychology, and legal psychology), are introduced and then explored in greater depth. In addition to specific content topics, students are also introduced to the general principles of diagnostics and empirical-scientific work.

The polyvalent bachelor’s degree qualifies graduates for master’s degree programs in psychology (MSc Psychology) and psychotherapy (MSc Psychotherapy/MSc Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy) according to the Licensing Regulations for Psychotherapists (Approbationsordnung für Psychotherapeutinnen und Psychotherapeuten, PsychThApprO, March 4, 2020).

Possible lines of work:

Clinical area (psychotherapy, diagnostics, supervision), private economy/administration (personnel selection/development, corporate consulting, career/academic counseling, etc.), education-related areas (school psychology, guidance counseling, management of various types of homes, etc.), forensics (plausibility/criminal responsibility assessments, penal decisions), academia (teaching/research at universities or research institutions, etc.)