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, the underlying conditions of emotions and motivation; it is also concerned with learning theories and models. Biopsychology investigates the mutual influences of mental and bodily processes. Differential psychology formulates characteristics that differentiate individuals from each other, while social psychology views humans as part of a social structure and examines, for example, 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 for psychotherapists.

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.

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.)