• Question: what are your thoughts on forensic psychology as a course and a job because that's the job I want to do

    Asked by llaytton on 15 Nov 2023.
    • Photo: Jaime Benjamin

      Jaime Benjamin answered on 15 Nov 2023:


      Hello, I thought I might give some answer as I don’t see one already here. I would say I think its a really cool and interesting field. From what I know based on the few Forensic Psychologists I’m friends with – it would be a masters level career, and the few Forensic psychology masters degrees out there will be looking for a BPS-accreditted undergraduate degree.

    • Photo: removed scientist

      removed scientist answered on 15 Nov 2023:


      This is not my area but if it is one that interests you then it is a great subject to study. There are different jobs which use forensic psychology- police, prisons etc, and research in the area. This is a link to the BPS site about it: https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/being-forensic-psychologist

    • Photo: Ed Morrison

      Ed Morrison answered on 15 Nov 2023:


      “Forensic” means to do with the law. As a degree, most of what you learn will be the same as students studying regular psychology. Specifically forensic bits will include the ways in which psychology is relevant to the law. This might include questions like:

      – can eyewitness memory be trusted?
      – why do people commit crimes?
      – can we detect lies accurately?
      – can criminals be rehabilitated?

      A career in forensic psychology often involves working in prisons and secure hospitals to assess offenders, try to rehabilitate etc. The British Psychological Society (BPS) website is the best source for further information.

    • Photo: Malwina Niechcial-McKenna

      Malwina Niechcial-McKenna answered on 17 Nov 2023:


      Great question. I was actually considering forensic psychology and that was my chosen career when I was in sixth form and at the beginning of my degree. But I eventually realised that it would take too much of an emotional toll on me because I empathise with people easily and it would mean I can’t leave work at work. I ended up going into cognitive psychology because it’s also interesting minus the emotions involved. Do what is right for you.

    • Photo: Emma Sullivan

      Emma Sullivan answered on 11 Dec 2023:


      I think its really interested and you have the potential to really change the outcomes of peoples lives which I think is really rewarding!

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