Sociology or psychology: which should I study?
Psychology may suit you better if you want to study individual thought, emotion and behaviour, with possible emphasis on biological processes, experiments and psychological assessment. Sociology may suit you better if you want to examine groups, institutions, cultures, inequality and social change. Compare course modules, research methods, assessment, placement options and your longer-term goals; the subjects also overlap.
Key points
- Psychology can involve laboratory research, statistics and perspectives such as cognitive, developmental, biological or clinical psychology.
- Sociology can involve qualitative and quantitative research into communities, organisations, social structures and public issues.
- Both subjects can lead to varied further-study and career routes, so check the knowledge and qualifications required for any specific profession.
- Choose based on the topics, methods and modules that hold your interest rather than the subject title alone.
Things to check
- Course content, assessment and professional pathways vary by university and country; check the official course information and requirements for the programmes you are considering.