Psychology Graduates for the Digital World

Psychological studies help understanding humans better. Geared with the knowledge of psychological principles that aid in better understanding individuals, a psychologist can help solve some of society’s most challenging real-world problems. 

As the design of some products is infused with the principles of psychology, sales and marketing psychology are latent in our surroundings. Psychology can even extend to how video games are designed – with the involvement of experimental psychologists to instil a positive influence on gamers¹. 

“Given the fact that E-sport has become one of the fastest-growing industries in today’s world, it is necessary to take a look at the consequences of gaming with PUBG or DOTA 2, for example, from the perspective of psychology,” opined Dr Joel Yap Chia Keat, Programme Leader of Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology at APU.

Dr Joel elaborated on how the gaming industry could potentially link to psychological issues and concerns. “Recent research suggests that prolonged exposure to E-Sports activities is likely to predispose gamers to excessive stress and anxiety levels, which can further undermine their psychological well-being. To address this concern, gamers can seek psychological interventions such as evidence-based psychotherapies to help them reduce their stress and anxiety levels.” Concurrently, psychological research focuses on identifying protective and resilience factors responsible for successful adaptation to prolonged E-Sports exposure. 

Another strong technological influence on business and society currently is the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) – a trend where our daily life is dominated and disrupted by interconnectivity, automation, machine learning and real-time data. As a result, we experience digital fatigue that can cause negative psychological and physical effects on our overall well-being and work output. 

To address the needs of a technology immersed society, future psychologists, exposed to learning within a technology environment as well as an understanding of technologies, need to be well-positioned to counsel and advise on psychological matters in the digital world. 

Psychology solving issues in the cyberworld 

As a tech-centric university, apart from nurturing talents for the future with its technology programmes, APU blends technology elements into conventional Psychology teaching & learning. 

By merging technology and psychology, Cyberpsychology creates the pathway of understanding the cyber world from the psychological perspective.

According to Dr Joel, in line with APU’s strong emphasis on nurturing future cybersecurity professionals, the Psychology Bachelor Degree programme includes a module on Cyberpsychology. This is an exploration of the interaction between individuals and technology that impacts human thoughts, emotions and cognitions. It can be applied to phenomena such as the rise of cybercrime and the psychological make-up of those who proliferate criminal activities online. 

“In this digital era, a career in human mental health will require both the human touch like structuring of mental health assessments as well as technological know-how, using modern technology tools for psychology assessments and analysis,” stated Dr Joel. 

Centre for Psychology and Well-being with advanced technology 

With a tech-centric approach, APU Psychology students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a state-of-the-art psychology laboratory – Centre for Psychology and Well Being, which is equipped with eye-tracking, electroencephalography (EEG) and many other devices and facilities, to conduct various experiments in psychology.

“Eye-tracking is a sensor technology for a computer or other device to know where a person is looking. In other words, eye-tracking technology helps students to better understand human attention; EEG is the physiological method to record the electrical activity generated by the brain via electrodes placed on the scalp surface. EEG technology is widely used in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and biological psychology,” explained Dr Joel. 

In the 3-year Psychology Bachelor Degree programme at APU, learners acquire a solid understanding of psychology and its concepts in the contemporary environment and are able to articulate what they have learned as human scientists. 

“This undergraduate programme provides a clear comprehension of the human mind, behaviours, and different types of personalities,” added Dr Joel. 

Students going through this programme will be equipped with complex problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, people management, emotional intelligence, and cognitive flexibility knowledge and skills. For their 16 weeks internship in Year 2, psychology students can opt for a placement in NGOs, human resources functions in the industry, mental health centres and even in the student affairs department of higher education institutions. 

Students embarking on a 3-year Psychology Bachelor Degree programme at APU have the unique option of the APU-DMU Dual Degree Scheme with De Montfort University (DMU), United Kingdom. Otherwise speaking, students will receive 2 Degree Certificates and Transcripts upon graduation, 1 from APU Malaysia and 1 from DMU UK. 

Exciting career prospects 

While the programme is designed to prepare students for a career in the psychological and mental health industry, they will also learn about how psychology is evolving through an examination of behaviours and different mental health issues. The course links both theoretical and practical knowledge that is needed for a graduate to operate effectively in diverse settings.

“To be certified as a Clinical Psychologist, students will need to complete the Masters of Clinical Psychology and undergo certain hours of clinical training. In other words, the Psychology Bachelor Degree is a basic requirement for students to further specialise in the area of clinical psychology,” reiterated Dr Joel.    

Careers that a Bachelor Degree holder can opt for include – Psychology Research Assistant, Human Resource Executive, Talent Management Consultant, Conflict Resolution & Mediation Consultant, NGO Executive, Headhunter, Customer Relationship Manager, Market Research Analyst and Educator. 

According to the latest Annual Graduate Tracer Study by the Higher Education Ministry, 100% of APU graduates were employed upon graduation. This is a testament to APU’s success and pride in nurturing professionals for global careers. 

To know more about APU's psychology programme and facilities, please log into www.apu.edu.my or call us at +603 8996 1000/1 300 888 278 (toll-free) or email us at [email protected].