Should I become a research psychologist?

[Mole]

Since I was about 13 I've been fixated on three things. Economics, Psychology, and primarily Philosophy. I find myself thinking about these things the most so I gather that my character is suitable for these disciplines in one way or another. I've just ended my teen years and I'm choosing a bachelor's degree.

I'm an anarcho-capitalist, so I naturally care about creating real value in the world. Not only monetarily, but also doing something that would contribute to the goal of a free society and something in which I myself am relatively free.

I could do philosophy but do I really need to a degree for that? What is the point of learning 99% fiction for %1 fact? (Aristotle, Ayn Rand vs continental philosophy, Descartes, etc). So I thought, it's better if I study that by myself and apply it to being a productive worker in my career and saving money for perhaps writing books in the future one day. I certainly wouldn't become a professor in philosophy to teach others how to become a professor in philosophy. So I figured that a philosophy degree (at least as a primary) goes off the table.

Then I thought about economics. The problem with that kind of degree is that I'll probably end up working for a government. If I want to work for the private sector I'm better off doing an accounting degree. And that's exactly what I have done for the past 1 1/5 years. I've figured though that I don't really like accounting. I actually loved the economics classes. Supply and demand and all that stuff, but accounting? It just seemed really different than economics class because it's less about metaphysics/social theories and more about counting numbers really and surprisingly having good social skills in the office (which I would lack). So I took that off the table.

Now I'm thinking about doing psychology. I've applied to some places and some good universities have accepted me. Now, I'm not exactly the most social person. In fact, I think I would be a terrible clinical psychologist. I'm not very empathetic. In fact, I even have social communication disorder (I'm probably slightly autistic).

There is another path though, and that is becoming a research psychologist. There is a lot of risk in this. If I don't get honours and probably a PhD, I'm going to have a tough time and probably end up as a clinical psychologist. Even if I become a research psychologist, it's going to be tough because most of that field is government funded. Now I know I said economics is also government funded, but at least with psychology, I can make some value. With economics, however, my simple policy is 'hands off'. There could work in the private sector but I don't think the pay is very good. There is a risk in the public sector because a lot of what research psychologists do is completely useless, for example, I heard of someone PhD in psychology on the speed at which seahorses run on a treadmill underwater (true story). My idols are Jordan Peterson and Gad Saad. I hope one day to be doing the kind of work that they do (Hey, psychology could probably deal with another pair of balls given that the discipline is saturated with ovaries).

I could try something completely new like coding. I tried that a little bit (like a week) and didn't really find it enjoyable. One could argue that I should first master the building blocks before I could judge but even if I find that I enjoy it, I still will always have my heart in philosophy. And I honestly don't think I enjoy it. I don't know how to put my finger on in but there's something very mathematical-ish about it. Something very logic-ish but without a sense of context. I guess about applying rigorous abstract concepts to simple objects. I guess I'm more of a guy who likes to draw upon past knowledge and create theories and test them. Looking at things at ways others haven't thought about.

I think in such a way philosophy, economics and psychology are interrelated. It's about testing theories and drawing theories from a deep reservoir of knowledge. It's not true for hard sciences that are about concise knowledge, step by step, and it's not true about say arts which don't include much theory or coding which doesn't include drawing from multiple disciplines. Psychology is also a relatively new discipline and I think there is great room for it to grow with the right kind of minds. I guess these are my justifications for sticking to psychology. I can't think of many other disciplines that work in the way that these 3 disciplines do. As a slightly autistic, freedom fighting, critical thinker, I think my passions in these disciplines is not an illusion. Another worry, however, is that I'm projecting some hidden insecurities (however, does it really matter when I spend every day reading Ayn Rand and Carl Jung?)

So right now I'm enrolling in a double major. Bachelor of arts majoring in psychology and philosophy. I know I have a grudge against philosophy, but only as a primary. I think there's value in thinking about ideas without neccesarily accepting them and coming to my own conclusions. And also the fact that I'm young and have a great opportunity to do what I love now and keep that knowledge for life is a great reason to do a jobless (in any obvious or secure sense) major, as long as it's not your primary major.

So, I would love to hear from anyone who's had a similar experience. Any psychologists out there? Anyone have some ideas about what I would like? Should I try coding more? Is it a matter of learning and THEN having a passion? Am I projecting some hidden insecurities by not sticking to a typical office job? Thanks.

TL; DR: I like philosophy, economics and psychology. Choosing a major. Philosophy is jobless (at least the kind that they teach. Economics is a government tool. I'm not good at socialising so thinking about becoming a research psychologist. Ambivalent about the opportunities in it and about whether it really suits my critical, introverted, slightly autistic personality or whether I'll somehow find passions somewhere else.

 

[meetjoeblack]

How old are you? I am in a similar process of looking at my next move but, I SEE VALUE EVERYWHERE.

You can begin a major in one direction, finish in an entirely direction, and use electives to acquire even more useful knowledge. For instance, a class in French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, etc. whereby, you could leverage the info in your personal endeavors as well as a career. There are tons of courses out there outside government education that offers an outrageous amount of value. There are seminars, mastermind groups, and even places you can volunteer free to further add to your arsenal.

 

Have you looked into Mastermind groups for your city? This something I would recommend but, there usually is a waitlist. Just don't give away your secrets lol Uber was originally, Magic Cab. Its not about ideas. Its completely about execution.

 

TS, you are all over the place. Have a route. Set a goal. Know your strengths. What is your true north? Begin here. I would recommend using LinkedIn to get in touch with the psychology/research field. You could likely jump into assistant roles. Find someone you could have as a mentor. Assist them in their daily endeavors be it getting them coffee or answering phones. Its nothing you cannot do. What other skills do you have? Offer that. Build from there.

It just sounds like you have a lot of plans, going in several directions, and I question the follow through. If you have the opportunity to acquire a double major particularly, in a variety of fields (business accounting/economics & Psychology), you likely are ahead of the game. Your schedule sounds flexible so, you can definitely do it.

[Mole]

On 7/1/2017 at 9:52 AM, meetjoeblack said:

How old are you? I am in a similar process of looking at my next move but, I SEE VALUE EVERYWHERE.

You can begin a major in one direction, finish in an entirely direction, and use electives to acquire even more useful knowledge. For instance, a class in French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, etc. whereby, you could leverage the info in your personal endeavors as well as a career. There are tons of courses out there outside government education that offers an outrageous amount of value. There are seminars, mastermind groups, and even places you can volunteer free to further add to your arsenal.

 

Have you looked into Mastermind groups for your city? This something I would recommend but, there usually is a waitlist. Just don't give away your secrets lol Uber was originally, Magic Cab. Its not about ideas. Its completely about execution.

 

TS, you are all over the place. Have a route. Set a goal. Know your strengths. What is your true north? Begin here. I would recommend using LinkedIn to get in touch with the psychology/research field. You could likely jump into assistant roles. Find someone you could have as a mentor. Assist them in their daily endeavors be it getting them coffee or answering phones. Its nothing you cannot do. What other skills do you have? Offer that. Build from there.

It just sounds like you have a lot of plans, going in several directions, and I question the follow through. If you have the opportunity to acquire a double major particularly, in a variety of fields (business accounting/economics & Psychology), you likely are ahead of the game. Your schedule sounds flexible so, you can definitely do it.

Twenty.

[ofd]

You could study Neuroscience which includes both philosophical and psychological topcics. No idea if the trend is over, but a few years ago, NeuroX (Neuroeconomy and similar things) was the big hype.

I'd also suggest reading some Ruth Millikan. She is the best philosopher you never heard of. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Millikan