Law Vs Psychology, Which One Should I Study? (Solved & Explained)

Do you want to pursue a career in Law or Psychology?

Both career paths are popular, and while they are distinct, they share some similarities.

So Law Vs Psychology, which one should I study?

In short, Law is considered better to Psychology since it is more prestigious, provides higher earnings with larger earning potential, and provides in-demand jobs.

That being said, if you want to help individuals, groups, and organisations with legal issues while simultaneously contributing to the public good, you should consider becoming a lawyer. If you wish to assist people in overcoming obstacles and improving their lives, you should consider becoming a Psychologist.

Law and Psychology offer interesting and varied careers paths. Law offers higher-paying roles and is easier to get obtain as they are in greater demand.

The main reason Psychologists enjoy their jobs is that they enjoy assisting people in overcoming their problems and improving their lives.

Lawyers enjoy being lawyers because of the history, the challenges, and especially the intellectual challenge of finding solutions to complex problems while improving people’s lives.

However, the answer lies in a person’s interests in either of the two fields.

Perhaps the best way to identify and pursue your interests is to understand the differences between the two fields, which will provide you with a more in-depth understanding.

You can then make the best decisions for yourself by considering job prospects, salaries, and, most importantly, your interests.

Lawyers, What They Do Every Day?

Lawyers advise and represent individuals, businesses, and government agencies on legal issues and disputes

Duties

Lawyers typically do the following:

  • Advise and represent clients in courts, before government agencies, and in private legal matters
  • Communicate with their clients, colleagues, judges, and others involved in the case
  • Conduct research and analysis of legal problems
  • Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and businesses
  • Present facts in writing and verbally to their clinic ents or others, and argue on behalf of their clients
  • Prepare and file legal documents, such as lawsuits, appeals, wills, contracts, and deeds

Lawyers may specialize in particular legal fields. Following are examples of types of lawyers in these fields:

Environmental lawyers deal with issues and regulations that are related to the environment. For example, they may work for advocacy groups, waste disposal companies, or government agencies to help ensure compliance with relevant laws.

Tax lawyers handle a variety of tax-related issues for individuals and corporations. They may help clients navigate complex tax regulations so that clients pay the appropriate tax on items such as income, profits, and property.

For example, tax lawyers may advise a corporation on how much tax it needs to pay from profits made in different states to comply with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules.

Intellectual property lawyers deal with the laws related to inventions, patents, trademarks, and creative works, such as music, books, and movies.

For example, an intellectual property lawyer may advise a client about whether it is okay to use published material in the client’s forthcoming book.

Family lawyers handle a variety of legal issues that pertain to the family. They may advise clients regarding divorce, child custody, and adoption proceedings.

Securities lawyers work on legal issues arising from the buying and selling of stocks, ensuring that all disclosure requirements are met.

They may advise corporations that are interested in listing in the stock exchange through an initial public offering (IPO) or in buying shares in another corporation.

The majority of lawyers work in private and corporate legal offices.

Some work for federal, local, and state governments.

Most work full time and many work more than 40 hours a week.

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Psychologists, What They Do Every Day?

Psychologists seek to understand and explain thoughts, emotions, feelings, and behavior.

They use techniques such as observation, assessment, and experimentation to develop theories about the beliefs and feelings that influence individuals.

Psychologists often gather information and evaluate behavior through controlled laboratory experiments, psychoanalysis, or psychotherapy.

They also may administer personality, performance, aptitude, or intelligence tests.

They look for patterns of behavior or relationships between events, and they use this information when testing theories in their research or when treating patients.

Psychologists typically do the following:

  • Conduct scientific studies of behavior and brain function
  • Observe, interview, and survey individuals
  • Identify psychological, emotional, behavioral, or organizational issues and diagnose disorders
  • Research and identify behavioral or emotional patterns
  • Test for patterns that will help them better understand and predict behavior
  • Discuss the treatment of problems with clients
  • Write articles, research papers, and reports to share findings and educate others
  • Supervise interns, clinicians, and counselling professionals

The following are examples of types of psychologists:

Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

Clinical psychologists help people deal with problems ranging from short-term personal issues to severe, chronic conditions.

Clinical psychologists are trained to use a variety of approaches to help individuals.

Although strategies generally differ by specialty, clinical psychologists often interview patients, give diagnostic tests, and provide individual, family, or group psychotherapy.

They also design behavior modification programs and help patients implement their particular programs.

Some clinical psychologists focus on specific populations, such as children or the elderly, or certain specialties, such as neuropsychology.

Clinical psychologists often consult with other health professionals regarding the best treatment for patients, especially treatment that includes medication.

Currently, only Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and New Mexico allow clinical psychologists to prescribe medication to patients.

Counseling psychologists help patients deal with and understand problems, including issues at home, at the workplace, or in their community.

Through counseling, these psychologists work with patients to identify their strengths or resources they can use to manage problems.

For information on other counseling occupations, see the profiles on marriage and family therapistssubstance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, and social workers.

Developmental psychologists study the psychological progress and development that take place throughout life.

Many developmental psychologists focus on children and adolescents, but they also may study aging and problems facing older adults.

Forensic psychologists use psychological principles in the legal and criminal justice system to help judgesattorneys, and other legal specialists understand the psychological aspects of a particular case.

They often testify in court as expert witnesses. They typically specialize in family, civil, or criminal casework.

Industrial-organizational psychologists apply psychology to the workplace by using psychological principles and research methods to solve problems and improve the quality of work life.

They study issues such as workplace productivity, management or employee working styles, and employee morale.

They also help top executivestraining and development managers, and training and development specialists with policy planning, employee screening or training, and organizational development.

Rehabilitation psychologists work with physically or developmentally disabled individuals. They help improve quality of life or help individuals adjust after a major illness or accident.

They may work with physical therapists and teachers to improve health and learning outcomes.

School psychologists apply psychological principles and techniques to education disorders and developmental disorders.

They may address student learning and behavioral problems; design and implement performance plans, and evaluate performances; and counsel students and families.

They also may consult with other school-based professionals to suggest improvements to teaching, learning, and administrative strategies.

Psychologists in private practice often set their hours, and many work part-time as independent consultants.

They may work evenings or weekends to accommodate clients.

Those employed in hospitals or other healthcare facilities may also have evening or weekend shifts.

Most psychologists in clinics, government, industry, or schools work full-time schedules during regular business hours.

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Law School Harder Than Psychology Degree?

Studying Law is harder and much more demanding than Psychology Degree. Law requires a vast amount of information and long hours required to study compared to a Psychology Degree. 

However, that does not mean majoring in Psychology is easy.

Although not a hard as Law, students still have to apply themselves by learning course material and being able to apply it.

Psychology is seen as a vast and complex field, requiring students to have excellent research and writing skills.

A Psychology undergraduate-level degree typically takes four years to complete.

Although psychologists typically need a doctoral degree in psychology, a master’s degree is sufficient for some positions. Most psychologists also need a license.

The degree of difficulty between the two fields, however, is also determined by your abilities and interests.

Some people find Law easier to understand, while others believe Psychology is a better option.

Even though the answer is subjective, some factors contribute to the difficulty of the two fields.

When it comes to the law, one should be interested in extensive learning and research of both past and present laws.

Furthermore, law graduates have a strong understanding of history as a result of hours of daily reading and memorisation.

So, if you want to be a lawyer, be prepared to do a lot of reading.

As a result, becoming a lawyer of any kind is thought to be extremely time-consuming.

Typically, it takes people four years of undergraduate study coupled with three years of law school.

More importantly, it will take you about $85,000 for three years of law school in a public institution, while private institutions are even more expensive.

Moreover, you’ll also need to prove yourself as an excellent lawyer by working hard over many years to become a successful lawyer.

Can You Become A Lawyer After Studying A Psychology Degree?

Yes, you can become a Lawyer after studying for a Psychology degree.

After completing your major, you will be required to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

This exam will be used to determine whether or not you are adequately prepared for law school.

You will be able to attend law school if you achieve the required score on this test.

Law school typically lasts three years and includes real-world work experience with a supervisor.

As a result, it will take you longer to arrive.

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Lawyer Or Psychologist, Who Earns More?

Lawyers earn more than Psychologists, with the annual wage for a Lawyer being $126,930 compared to $82,180 for Psychologists.

According to Labor Bureau of Statistics, the median annual wage for lawyers was $126,930 in May 2020.

The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

The lowest 10 per cent earned less than $61,490, and the highest 10 per cent earned more than $208,000.

In May 2020, the median annual wages for lawyers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Federal government $152,220
Legal services $126,660
Local government, excluding education and hospitals $99,900
State government, excluding education and hospitals $91,450

The median annual wage for psychologists was $82,180 in May 2020.

The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

The lowest 10 per cent earned less than $46,270, and the highest 10 per cent earned more than $137,590.

Median annual wages for psychologists in May 2020 were as follows:

Psychologists, all other $105,780
Industrial-organizational psychologists $96,270
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists $79,820

In May 2020, the median annual wages for psychologists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Government $100,360
Hospitals; state, local, and private $90,640
Ambulatory healthcare services $85,970
Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private $77,560

Final Thoughts

Law and Psychology both provide fascinating and diverse employment options. Law provides higher-paying and easier-to-get positions since they are in great demand.

If you want to aid individuals, groups, and organisations with legal issues while also helping the public good, you should consider becoming a lawyer. If you want to help individuals overcome their difficulties and improve their lives, you should consider becoming a Psychologist.

Deciding on a career path to follow can be a daunting and difficult decision.

If you are still tossing up which career to follow maybe consider this

As with any career that you want to pursue, analyze yourself and your strengths and weaknesses, seek career counselling.

Consult with your friends and family to get their feedback and thoughts before deciding which career path you want to pick.

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Source

  • Lawyers: Occupational Outlook Handbook:: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
  • Psychologists: Occupational Outlook Handbook:: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)