Psychology

Psychology is the study of the mind, behaviour and human experience. But beyond definitions and theories, psychology asks some of the most fundamental questions we can consider: Why do we think the way we do? Why do we behave as we do? What shapes our personality, relationships and view of the world?

My interest in psychology comes from the sheer complexity of being human. We are influenced by our experiences, relationships, emotions, memories, biology and environment — as well as by processes that may exist outside our conscious awareness.

Psychology gives us different ways of looking at the same person.

One approach might focus on behaviour and how it is learned. Another might explore thoughts and beliefs. Another might consider relationships and early experiences, while others look at biology, personality or the influence of society and culture.

No single perspective necessarily explains everything.

That is what makes psychology so fascinating.

There is often a gap between what we think we do and why we actually do it.

We can make decisions we don't fully understand. We can repeat patterns that we know aren't helpful. We can react emotionally before we've had time to think. We can form attachments, fears and beliefs that have developed over many years.

Psychology attempts to understand these processes and the relationship between our inner world and outward behaviour.

One of the themes that particularly interests me is the relationship between conscious and unconscious processes.

Freud and Jung approached the unconscious in very different ways, but both helped establish the idea that there may be more to the human mind than what immediately enters conscious awareness.

Modern psychology has developed considerably since its time, but the question remains fascinating:

How much of our behaviour happens before we are consciously aware of it?

Psychology isn't simply something that belongs in laboratories, universities or textbooks.

It can be found everywhere — in our relationships, workplaces, families, friendships, decisions and reactions to the people around us.

Understanding psychology can give us another perspective on everyday experiences and encourage us to become more curious about ourselves and others.

It doesn't necessarily provide simple answers. Sometimes, it gives us better questions.

Psychology is an evolving field. Some theories have endured, others have been challenged, and our understanding of the mind continues to develop.

For me, that uncertainty is part of the attraction.

Renwick Psychology is a space for exploring psychological ideas, from the established to the controversial, and considering what they might tell us about the human experience.

Because ultimately, psychology isn't only about studying the mind.

It is about trying to understand ourselves.