I would like to study either behavioral neuroscience or behavior psychology in college, and I was wondering if anyone could clearly differentiate the two. I have studied the topics of both, and they pretty much sound very similar, or even the same, and use fuzzy descriptors. If this helps, after grad school I intend to work for the law (Maybe FBI) and become some sort of behavioral analyst, or study serial killers and their motives and that such (I know, its disturbing but it is interesting to me). I just want someone to help me clear up which path I should be taking in undergrad and grad school, or if I should go for something like forensic psychology (which is only a program at about 10 schools), or if all three studies would work.
Thanks so much!
FYI: http://www.coloradotech.edu/resources/blogs/october-2012/criminal-profiling
And the people you’re thinking of definitely don’t have only undergrad degrees. They’re mostly clinical psych PhDs or sometimes Forensic Psych MDs. Behavioral Psych is probably closer to what you want since behavioral neuro is probably going to deal with the molecular/cellular biological underpinnings of behavior vs. behavioral psych dealing more with personality, upbringing, etc.
is there a difference in the amount of schooling for clinical psych PhDs and Forensic Psych MDs? Is one better to have than the other?
PhD is minimum of 8-10 years. MD is minimum 13-14 years (can’t exactly remember how long the fellowship is off the top of my head). PhDs (psychologists) study psychology and different areas within that category while MDs (psychiatrists) study medicine then specialize in mental illnesses with concentration on medicinal treatments. If you have no interest in medicine, go for a PhD.
Behavioral Neuroscience is the study of the neural substrates of behavior.
Behavior[al] Psychology refers to the study of psychology from a behavioral perspective (behaviorism).
“Behavioral” analyst (more correctly, behavior analyst) refers to a scientist or practitioner of experimental and applied behavior analysis (a specific approach to behavior). In the law enforcement world, the term is misappropriated to refer to what is sometimes called a “profiler” or a “criminal profiler,” or a “behavioral profiler,” who might develop psychological profiles of criminals, their motives, M.O.s, etc. Though the term might be the same in these two domains, they definitely are not the same thing.
Some “criminal profilers” are forensic psychologists or forensic psychiatrists, but not all of them. Forensic psychologists and forensic psychiatrists do more than just “criminal profiling.” Much of their work is focused on assessment, especially determinations of competency to stand trial, risk assessment, etc., but they also might be involved in various aspects of clinical treatment of offenders.
If you want to become a forensic psychologist, you need to obtain a PhD or PsyD in clinical psychology (usually a minimum of 4 years), preferably with specialty training (either pre- or postdoctoral) in forensic psychology. Depending on the state, you’ll need one to two years of postdoctoral experience before you sit for the licensure exam. If you want to become a forensic psychiatrist, you first need to obtain an MD (4 years), then complete a residency in psychiatry (3 years). Preferably, you also will obtain subspecialty training in forensic psychiatry. I’ll leave it to you, Op, to look up the differences in training between psychologists and psychiatrists. Though they have some areas of overlap, e.g, diagnosis, they also have very significant differences in their training and skill sets. Some forensic psychologists or psychiatrists also have law degrees, and there are some joint JD/PhD or JD/MD programs.
Non-psychologists or non-psychiatrists who function as profilers usually follow a training and experience pathway as an FBI agent or have a similar law enforcement background plus some sort of training specific to criminal profiling.
So, if you want to become a forensic psychologist, first complete an undergrad major in psychology and then a doctorate in clinical psychology with pre- or postdoctoral training in forensic psychology. I would recommend a broad undergrad training in psychology, rather than trying to specialize in forensic psychology. You can supplement this with an additional major, a minor, or just elective coursework in criminology (or, in sociology with a course or two in criminology). If you want to become a forensic psychiatric, major in any liberal arts or sciences field that interests you and complete the premed requirements. You can take some elective coursework in psychology, neuroscience, and criminology to satisfy your interests in those areas.