Welcome to Pavlov’s Couch, here you can follow the ongoing adventures of a London psychology undergraduate as he progresses through his degree. Watch him develop and change as the course progresses and he learns more about himself, watch his -

Ah stuff that for a biscuit! Writing in third person is so awkward, and frankly just pretentious. Especially for a blog. So yes, I am an undergraduate in London studying Psychology BSc, and at the time of this writing I haven’t even started my course yet. I am a mature student (late 20s), and have had personal experience in a number of areas of mental illness. This blog is not intended as a diary of my life – don’t get me started on how boring THOSE kind of blogs are! – but as a way for me to share what I am learning, and chronicle my development as I am personally shaped and changed by what I learn. I will also, like most psychology students, be looking for answers to explain my own mental state. You can read more about my history in the post A Brief History of Me.

As well as my psychology-based musings, learnings, and so on, I will also post reviews of the psychology books I read. The intent here is that you, my wonderful reader (notice the lack of pluralisation?), may stumble across a book that is just right for your interests. Also because I’m an opinionated little tyke and love the sound of my own typing.

My current main interests in psychology are (in no specific order):

  • Perception – Particularly “faults” in perception, like optical illusions and synesthesis
  • Psychopathology
    • Depression, self harm, suicide
    • Schizophrenia
    • Autism and Aspergers
    • PTSD
  • Social psychology
    • How we relate to each other
    • Attachment Theory
    • Experimental social psychology; Festinger, Zimbardo, Milgram etc.
  • Neuropsychology
  • Counselling and therapy, particularly psychodynamic

My goal is, currently, to go into Clinical Psychology. I know that this is incredibly competitive, and will take a lot of work to make happen so I am aiming for a First in my Undergraduate. At the same time I am very nervous about everything and really hope I can make it all happen!

Oh, and by the way: In case you were wondering where “Psychology Student #-55″ came from, it is a very nerdy reference! I wanted to call myself by “Psychology Student #…” but #1 just sounded too “woo look at me, I’m number one!”. After thinking for a while I settled on -55 which is an important number in action potentials (related to the firing of neurons).