Psychology is both a science and a profession. As scientists, psychologists are concerned with discovering the basic principles that underlie mental processes and behaviour. They conduct research in areas as diverse as sensation and perception, learning and memory, child development, personality, and social interaction. As professionals, psychologists apply the knowledge acquired through research to alleviate distress and improve the lives of others.

At a fundamental level, students who specialize in psychology become critical thinkers, and develop an ability to gather and synthesize information from a variety of sources. These are widely recognized as highly valuable skills in a competitive, rapidly evolving economy. More specifically, psychologists are sought after for employment in such settings as hospitals, rehabilitation centres (e.g. Workers' Compensation Board), research organizations (e.g. Statistics Canada), colleges and universities, law enforcement, personnel administration, and advertising.