From discovering penicillin to understanding human behaviour to conducting the latest psychology research, curious minds have certainly shaped our lives. Cognitive scientist and researcher Elizabeth Bonawitz explains that “it’s a physiological response that helps drive action and decision-making to support learning.”1 In other words, we all have the power to change the world – we just have to get curious about it.
So, let’s break down how you can harness your mind to help people and society by studying a Bachelor of Social Science with a major in Behavioural Studies.
Want to help people? Ask all the questions.
Our graduates’ careers are all about helping people, whether it’s through support work, human resources, mental health support, and more. Their jobs have never been more important in a post-COVID society. And, to do their jobs well, they have to be ‘professionally curious’.
Research has also shown that it’s professional curiosity that helps save lives2.
Really? Yes, really. Being curious is about asking questions, which can help you help people. Why? Because it means you can explore and understand the full picture – whether you’re dealing with a person or several. How? Being curious means you’re open to learning more about the people, their situation, and your role in helping resolve it.
Long research article short. You can never ask too many questions in the quest to help people.
Embrace what you don’t know.
As a wise man called Socrates once said. “The only true wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing.” And our degree in behavioural studies focuses on embracing the unknown.
Although we may not have Socrates on our payroll, you’ll learn from our dedicated team of industry experts. They’ll teach your curious mind the fundamentals of psychology and sociology, core human characteristics, and how to develop intervention strategies.
All so you can use this knowledge to help others, no matter your career.
![Studying the reasons behind human behaviour](https://www.swinburneonline.edu.au/app/uploads/2022/09/pexels-alex-green-5699431.webp)
Your mind isn’t linear. Neither is our course.
According to various research, curiosity is an impulse to explore possibilities and seek knowledge3 – wherever, whenever. We know that your mind needs more than just a straight-and-narrow course, so our degree is designed to satiate that desire.
Obviously, our course’s key focus is to give you all the skills so you can help people through behavioural intervention. But there’s a bonus. You have the freedom to choose half of your degree based on what electives you’re most passionate about!
Ready to harness your curious mind?
A lot of good can come from being curious. If you’ve reached the end of this article, you are certainly the kind of mind that would enjoy studying our Behavioural Studies major. So, are you ready to learn more? Explore everything this course has to offer here.
For more information or any queries, enquire now to start your social sciences journey today!
References:
1How Curiosity Shapes Our World
2Could curiosity save lives? An exploration into the value of using professional curiosity and partnership work in safeguarding adults under the Care Act 2014.
3The psychology and neuroscience of curiosity
The Business Case for Curiosity
Towards a sociology of curiosity: theoretical and empirical consideration of the epistemic drive notion