Aspergers and an interest in psychology?

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Is it normal to have aspergers and be interested in psychology - the study of BEHAVIOUR? I asked my psychologist and she said yes because of my fear of people (I also have social phobia) but isn't one of the symptoms of aspergers a lack of interest in people, not to mention difficulties in recognising non verbal cues?

Katherine, you actually broach two separate issues. I'm not terribly interested in psychology, at least not as it pertains to AS. But as an aspie I do have to intellectualize social matters that are unconscious for normal people. Normal people don't have to think when they socialize any more than you or I have to think about putting one foot in front of the other when we walk. So, in a sense we're all interested in psychology, at least informally.

As far as a lack of interest in people, I think it is the aspie's existential dilemma that we need other people more than we want them.

Not everyone on the spectrum lacks an interest in people. And for those who are interested, a lack of understand of the actions and intentions of other people might lead them to study psychology in order to figure it out.

Most of the psychologists I have known got into the field initially because they were trying to figure out what was wrong with them. It gave them insight into themselves and led them to want to help others with similar problems.

Now this is my kind of topic! I'm studying to become a psychologist (But as always when I "out" myself like this I think it's worth mentioning that I am not a professional and should just be considered another "fool")

I don't know if i's considered normal for people with Asperger's but I have come across others who have had an interest in psychology (not just the autism spectrum, kind of does not count when you have it, I would say) and neuroscience.

I have some social phobia as well I don't see what that has to do with you being interested in psychology though.
- I find an interest in psychology to be very natural for someone on the spectrum. If you never feel you have fully understand why people behave as they do, there really is no better way to broaden your understanding. But I would say that I'm probably a tiny bit like my avatar (House), meaning that I love reading and knowing the facts, and the puzzle of a diagnosis but if I can avoid dealing to much with people that would be great.

May I just say that I am a diagnosed Aspie but I have an interest in people and social behaviour - even though at the same time I sometimes hate people and have severe Social Phobia? I find I am a very unusual Aspie, and I think hating the stuff I like/liking the stuff I hate confuses the mind and makes me miserable. So I know what you mean but I can't find an answer because I have the same thing as you.

All my life I've been interested in people, ever since I born. When I draw I draw pictures of people socialising or doing some sort of other activity. When I write I write stories or poems about people living ordinary day-to-day life (not very exciting to read but fun for me to write). When I play on the Sims 2 I make groups of ''mates'' living in houses together and I've installed Nightlife so I can give them better social lives. When I watch films the social interaction fascinates me. My special interests are based around people (I get obsessed with people).

But yet I have Social Phobia. Can't make it out either.

You are interested in an academic area of study and research about people and various aspects of their thinking and behaviours. That is different from having an interest in individual people, as people.

I was asked if I'm a psychologist last time I met with spectrum people by some girl, she said I could be one. Not the first time I hear it. I do think I'm probably more interested in psychology than the average person who doesn't study it.

I'm the same.

I'm in college right now majoring in psychology. The psyc class was one of the most interesting and exciting classes I had ever taken. I hope to hold a doctorate some day and to be working with people trying to help them. I still have a long ways to go.

I am interested in people individually too. That's why I enjoy gossiping, expressing feelings of self and others, and exchanging opinions, etc.

*edit* in fact I'm TOO interested in other people individually that I start getting jealous of someone or over-involved, until I depress myself over what they're doing with their lives more than my own life. I also admire different personalities and ways of living, and I talk about other people non-stop.

Last edited by Joe90 on 11 Jan 2012, 2:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I took all of the psychology classes offered by the local community college where I live. My favorites were Abnormal and Social Psychology. I also took General Psychology and AP Psychology in high school.

I'm going to take Abnormal Psyc this spring, I'm so excited. It's the same professor I had before and he was great.

I've had an intense special interest in human behavior for the last few years. It's not psychology as much as all the factors that shape human behavior. When I think psychology, I think textbooks. It's such an obsession that I can't stop thinking about it. I was making out with a girl last week, and all I could think about was that thought I was working on the previous night. Maybe that's what happens when as Aspie gets too involved in that sort of thing, but it's probably just me being a messed up individual.

For the most part, I come from a culture that does not support the pursuit of psychology as a major. The irony of it all, a whole hell of a lot of other people through out my life have suggested that i pursue psychology as a major.

Listen, there is nothing like forming a counter intuitive theory from pieces of information THAT at first glance seem so obvious.
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OHHHH so you want to research a question and find an answer....

OK, I have an answer to your question, let's do the research and see.........

*It brings chills up my spine just thinking about IT.*

TheSunAlsoRises

Last edited by TheSunAlsoRises on 11 Jan 2012, 2:04 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Lots of people find psychology interesting, and yes, many Aspies, including myself, are among them.

i indeed have an interest for psycology, specifically social dynamics, for obvious reasons, but it is far from an obsessive interest.
i have also tried to rationalize social behaviour, but thus far i concluded i dont understand half of it

I had an intense interest in psychology when I was in high school. I was going to take it my last year there. My Special Ed teacher didn't think it was such a great idea. I was crushed. Psychology was one of my special interests in high school and I was denied the right to take it. I was going to take it in college, but my dad already picked out my course without my consent. He decided that I should be in an Adult Special Education job training programme. I was so crushed by the end of my two years in that programme that I've lost any desire to take any of the courses that I wanted to take. One good thing came out of that course, but I've said it many times before.