Psychology sits mainly in the social-science category, though it borrows tools from natural sciences and humanities.
Is psychology considered a social science?
Yes, psychology is generally treated as a social science, even though it also pulls from biology and natural-science methods.
Look at how the American Psychological Association frames it: the field examines individual behavior and mental processes within social settings. That makes psychology a close cousin of sociology and anthropology. Top programs, like the ones at Harvard, list psychology under social sciences, stressing human behavior, social exchanges, and cultural context. Still, cognitive neuroscience and biological psychology rely on MRIs and lab work—so psychology straddles two worlds.
Is psychology a science major?
Psychology can count as a science major, especially in BS tracks that stack biology, chemistry, stats, and research methods.
A Bachelor of Science in Psychology usually forces you through statistics, experimental design, and the biological roots of behavior—basically the same hard-science course load you’d see in biology or chemistry. The American Psychological Association points out that pre-med students and clinical researchers often pick the BS route. On the flip side, a BA throws in more humanities credits—think philosophy or literature. Both degrees open doors, but if you’re aiming at neuropsychology or behavioral neuroscience, the BS is the safer bet.
