What is Psychology?
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. The discipline embraces all aspects of the human experience — from the functions of the brain to the actions of nations, from child development to care for the aged. In every conceivable setting from scientific research centers to mental health care services, "the understanding of behavior" is the enterprise of psychologists.
Why study Psychology?
An undergraduate major in psychology offers a student preparation for a wide variety of careers. Many majors find psychology to be an excellent preparation for such service-oriented professions as social work, counseling and guidance, special education, and management. Those who pursue graduate work in one of the many fields of psychology often seek positions in teaching and research or applied human services. In addition, the study of psychology provides a knowledge and an understanding of behavior that has applications in other professions as well, including nursing, medicine, law, teaching, business, and public relations.
Careers in Psychology
Psychology can be a foundation for many different careers. In addition to service-oriented professions such as social work, school guidance, vocational counseling, and daycare, it can prepare students to be research and lab assistants, personnel administrators, or technical writers. It also has applications in many other areas like medicine, law and business. With graduate work, students can choose from a variety of careers, which may involve teaching or research in education or university settings.
Some common areas in which psychologists work are:
Clinical Psychology
This is the field's largest area of specialization. The clinician evaluates and treats people with emotional and/or behavioral problems. Clinical psychologists are well-versed in personality, psychopathology, social psychology, psychometrics and the application of diagnostic and therapeutic tools and techniques. They also may do research relating to the causes, assessment, and treatment of psychopathology.
Counseling Psychology
This specialty emphasizes facilitating normal development and helping people cope with major problems of everyday living such as a career choices or improving interpersonal relationships. Counseling psychologists frequently use their knowledge of developmental psychology, psychopathology, personality, family relations, educational psychology, and psychometrics.
Educational Psychology
Individual differences, learning, motivation, group behavior, and personality are among the primary areas of an educational psychologist's expertise. Their research focus is on the interactions of students with their educational environments.
School Psychology
Practitioners in this specialty are concerned with the effectiveness of educational settings in facilitating children's intellectual, social, and emotional development. They may have various roles within a school system, including assessment, guidance counseling, consultation, and research.
Psychology of Personality
These psychologists examine processes by which a person becomes a unique individual. They use knowledge from all areas of the field and focus on understanding how individuals function and adapt to their social environment. Psychopathology (or Abnormal Psychology) is the most important sub-specialty. It is concerned with factors that contribute to deviant and maladjusted behavior and the processes or techniques by which it can be modified.
Psychometrics
This area focuses on the development and application of procedures for measuring psychological variables. Psychometrics has developed into a highly technical area, relevant to all areas of psychology. Researchers have produced widely used intelligence, personality, and interest tests, as well as assessment procedures. In addition to general knowledge of the field, a psychometrician (or quantitative psychologist) is well-trained in mathematics, statistics, programming, and use of computers.
Social Psychology
This specialty uses empirical studies to examine human responses to social situations such as first impressions, attitude change, behavior in emergencies, interpersonal attraction, and impression management.
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For more information on (preparation for) careers and graduate study in psychology, contact the American Psychological Association. Their publications, such as Graduate Study in Psychology, can direct students to additional information sources. Their address is:
American Psychological Association
750 First St., NE
Washington DC 20002-4242
Phone - 800-374-2721
Website - http://www.apa.org
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