Branches of Psychology
Branches of Psychology:
• There are different types of psychology that serve different
purposes. There is no fixed way of classifying them, but here are some common
types.
1. Abnormal Psychology
2. Behavioral Psychology
Psychologists who study the connection between the mind and
subsequent behaviors are behavioral psychologists. Behavioral psychologists
counsel, diagnose and treat patients with behavioral disorders. By better
understanding behaviors, the psychologists hope to better predict how people
will behave in different situations. Behavioral psychologists study how habits
form in people, and how the mind plays a role in a physical response.
3. Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology relates to psychologists directly providing
comprehensive healthcare to patients who are suffering from mental illness.
Clinical psychologists interact with patients through observations, interviews
and tests before making a diagnosis and coming up with a plan to deal with the symptoms
of a mental illness. Many psychologists in this field use psychoanalysis, a
psychological theory and form of therapy for treating mental disorders in
patients. Over the course of multiple visits, psychologists delve into the
emotions and experiences of a patient to provide insight into the illness.
4. Cognitive Psychology
Concerned with mental processes, cognitive psychologists study the
human thought process and how people obtain, process, and store information in
the brain. These psychologists conduct experiments and research to study
memory, perception, and learning. They work to better understand the mind and
find solutions to memory loss, learning disabilities, and other cognitive
issues.
5. Counseling Psychology
Patients who are suffering through stressful moments in life could
be advised to see a counseling psychologist. Counseling psychologists treat
patients who are experiencing an emotional strain caused by social or physical
factors. This differs from clinical psychologists, who treat and diagnose
patients with mental disorders. Marriage and grief counselors would be
considered part of counseling psychology. The counselors assess patients and
then advise them with a personalized plan to improving their well-being and
decreasing stress.
6. Developmental Psychology
Developmental psychologists have helped us better understand how
people mature over the course of their lives, both emotionally and physically,
studying human development from birth until old age. Specifically,
psychologists take an in-depth look at biological growth of the body, cognitive
expansion and emotional maturity. among other areas of study. When working with
patients, developmental psychologists assess and diagnose to treat various
issues, such as developmental delays in children. Some of these delays are
common, and a psychologist could diagnose therapy to help the child catch up or
just observation to see how the child improves on his or her own.
7. Educational Psychology
Educational psychologists study factors that impact learning,
including learning methods and how information is processed and absorbed.
Memory, concepts, and individual differences all affect how a person learns. In
researching these processes, psychologists apply theories of human development
to better understand how to improve the instructional process.
8. Experimental Psychology
Experimental psychologists conduct investigations into basic
psychological processes, such as attention, perception, memory, and reasoning.
Arguably, many psychologists could be considered experimental in that research
impacts much of this field. However, the sole mission of experimental
psychologists is conducting and publishing research on either human or animal
behaviors. Their findings often contribute to work across many branches and
builds on a larger conclusion.
9. Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychologists work in the intersection of the legal
system and the field of psychology. They often conduct evaluations and research
that help guide legal proceedings. This can include evaluating a defendant for
competency to stand trial or helping train police officers and first responders
on how to properly handle criminals and crime scenes. While many forensic
psychologists work within the legal system, some work in threat assessment,
which is the scientific approximation of whether a person will become a threat
in the future.
10. Health Psychology
In 1977, George L. Engel developed the biopsychosocial model, or the idea that biological, psychological, and social factors influence disease and illness. In time, this has become the model used by health psychologists to study how and why people get sick. These psychologists help people make choices that have a positive impact on their health, as well as that of their families and communities. Their patients range from those with genetic disorders to substance abuse issues.
11. Human Factors Psychology
Human factors psychologists use research to improve
transportation, consumer products, telecommunication, technology - nearly
anything and any system with which humans interact. Their goal is to create
safer and more effective systems by better understanding people's expectations
and how they interact with products and technology. These psychologists conduct
research and consult with companies on how to ensure a safe working environment
for employees.
12. Industrial - Organizational Psychology
Industrial-Organizational Psychology, also known as I/O
psychology, serves to study how human behavior impacts industry and
organizations. I/O psychologists evaluate a work situation and develop a plan
for the optimal performance and work-life balance in that situation for the
employees. I/O psychologists specialize in designing and executing research
done on workplace setups as well as studying decision-making theories.
13. Personality Psychology
Personality psychologists work to explain why people display
certain types of behavior, such as aggression, and study the differences
between disorders. Psychologists in this branch study individual differences in
personality characteristics, such as conscientiousness, as well as how
personality characteristics interact to create a personality. Additionally,
personality psychologists study the influence of expressed genes and how that
affects personality. Although mainly working in research, they can provide
treatment to people with personality disorders.
14. School Psychology
Creating a safe and healthy school environment is the goal of
every school psychologist. These psychologists focus on helping find the best
environment for student learning as well as helping teachers or students find
their optimal learning space. They study social, behavioral, emotional, and
academic factors to find the best situation for students. They also conduct
research on the best practices for school policy and make recommendations for
school administrators to adopt.
15. Social Psychology
Social psychologists strive to understand individual behaviors and personalities within a social context. Psychologists in this branch study the social factors that influence how people act and the condition in which those actions occur. Most social psychologists research and observe social influence, group processes, prejudice or discrimination, and stereotypes. Over the years, SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGISTS have helped better the understanding of people's attitudes, willingness to conform to a group, and social decision-making.
16. Sports Psychology
Sports psychologists help athletes achieve optimal performance on
the field. Psychologists in this subset study how sports affect human
psychology and vice versa. In applied settings, sports psychologists work with
athletes (from youth to adults), parents, coaches, and more regarding injuries
and rehabilitation, positive communication, and team building.
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