Psychology
Psychology Links:
What is Psychology?
The scientific study of behavior and experience, and the associated mental and physiological processes. The practical application of knowledge to solve or prevent individual and social problems.
Career directions with a B.A./B.S.:
Without a graduate degree, you cannot be a "psychologist". However, a wide variety of career opportunities exist in industry, business, and government. You can go to professional schools (e.g., medical school, law school). Government jobs exist on the local, state, and federal levels (positions with civil rights, poverty, urban renewal, and social work). Business and industry recruit students for training in management, purchasing, sales, and other specialized functions. Occupations include: caseworker, child care worker, employee trainer, marketing research analyst, advertising, mental health worker, occupational therapist, psychiatric social worker, public relations representative.
Career directions with a graduate degree in psychology:
Clinical psychologist, industrial/organizational psychologist, academic psychologist, mental health administrator, school psychologist, guidance counselor, rehabilitation psychologist. There are psychologists who work primarily as researchers, others who work primarily as practitioners, and many who do both (scientist-practitioners).
A special note about graduate study in clinical psychology:
The helping professions offer somewhat limited opportunities for those who do not have a doctoral degree. Only some states license Masters level therapists, which allows therapists to practice privately. However, there are opportunities for Masters level therapists in community mental health agencies and residential treatment facilities. Other fields, such as social work, offer many opportunities to Masters level professionals.
The two doctoral degrees in psychology are the Ph.D. and the Psy.D. In clinical psychology, the Ph.D. emphasizes research training, but should promote a balance of research and clinical training. The Psy.D. Emphasizes preparation for clinical work and is not research-oriented.
To learn about the variety of careers in psychology, go to the APA site http://www.apa.org/students/careers/
- Clinical psychologists assess and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. These range from short-term crises, such as difficulties resulting from adolescent rebellion, to more severe, chronic conditions such as schizophrenia.
- Counseling psychologists help people to accommodate to change or to make changes in their lifestyle. For example, they provide vocational and career assessment and guidance or help someone come to terms with the death of a loved one.
- Developmental psychologists study the psychological development of the human being that takes place throughout life.
- Forensic psychologists apply psychological principles to legal issues. Their expertise is often essential in court. They can, for example, help a judge decide which parent should have custody of a child or evaluate a defendant's mental competence to stand trial.
- Social psychologists study how a person's mental life and behavior is shaped by interactions with other people. They are interested in all aspects of interpersonal relationships, including both individual and group influences, and seek ways to improve such interactions.
- Industrial/organizational psychologists apply psychological principles and research methods to the work place in the interest of improving productivity and the quality of work life. Many serve as human resources specialists, helping organizations with staffing, training, and employee development and management in such areas as strategic planning, quality management, and coping with organizational change.
- Educational psychologists concentrate on how effective teaching and learning take place. They consider a variety of factors, such as human abilities, student motivation, and the effect on the classroom of the diversity of race, ethnicity, and culture that makes up America.
- Engineering psychologists conduct research on how people work best with machines. For example, how can a computer be designed to prevent fatigue and eye strain? What arrangement of an assembly line makes production most efficient? What is a reasonable workload?
- Neuropsychologists explore the relationships between brain systems and behavior. Neuropsychologists also assess and treat people. And with the dramatic increase in the number of survivors of traumatic brain injury over the past 30 years, neuropsychologists are working with health teams to help brain-injured people resume productive lives.
- Health psychologists are interested in how biological, psychological, and social factors affect health and illness. They identify the kinds of medical treatment people seek and get; how patients handle illness; why some people don't follow medical advice; and the most effective ways to control pain or to change poor health habits. They also develop health care strategies that foster emotional and physical well-being.
- School psychologists work directly with public and private schools. They assess and counsel students, consult with parents and school staff, and conduct behavioral intervention when appropriate.
- Rehabilitation psychologists work with stroke and accident victims, people with mental retardation, and those with developmental disabilities caused by such conditions as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. They help clients adapt to their situation, frequently working with other health care professionals.
- Quantitative and measurement psychologists focus on methods and techniques for acquiring and analyzing psychological data.
- Sports psychologists help athletes refine their focus on competition goals.
Last modified: 07/11/06 | Contact Webmaster
