Branches of psychology

Background: Philosophy and Physiology While psychology did not emerge as a separate discipline until the late 1800s, its earliest history can be traced back to the time of the early Greeks. During the 17th-century, the French philosopher Rene Descartes introduced the idea of dualism, which asserted that the mind and body were two entities that interact to form the human experience. So what makes psychology different from philosophy? While early philosophers relied on methods such as observation and logic, today’s psychologists utilize scientific methodologies to study and draw conclusions about human thought and behavior. Physiology also contributed to psychology’s eventual emergence as a scientific discipline. Early physiological research on the brain and behavior had a dramatic impact on psychology, ultimately contributing to applying scientific methodologies to the study of human thought and behavior. Both of these early schools of thought emphasized human consciousness, but their conceptions of it were significantly different. While the structuralists sought to break down mental processes into their smallest parts, the functionalists believed that consciousness existed as a more continuous and changing process. The psychoanalytic theory proposed by Sigmund Freud had a tremendous impact on 20th-century thought, influencing the mental health field as well as other areas including art, literature, and popular culture. While many of his ideas are viewed with skepticism tod...

Reading Time: 2 minutes In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and a shifting work landscape, industrial-organisational psychology emerges as a linchpin in understanding and improving the modern workplace. With roots in early 20th-century psychology, industrial-organisational psychology, or I-O psychology, navigates the complex interplay between human behaviour and organisational environments. Employee selection and training One of the primary concerns of I-O psychologists is employee selection. The goal is to ensure that the right person is placed in the right job, which is crucial for organisational success. Through rigorous testing, interviews, and assessments, I-O psychologists are able to evaluate a candidate’s skills, personality, and fit for a particular role. Post-hiring, I-O psychologists also take an active part in training and development to ensure that employees are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their positions. Employee motivation and well-being Motivated employees are the backbone of any successful organisation. I-O psychologists seek to understand what drives employees and how to harness their motivations to improve productivity. They study incentive systems, goal setting, and feedback mechanisms. Moreover, with mental health gaining prominence, ensuring the psychological well-being of employees is a fundamental concern. I-O psychologists help in devising strategies that foster a healthy work environment and aid i...

Cross-cultural psychology is a branch of psychology that explores the similarities and differences in thinking and behavior between individuals from different cultures. Scientists using a cross-cultural approach focus on and compare participants from diverse cultural groups to examine ways in which cognitive styles, perception, emotional expression, Psychologists who are interested in expanding psychology’s focus on diverse cultures have pointed out that the majority of research participants are, to use a popular term, WEIRD: they are from Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic societies. Cross-cultural research has made it clear that what psychologists conclude about this slice of the world’s population does not always extend to people with other cultural backgrounds. Psychology’s mission to understand how humans think and behave requires studying humanity as broadly as possible—not just the humans to which researchers tend to be nearest. Psychologists who conduct cross-cultural research investigate the richness of human psychological variation across the world, including points of consistency and divergence between populations with distinct cultural backgrounds, such as those in Western and East Asian countries. Cross-cultural studies allow psychologists to make comparisons and inferences about people from different countries or from broader geographic regions (such as North America or the Western world). But psychologists also compare groups at smaller ...

The study of psychology can be personally and professionally rewarding. Concentrations in this field offer diverse opportunities to learn about people and how they interact with others in the workplace, in relationships and when facing health, financial and other life challenges. While #1 - Abnormal Psychology Abnormal psychologists focus on the origins and constructs of mental illness and look at unusual patterns of behaviors, emotions and thoughts. They are involved in assessment, diagnoses and clinical treatment of mental disorders. “When most people think about abnormal behavior, they think in terms of the extremes, of unusual and shocking examples with a sensational allure,” said Dr. Nanette Mongelluzzo, an adjunct instructor of But, she added, “abnormal simply means 'away from the normal.' Culture, belief systems, family or origin, religion and other societal norms affect the interpretation of normal and abnormal. Abnormal psychology is a specialization within the field of psychology, and it's based on the study of normal psychology, normal adjustment, societal interactions, group interactions, roles that are expected, personal maturity and so on. Most psychotherapists and clinical mental health professionals would agree that abnormal psychology studies and addresses deviations from the norm.” Pursuing a master's in psychology can help position you for success in a • • clinical or research psychologist • criminal profiler • licensed professional counselor • marriage ...

By Kristen Fescoe Published August, 2015 While most people are familiar with the general field of psychology, the numerous specialty areas of psychology are much less known. The top 25 specialty areas and sub-fields of psychology careers listed here are only representative of an even broader array of sub-fields within the discipline. Some of the theories and methods associated with certain specialty areas have stood the test of time, with scientific evidence that the specialty area is effective at treating mental health issues. Others are newer theories that are still in their infancy. While some areas of psychology are meant to tackle a specific type of problem or issue, such as developmental psychologists working specifically with children, others can be applied to a range of circumstances. For example, if an individual is living with chronic depression, there are a number of specialty areas that can be applied to treat the depression and the underlying causes. It can sometimes take a degree of trial and error before the individual can find a treatment modality that works for them. This has created a degree of criticism in regards to the subjective nature of the field. However, some see this as one of the field of psychology’s greatest strengths. By having so many options, there are an almost infinite number of possible solutions to help improve the lives of those in need. Top 25 Specialty Areas of Psychology Behavioral Psychology Sample Programs: The study and practice ...

YouTube: 2 Minute Classroom Psychology is defined formally as a science that studies mental processes, experiences and behaviours in different contexts. We will further understand the meaning of mental processes, behaviours and experiences in detail • Mental Processes are usually used when we think or to solve a problem, to know or remember something. One level at which these mental processes are reflected in brain activity. Unlike the brain, our mind does not have a physical structure or a definite location. • Experiences are subjective in nature which are studied by psychologists. One important thing about experiences is that we cannot directly observe or know someone else’s experience, only the experiencing person can be aware or conscious of her or his experiences. • Behaviours are responses or reactions we make or activities we engage in. Behaviours may be simple or complex, short or enduring. Some behaviours are overt which means they can be outwardly seen or sensed by an observer whereas some behaviours are covert which means that they cannot be easily spotted and seen by other people Psychology as a Discipline Psychology is a discipline that studies about human behaviour, mental processes, experiences in different contexts: • It makes us understand how our mind works and how certain mental processes result in a specific type of behaviour. • Psychology as a Discipline today has two parallel streams namely- • Natural Science • Social Science Psychology as a Natural S...