Psychologists
Psychologists study the mind and behavior but the actual work of psychologists can vary greatly.
Psychology has many different career paths and they work in a wide variety of settings, including schools, universities, hospitals, private clinics, government offices, corporations and small businesses.
Psychologists primarily work in one of two broad areas: research psychology or applied psychology.
Research psychologists or experimental psychologists as they are also called, study a wide range of human and animal behavior.
They design and conduct experiments exploring how people act, think, behave, interact, learn, feel, and perform under different conditions.
Applied psychologists use their knowledge of psychological theories and principles to solve real world problems.
Also, an important note to remember is that applied psychology and social service careers can sometimes overlap.
Clinical Psychology is the largest subfield in psychology.
They are involved with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders.
While this group usually works in hospitals or medical offices they are not doctors and cannot prescribe medication in most states.
Forensic Psychology involves applying psychology to the field of criminal investigation and the law.
They work in custody disputes, insurance claims and lawsuits.
Some professionals work in family courts and offer psychotherapy services, perform child custody evaluations, investigate reports of child abuse and conduct visitation risk assessments.
Industrial and organizational psychology is the scientific study of employees, workplaces, and organizations.
Industrial and organizational psychologists contribute to an organization's success by improving the performance, satisfaction, safety, health and well-being of its employees.
Industrial psychologists conduct research on employee behaviors and attitudes, and how these can be improved through hiring practices, training programs, feedback, and management systems.
School Psychologists work within the educational system to help children with emotional, social, and academic issues.
They collaborate with teachers, parents, and students to find solutions to academic, social, and emotional problems.
Most school psychologists work in elementary and secondary schools, but others work in private clinics, hospitals, state agencies, and universities. Some go into private practice and serve as consultants, especially those with a doctoral degree in school psychology.
 |