CAREERS IN PSYCHOLOGY APA has 56 divisions/specialty areas in Psych!

Basic Research Subfields Pure science or research Research for the sake of finding new information and expanding the knowledge base of psychology

Cognitive Psychologist: –Study thought processes, perception, language, attention, problem solving, decision making, memory, intelligence Developmental Psychologist: –Study age related behavioral, mental, biological & social changes throughout the lifespan. Educational Psychologist: –Study processes involved in learning and work to find ways to improve the learning process. Experimental Psychologist: –Use experimental research method to study a variety of areas in psychology to search for cause & effect relationships. Psychometric & Quantitative Psychologist: –Create, administer, score and interpret psychological tests Social Psychologist: –Study how other people influence our behaviors and mental processes.

Applied Research Research designed to solve specific practical problems

Forensic Psychologist: –Apply psychology to legal issues & cases Health Psychologist: –Identify conditions & practices associated with health & illness and work to create ways to treat/prevent them. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist: –Study ways to improve working environments. Neuropsychologist: –Study the structure and function of the brain/nervous system and its links to behavior and mental processes. Rehabilitation Psychologist: –Work with people who have lost mental functioning after an accident or health issue. School Psychologist: –Work with students, parents and teachers to diagnose and treat issues that are disrupting a student’s learning. Sport Psychologist: –Work with athletes to help them improve the mental factors that lead to success.

The Helping Professions

Clinical Psychologist: –Diagnose and treat patients with psychological problems –Largest number of professional psychologists –Have a doctoral degree (not a medical doctor) Community Psychologist: –Work to improve mental health of traditionally underserved communities facing difficult issues (poverty, racism, natural disasters). Counseling Psychologist: –Help people having trouble adjusting to major lifestyle changes (not major disorders).

REVIEW QUESTION: The difference between basic and applied research is… ANSWER: Basic is scientific research trying to find new information. Applied is research that is trying to solve a practical problem.

REVIEW QUESTION: Based on your reading, where do most psychologists work? ANSWER: Private Practice or Colleges & Universities