WHAT DOES A
PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST DO?
Prepared by Dr. Jeff Adams
Psychologists can be found in many diverse roles and settings. Many work
in academic settings, teaching, doing research, or working in
administration, others work in private practice or in hospitals and
clinics providing direct care services to individuals, couples, and
families. Still others can be found in businesses or working for the
government as researchers, consultants, and administrators.
Where psychologists work and what
role they perform depends on the type of degree they have and on their
area of specialization. First, a career as a professional psychologist
requires advanced training in either a Master's (usually two additional
years after the B.A.) or Ph.D. (usually four to five additional years
after the B.A.) graduate school program. Second, before applying for
advanced study a student must make a choice of which subspecialty to
pursue. Just as a medical student must choose to specialize in
pediatrics, neurology, podiatry, etc., a psychology student must select
from a long list of specific areas of study. Some of these areas include
(in alphabetical order):
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: Clinicians are interested in the etiology
(causes), diagnosis, and treatment of abnormal behavior. They use
diverse therapeutic techniques in treating psychological crises
ranging from moderate anxiety to extreme conditions such as
psychotic disorders. Some clinical psychologists also choose to
specialize in treating only certain types of problems such as eating
disorders or depression, or choose to focus their work with special
populations such as children, minority groups, or the elderly.
COGNITIVE/EXPERIMENTAL
PSYCHOLOGY: These psychologists are researchers and teachers who
use scientific methods to study mental processes, such as memory,
language, thinking, and perception. Some cognitive psychologists
also apply their knowledge in business and industry as design
consultants.
COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY: overlaps with clinical psychology in that
their practitioners both provide therapy. However, counseling
psychologists generally work with individuals struggling with
everyday problems of moderate severity, such as marital or family
difficulties.
DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY:
Studies human development from when we are infants until we become
elderly, with particular interest in changes that result from
physical maturation and from experience. Developmental psychologists
may focus on particular age groups such as infancy or adolescence,
or they may be interested in how particular abilities and skills
change over an individual's lifetime.
EDUCATIONAL/SCHOOL
PSYCHOLOGY: Studies how people learn, and works to improve
curriculum designs, teacher training, achievement testing, and other
aspects of the educational process. Some educational and school
psychologists work directly with students and teachers in school
settings while others conduct research and provide training.
INDUSTRIAL/ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY: is interested in the role
played by psychological factors in business settings. Some I/O
psychologists focus on personnel/human resource issues such as
employee selection and evaluation, and promotion, while others work
toward developing techniques to improve worker morale, job
satisfaction, motivation, and productivity.
PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY:
investigates the relation between our biological systems and our
thought and behavior. Topics of interest may include the influence
of particular neurochemicals on our moods or actions, or the
association of specific structures within the brain with human
functioning.
SOCIAL
PSYCHOLOGY: is interested in studying the way individuals and
social settings influence the thoughts and behaviors of others. A
social psychologist might study how people form their attitudes,
what causes one person to be attracted to another, or individual and
group dynamics that lead to difficulties such as aggression and
prejudice.
There are many publications that
are available to you here at St. Michael's that describe in greater
detail career opportunities in psychology. A good place to start looking
into these "Careers In Psychology," a short publication from the
American Psychological Association packed with information for the
undergraduate student interested in a career in psychology. This booklet
discusses topics such as what psychologists do and where they work to,
as well as providing information on further resources.
Check out this site:
http://online.onetcenter.org/
to see which career in psychology might be right for you! |
