Areas of Specialization

Careers in Psychology

Clinical Psychologists

► Largest group► Treat psychological

problems anxiety, depression,

schizophrenia

► Trained to evaluate using interviews and psychological tests

► Work in hospitals, prisons, college clinics, private practices

Counseling Psychologists

► Treat adjustment problems conflicts with family,

teachers, employers, colleagues

► Help clients clarify goals, overcome problems, meet challenges

► Employed in businesses and college university counseling/testing centers

School Psychologists

► Work with students who have problems that interfere with learning Learning disorders, peer

group and family problems

► Administer intelligence and achievement tests

► Observe students in classroom to determine student placement

Educational Psychologists

► Focus on course planning and instructional methods whole school system

vs. individual student

►Assist in test preparation for national aptitude tests ACT, SAT

Developmental Psychologists

►Study the changes that occur throughout a person’s life span Physical Emotional Cognitive Social

Personality Psychologists

► Identify characteristics or traits

►Study the influence of traits on behavior

► Interested in origin of psychological problems and disorders

Social Psychologists

►Concerned with people’s behavior in social situations gender differences in

given settings attraction factors group behavior/

conformity prejudice/

discrimination aggression

Experimental Psychologists

►Conduct research into basic processes sensation &

perception learning & memory thinking &

motivation

►Conduct basic research

► Investigates variety of behavioral processes in humans and animals

http://youtu.be/PQtDTdDr8vs

Industrial & Organizational Psychologists

►Concerned with relationship between people and their work environment

►Employed by business firms to improve working conditions and increase worker output job satisfaction

Environmental Psychologists

► Focus on ways in which people influence and are influenced by physical environment

► Investigate effects of environment temperature noise air pollution

http://youtu.be/JP7T2q3yeUM

Consumer Psychologists

►Study the behavior of shoppers to explain and predict behavior

►Work with advertisers to create effective marketing ads

►Advise store managers about store displays to attract customers

http://youtu.be/g3IwOgA3Ngw

Forensic Psychologists

►Are concerned with how psychological problems give rise to criminal behavior

►Work within the criminal justice system selecting police

officers help officers cope

with stress train officers http://youtu.be/PRxYaK9fgl8

Health Psychologists

►Study the ways in which behavior and mental processes are related to physical health effects of stress on

health problems

►Help people adopt healthy behaviors exercising

Sports Psychologists

►Work directly with athletes to increase motivation and enhance performance

►Techniques include Visualization Thought stopping Confidence training Fostering realistic

goals/expectations Fostering team

community http://youtu.be/Zq7cM5c_vTg