Subfields of Psychology
Presented by the Psych Society
Social Psychology
• According to psychologist Gordon Allport, social psychology is a discipline
that uses scientific methods "to understand and explain how the thought,
feeling and behavior of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined or
implied presence of other human beings" (1985).
• Therefore, social psychologists deal with the factors that lead us to behave
in a given way in the presence of others. They look at the conditions under
which certain behavior, actions, and feelings occur.
Career Paths in Social Psychology
• Human behavior expertise leads to Career opportunities in virtually every
type of employment setting
• educational institutions, non profit organizations, corporations, government, and
hospitals.
• Some specific examples:
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Professor and/ or Researcher
Marketing director
Manager
Consultant
Degree Needed for Social Psychology
•Most social psychologists pursue a PhD
• usually needed to become a professor at a college or
university
•There are Masters programs in social Psychology
• Acceptance of degree depend on employer/ specific job
• Less common then PhD route
Developmental Psychology
What is it?
● Developmental psychologists mainly focuses on the process of developmental
growth throughout a person’s lifespan
- Early childhood development
- Intellectual development
- Cognitive development
- Aging
● Usually developmental psychologists focus on specific age groups (infancy,
adolescence, elderly)
Career Paths in Developmental Psychology
Where?
● Primarily in schools, learning centers, children’s homes, and retirement homes
● Universities
- May be asked to teach or conduct research
Salary Prospects
● In 2010, the median salary was $86,510
● Depending on the location of where they work, their salaries vary
Degree Options for Developmental
Psychologists
● Master’s programs
● Doctoral programs
- PhD or PsyD
If you want to go toward counseling patients with developmental disorders
then it is best to get a PsyD
*If you want to conduct research then it is best to get a PhD
Clinical Psychology
● APA: “Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, predict, prevent and
treat psychopathology, mental disorders and other individual or
group problems to improve behavior adjustment, adaptation,
personal effectiveness and satisfaction.”
● While all clinical psychologists are interested in mental health,
there are actually a wide variety of sub-specialties within this field.
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Child and/or Adult Mental Health
Learning Disabilities
Emotional Disturbances
Substance Abuse
Career Paths in Clinical Psychology
• Clinical Psychologists often work in hospitals, private practice or, academic settings.
Other settings include performing research, teaching university-level courses and
offering consultation services.
• Specific Examples include:
-Assessment and diagnosis of psychological disorders
-Treatment of psychological disorders
-Consultations and therapy
-Conducting research
-Creating and administering programs to treat and prevent social problems
Degree Options for Clinical Psychology
● Master’s Degree can be suitable training for many industrial positions and for
clinical or counseling positions but, career opportunities are more limited.
● Ph.D
● Emphasizes the role of research and science
● Educate students about issues related to mental health and treatment
● Psy.D
train to be clinicians able to work in a wide range of clinical settings
Focuses on clinical and practitioner work
Counseling Psychology
• Counseling psychology is a field specializing in treating mental illness
and psychotherapy
• Counseling psychologists offer similar services as clinical
psychologists but treat traditionally less severe mental/emotional
problems
• It is more general as counselors help individuals solve problems
related to a number of issues and adjust to life’s everyday challenges
• They emphasize the individual’s strengths, cognitive elements, and
personality difficulties, through service that is available throughout the life
span
Career Paths in Counseling Psychology
• Counseling psychology is found in numerous career settings such as,
educational/school, government agencies, private businesses, and mental
health clinics
• Specific examples include:
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School/academic counselors
Career counselors
Mental health counselors
Researchers & Professors
Marriage & Family counselors
Substance abuse counselors
Degree Options for Counseling
Psychology
• There are many Master’s programs available for counseling psychology
• Less research focused and more applied focused
• Takes 2-3 years
• This degree allows graduates to gain limited licensure to practice
• A Ph.D or Psy.D is required in order to be a licensed “counseling psychologist”
• More research focused
• Takes 4-8 years
• Allows private practice
• Licensing requirements vary by state
Forensic Psychology
APA Definition:
• “ application of clinical specialties to the legal arena”
Broader Definition:
• Applying research and experimentation in other fields of psychology to the legal
system
What does a forensic psychologist do?
Routes
• Ph.D
- Must have Doctorate’s degree to become a licensed Forensic Psychologist.
• Dual degree in Psychology and Law
- Adds competitiveness
• Master’s Programs
- May not be the best route due to the amount of people with Ph.D’s
competing in the field.
Career Options
• Steady job growth has been seen over the last 20 years
• Anticipated growth in the field of Forensic Psychology.
• Growth is predicted to be seen in areas such as:
- research work
- clinical practice in forensic psychology
- working with an attorney and courts*
Tips for pursuing Forensic Psychology
• Internships
• Classes
• Research
Neuropsychology
What is Neuropsychology?
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Neuropsychology is the study of brain-behavior relationships
Various career paths
Commonly mistaken careers
Training
Future of the field
The Modern-Day Sherlock
• The relationship between brain-functioning and human behavior
is enormously complex
• Investigating the origins of behavior
• With understanding, comes applicability
• Exciting opportunities and a rewarding career
The Journey
• Getting into the field of neuropsychology begins during
undergrad
• Building a strong interest in the Brain and its effects on Human
Functioning
• Receiving Specialized Training and Mastery of the science
The Career Neuropsychologist
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Graduate training in Neuropsychology
Assessment and Diagnosis of Brain Disorders
Evaluation of Current Functioning
Treatment Planning
Remediation / Solutions to Challenges
Many careers are available when
Studying the Brain
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Frequent Overlap
Significant Difference
Neurology
Psychiatry
Neuroscience
Neurosurgeon
Others..
Clinical Neuropsychologists
• Specialized Competencies of structure and the function of the
CNS
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Extensive Training in Assessment, Evaluation, and Intervention
Techniques
Employment Settings
Salary
Industrial/Organization Psychology
• Overview
• APA: “Industrial and organizational
(I/O) psychologists study and assess
individual, group and organizational
dynamics in the workplace. They
apply that research to identify
solutions to problems that improve
the well-being and performance of
organizations and their employees.”
• In Other Words…
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Testing/Assessment
Leadership Development
Staffing (H.R.)
Management
Teams/Teamwork
Work-Life Balance
Diversity
I/O Psychology: The Data
• Degrees:
• 48% Doctoral
• 47% Master’s
• 5% Post-doctoral
• Median Wages (2013)
• $80,330/yr
• Projected Growth (2012-2022)
• >22%
• Related Occupations
– HR Managers / HR Specialists
– Training & Development
Managers / Training &
Development Specialists
– Market Research Analysts &
Marketing Specialists
I/O Psychology: At UCF
• Staff:
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Dr. Dipboye
Dr. Fritzsche*
Dr. Salas
Dr. Smith-Jentsch*
• Ph.D. Program
• 4th in research productivity
• 2nd at SIOP
Applied Experimental and Human Factors
Psychology
• Overview
• APA: “Human factors and engineering
psychologists study how people interact
with machines and technology. They use
psychological science to guide the design
of products, systems and devices we use
every day. They often focus on
performance and safety.”
• In Other Words…
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Training
Simulation
Virtual Reality
Hardware Design
(architecture – product)
• Graphic Design
• Perception
HF Psychology: The Data
• Degrees:
• 71% Master’s
• 13% Bachelor’s
• 8% Post-Master’s
• Median Wages (2013)
• $80,300/yr
• Projected Growth (2012-2022)
• 3-7%
• Related Occupations
– Manufacturing (69%)
– Human Factors
Engineer
– Research Analysts
– UI/UE Design
HF Psychology: At UCF
• Staff:
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Dr. Bowers
Dr. Hancock
Dr. Jentsch
Dr. Mouloua*
Dr. Salas
Dr. Sims
Dr. Smither
Dr. Szalma
Further Resources
APA Careers in Psychology
• http://www.apa.org/careers/resources/guides/careers.aspx
Online Psychology Career Center
• http://www.socialpsychology.org/career.htm
UCF Undergraduate Advising
• http://psychology.cos.ucf.edu/undergraduate/advising/
The Sky is The Limit!
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There are endless possibilities within Psychology
Do your research 
Find your niche and go after it
We believe in you!