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Subfields of
Psychology
Dr. Blakemore
PSY 100
Definition of Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental
processes
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Or
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The scientific study of the behavior of
organisms
Psychology is a Science, but also
application of scientific knowledge
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Why is psychology a science?
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Because of using the scientific method to study behavior.
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But the information gained is also used to solve behavior
problems – in humans and in animals
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Distinction between basic and applied fields
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Basic Fields
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The basic fields in psychology are generally concerned
with acquiring new knowledge about behavior
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Doing research
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People who work in such fields usually work in
universities, teaching and doing research, or doing
primarily one or the other

Or in solely research settings such as The National
Institutes of Mental Health
Basic Fields
Experimental psychologists
Behavioral or cognitive neuroscientists or
physiological psychologists
 Cognitive psychologists
 Psychometric or quantitative psychologists
 Developmental Psychologists
 Social Psychologists


Applied Fields

In the applied fields of psychology,
psychologists may also work in
universities, teaching and/or doing
research, or in completely applied settings

Such as business and industry, schools,
clinics, hospitals, private practice therapy,
the criminal justice system, etc.
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Applied Fields, therapy or
counseling

Clinical Psychologists
 Clinical
neuropsychologists specialize in
disorders with a neurological basis, and
clinical assessment of those conditions

Counseling Psychologists
Other applied fields
School Psychologists
Educational Psychologists (some debate
as to whether basic or applied)
 Human Factors Psychologists
 Industrial and Organizational
Psychologists (I/O)
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The APA Divisions

This gives an excellent idea of the many
different domains in psychology

www.apa.org/about/division.html
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Related Fields
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Many counselors and therapists are not psychologists
Psychiatrists are medical doctors specializing in
treatment of mental health conditions
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Some do research
Some do therapy
But most prescribe medication for mental health-related
conditions
Many master’s-level clinicians who are not psychologists
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Marriage and family counselors
Substance abuse or alcohol abuse counselors
Licensed mental health counselors
MSW (ACSW) social workers
Taking an Active Role
in your Education
Developing skills and special
opportunities
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Skills you learn in college
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A college education is more than just your major
The reason that certain kinds of employers will
hire college graduates as opposed to those who
haven’t is generally because of their general
skills
Especially for a liberal arts degree as opposed
to a professional degree
What’s the difference?
Some examples?
General skills with a college degree

Oral and written communication
 Speaking
and writing effectively – grammar, correct
word usage and spelling are important in the
workplace and graduate school

Reading skills – to be able to read quickly and
comprehend well
 Language
skills will be very important when you take
the GRE-V. A great way to boost reading and
language skills is to read regularly – even novels,
mysteries, but books, magazines and newspapers –
more than online sources
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The ability to listen and summarize what’s being
said
The ability to work in groups or teams
More skills with a college degree
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The ability to comprehend evidence and
arguments
The ability to think critically is one of the most
important general skills one learns in college
Time management
Organization
Also, very importantly, the use of technology
Take the development of these skills very
seriously – take every opportunity to improve
them
Nothing is “busy work”
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Academically Adrift

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011
/01/18/study_finds_large_numbers_of_coll
ege_students_don_t_learn_much
Psychology in particular

Even at the undergraduate level, psychology is
especially good at developing
 Knowledge about people
 how attitudes develop, what affects children’s development,
how to train pets, when to seek mental health help and the
value of that help, and many more
 Library research skills
 Understanding of the meaning of research findings,
and of the need for evidence for any conclusion
 Critical thinking
 Data analysis skills
 Computer and other
technological skills
Ethical Issues
Look in Kuther, Chapter 1
 Types of ethical issues

 For
practitioners
researchers
 For students
 For
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Let’s look at CASA
http://www.ipfw.edu/casa/
Tutoring, drop in and for particular courses
 Writing Center
 Short courses
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Organizations for Psychology
Majors
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Psychology Club
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Open to any student interested in psychology
Once I find out what they’re doing this
semester, I will post to Blackboard
Psi Chi
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The national honor society in Psychology
If you are interested in knowing more about
them, email psichi@students.ipfw.edu
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