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There is a lot of diversity among the different fields of psychology. Psychologists can be found in many areas of business, industry, academia, health, and law, to name a few.
Nature of the Work Psychologists study the human mind and human behavior. Research psychologists investigate the physical, cognitive, emotional, or social aspects of human behavior. Psychologists in health service fields provide mental health care in hospitals, clinics, schools, or private settings. Psychologists employed in applied settings, such as business, industry, government, Religion or nonprofit organizations, provide training, conduct research, design organizational systems, and act as advocates for psychology. Forensic Psychology-assist Courts, Military, legal process. Interplay between psychology and the law in many different areas including: Criminal wrong doing, Prisons, Forensic Clinics, Agencies, Long-stay forensic hospitals, The context of Social 'care', Legislation and government policy. Few in Asia, Africa, South America and middle east are gaining insight in these dynamics, while as some are in advanced stage, such as, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Ukraine, North America and the United Kingdom. Like other social scientists, psychologists formulate hypotheses and collect data to test their validity. Research methods vary with the topic under study. Psychologists sometimes gather information through controlled laboratory experiments or by administering personality, performance, aptitude, or intelligence tests. Other methods include observation, interviews, questionnaires, clinical studies, and surveys. Please see, Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Psychologists apply their knowledge to a wide range of endeavors, including health and human services, management, education, law, etc. They usually specialize in one of a number of different areas. Clinical psychologists—who constitute the largest specialty—work most often in counseling centers, independent or group practices, hospitals, or clinics. Some clinical psychologists work in physical rehabilitation settings, treating patients with spinal cord injuries, chronic pain or illness, stroke, arthritis, or neurological conditions. Others help people deal with crisis, such as individualized harms or the death of a loved one. Clinical psychologists often interview patients and give diagnostic tests. They may provide individual, family, or group psychotherapy and may design and implement behavior modification programs. Some clinical psychologists collaborate with physicians and other specialists to develop and implement treatment and intervention programs that patients can understand and comply with. Other clinical psychologists work in universities and medical schools. Areas of specialization within clinical psychology include health psychology, neuropsychology, and geropsychology. Health psychologists study how biological, psychological, and social factors affect health and illness. They promote healthy living and disease prevention through counseling, and they focus on how patients adjust to illnesses and treatments and view their quality of life. Neuropsychologists study the relation between the brain and behavior. They often work in stroke and head injury programs. Geropsychologists deal with the special problems faced by the elderly. The emergence and growth of these specialties reflects the increasing participation of psychologists in direct services to special patient populations. Often, clinical psychologists consult with other medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients, especially treatment that includes medication, Clinical psychologists generally are not permitted to prescribe medication to treat patients; only medical doctors may prescribe most medications. (See the statement on physicians and surgeons elsewhere.) Louisiana and New Mexico—currently allow appropriately trained clinical psychologists to prescribe medication with some limitations. Counseling psychologists use various techniques, including interviewing and testing, to advise people on how to deal with problems of everyday living, including career or work problems and problems faced in different stages of life. They work in settings such as university counseling centers, hospitals, and individual or group practices. (See also the statements on counselors and social workers elsewhere, Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct) School psychologists work with students in early childhood and elementary and secondary schools. They collaborate with teachers, parents, and school personnel to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students. School psychologists address students’ learning and behavioral problems, suggest improvements to classroom management strategies or parenting techniques, and evaluate students with disabilities and gifted and talented students to help determine the best way to educate them. They improve teaching, learning, and socialization strategies based on their understanding of the psychology of learning environments. They also may evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs, prevention programs, behavior management procedures, and other services provided in the school setting. Industrial-organizational psychologists, Priests, Leaders, Medical doctors, others apply psychological principles and research methods to the workplace in the interest of improving productivity and the quality of worklife. They also are involved in research on management and marketing problems. They screen, train, and counsel applicants for jobs, as well as perform organizational development and analysis. An industrial psychologist might work with management to reorganize the work setting in order to improve productivity or quality of life in the workplace. Industrial psychologists frequently act as consultants. Developmental psychologists study the physiological, cognitive, and social development that takes place throughout life. Some specialize in behavior during infancy, childhood, and adolescence, or changes that occur during maturity or old age. Developmental psychologists also may study developmental disabilities and their effects. Increasingly, research is developing ways to help elderly people remain independent as long as possible. Social psychologists examine people’s interactions with others and with the social environment. They work in organizational consultation, marketing research, systems design, or other applied psychology fields. Prominent areas of study include group behavior, leadership, attitudes, and perception. Experimental or research psychologists work in university and private research centers and in business, nonprofit, and governmental organizations. They study the behavior of both human beings and animals, such as rats, monkeys, and pigeons. Prominent areas of study in experimental research include motivation, thought, attention, learning and memory, sensory and perceptual processes, effects of substance abuse, and genetic and neurological factors affecting behavior. Work environment. Psychologists’ work environments vary by subfield and place of employment. For example, clinical, school, and counseling psychologists in private practice frequently have their own offices and set their own hours. However, they usually offer evening and weekend hours to accommodate their clients. Those employed in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities may work shifts that include evenings and weekends, and those who work in schools and clinics generally work regular daytime hours. Most psychologists in government and industry have structured schedules. Psychologists employed as faculty by colleges and universities divide their time between teaching and research and also may have administrative responsibilities; many have part-time consulting practices. Increasingly, many psychologists work as part of a team, consulting with other psychologists and professionals. Many experience pressures because of deadlines, tight schedules, and overtime. Their routine may be interrupted frequently. Travel may be required in order to attend conferences or conduct research, See Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Competition for admission to graduate psychology programs is keen. See Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct Can a psychologist do legal counseling? The answer to this question varies depending on the competence of the psychologist. If a psychologist feels he can't manage and get desired results, honesty is the best quality. He must say, “I don't have this vast experience. This needs legal counseling. Refer to competent legal counsel.” or “American legal counsels are imcompetent. They see who has inflicted harm before taking the case.” If harm has been inflicted within the administration, they intentionally, deliberately stay away, or do not act. I will try my best. I encourage you to refer this to a civilized, fair, impartial, competent international consortium. Can a psychologist do health care counseling? Before answering, a reply to this question is essential: Can a psychologist reach a correct diagnosis? Can a psychologist form a workable, current management plan that meets international standards and recent medical advances as per the known preventive and curative concepts of medicine? If yes, the psychologist can do health care counseling. If no, the psychologist must work either under the supervision of or in coordination with others, including a medical doctor. What type of cases can a medical doctor refer to a psychologist? What type of counseling can a medical doctor do himself/herself? The answer to this question varies, depending on the experience and case load. Next |