Psychology: Definition, Types, Fast facts about psychology.
Psychology is the science of behavior and mind. Psychology includes the study of conscious and unconscious phenomena, as well as feeling and thought. It is an academic discipline of immense scope. Psychologists seek an understanding of the emergent properties of brains, and all the variety of phenomena linked to those emergent properties, joining this way the broader neuroscientific group of researchers. As a social science it aims to understand individuals and groups by establishing general principles and researching specific cases.
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior, according to the American Psychological Association. It is the study of the mind, how it works, and how it affects behavior.
The APA adds that it "embraces all aspects of the human experience, from the functions of the brain to the actions of nations, from child development to care for the aged."
Fast facts about psychology
Psychology is the study of behavior and the mind.
There are different types of psychology, such as cognitive, forensic, social,and developmental psychology.
A person with a condition that affects their mental health may benefit from assessment and treatment with a psychologist.
A psychologist may offer treatment that focuses on behavioral adaptations.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who is more likely to focus on medical management of mental health issues.
Biological Psychology
These psychologists study the links between biology and psychology. Some examples are genes and hormones. They may believe that parents’ genes may be the reason for your actions and thoughts.
Evolutionary Psychology
These psychologists study the roots of behavior and mental processes through natural selection. They may believe that since we originated from monkeys that may have to do with our behavior.
Psychodynamic Psychology
These psychologists study the unconscious that influences our decisions. This study helps people with psychological disorders. Sigmund Freud is a big name in this field. A very interesting book about the unconscious is Blink by Malcolm Gladwell.
Behavioral Psychology
These psychologists study observable behavior and how it helps you learn. This is one of the
most studied approaches of psychology. It’s easier to study, because it’s observable behavior or something you can actually see.
Cognitive Psychology
These psychologists study all about thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating. This study involves the memory and our perception.
Humanistic Psychology
These psychologists believe people are driven because they want to grow and do their best. They believe that people are constantly trying to grow or enhance themselves. Some people don’t believe in this approach because they believe some people are not motivated and don’t care enough to get things done.
Social-Cultural Psychology
These psychologists study how society and cultures affect our behavior and thinking. They believe that people in the United States would probably think differently then those in Africa about certain situations.
All of these approaches of psychology are studied and hold at least some truth to them. Altogether they make who we really are. I personally believe that they all need to be studied in order to fully understand ourselves. I believe all of these pieces affect the way that we behave. I think some have more of an impact, but I believe they are all essentially true. It is up to you which one you will use in your experiments or study on the human mind.
Why we study psychology
Understand yourself:- As you progress in your career and perhaps move into a management or senior role, you’ll often be expected to make difficult decisions and work in high-pressure environments. The way that you react in these situations is key to the success of your career.
Having an understanding of your own personality and an insight into your own behaviour can give you a unique perspective on a workplace project or role. Using your knowledge of psychology and behavior to recognize and acknowledge the underlying reasons and theories of these traits can allow you to work more successfully in these different environments.
•Understand others
If you’re considering a career in people management and human resources, you’ll require skills in specific areas including conflict management, collaboration and leadership.
These skills are also very desirable to employers and managers, and an employee who is capable of managing a team effectively while also fostering better workplace relationships is often highly prized.
The knowledge and empathy gained on a psychology degree course can help you to build on these abilities and thrive in these kinds of careers.
•Grow your communication skills
Communicating effectively with others is a key skill in almost every workplace. This ability is developed and improved by every psychology student, often without even realizing it.
An important part of producing content at a higher education level is the ability to structure an argument, to discuss a topic clearly and objectively, and to reference relevant sources.
This method of communicating can then be transferred from the classroom straight to the office.
•Develop the ability to research
The ability to research a topic or issue is often overlooked as a workplace skill, but it is a valuable tool for both managers and employees. Through assignments and projects, a psychology degree will help you to develop your ability to find sources, evaluate their effectiveness and present your findings clearly and accurately.
Whatever role or industry you choose to pursue after your psychology degree, this skill will allow you to review tenders, investigate potential projects and much more.
•Refine your critical thinking
A good employee always evaluates every set of figures, concept and proposal that they receive to ensure that they are making the best possible decision.
Critical thinking is a key part of a psychology certificate or degree programme, as students must consider each source and theory that they reference or use.
By developing this skill with the help of a tutor and your classmates, you can help to avoid costly mistakes later on in the workplace.
To Gain Awareness Of The Principles And Perspectives Through The study of Psychological Theories Concepts And Research
Clinical psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with the assessment and treatment of mental illness, abnormal behavior, and psychiatric problems. This field integrates the science of psychology with the treatment of complex human problems, making it an exciting career choice for people who are looking to work in a challenging and rewarding field.
Approaches
Clinical psychologists who work as psychotherapists often utilize different treatment approaches when working with clients. While some clinicians focus on a very specific treatment outlook,many use what is referred to as an "eclectic approach." This involves drawing on different theoretical methods to develop the best treatment plan for each individual client.
Some of the major theoretical perspectives within clinical psychology include:
Psychodynamic approach: This perspective grew out of Freud's work; he believed that the unconscious mind plays an important role in our behavior. Psychologists who utilize psychoanalytic therapy may use techniques such as free association to investigate a client's underlying, unconscious motivations.
Cognitive behavioral perspective: This approach to clinical psychology developed from the behavioral and cognitive schools of thought. Clinical psychologists using this perspective will look at how a client's feelings, behaviors, and thoughts interact. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) often focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors that contribute to psychological distress.
Humanistic perspective: This approach to clinical psychology grew out of the work of humanist thinkers such as Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers. This perspective looks at the client more holistically and is focused on such things as self actualization.
Counseling Psychology
Counseling psychology is a general practice and health service provider specialty in professional psychology. It focuses on how people function both personally and in their relationships at all ages. Counseling psychology addresses the emotional, social, work, school and physical health concerns people may have at different stages in their lives, focusing on typical life stresses and more severe issues with which people may struggle as individuals and as a part of families, groups and organizations. Counseling psychologists help people with physical,emotional and mental health issues improve their sense of well being, alleviate feelings of distress and resolve crises. They also provide assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of more severe psychological symptoms.
Specialized Knowledge
Across all stages of development (i.e., childhood, adolescence, adulthood and older age), counseling psychologists focus on:
Healthy aspects and strengths of clients (whether being seen as individuals, couples,families, groups or organizations.
Environmental/situational influences (how cultural, gender and lifestyle issues shape people’s experiences and concerns).
Issues of diversity and social justice (e.g.,advocacy).
The role of career and work in peoples’ lives.
Developmental psychology
Developmental psychology, also called Lifespan Psychology, the branch of psychology concerned with the changes in cognitive, motivational, psycho physiological, and social functioning that occur throughout the human life span. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, developmental psychologists were concerned primarily with child psychology. In the 1950s, however, they became interested in the relationship between personality variables and child rearing, and the behavioral theories of B.F. Skinner and the cognitive theories of Jean Piaget were concerned with the growth and development of children through adolescence. At the same time, the German psychologist Erik Erikson insisted that there are meaningful stages of adult psychology that have to be considered in addition to child development. Psychologists also began to consider the processes that underlie the development of behaviour in the total person from birth to death, including various aspects of the physical-chemical environment that can affect the individual during the intrauterine period and at birth. By the latter part of the 20th century, developmental psychologists had become interested in many broad issues dealing with the psychological process throughout life, including the relation of heredity and environment, continuity and discontinuity in development, and behavioral and cognitive elements in the development of the total person. See also child psychology; psychological development.
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