- A scientist in a white lab coat conducting research with monkeys
- A researcher examining a rat's brain
- A researcher constructing a survey
- An executive developing a new training program for employees
- A researcher studying the genetics of color blindness
Would it surprise you to learn that all of the above are psychologists? Why?
Generally when we think of psychologists, we tend to think of the person who conducts therapy in a private practice setting. Forty-six percent psychologists are trained to be therapists in clinical or counseling psychology. Only 22% of psychologists are self-employed. Another 28% of psychologists work for private companies and organizations where they may or may not practice therapy. Psychology is a young field, only about 125 years old, but it is a very diverse field, much more so than it is depicted in the media and on television.
What Is Psychology?
A formal, though broad, definition of psychology is the scientific study of behavior. Anything an animal or a person does, feels, or thinks is considered behavior. Many psychologists work with animals. These psychologists study how biological and environmental factors contribute to animal behavior in an attempt to extend what they learn to humans.
Psychology is concerned with how the brain, the environment, psychological functioning, and behavior relate to, and influence, one another. Topics of psychological study include social relationships, the brain and the chemicals that influence it, vision, human development, the causes of normative and atypical behavior, and much more.
Psychologists apply scientific methods of observation, data collection, analysis, and interpretation to learn more about what makes people and animals behave like they do. Psychologists generate hypotheses, or guesses about what might cause a particular behavior or phenomenon, and conduct careful research to test those hypotheses. Psychologists also work directly with people. Psychologists who practice apply the findings of research in their work with people.
Specialties Within Psychology
As you've already seen, a wide range of topics fall under the umbrella of psychology. Below are some of the more common specialties within psychology. Within each of these areas, you'll find psychologists who spend most of their time conducting research to expand the knowledge base, those who practice or apply the findings to help people and communities, and those who do both, as scientist-practitioners. In addition, one-third of psychologists teach and conduct research at colleges and universities.
