If you are studying psychology, or just interested to know more about this fascinating subject, understanding a few basic facts is a great way to get started. If you are still in the process of finding a good Brossard psychologist, it also helps if you understand more about what they do so you can determine which among your options is best for your needs.
The Basics of Psychology
Psychology comes from the Greek words psyche, which means “breath, spirit, and soul”, and logia, which means “study of”. It is the scientific study of the human mind, including the mental processes and behavior. It is closely linked to other disciplines such as sociology, medicine, linguistics, and anthropology.
It uses scientific methods and not just rely on common sense, unlike what most people think. In order to study the human mind and behavior, psychologists also use empirical methods as well as a wide range of techniques including naturalistic observation, experiments, case studies, and questionnaires.
Subfields of Psychology
There are many branches of psychology and these are broadly divided into two categories: pure branches and applied branches.
Pure branches are those which provide the theoretical framework of the subject and deal with the formulation of principles and theories. They also suggest different methods for assessment and certain techniques for behavior modification. Some examples of pure branches are general psychology, physiological psychology, developmental psychology, child psychology, animal psychology, abnormal psychology, and social psychology.
On the other hand, applied branches are those which deal with the application of the psychological principles and techniques. Examples of those under the applied branch are educational psychology, clinical psychology, industrial psychology, and counselling psychology.
More Than Just Therapy
Oftentimes, when people hear the words psychology and psychologist, they think of an image of a therapist listening to a patient while jotting down notes in a notepad. While it is true that psychologists provide therapy to people who have mental and behavioral issues, psychologists do other things as well.
You may even be surprised that even though psychology is the study of mental processes and behavior, many psychologists do not even work in the field of mental health. Psychology is very diverse that it also encompasses other areas such as teaching, researching, and consulting. You can also find psychologists working in a variety of settings like in schools, colleges and universities, private corporations, hospitals and private clinics, and government offices.
Another misconception about psychology is that people usually associate it with the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal behavior. However, psychology also studies normal behavior too, and it is important to remember that, especially when you want to be a psychologist in the future.
Basically, the goals of psychology are to describe human thought and behavior, as well as to explain why different behaviors occur. Additionally, it aims to predict how, why, and when these behaviors might happen again, When it does, psychology also intend to modify and improve these behaviors to improve individual lives and the society in general.
Psychology as a Career
If you are a student and you are thinking of majoring in psychology, you will be glad to know that it can offer a wide range of career options for you. The options that you will have will depend on your educational level and experience so you need to wisely choose your area of specialty. Some of the possible career options that you can venture in are clinical psychology, health psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, and forensic psychology.
Indeed, psychology is a very rich and interesting subject which has many practical applications in life. Studying psychology and making a career out of it is a great way to learn more about people and understand why we think and act the way we do. It is also a fascinating way to gain greater insight into our experiences.
Daryl Green