Psychology's Main Subfields

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering psychology's main subfields and their roles.

Cognitive Psychologists

Study human thinking, focusing on perception, language, attention, problem solving, memory, judgment and decision making, forgetting, and intelligence; may work as professors or corporate/human factors specialists.

Developmental Psychologists

Research age-related behavioral changes and apply findings to education, child care, policy; study biological, psychological, cognitive, and social development; inform fields like educational/school psychology, child psychopathology, and gerontology; may specialize by life-span stage.

Educational Psychologists

Investigate how learning occurs and how environments affect learning; develop strategies to enhance learning; may conduct basic research or design innovative teaching methods; design tests (aptitude and achievement) and work in universities, schools, or government/training settings.

Experimental Psychologists

Investigate basic behavioral processes (motivation, learning, perception, language) in humans and animals; often align with a theoretical perspective; work in academia or research institutions, zoos, businesses, or government.

Psychometric and Quantitative Psychologists

Study math-related methods for psychological knowledge; update or create tests; administer, score, and interpret tests; design and analyze research; require training in research methods, statistics, and computing; employed by universities, testing firms, private firms, or government agencies.

Social Psychologists

Study how beliefs, feelings, and behaviors are shaped by and influence other people; topics include attitudes, aggression, prejudice, interpersonal attraction, group behavior, and leadership; often college/university faculty, also in organizational consulting, market research, or applied psychology roles.

Forensic Psychologists

Apply psychology to legal issues; research the interface of law and psychology; help shape mental health policy, assist law enforcement, and consult on jury selection/deliberation; may have diverse backgrounds and sometimes hold law degrees; workplaces include universities, law schools, research organizations, mental health agencies, courts, or corrections.

Environmental Psychologists

Study how people interact with natural and built environments; examine how environments influence and are influenced by behavior; topics include wildlife conservation, urbanization health effects, and cognitive factors in sustainable choices; work in interdisciplinary teams in consulting firms, academia, nonprofits, or government.

Health Psychologists

Researchers and clinicians focusing on psychology's role in promoting health and preventing disease; design, conduct, and evaluate programs (smoking cessation, weight loss, sleep, pain, STI prevention, psychosocial issues); inform public health and health-care policy; work in hospitals, medical schools, rehab centers, public health agencies, colleges, or private practice if also clinical.

Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychologists

Study the relationship between people and their work environments; develop methods to increase productivity, improve personnel selection, and promote job satisfaction; interests include organizational structure/change, consumer behavior, and training; work in business, industry, government, or academia, often as consultants.

Neuropsychologists

Explore the relationship between neurological processes and behavior; assess, diagnose, and treat CNS disorders (Alzheimer's, stroke); evaluate head injuries and learning/developmental disorders (e.g., autism) and other psychiatric disorders (ADHD); clinical neuropsychologists may work in hospital neurology/neurosurgery/psychiatric units and in academia.

Rehabilitation Psychologists

Researchers and practitioners who help people regain optimal functioning after injury or illness; typically work in medical rehabilitation settings or hospitals; may also be in medical schools, universities, vocational rehabilitation agencies, or private practice.

School Psychologists

Assess and intervene for children in educational settings; diagnose and treat cognitive, social, and emotional problems affecting learning; work individually or in groups; receive interdisciplinary training in mental health assessment, behavior analysis, research methods, and special needs education; primarily in schools but also pediatric hospitals, mental health centers, or correctional facilities.

Sport Psychologists

Study psychological factors that influence participation in sports and physical activities; roles include coach education, athlete preparation, research, and teaching; may apply clinical/counseling skills to anxiety or substance abuse affecting performance; often part of a team/organization or private practice if not in academia.

Clinical Psychologists

Promote psychological health in individuals, groups, and organizations; may specialize in specific disorders or treat a range from adjustment difficulties to severe psychopathology; provide therapy and may engage in research, teaching, assessment, and consultation; work in private practice, mental health services, schools, universities, industries, legal/medical systems, counseling centers, government, corrections, nonprofits, or military; require a clinical psychology doctorate and state licensure.

Counseling Psychologists

Help people adjust to life transitions or lifestyle changes; focus on adjustment problems rather than severe psychopathology; provide therapy and assessments; emphasize clients’ strengths; work in academic settings, university counseling centers, community mental health centers, business, or private practice; licensure typically required for independent practice.

Community Psychologists

Address broad mental health issues in communities rather than individuals; emphasize how environment (physical, social, political, economic) influences behavior and health; focus on prevention and crisis intervention, with attention to underserved groups and minorities; work in federal/state/local mental health, corrections, welfare settings; may conduct or evaluate health-service research, consult independently, or teach as university faculty.