Types of Psychology Flashcards

Definitions and descriptions of major branches of psychology and the role of psychological professionals based on the provided lecture transcript.

Psychologist

A professional who studies human behavior, mental processes, and the interplay of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors while providing therapeutic techniques.

Clinical Psychology

A branch of psychology that deals with the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of mental illness, using methods like CBT and psychodynamic therapy.

Cognitive Psychology

A field that aims to understand how people receive, process, and store information, with applications in education and artificial intelligence.

Developmental Psychology

The study of how the human brain evolves physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially from one stage of life to another over time.

Social Psychology

A field focusing on interpersonal relationships and human behavior in social settings, including topics like social conformity and leadership.

Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology

The application of psychology to the workplace to enhance employee productivity, work satisfaction, and organizational efficiency.

Physiological Psychology

A branch that examines biological factors such as the brain, nervous system, hormones, or genes to understand how they influence human behavior.

Educational Psychology

A field focused on the mental processes related to how information is retained, learned, and studied to aid teaching, learning, and evaluation.

School Psychology

A role that deals directly with individual experiences of children, offering individualized support for learning disabilities or mental health challenges.

Health Psychology

The study of the relationship between a person’s mind and their physical health, investigating how behavior and stress impact well-being.

Forensic Psychology

A branch involving the legal and criminal justice systems, including evaluating defendants and studying eyewitness recollections.

Environmental Psychology

The study of the interactions between humans and their natural and constructed surroundings, such as how urban design affects mental health.

Sports Psychology

A field focusing on psychological aspects of athletes’ performance and motivations, addressing issues like anxiety and goal setting.

Positive Psychology

The study of sources of happiness and well-being, focusing on concepts like gratitude and mental resilience to help societies flourish.

Abnormal Psychology

A branch dealing with abnormal behavior, emotions, and thoughts resulting from mental disorders like OCD, bipolar disorder, and phobias.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

A field that analyzes how culture shapes behavior, thoughts, and feelings by looking at differences in values and beliefs around the world.

Experimental Psychology

The application of scientific approaches and lab experiments to understand behavioral principles related to sensation, perception, and memory.

Rehabilitation Psychology

A field that enhances the level of functioning and quality of life for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions.

Neuropsychology

A branch focusing on the relationship between brain function and behavior, often involving patients who have suffered from brain injury or stroke.