Specialty Areas of Modern Psychology

Flashcards about Specialty Areas of Modern Psychology

Where do the 20% of all psychologists that work in basic experimental areas of psychology work?

These psychologists work in colleges and universities, where they teach and conduct research

What do basic psychologists do?

Conduct research on psychological processes like emotion, thinking, learning, prejudice, and gender identity

What does biological psychology study?

Study how the nervous system and other organs provide the basis for behavior

What is sensation and perception?

How the sense organs operate and how we interpret incoming sensory information in the process of perception

What does the study of learning and memory entail?

How we learn and remember new info, new skills, new habits and new ways of relating to other people

What is cognition concerned with?

What is concerned with intelligent action: thinking, perceiving, planning, imagining, creating, dreaming, speaking, listening and problem solving

What does developmental psychology study?

Changes from birth to old age

What topics does motivation and emotion cover?

Hunger, thirst, sex, the need for achievement, relationships, etc.

What does the study of personality examine?

Ways of behaving that characterize our personalities

What does social psychology study?

Influence of other people on our behaviour: mobs, organizations, interpersonal attraction, intimate relationships, attitude and prejudices, etc.

What does socio-cultural psychology study?

Ethnic and cultural factors, gender identity, sexual orientation

What are the applied areas of modern psychology?

Clinical psychology, counseling psychology, industrial and organizational psychology, educational and school psychology, health psychology

What does clinical psychology aim to do?

Try to understand and treat emotional problems and correct abnormal behaviour

What does counseling psychology do?

Help people with personal, school problems or career choices

What does industrial and organizational psychology address?

Match employees to jobs, train and motivate workers, promote job satisfaction and good relationships among workers

What are educational and school psychologists concerned with?

Concerned with ways children learn, construction of both psychological and educational tests

What do health psychologists focus on?

Focus on how pressures, conflicts, hardships and other factors contribute to poor health

What training does a psychiatrist have?

A psychiatrist has completed medical school and has obtained the M.D. degree, usually has done an internship in general medicine and has completed residency training in psychiatry

What type of patients do psychiatrists see?

They see patients with emotional or behavioural problems

What can psychiatrists do that psychologists cannot?

Psychiatrists are licensed to prescribe drugs and use other medical treatments

What is the training of a psychologist?

A psychologist has been trained in psychology but has not attended medical school

What is the education and scope of practice of a clinical psychologist?

Has obtained the degree of Ph.D or Psy.D. and completed internship in clinical psychology but they do not prescribe drugs

How do biological factors influence human behavior?

Emotional highs and lows are influenced by the nervous system and food and exercise provide energy and strength

How is every person different?

Every human is unique and each person’s heredity is unique

As a member of the human race we are similar in many ways, such as?

Think, feel, remember etc.

In what context can people be understood?

People can be understood fully only in the context of their culture, ethnic identity, and gender identity

What are some cultural factors that influence behavior?

Language and religious beliefs

What is human life a continuous process of change of?

Experiences in life

What is the timeline of change in human lives?

Birth to death – changing

What is behavior motivated by?

Attempts to meet our needs

Why are humans social animals?

Social support, friendships, romantic relationships

What role do people play in creating their experiences?

We choose

What do humans do in their lives?

Create their own experiences

How can behavior be adaptive or maladaptive?

Ability to adapt to demands of life and Maladaptive behaviors stop you from adapting to new or difficult circumstances.