Approaches in Psychology
Clinical Psychology
- Involves science, theory, and what psychologists learn from the vast body of clinical knowledge
- Purpose: Relieving and preventing distress that is psychologically based
- Promotes positive development
- Treats many human problems, such as depression, stress and anxiety
- Provides services for all ages
- Also does teaching and research
- Involves behavioural, cognitive, interpersonal, family and psychodynamic approaches
Personality Psychology
- Studies the patterns of thoughts, feelings, responses and interactions
- Interested in what makes an individual unique in terms of psychological processes
- Interested in studying how patterns in behaviours can influence a greater human population
Abnormal Psychology
- Focuses on unusual patterns of behaviours, emotion and thought
- Relates to mental disorders
- Focuses on adaptive behaviour, and maladaptive behaviour
Developmental Psychology
- Seeks to explain why human behaviour changes throughout the lifespan
- Biological and psychological patterns of growth and development
- Common situational experiences during certain time periods
For The Birds: Animation Film from Pixar \n https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYTrIcn4rjg
Think about it…
Clinical Psychology
- Birds are stressed and anxious from lack of space. This may concern a clinical psychologist.
Personality Psychology
- Would study the thoughts, feelings and perceptions the small birds feel about the big bird
- How similar behaviours can influence the bird population
Abnormal Psychology
- Would want to approach small birds’ behaviours in an adaptive way (changing their behaviour in socially accepted and healthy ways)
Developmental Psychology
- Would examine the psychological development and growth of the small birds after the powerline incident.