Contemporary Psychology: Diversity, Organizations, and Major Divisions

Psychology is a diverse field influenced by historical perspectives.
APA: largest professional organization in the U.S.; mission to advance and disseminate psychological knowledge for the betterment of people.
APA has $54$ divisions spanning a wide range of specialties (e.g., religion and spirituality; exercise and sport psychology; behavioral neuroscience; comparative psychology).
Members range from students to doctoral-level psychologists; work in education, criminal justice, hospitals, the armed forces, industry.
Historical note: G. Stanley Hall was the first president of the APA; before earning his PhD, he was an adjunct instructor at Wilberforce University; studied under William James; later became the first president of Clark University (Massachusetts).
APS (Association for Psychological Science) founded in $1988$ to promote the scientific orientation of psychology; split from disagreements between scientific and clinical branches within the APA.
APS publishes $5$ journals; engages in education and advocacy with funding agencies; majority of members are international, though most are located in the United States.
Other organizations for networking among professionals from specific ethnic/racial groups: NLPA, AAPA, ABPsi, SIP; focused on studying psychological and social issues within their communities.
This section provides an overview of major subdivisions within psychology today; not exhaustive but highlights major areas of research and practice.

Not exhaustive; aims to outline major areas of research and practice in modern-day psychology.

The diversity of the field is reflected in its organizational structure and the range of workplaces where psychologists work (education, criminal justice, healthcare, military, industry).