- Clinical Psychology
- Counseling Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Today’s doctorate in psychology paves the way for one to become a bonafide master of any one of a number of psychology concentrations. What are some of those concentrations, and what does each one focus on? Here are five of the most common.
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1. Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology is widely considered to be the largest operational portion of the entire psychology field. This branch deals specifically with patients directly and in any number of settings. Some places in which this area of psychology can be seen at work include:
- hospitals
- private psychology practices
- community centers
- colleges and universities, among others
This concentration is also highly related to that of counseling psychology, discussed in further detail below.
2. Counseling Psychology
Counseling psychology is a close relative to the above-mentioned clinical branch of psychology. It’s all about helping patients address any psychological or emotional issues they may find themselves up against. Moreover, this specialty branch investigates the connections of:
- society
- culture
- other factors in relation to possible patient issues
3. Developmental Psychology
Developmental psychology is similar to counseling psychology in that it explores human psychology at various developmental points in the human lifespan. The main phase of nearly all development is the childhood stage. However, there are also other instances in which humans develop and evolve psychologically change as well. The American Psychological Association even lists nursing homes as a key work setting for some developmental psychologists.
4. Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology deals specifically with the use of psychology sciences in the legal field. Forensic psychology investigates the minds of the depraved and of the typical individual. It then uses these findings to assist the legal community in the defense, prosecution of, and other approaches to cases. These include both ongoing and solved. What makes people commit crimes and other heinous acts? This is arguably the chief question addressed by this branch.
5. Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Industrial and organizational psychology represent the greater field’s concentration on the more finite world of psychological matters in the workplace. How can employers maintain the best psychological state in their employees? What factors contribute to stress on the job? What training and development are capable of improving workplace psychology across a workforce? These are the specialized concern areas of this psychology concentration.
In addition to these five better-known psychology concentrations, there are a number of others that also play an integral albeit lesser-known role. Some examples of these are:
- experimental psychology
- sports psychology
- cognitive and perceptual psychology
- quantitative psychology.
- school psychology are some examples of these.
One can certainly begin to surmise that the field of psychology is clearly a vast one. The Association for Psychological Science is yet great resource for more information regarding:
- the doctorate in psychology
- the differing psychology concentrations
- anything else related to the world of psychology today.