Module 1.

3- What do Psychologist
Do?
Objective- Understand the difference between basic
and applied psychology; Explain what do psychologist
working in various subfields do, and where do they
work?

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 Basic and Applied Psychology
• Basic Research- pure • Applied- Scientific study
science that aims to that aims to solve
increase scientific practical problems
knowledge base
Ex) Finding out how
hormones affect each other Ex) Motivation for public
in relations to eating and school teachers has been
sleeping decreasing for quite some
time. Identify the possible
causes and recommendation
for change.

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 Difference between
Psychologist and Psychiatrist

• Psychologists:
• Ph.D, Psy.D, can’t prescribe
medication
• Psychiatrists:
• M.D, can prescribe medication
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 So you like psychology… what can you do
with it?
Biological (neuro)Psychologist
• Examines workings of the brain,
nerves, body, sensations
Cognitive Psychologist
• Studies higher level
brain processes like
language, thinking
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 Other Fields

• Personality Psychologist
• Study of how people differ
from one another
• Clinical and Counseling
Psychologist
• Study and treatment of
psychological disorders
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 Other Fields
• Social Psychologist
• Study of how people influence one
another and group behavior
• Industrial and Organizational (I/O)
Psychologist
• Study of psychological
principles in industry and
business
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 Other Fields

• Forensic Psychologist
• Studies legal issues,
criminal minds, insanity
• Evolutionary Psychologist
• Identifies behavior
patterns that are a
result of genetic ancestors 7
 Other Fields

• Environmental Psychologist
• Studies relationships between
people and their physical
environments
• Cross-Cultural Psychologist
• Investigates similarities and
differences in psychological
functioning among ethnicities
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 Other Fields
• Sports Psychologist
• Applies psychology to sports and exercise,
motivation, and social aspects of sports
• Fastest growing psychological field!!
• Developmental Psychologist
• A branch of psychology that studies
physical, cognitive, and social change
throughout the life span
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 Check For Understanding
Read each statement and identify which subfield
of Psychology it would focus on
Statement #1- Concerned with the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment
of individuals with psychological disorders, as well as treatment of less
severe behavioral and emotional problems.
Statement #2-Running human resources departments, working to
improve staff morale, and attitudes, striving to increase job satisfaction
and productively, examining organizational structures and procedures, and
making recommendations for improvement.
Statement #3-Focuses on “higher’ mental processes, such as memory,
reasoning, information processing, language, problem solving, decision
making, and creativity.
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