Psychological Specialties Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What do practitioners do?

Manage psychiatric hospitals

Conduct basic research

Work one on one or in small groups with clients in a therapy setting (correct)

Teach educational psychology

What is basic research?

Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base.

What is applied research?

Research designed to solve specific practical problems.

What does clinical psychology study?

Clinical psychology studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders. Signup and view all the answers

What is counseling psychology?

A branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living and achieving greater well-being. Signup and view all the answers

What is psychiatry?

A medical specialty dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Signup and view all the answers

What is school psychology?

Work within the school system to evaluate learning and emotional problems in children. Signup and view all the answers

What does educational psychology study?

The study of how psychological processes affect and can enhance teaching and learning. Signup and view all the answers

What is developmental psychology?

A branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span. Signup and view all the answers

What does biological psychology examine?

The links between biology and behavior, including brain chemistry and heritability of traits. Signup and view all the answers

What is evolutionary psychology?

A specialty that sees behavior and mental processes in terms of genetic adaptations for survival. Signup and view all the answers

What does cognitive psychology emphasize?

People's knowledge and mental processes including memory, problem solving, and thinking. Signup and view all the answers

What does social psychology study?

The causes and consequences of interpersonal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is personality psychology focused on?

The study of an individual's characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting. Signup and view all the answers

What is psychometric psychology?

The branch that deals with the design and interpretation of quantitative tests for psychological measurement. Signup and view all the answers

What is health psychology?

A subfield studying how health and illness are influenced by psychological factors. Signup and view all the answers

What does community psychology aim to do?

Minimize or prevent psychological disorders through changes in social systems. Signup and view all the answers

What is positive psychology?

The scientific study of optimal human functioning and the strengths enabling individuals to thrive. Signup and view all the answers

What does industrial organizational psychology focus on?

Workplace behavior and how to increase worker motivation and productivity. Signup and view all the answers

What is human factors psychology?

A branch exploring how people and machines interact for safe and easy use. Signup and view all the answers

What does sports psychology study?

The psychology of athletics and athletic performance. Signup and view all the answers

What is forensic psychology?

The branch concerned with the intersections between psychology practice and the judicial system. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Psychological Specialties Overview

Practitioners are psychologists who provide personalized therapeutic support, typically working one-on-one or in small groups.
Basic research aims to expand the knowledge base of psychology through pure scientific inquiry, focusing on theoretical aspects.
Applied research focuses on resolving specific, practical problems in various contexts.

Branches of Psychology

Clinical psychology studies and treats individuals with psychological disorders through assessment and intervention techniques.
Counseling psychology assists individuals facing life challenges, particularly those related to education, career, or relationships.
Psychiatry is a medical specialty diagnosing and treating mental health disorders, often involving medication management.

Educational Contexts

School psychology evaluates learning and emotional issues in children, providing support to students, parents, and educators.
Educational psychology examines how psychological principles can improve teaching and learning processes.

Development and Change

Developmental psychology researches physical, cognitive, and social changes throughout the human lifespan.
Biological psychology links biological factors (such as brain function and genetics) with behavior and mental processes.

Psychological Perspectives

Evolutionary psychology views behavior and mental processes through the lens of genetic adaptations for survival and reproduction.
Cognitive psychology emphasizes the understanding of mental processes like memory, problem-solving, and analytical thinking.

Social psychology studies interpersonal behavior, focusing on phenomena such as attraction, conformity, and aggression.
Personality psychology investigates individual patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior, highlighting unique traits within individuals.

Measurement and Health

Psychometric psychology focuses on creating and interpreting quantitative assessments for psychological variables like intelligence and personality.
Health psychology studies the effects of psychological factors—like stress and lifestyle—on physical health and illness.

Community and Positive Well-being

Community psychology promotes mental health initiatives through societal and systemic changes to prevent psychological disorders.
Positive psychology explores optimal human functioning, emphasizing strengths and virtues that contribute to individual and community flourishing.

Workplace and Performance

Industrial-organizational psychology examines workplace behavior, aiming to enhance motivation and productivity among employees.
Human factors psychology studies the interaction between people and machines, focusing on safety and user-friendliness in environments.

Specialized Fields

Sports psychology investigates psychological aspects of athletic performance and sports participation.
Forensic psychology connects psychological practice with the judicial system, addressing issues like competency and criminal behavior assessment.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key terms in psychology with these flashcards. Learn the definitions of crucial concepts such as practitioners, basic research, and clinical psychology. Perfect for students looking to enhance their understanding of psychological specialties.