In our scientific world, there are various studies related to medical sciences, diagnosis, and treatments for every problem related to medicine. Here are the Jobs with a Psychology Degree.
One such field of sciences involving mental health is Psychology.
The term Psychology refers to a field of study relating to the study of one’s mental and physical behavior along with their functioning of the mind.
Psychology is a method of understanding the science of functioning of one’s brain, behavior, and thinking process.
Psychology involves an active research and learning process of one’s actions, reactions, mental health, their behavior while being conscious as well unconscious.
What is its purpose
The goal of psychology is to understand human behavior, its nature, the reason behind the thinking capabilities, its actions, emotions, and in-depth study of its vision in mental science.
Psychology helps in the learning of one’s reasons for mental changes taking place, which affects their behavior in a social environment. Through these studies, a conclusion is developed about the person and its psychology. One’s thinking process is studied naturally through basic communications practiced by a psychologist or a counselor.
There are five principles of psychology, which are:
- Describe:
The first goal in psychology is to describe what a person (subject) or the patient is experiencing mentally. Here the minute details matter a lot, as it describes one’s behavior and thinking.
- Explain:
As the description plays an important role in the process, the psychologist has to explain what they have observed in a person. Through this, the psychologist must have the ability to explain what has happened and what might have led to the action.
- Predict:
Now having done the explanation part, the psychologist can predict what might happen after all. They can understand what and why the subject has been in a situation mentally as well as physically.
Here the prediction depends on the future behavior based on its past behavior.
- Control:
The psychological process is complex but once understood, it can be reversed and controlled. Now that we know what has happened, what led to it and the future predictions that have been made, we may also be able to control what might happen in the future.
The very basic idea here is to help the subject through this process where anything unnecessary (thinking, behavior, action, etc.) can be controlled.
- Improve:
The motive behind the procedure is to have a balanced and healthy mental life. Having done with controlling negative thoughts and actions, psychologists also try to have a positive impact on your experience of life. They are friendly and helpful in all concerns. They intend to surround you with positive vibes and energy.
Therefore, this job is very responsible, as it deals with people suffering from mental issues such as overthinking, depression, anxiety, stress, etc.
It can reshape the thinking pattern of human beings and help them in living a positive life ahead.
Let us move on to the career scope and opportunities involved in psychology.
Have a degree in psychology! Now where to?
Now that you are done with a degree in psychology (bachelor or master) what to do next is in your mind. Right?
Psychology offers its knowledge and skills in assessing and treating problems related to mental health and well-being. It does benefit every individual in need and society.
Psychology is a wide field in itself. It provides various job opportunities after you have obtained a degree in Psychology. It can be either bachelors or masters of psychology.
First of all, let us get to know all the various types of psychology one can pursue to have a career ahead in it.
You can become a psychologist, therapist, counselor but in different fields of study and research.
Major Branches/Types of Psychology
What distinguishes various types of Psychologists? Their field of practice.
What does the work differ in context to? The answer to this question would be that, as every being differs in their thinking pattern, behavior, lifestyle, and perspectives each one of them carries their various psychological concerns too.
Therefore, different branches have been formed majorly to research on all aspects of psychology, which has also been expanding and evolving constantly.
Psychology is practiced at Research where its concepts are deeply studied and analyzed. Then its knowledge and results are applied in real-life situations to expand the treatment.
Psychology is taught in various disciplines in educational institutions and medical institutions as well. Therefore, one can pursue a career in the teaching field as well.
This interests various psychologists to specialize in their field of preference. They have to pursue a graduation in psychology with their interests of specialization fields.
The major branches of Psychology include:
- Behavioral Psychology:
This field of psychology deals basically with the study of behaviorism.
Behavioral psychology is based on analyzing one’s behavior in terms of their actions and thinking.
Behavior can be taught and often modified by doing a study on their behavior.
For eg: A parent teaching their child to behave properly or in a systematic way in front of their guests or elders. And all the time the child behaves properly, he will be rewarded with chocolate.
- Abnormal psychology:
There are certain standards set up, so we can differentiate what is normal and what is abnormal, right?
Similarly, certain actions, anxiety, words, expressions, behaviors, or thinking disorders could determine one’s normal or abnormal nature of the psychological standards.
Abnormality in any of these deals with the area of psychopathology.
Abnormal psychologists diagnose, study, research, and treat such disorders.
- Clinical psychology:
In the clinical field, a psychologist deals with a combination of abnormal behavior and psychiatric disorders. Here, psychiatric disorder would include a modification in neurological development or intellectual development.
These disorders are analyzed and treated to fix mental health.
Clinical psychology is practiced in clinics, hospitals, and community health centers, with mental health professionals working in their teams.
- Experimental psychology:
This branch of Experimental psychology studies conducts research and experiments on scientific methods involving behavior and brain functions.
This is a wide range of psychology whose techniques and methods are used by other psychologists to have a practical understanding and experience its aspects from childhood to various other issues. This field majorly works in universities, research institutions, research centers and is also practiced as a private business.
- Forensic psychology:
As the name itself suggests, a form of law, or forum. Therefore, Forensic psychology deals with the involvement of the justice system or the law.
There are many mysterious criminals, who are mentally ill and different. To study the pattern of criminal behavior forensic psychology is practiced.
To pursue a career in Forensic Psychology, you must have a graduation degree in this specialization. This kind of psychology meets the law and handles cases related to law. A general psychologist involved clinically, or who is a school counselor may also practice Forensic psychology as their career.
- Counseling psychology:
This is a subfield of psychology dealing with people who have certain kinds of mental issues or symptoms.
They help their patients get along socially, mentally, and physically. Some people who suffer from depression, prolonged stress, etc are treated through counseling psychology.
- Development psychology:
As you grow, you experience different changes in your life. Because you are developing, you might deal with various levels of stress, and types of overthinking related to your personal or professional life. This field of psychology helps in determining and understanding developmental changes taking place in an individual.
The psychological changes in emotions, actions, words, growth, physical development, mental breakdowns, or intellectual variations are considered by development psychologists. It deals with patients of all age groups and their experiences.
- Cognitive psychology:
The functions going inside your brain which is responsible for your behavior, and changes taking place are studied by cognitive psychologists. Basic intellectual abilities like learning, remembering, etc are taken into account. As the human brain is a large network of neurons responsible for various functions, cognitive therapists or psychologists help acknowledge the process taking place. It is a scientific study related to the thinking of an individual, how they change and what supports this mental change taking place in them.
It understands the growth of mental processes in human beings.
The psychologists involved in this field helps an individual to develop their linguistic skills, interpersonal, intellectual abilities and personalities.
- School psychologists:
The psychologists that work in this field are mostly found to work in schools, universities, clinics sometimes, and educational institutions.
Psychologists are determined to learn and help children of all age groups pursuing their educational goals. The mental symptoms and behaviors taking place in children studying in schools are studied and analyzed by counselors or School psychologists.
Including student’s behavior, their academic performance is also observed. Psychologists intend to work together with teachers and parents of the students.
- Social Psychologists:
Social interactions, feelings, thoughts, aggressive responses or nature, behavior while being in a group, verbal communication, leadership, etc are a few of the aspects Social psychologists work on.
The psychologists studying this area intend to interact and investigate the social behavior of a person. The various types of changes acceptable or unacceptable taking place in one’s mind are considered.
Social psychologists help people in dealing with their social lives and learn what influences them socially.
To know in detail about these fields refer to this link https://www.verywellmind.com/major-branches-of-psychology-4139786
So, we have looked at various types or major fields of psychology. As human behavior is diverse, psychologists are conducting research and studies involving the field of psychology. This is a vast field constantly emerging its way to carry their intentions in helping people with their mental health and progressions.
These were a few of the job scopes and opportunities in the field of psychology after you have completed your degree. Make sure of completing a degree from a recognized university in a particular specialized field of your preference.
This is a very respected, recognized, and rewarding profession contributing to giving importance to the mental health of people from all backgrounds.
It enhances the quality of life of people and gives them a chance to live a normal life ahead.
What is it like to be a psychologist?
Even confused now? Let us have an overview of the life of a psychologist. This is probably clear your doubts related to careers in psychology.
To have an overview of the life of psychologists, let us get started with the type of work they are involved in.
Psychologists practice in clinics, hospitals, educational institutions, and industries.
The form of work they do differs based on their expertise in fields and background.
The nature of work can be of two kinds:
- Experimental Psychology: This type of psychology requires in-depth analysis and studies conducted in the form of experiments and research taking place in laboratories and various institutions, in the form of applied psychology.
These psychologists can work in institutions as well as in government offices.
- Practical Psychology: The field in which experimental studies and results are applied in real-life practices to understand the history, symptoms, development, nature, and its treatments.
Psychologists applying the knowledge and experiences in their practices are employed in hospitals, clinics, schools, etc based on their specialization.
Life as a psychologist is very exciting. They collect the data of their patient or clients, through which they can understand the type of problem one is facing mentally.
They develop hypotheses, researches, and history on the problem and conduct sessions according to the subject to know more about the issue.
For example, a client contacts a psychologist who is practicing as a counselor. In their first meeting, the client talks to the psychologist about the type of issues they are facing and the kind of help they need. Sometimes the clients do not understand their behavior and the nature of the problem they are facing which eventually increases their confusion creating another issue.
Now the psychologist notes down what’s observed and the possible solutions.
In another session with the client, the psychologist tries to understand the existing problem in detail. The psychologist suggests tips and ways useful for their clients.
Similarly, in the following session, the psychologist performs a check on the performance of the client based on the medicines and treatments essential for mental healthiness.
This is how a psychologist treats and understands the nature of trauma or problems related to mental health and helps in motivating their clients to live a healthy life in terms of physical and mental as well.
Some neuropsychologists and various psychologists are also involved as a team to work on their clients.
Occupational therapists, counselors, clinical psychologists, etc also work together intending to study the type of problem one is experiencing.
There are many countries in the world, where all fields of psychology are treated as a practice, usually dealing with people having mental sickness and illness. And people stereotype against the ones experiencing the need for psychologists in their life.
They need to grow up and understand the necessity of well being of mental health along with their physical health as well.
Therefore, everyone must be aware of the aspects existing in our natural life connected to psychology.
What you think, what you do, what makes you speak, what differentiates you from others, what type of personality do you carry, what kind of background you belong to, what led to your present thinking, how your emotions work, why do you feel for things, what helps in developing your skills, what to do to have a healthy lifestyle, etc, all these things are psychology. Everyone differs in these terms because their psyche is different.
Therefore, being a psychologist is a very rewarding profession. They protect you at all terms to encourage you to live a healthy life. Their only goal is to provide people with solutions to their problems and offer help in every possible way.
So, let us get to know a little bit more about the importance of psychology in our society and our personal lives.
How does Psychology play an important role in our lives?
Psychology plays a very important role in every one of our lives. Everyone can achieve a sense of satisfaction in what they do, give attention to their mental health and also contribute to society by helping people suffering from various issues.
Here are a few of the advantages psychology plays in our lives:
- To understand the types of mental issues
- Provides awareness regarding various psychological factors involved in our lives
- Analysis of mental health-related problems
- Improving the quality of life
- Providing mental satisfaction and acceptance in life
- Preventing permanent illness in mental terms
- It helps us introspect ourselves
- Providing better logical skills
- Helps to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy practices in our lives
- Gives a sense of motivation to everyone
- Enhances the ability to adapt to change
- Helps in quality of choices
- Provides learning in your own life through experiences
- Motivates one to grow and explore their emotions
- Teaches learning of your problems
- Providing a way to look for solutions on your own
- Improve decision making and communication skills
- Learns to accept the way of life
- Shows an optimistic way to live your life
- Gives a strong perspective and personality
- Teaches you analytical skills
Now some of you would also like to know who needs a psychologist and why? How to learn that you need a counselor or a therapist?
- Whenever you feel frustrated or irritated most of the time, you tend to ignore the possible solutions to manage your feelings, thinking that no matter what nothing would help you. Right?
This defines your outlook and mood.
In such a situation, you often feel like crying, think of talking to someone but don’t feel like expressing, headache, tiredness, etc. These are some of the symptoms of mental unhealthiness. This is where you must look for a psychologist or a counselor or a therapist.
They might as well help with other of your hidden emotions and thoughts you might be unaware of.
- You do not want to socialize having thoughts of embarrassment in your mind.
It could be due to a traumatic event or historical experience of yours in this field.
A psychologist can offer you a helping hand in such a case.
They will understand the root cause behind a given situation and help you after all.
- Anything which you have experienced right now is different from your life before, and not only changed in terms of the environment but has also decreased the quality of your life mentally and physically.
This is where you must talk to someone, preferably who is ready to listen to your problems and understands your current situation. Psychologists will do a case study on your situation and help you in every way possible.
So, talk to your psychologist, or friends, family, anyone whom you choose to trust.
- The connection between your mind and body is imbalanced. You are no longer able to balance your mind through positive thoughts and solutions for your problems. You are feeling lazy all the time and trying to avoid social interactions.
This is where a psychologist will provide you with solutions and reasons for your current situation. They intend to help your well-being.
- Your drive to live your life to the fullest has gone missing somewhere. You have lost motivation to think ahead about your life. Any suicidal thoughts, or situations where you think the life of others is better without you.
All such negative thoughts and vibes are truly life-threatening. Struggling to live a peaceful life is an acceptable problem. A therapist will comfort you and protect you from negative thoughts.
They can help reverse your negative thoughts into positive ones. They work on you to help save your precious life and encourage you to take steps to live a better life.
This professionalism is found to be a very important part of a psychologist’s life.
They are doing a great job and investing their whole time and effort in your life.
Aren’t you curious to know if therapists and counselors play to be Psychologists then who are Psychiatrists?
As the case of mental health approaches, we tend to confuse psychologists and psychiatrists. Right?
While both the psychologist and psychiatrists study the same aspects of mental health. They have a similar educational background to pursue their career as a psychologist or psychiatrist.
A psychiatrist studies in their specialization to pursue a medical career in mental health. They obtain a degree of MD (doctor of medicine) and have to practice for around 4 years in a hospital. They have to clear an exam to attain a license of medicine.
They are authorized to provide medicines essential for their patients.
For eg., A psychiatrist will suggest medicines to a person suffering from anxiety and stress issues.
While psychologists are certified medical professionals with a license to diagnose mental health problems or illnesses. They cannot treat their clients/patients with medicines as they are not authorized to.
They are expected to use therapies and communication through talks.
A psychologist will suggest yoga, a peaceful environment to relax in, music that soothes the soul, walk, run, and exercises that might help in dealing with anxiety and stress.
Therefore, these were the basic differences between psychiatrists and psychologists.
Most often when a person loses their ability to think at all and they act insane and not in good mental health, losing all their selves, then one must always refer to a psychiatrist first. Psychiatrists help the person undergoing an illness that cannot be treated through talks.
A person dealing with severe conditions of mental state is provided with the best possible medications to help their case.
Therefore, now you can clearly understand and differentiate between a psychiatrist and a psychologist.
Also, the areas related to job opportunities and their qualifications are covered in this article.
To know more about certain career scope and details of psychology refer to https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154874
There are more to this topic in case you want to know, hop onto this link for frequently asked questions https://www.psicobotica.com/en/online-psychological-care/faq/
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