Do Now

1. Do Now • After reading section 2, you were introduced to a number of different jobs pertaining to the psychology field. I would like you to pick your favorite field and describe it to me in your own words. Why is it your favorite? If you choose that job, where would you work?

2. Chapter 1 Section 2: What Psychologists Do

3. Introduction • All psychologists share a keen interest in behavior and believe in the value of scientific research. • Most importantly, they believe that theories should be supported by evidence. • Some might only be interested in research, and will try to discover the factors that give rise to certain behavior. • Others consult and apply their knowledge in the form of therapy to help other people. • Still others teach and share their knowledge to others.

4. Clinical Psychologists • These make up the largest group of psychologists and are what most of us think of when we hear the term psychologists. • They help people with problems • Ex. anxiety, depression, etc. • Also help people with severe psychological disorders • Ex. schizophrenia • They are trained to evaluate disorders through the use of interviews and psychological tests.

5. Clinical Psych vs. Psychiatrist • Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the treatment of psychological problems and who can prescribe medicine for their clients. • Psychologists cannot prescribe medicine

6. Counseling Psychologists • They use interviews to identify their clinent’s problems. • Usually they treat people who have adjustment problems rather than serious psychological disorders. • Ex. clients may have difficult making decisions about their careers • They also help people clarify their goals, overcome their adjustment problems, and meet challenges. • They are often employed by businesses, schools, etc.

7. School Psychologists • A school may employ one or more and they help identify students who have problems that interfere with learning. • They look for typical problems including problems with peer groups and family and learning disorders. • They may also administer a test given to large groups of students in order to see who needs to the most help.

8. Educational Psychologist • These people generally focus on course planning and instructional methods for an entire school system rather than one student. • They are also concerned with theoretical issues that relate to measurement of abilities, learning, and development. • Their research shows how learning is affected by • 1) Psychological factors (motivation, emotion) • 2) Cultural factors (beliefs) • 3) Economic Factors (income earned by family) • 4) Instrumental methods used in class

9. Developmental Psychologist • Study’s changes that can occur throughout a person’s life span. • 1) Physical • (height, weight, adolescent growth, sexual maturity, etc.) • 2) Emotional • (development of self concept, self-esteem, etc) • 3) Cognitive • (changes between childhood to adulthood in mental images of outside world) • 4) Social • (formation of bonds between parent and child) • Also attempt to sort out the relative influence between heredity and environment on development.

10. Personality Psychologists • Identify characteristics or traits • They also look for many different traits that people have and study the development of such traits. • Ex. shyness and friendliness • They are mostly interested in the origins of psychological problems and disorders.

11. Experimental Psychology • Conducts research into basic processes • Ex. functions of the nervous system, sensation and perception, learning and memory, etc. • They would mostly be interested in studying the biological reason for why an alarm clock wakes someone up, or what triggers a specific memory to come to mind. • They are also most likely to engage in Basic Research • Meaning it has no immediate impact but is done for its own sake and will be put into practice by other psychological specialists.

12. Other Specialists • Industrial & Organizational Psych • Industrial focus on people and work • Organizational • Study behavior of people in organizations • They are closely related to each other and are other employed by business firms to improve working conditions and output. • They may also assist in hiring, firing, and promoting.

13. Continued… • Environmental Psych • They ask questions about how the enviroment affects people’s behavior • Ex. They focus on the ways people influence and are influenced by their personal environment. • Do the buildings of a city serve or fail human needs • Consumer Psych • Study the behavior of shoppers to explain and predict behavior. • Ex. They work with advertisers to create effective newspaper ads and televisions commercials.

14. Continued… • Forensic Psych • Work within the criminal justice system • They may also testify about psychological competence of defendants and explain how certain psychological problems give rise to criminal behavior. • Police also use them for: • 1) Assisting in the selection of police officers • 2) Helping police officers cope with job stress • 3) Training police in handling dangerous situations

15. Continued… • Health Psychologists • Examine ways in which behavior and mental processes are related to physical health by studying the effects of stress on health problems. • Ex. Headaches, heart disease, etc. • They also help people adopt healthful behaviors such as exercising.

16. Homework • Section 3, answer questions • Also, Choose an area of specialization in psychology that interests you and research that area as a possible future career. • Seak information on • Educational and training requirements • Average salary • Work settings • Types of jobs available in the area of spcialization • You may want to try looking in the Occupational Outlook Handbook • Or try they Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance. • Type up a report on your career (at least 2 pages)