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Psychology Subfields
Clinical Psychology
"The field of Clinical Psychology integrates science, theory, and practice to understand, predict, and alleviate maladjustment, disability, and discomfort as well as to promote human adaptation, adjustment, and personal development. Clinical Psychology focuses on the intellectual, emotional, biological, psychological, social, and behavioral aspects of human functioning across the life span, in varying cultures, and at all socioeconomic levels" (APA, 2014).
Community Psychology
"Division of Community Psychology encourages the development of theory, research, and practice relevant to the reciprocal relationships between individuals and the social system which constitute the community context" (APA, 2014).
Counseling Psychology
"Counseling Psychology is a specialty within professional psychology that maintains a focus on facilitating personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span. The specialty pays particular attention to emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and organizational concerns.
The practice of Counseling Psychology encompasses a broad range of culturally-sensitive practices that help people improve their well-being, alleviate distress and maladjustment, resolve crises, and increase their ability to function better in their lives. With its attention to both to normal developmental issues and problems associated with physical, emotional, and mental disorders, the specialization holds a unique perspective in the broader practice-based areas of psychology" (APA, 2014).
Forensic Psychology
"Forensic psychology is the professional practice by psychologists within the areas of clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology or another specialty recognized by the American Psychological Association, when they are engaged as experts and represent themselves as such, in an activity primarily intended to provide professional psychological expertise to the judicial system" (APA, 2014).
Health Psychology
"The Division of Health Psychology of the American Psychological Association's (APA) facilitates collaboration among psychologists interested in the psychological and behavioral aspects of physical and mental health. We are committed to providing information about current practice and research, and connecting our members and creating opportunities for professional growth. Through our professional meetings and publications, we bring further focus on quality research to inform clinical practice" (APA, 2014).
Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology
"Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) advocates the scientist-practitioner model in the application of psychology to all types of organizational and workplace settings, such as manufacturing, commercial enterprises, labor unions, and public agencies. Members work in several fields within I-O psychology, such as testing/assessment, leadership development, staffing, management, teams, compensation, workplace safety, diversity, and work-life balance" (APA, 2014).
Media Psychology
"Media Psychology applies the science of psychology, from cogntive psychology and neuroscience to clinical practice, to research, analyze and develop mediated experiences using technology with the goal of benefiting society. Media psychology, therefore, is a continually evolving field that touches every aspect of daily and business life" (APA, 2014).
Quantitative Psychology
“Quantitative psychology is the study of methods and techniques for the measurement of human attributes, the statistical and mathematical modeling of psychological processes, the design of research studies and the analysis of psychological data” (APA, 2015). Quantitative psychology involves research and development in various areas including measurement, methodology and research design, and analyses of data related to the social sciences. Quantitative psychology is essential to all aspects of psychology and quantitative psychologists often have additional interests in other sub-disciplines of psychology such as health promotion, decision-making, or substance use. Quantitative psychologists are generally in high demand and enjoy a broad range of career opportunities in many different types of settings. These include universities and colleges, research centers, test publishing companies, the health services sector, private research and consulting firms, federal, state, and local government agencies, and others.
School Psychology
"School Psychology is composed of scientific-practitioner psychologists whose major professional interests lie with children, families and the schooling process. The division represents the interests of psychologists engaged in the delivery of comprehensive psychological services to children, adolescents and families in schools and other applied settings. The division is dedicated to facilitating the professional practice of school psychology and actively advocates in domains, such as education and health care reform, which have significant implications for the practice of psychology with children" (APA, 2014).
Social Psychology
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"Society for Personality and Social Psychology seeks to advance the progress of theory, basic and applied research, and practice in the field of personality and social psychology. Members are employed in academia and private industry or government, and all are concerned with how individuals affect and are affected by other people and by their social and physical environments" (APA, 2014).
References
American Psychological Association. (2014). Frequently Asked Questions About Graduate School. Retrieved December 18, 2014, from http://www.apa.org/education/grad/faqs.aspx