Which psychology field is right for me

Some marriage and family psychologist positions prefer candidates who have a Ph. Programs like a Master of Arts in Psychology with a Marriage and Family Therapy concentration , however, can help hopefuls meet licensure requirements in 39 states. Perhaps one of the most distinctive types of psychology careers, forensic psychology aims to provide psychological expertise within the judicial and legal systems.

The APA reports that this includes providing services to two specific groups: the clinical-forensic population and the legal population. On the clinical-forensic side, these psychology specialists work with and assess individuals who may appear to suffer from psychiatric disorders or present other characteristics that could impact legal decisions.

This includes those involved in civil litigation and criminal or delinquency proceedings. Working with legal professionals involves assisting attorneys, courts, insurers and employers in their case work. As with many other career fields in psychology, forensic psychologists must be doctorate-qualified. These roles can typically be found in police stations, courthouses and law firms.

They can also find employment with prisons, jails and juvenile detention centers. Individuals who have experienced disabilities due to injury or illness will likely work with rehabilitation psychologists in their journey toward recovery. Rehabilitation psychologists are doctorate-qualified professionals who help assess and treat cognitive, functional and emotional challenges with the goal of helping people with disabilities achieve some independence.

In this psychologist specialty, you have the opportunity to work with people affected by traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, limb loss, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and more. Rehabilitation psychologists also serve the caregivers and family members of individuals with disabilities. These professionals study the science of addiction, which includes biological, psychological and social components.

They often treat patients who are struggling with substance abuse , in addition to behavioral issues like gambling, shopping or sex addictions. This area of psychology requires a deep understanding of the biophysical nature of addiction. In addition to a doctoral degree, addiction psychologists need specialized training and experience in evidence-based addiction prevention and treatment methods.

They must use their skills to ensure optimal performance and wellbeing of athletes, who are often under enormous pressure individually and as a team. In addition, these professionals address the developmental and social aspects of participating in sports, plus systemic issues associated with sports settings and organizations.

Sport psychologists work with athletes, coaches, administrators and parents in a wide range of settings. Services provided include cognitive and behavioral skills training; counseling and clinical interventions; and consultation and training.

According to the APA, one must first obtain a doctoral degree and licensure to work in this psychology field. After examining different branches of psychology and outlining your career goals, mapping out the educational path to help get you there becomes that much easier.

Explore all programs. I understand that my consent is not required to attend University of Massachusetts Global. Privacy Policy. Psychology 10 Fields of psychology to consider for your career. Judging and perceiving are unique types of preferences that humans subconsciously follow. If you're familiar with these terms and want to know which category you fall under, then take this unique quiz!

Questions: 5 Attempts: Last updated: Nov 20, Yes, I can plan ahead and have no problem following through. No, I usually change my plans. Level Of Superiority Complex: Quiz! Superiority Complex pertains to an overly high opinion of oneself; in psychology, it refers to the unrealistic and exaggerated belief that one is better than others. An individual's Level of Superiority Complex depends if Questions: 20 Attempts: Last updated: Dec 30, Featured Quizzes.

If you love digging deeper into data, a career in consumer psychology might be perfect for you. Also known as marketing psychology, consumer psychology is a specialty area that studies how our thoughts, beliefs, feelings and perceptions influence how people buy and relate to goods and services. Consumer psychologists often spend a great deal of time learning more about what makes shoppers tick so that companies can better market to certain demographic groups.

If you are interested in becoming a consumer psychologist, focus on taking courses that will build your understanding of human behavior, advertising, marketing, social psychology , personality and culture. Consumer psychologists also study topics such as social influence , persuasion techniques , compliance and conformity.

Helping others, especially those who are the most vulnerable, is a top priority in your life. Because of your strong sense of compassion , commitment to others and empathy , a career in social work might just be the perfect fit for you.

The field of social work utilizes social theories to understand human problems, to help improve people's lives, and to improve society as a whole. Many people specialize in particular areas, such as helping children , assisting those with life-threatening problems or aiding people in overcoming addictions. You love solving complex problems and you want to work in a job where you always get to tackle new challenges. One career that you might enjoy is industrial-organizational psychology , a field recently listed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as the single fastest-growing career in the U.

Industrial-organizational psychologists often work in government, business or private offices. I-O psychologists generally hold at least a master's degree in industrial-organizational psychology.

What exactly do I-O psychologists do? These professionals perform a variety of functions, including hiring qualified employees, conducting tests, designing products, creating training courses, and performing research on different aspects of the workplace. You are an incorrigible "people watcher. If you love thinking about how and why people behave the way they do, you might enjoy a career in the field of social psychology. Social psychology is a discipline that uses scientific methods to understand and explain how individuals are affected by each other and their social environments.

Social psychology looks at a wide range of social topics including group behavior, social perception, leadership , nonverbal behavior , love and attraction, attitudes and prejudice.

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