The human mind and behavior are very complex, and understanding it can be difficult. Psychology is important because it helps us understand why people do what they do. This can be applied to many different areas such as business, education, law, and even sports. In this article, we will discuss psychology and its 14 branches.
What are the 14 Branches of Psychology?
The 14 branches of Psychology are the following:
- Abnormal Psychology
- Behavioral Psychology
- Biopsychology
- Child Psychology
- General Psychology
- Evolutionary psychology
- Forensic psychology
- Health psychology
- Occupational psychology
- Social psychology
- Clinical psychology
- Cognitive psychology
- Developmental psychology
- Neuropsychology
What is Psychology?
Psychology is the study of behavior and mind, as well as the application of that knowledge to humans and animals. This includes understanding how people think, feel, learn, and act.
One of the most important parts of psychology is understanding how our brain works. It also focuses on how individuals perceive and understand their world and themselves.
The field of psychology is important because it helps us understand and empathize with other people in ways that other fields cannot. The following are the 14 branches of Psychology and their definition:
Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes that are considered to be deviant or outside the norm. It is a branch of psychology that is concerned with understanding, explaining, and preventing unusual and undesirable behavior.
The field includes professionals who are psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and others. Abnormal psychology is also concerned with unusual patterns of behavior and their consequences on society.
Behavioral Psychology
Behavioral psychology or behaviorism is the study of behavior. It is a field of psychology that focuses on the behavior, thoughts, and actions of individuals.
It is a broad area of study that includes the scientific study of animal, human, and group behavior. Behavioral psychologists study how animals learn and react to their environment.
They also study how humans think, feel, and act. Behaviorism is a school of psychology that focuses on observable, measurable, and inferable behavior.
Behaviorism seeks to understand the effects of environmental factors on behavior and attempts to measure the consequences of one’s behavior. In addition, Behaviorism also focuses on observable and measurable behavior.
Biopsychology
Biopsychology is the study of biological factors, such as genetics, neurochemistry, and hormones, and psychological factors, such as thoughts, beliefs, and emotions.
It is interdisciplinary that combines the fields of psychology and biology concerned with the interface between the mind and the body.
It also studies how biological and psychological factors interact in shaping behavior using a variety of methods including behavioral genetics, neurobiology, neuropsychology, evolutionary psychology, and social psychology.
Child Psychology
Child psychology is the branch of psychology that deals with human development from birth to adolescence. It is concerned with the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and psychological development of children.
It also examines the differences between children of different backgrounds and cultures. Child psychologists are concerned with the effects of family, school, peer group, and society on a child’s development.
General Psychology
General psychology is the study of how people think, feel, and behave in a variety of situations. General psychology includes topics such as motivation, personality, intelligence, and relationships.
It is a very broad field of study that includes many sub-disciplines, such as social psychology, personality psychology, clinical psychology, developmental psychology, and organizational psychology.
Evolutionary psychology
Evolutionary psychology is the study of how evolutionary forces shape the human mind and behavior. It is an interdisciplinary science that draws on insights from anthropology, biology, genetics, cognitive science, medicine, and other fields.
Evolutionary psychology seeks to explain how human behavior is adapted to the environment and shaped by natural selection. The basic premise of evolutionary psychology is that our minds are designed to solve problems in the same way that other animals solve problems.
It takes into account biological, cognitive, and cultural factors. Evolutionary psychology helps us understand why we behave the way we do and why we believe the things we do. It includes topics such as motivation, personality, intelligence, and relationships.
Forensic psychology
Forensic psychology is the application of psychological knowledge to legal matters, such as crime and law. Forensic psychologists work with law enforcement and the courts to help solve crimes, prevent crimes, and ensure that the rights of individuals are protected.
They also use their knowledge of human behavior to assist in criminal investigations and the legal process and they are often asked to testify as expert witnesses in court. Forensic psychologists work with law enforcement, attorneys, and judges to ensure that the truth comes out.
Health psychology
Health psychology is the study of how psychological processes affect health and illness. It is a field that crosses many disciplines, including medicine, nursing, social work, and psychology.
Health psychologists study how people cope with illness and how these coping strategies can be improved to improve health outcomes. One example of a health psychologist is a physician who specializes in pain management.
Occupational psychology
Occupational psychology is the study of human behavior in the workplace. It is a branch of applied psychology that is concerned with understanding how organizations and individuals interact.
It has been defined as “the scientific study of work, employment, and the workplace”. Includes topics such as motivation, personality, intelligence, and relationships.
Occupational psychologists are typically involved in research and development of the workplace or consulting on the design and implementation of work-related interventions.
Social psychology
Social psychology is the study of how people think and behave in groups. It is the branch of psychology that examines how people influence each other, how they perceive others, and how they react to others.
It’s a discipline that is studied in a variety of disciplines including sociology, anthropology, communication, political science, and economics.
One area of study is the effects of social support on health outcomes. For example, research has shown that people who have a supportive network of friends or family members live longer than those who don’t. This can be seen in studies of people with HIV, cancer, or other illnesses.
Clinical psychology
Clinical psychology is a branch of psychology that is focused on the assessment, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders. Clinical psychologists work with individuals, couples, families, and groups to help them cope with their emotional and behavioral difficulties.
Clinical psychologists are also responsible for investigating a variety of mental health problems and conditions, including depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse.
Clinical psychologists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, schools, clinics, community organizations, and universities.
Cognitive psychology
The scientific study of cognition is called cognitive psychology. Cognitive psychologists are interested in understanding how the mind works and use a variety of methods to study cognitive processes such as attention, language use, memory, and emotion. They study these processes in both animals and humans.
Developmental psychology
Developmental psychology is the study of the human mind and behavior from conception to death. This field studies how environmental factors, such as genetics, shape the development of an individual’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
This can help us understand why children behave in certain ways and why people have certain personality traits. Developmental psychology is split into three main sections: cognitive development, social development, and personality development.
Neuropsychology
Neuropsychology is the study of how the mind and behavior are related to the nervous system. Neuropsychologists use different methods to examine how the brain and nervous system work together to produce behavior.
Some of these methods include functional neuroimaging, pharmacology, and behavioral experiments. Functional neuroimaging is a technique that uses MRI and PET scans to see which parts of the brain are activated when a person is performing a certain task.
Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their effects on behavior. Behavioral experiments are conducted in an attempt to understand how behaviors are controlled by the nervous system.
Conclusion
Psychology is a broad discipline that includes the study of normal and abnormal behavior, the biological basis of behavior, and the relationship between emotion and cognition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What are the 14 Branches of Psychology?
Who is the father of psychology?
Wilhelm Wundt is often referred to as the father of psychology. He is known for his contributions to the scientific study of human behavior and for founding the first laboratory for experimental psychology in Leipzig, Germany.
What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
A psychologist is a mental health professional who works with individuals to help them understand and cope with their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. A psychiatrist is also called a psychopharmacologist.
Is psychology a science?
Yes, psychology is a science. Psychology is a field of study that uses scientific methods to understand human behavior.
Reference
James, W. (1892). Psychology. H. Holt.
Morris, C. G. (1993). Psychology. New York.
Kalat, J. W. (2016). Introduction to psychology. Cengage Learning.
Psychology: Definitions, branches, history, and how to become one. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154874
The Major Branches of Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/major-branches-of-psychology-4139786
