Psychology’s Many Fields PhD Specializations

PhD Psychologists 16 14 6 12 37 6 5 1997 data PhD areas

PhD workplaces 17 34 11 10 6 22 PhD Workplaces 1997 data

Three primary areas Psychologist’s interests often overlap. Clinical Research Applied

Clinical Settings Clinical Psychology 4-5 years beyond BA PhD with research Clinical internship Licensed by state Hospital, clinic or private practice “Psychologist”

Psychiatry Started with Freud Medical degree MD – 4 yrs Residency – 4 yrs Prescribe drugs Diagnosis and treatment Little time to do therapy

Psychiatrists need help Too busy and expensive to be therapists Employ MSW’s 2-3 yrs beyond BA Clinical social workers Case management

Clincial Psych vs Psychiatry PhD or Psy D in Psychology Talk therapy Most cannot prescribe drugs Non-Freudians MD with psychiatric residency Drug therapy Can write prescriptions Only 1 out of 5 Freudian

Counseling Psychology MA or PhD “Adjustment problems” Fewer clinical skills Marriage and Family, School, Rehabiliation Schools of Education as at CCSU

Research Specializations Science of Psychology May be clinicians More interested in testing theories Developing new ideas Many different interests Chapters in Intro Psych book

Biopsychology (PSY 450) Biological Basis of Behavior Brain injury and recovery Parkinson’s disease Schizophrenia Neuropsychology

Developmental (PSY 236) Life-span development Early childhood Adolescence Adulthood Aging Death and Dying Geropsychology

Social Psychology (PSY 372) Group influences on behavior Social bonds Prejudice and violence Obedience to authority Bystander intervention Cults, hate groups Cooperation and kinship

Experimental Psychology Broad term includes faculty interested in Learning and Memory (PSY 200) Cognitive (PSY 281) Motivation (PSY 440)

Applied Specializations School, Work and Community

School Psychologist MA or PhD Help teachers promote learning and social development Tests and interviews Develop individual plans PPT (Parent, pupil, teacher)

Guidance Counselor MA (CCSU) Schools of Education Don’t need to have been teacher Activities vary Some counseling Some career/college work Some administration PPT’s (parents and teachers)

Community Psychology MA (CCSU) or Phd Help communities solve problems Prevention of crime and illness Organizing, mobilizing Determine needs Locate resources

Industrial/Organizational IO (PSY 234) MA or PhD Workplace Personnel Consumer Relations Human factors

Emerging Areas Health Psychology (PSY 241) promotion of wellness prevention of disease stress reduction Forensic Psychology legal issues jury selection eyewitness testimony victim advocacy

Do I need an advanced degree? Yes, If you want to be a counselor, clinician, teacher, or researcher Master’s degree sufficient in many cases Lots of interesting careers in human services with just a BA Here are some workplaces for BA grads

Post-graduation plans Go to work or go to grad school? Post-graduation paths for BA psych majors from 4 yr institutions. Based on 1998 APA survey.

BA Career Paths %

What employers want from psychology majors Listening skills Ability to work in teams Getting along with others Interpersonal relationship skills Focus on customers or clients Desire and ability to learn Willingness to gain new, impt skills Adaptability to changing situations Ability to suggest solutions Problem-solving skills