BRANCHES/SUB-FIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGY

Developmental psychology It studies: how human being grows and changes through the life span. domains of development; physical and motor, intellectual, personal, emotional, moral and social. sequences and rate of maturation, size and ability in relation to age.

Personality psychology Examples of these traits: thinking, feeling, acting, believing, self control, individual organization of behaviour , interpersonal relationship skills and others. Personality psychology studies human differences, factors that make the differences and development. Understanding of personality is based on many perspectives; psychoanalytic, social learning, behavioural , humanistic, cognitive.

Social psychology How the behavior of a person or a group influences the behavior of another person or group. how people learn attitude and emotions, skills, actions, new perceptions, new ways of speaking and of living with others. These behaviors are learnt through interaction, communication and interpersonal relationships.

Industrial/Organizational psychology Behavior of workers at working places; industries, companies, institutions or at any working situation.various aspects of behavior in relation to work interest, efficiency, satisfaction, diligence and commitment leading to maximum production and profit.causes of low production as related to human behavior.

Clinical and Counseling psychology It deals with behavior problems, emotional disorders and behavior that indicate that the person is abnormal. Specialists in this area are medical doctors but they use psychotherapy in treating abnormal behavior. Psychotherapy: a procedure of treating abnormal behavior using interview techniques.  Clinical psychology Examples of abnormal behavior Phobic disorder: irrational fear of objects or situations, fear of water, animals, insects, darkness or rain. Mood disorders: depression; sadness, discouragement, loss of joy, loneliness, loss of appetite, dizziness. If this situation persists for a long time it leads to inability to function in life. Counseling psychology It deals with helping people to make decision about life; work, education or marriage. This is applied in institutions, schools or in society. Clinical and counseling psychology are interrelated. They tackled almost the same problems and use the same methods but differ in degree of severity.

Experimental and Physiological psychology Experimental method is used in understanding behavior, for example perception, sensations, memory, learning. studies basic causes of behavior, biological and social, that cut across different species. formulate theories that can be applied in other situations. Examples; closeness & attachment, pain and avoidance

Physiological psychology It studies biological basis of behavior, the function of the body and behavior. Example the causes of anger, brain and memory, secretion of hormones and emotional arousal, genes and behavior patterns.

Educational psychology Educational Psychology is an applied branch of psychology because it applies knowledge of general psychology in teaching and learning. Every branch of psychology contributes something in Educational psychology. Understanding the scope of other branches of psychology is important for the teacher.

Educational Psychology is concerned with Studying growth and development of children Finding ways of facilitating teaching and learning Classifying children according to their behaviour Treating people suffering with emotional disorders

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