General psychology programs prepare students for careers that are extraordinarily diverse with numerous career paths. A psychologist studies mental processes and human behavior. Degrees in general psychology build a foundation for a wide range of specialty areas including animal research and organizational behavior.
Techniques used in a psychologist’s methodology are:
- Observation
- Assessment
- Experimentation
Psychologists aim to comprehend and rationalize thoughts, emotions, feelings or behavior of their subjects. Research findings have greatly increased the perception of why people and animals behave as they do. Psychological studies help people function better as individuals, friends, family and workers.
Types of psychologists
There are three different areas in which all fields of general psychology programs typically fall:
- Applied Psychology: uses principles and research to solve real-world problems
- Research Psychology: studies and experiments on human or animal subjects
- Mental Health Psychology: works with people suffering from mental disorders or psychological distress
The American Psychological Association, or APA, recognizes the following specialized occupations within psychology:
- Clinical Psychologists
- Cognitive and Perceptual Psychologists
- Counseling Psychologists
- Experimental Psychologists
- Forensic Psychologists
- School Psychologists
Clinical psychologists assess and treat mental illness, abnormal behavior and psychiatric problems. Cognitive psychologists study mental processes including how people think, perceive, remember and learn. Counseling psychologists provide therapeutic treatments to clients who have a range of symptoms like depression or alcoholism. Experimental psychologists utilize scientific methods to research the mind and behavior. Forensic psychologists combine psychology and the law. School psychologists bring together parents, teachers and students to promote a healthy learning environment.
The difference between general psychology and psychiatry
The educational background required for each profession differs. A psychiatrist has a degree in medicine and a psychologist has a doctoral-level degree in psychology. Psychiatrists may dispense medication to patients where psychologists cannot.
Degrees in general psychology
The APA recognizes psychologists with a doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited university or professional school. A bachelor’s degree in psychology permits graduates to assist psychologists and other professionals. Some courses taken at the undergraduate level include:
- Developmental Psychology
- Sensation and Perception
- Principles of Behavior
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Physiological Psychology
At the master’s degree level, students specialize in their field of study. They may work in subfields such as social work or clinical psychology. They also may assist in conducting research under the direct supervision of doctoral-level psychologists.
Doctoral programs in psychology increase the value of a master’s degree. A doctoral degree is required to practice as a psychologist. Psychologists with a Ph.D. or Doctor of Psychology, or Psy.D., may enter into teaching, research, clinical or counseling positions in various facilities such as universities, hospitals, elementary and secondary schools, private business and government. The APA presently accredits doctoral training programs in clinical, counseling and school psychology, as well as institutions that provide internships
Job outlook in psychology
Psychologists have a projected employment growth rate of 12 percent. Those with specialty training within psychology could find rapidly expanding opportunities as increasing demand is expected. School psychologists for example could find abundant job opportunities during the next decade. The mean annual wages earned by psychologists in 2010 were $72,540.