Psychology has a vast field of study. Although, psychologists study the different aspects that influence human behavior, as well as social, cultural and biological. Going to the psychologist is something very common, since it allows advice for many aspects of life.
Psychology, by studying all aspects of human behavior, can answer all the questions or situations that we go through in depth, psychologists study a specialty to help adequately.
Also, we will explain what psychology is and what are the branches of psychology. It is important to know these data in case you want to study this beautiful career or need advice from a psychologist and have no idea who to turn to.
What is psychology?
Psychology is a social science and academic career focused on the analysis and understanding of mental processes and human behavior in certain situations. Psychology should not be confused with psychiatry, something very common. Psychiatry studies the biochemical behavior of the brain, without dealing with the emotional state of patients.
Psychology is also often confused with psychoanalysis, something that is not correct, since this discipline is interpretive and therapeutic of the studies of the human mind according to Sigmund Freud. Although psychology is interested in the processes of motivation, intelligence, thought, personality, consciousness, perception, interpersonal relationships, etc.
The general job of psychologists is to understand and resolve emotional behaviors or ailments in patients.
What are the branches of psychology and their definitions?
Psychology is not for a single purpose, on the contrary, it covers many aspects of people’s lives. There is no single branch of psychology, we will explain the main and best known branches of psychology and their definitions.
Clinical psychology
It deals with the study of mental disorders, it is a quite important and demanded branch of psychology. Clinical psychology is concerned with understanding and alleviating problems of disability, discomfort, and adjustment in patients with mental conditions.
Psychological evaluation and psychotherapy are crucial for this branch. However, clinical psychologists have specialization in forensics, training, and other areas.
developmental psychology
Developmental psychology is the branch of psychology that studies, from a scientific point of view, the psychological changes that human beings can present throughout their lives. This includes the study from birth, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age.
Each stage presumes the acquisition of different skills, the use of language, self-esteem, the development of personality and the formation of our identity.
couple and family psychology
All family relationships can produce some communication problems, some families more than others, that is why there is a branch of psychology that deals with family and couple relationships. Even if there is a psychological disorder, it can be treated by the professional.
It should be noted that this branch specializes in dealing with couple problems, inadequate communication between family members, conflicts with children, adaptation difficulties, pathologies of a relative and other aspects that may occur in the family.
Forensic psychology
Forensic psychology works psychology in criminal investigation and evaluation of possible criminals. This branch of psychology is capable of preparing reports on the mental health of people accused of crimes, in addition, they must explain the report in court, if applicable.
Forensic psychologists must not only know about psychology, they must also have a broad knowledge of legal regulations, in order to defend or present the report on a person correctly. Being a fairly large difference compared to the other branches of psychology.
cognitive psychology
This branch of psychology studies the internal processes of the mind, knowing how we think, perceive our environment, how we remember, communicate and learn. Many experts have determined cognitive psychology as the branch that studies intelligence.
Psychologists specialized in this branch can apply cognitive psychology with tools to improve memory, have greater security for decision-making, improve the way we learn and communicate with other people or our environment.
