1. Psychology
Lesson 2:
What Psychologists Do

2. Three Categories
1. Teaching & doing research at
universities
2. Providing health or mental
services
3. Conducting research or applying
its finding in nonacademic settings

3. Psychological Research
• Basic Psychology: Study of
psychological issues in order to seek
knowledge for its own sake
• Applied Psychology: Study of
psychological issues that have direct
practical significance; also the
application of psychological findings.

4. Psychological Practice
• Goal is to understand & improve
physical & mental health
–Work in mental hospitals, general
hospitals, clinics, schools, counseling
centers, the criminal justice system &
private practice

5. Psychotherapist Person who does psychotherapy;
credentials and training vary
Clinical Has a doctoral degree
Psychologist
Psychoanalyst Has specific training in
psychoanalysis after an
advanced degree (M.D./Ph.D.)
Psychiatrist A physician (M.D.) with
specialization in psychiatry
Other Licensing requirements vary by state;
generally at least an M.A. Can be social
professionals worker (LCSW), counselor (MFCC)
After Table 1.2 from
Wade, C., & Tavris, C. (2002). Invitation to Psychology, 2nd Ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

6. Types of Private Practices
• Counseling Psychologists
–Generally help people deal with
problems of every day life

7. • School psychologists
–Work with parents, teachers, &
students to enhance students’
performance & resolve emotional
difficulties

8. • Clinical psychologists
–Diagnose, treat, & study mental or
emotional problems
• Psychotherapist
–Anyone who does any kind of
psychotherapy
–Not legally regulated

9. • Psychoanalyst
–Practices one particular form of
therapy (psychoanalysis)
–Must have an advanced degree,
receive specialized training &
undergo extensive
psychoanalysis yourself

10. • Psychiatrists
–MD who has done a 3 year residency
in psychiatry under supervision to
learn to diagnose & treat mental
disorders
–More likely to focus on possible
biological causes of mental disorders
& often treat these problems with
medication

11. • Licensed Clinical Social Workers
• Licensing requirements vary by state
but usually include a masters degree
in psychology or social work & include
1-2 years of supervised experience

12. Psychology in the Community
–Consult with companies to improve
worker satisfaction & productivity
–Establish programs to improve race
relations & reduce ethnic tensions
–Advise commissions on how pollution &
noise affect mental health

13. • Do rehabilitation training for people who
are physically or mentally disabled
• Educate judges & juries about eye
witness testimony
• Assist the police in emergencies involving
hostages or disturbed persons
• Conduct public opinion surveys

14. • Run suicide prevention hotlines
• Advise zoos on the care & training of
animals
• Help coaches improve the athletic
performance of their teams