FIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGYFIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGYFIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGY

Lecturer: Dr. Paul Narh DokuContact: pndoku@ug.edu.gh

Department of Psychology, University of Ghana

Session OverviewSession Overview

• This session will deal with the meaning andscope of psychology, misconceptions aboutpsychology, pseudoscience (para and pseudopsychology), the goals of psychology and therelevance of psychology in our lives.

• This session will deal with the meaning andscope of psychology, misconceptions aboutpsychology, pseudoscience (para and pseudopsychology), the goals of psychology and therelevance of psychology in our lives.

This Session’s Goals and ObjectivesThis Session’s Goals and Objectives

At the end of this session, you will be able to:– Differentiate between basic and applied psychology.– Mention some of the areas of specialization in

psychology.– Describe the status of psychology in Ghana.– Explain what it takes to become a Psychologist.– Explain the relationship between psychology and allied

fields.– Mention the prospects of psychology in Ghana and the

world in general.

At the end of this session, you will be able to:– Differentiate between basic and applied psychology.– Mention some of the areas of specialization in

psychology.– Describe the status of psychology in Ghana.– Explain what it takes to become a Psychologist.– Explain the relationship between psychology and allied

fields.– Mention the prospects of psychology in Ghana and the

world in general.

Session OutlineSession Outline

The key topics to be covered in the session areas follows:

• Part I - meaning and scope of psychology• Part II - misconceptions about psychology,• Part III - pseudoscience (para- and pseudo –

psychology)• Part IV - the goals of psychology• Part V - the relevance of psychology in our

lives.

The key topics to be covered in the session areas follows:

• Part I - meaning and scope of psychology• Part II - misconceptions about psychology,• Part III - pseudoscience (para- and pseudo –

psychology)• Part IV - the goals of psychology• Part V - the relevance of psychology in our

lives.

Reading ListReading List

Wade, C. and Tarvis, C. (2005). Invitation topsychology (3rded). Pearson prentice hall.P. 9-12

Kalat, W. J. (2008). Introduction to psychology (8th

ed). Thomson learning, inc. p. 8-16

Nairne, S. J. (2014). Psychology (6th ed). Wadsworth,cengage learning. P. 6-8

Coon, D. and Mitterer, O. J (2012). Psychology:modules for active learning (13th ed). Cengagelearning. P. 34-36

The session notes titled “fields of Psychology”

Wade, C. and Tarvis, C. (2005). Invitation topsychology (3rded). Pearson prentice hall.P. 9-12

Kalat, W. J. (2008). Introduction to psychology (8th

ed). Thomson learning, inc. p. 8-16

Nairne, S. J. (2014). Psychology (6th ed). Wadsworth,cengage learning. P. 6-8

Coon, D. and Mitterer, O. J (2012). Psychology:modules for active learning (13th ed). Cengagelearning. P. 34-36

The session notes titled “fields of Psychology”

Part I - Meaning and scope ofpsychology

Part I - Meaning and scope ofpsychology

Part I - Meaning and scope ofpsychology

Part I - Meaning and scope ofpsychology

Fields of PsychologyFields of PsychologyFields of Psychology

Lecture 4

Fields of PsychologyFields of Psychology

• All psychologists study organisms’ behaviour andmental processes.

• However, they pursue knowledge in differentways, in different settings and from differentperspectives.

• Hence the different fields of psychology.• Some psychologists teach and conduct research,

others provide psychological services personswho are challenged and organizations.

• There are two broad fields: Basic and AppliedFields.

• All psychologists study organisms’ behaviour andmental processes.

• However, they pursue knowledge in differentways, in different settings and from differentperspectives.

• Hence the different fields of psychology.• Some psychologists teach and conduct research,

others provide psychological services personswho are challenged and organizations.

• There are two broad fields: Basic and AppliedFields.

Basic fieldBasic field

Basic fieldBasic field

- Basic field: doing research to increaseknowledge and understanding ofpsychological phenomena.

- Basic field: doing research to increaseknowledge and understanding ofpsychological phenomena.

Applied FieldApplied Field

Applied fieldApplied field

• This is the use of psychological principles and theories toovercome problems in life .

• Applied Psychologists conduct research to find solutionspecific problems.

The field include areas such as: Clinical psychology, Counseling psychology, Industrial and organizational psychology, Occupational health psychology, Forensic psychology, Engineering psychology , Educational psychology, Community psychology and many others

• This is the use of psychological principles and theories toovercome problems in life .

• Applied Psychologists conduct research to find solutionspecific problems.

The field include areas such as: Clinical psychology, Counseling psychology, Industrial and organizational psychology, Occupational health psychology, Forensic psychology, Engineering psychology , Educational psychology, Community psychology and many others

1. Clinical psychology:1. Clinical psychology:uses psychological

techniques to assess andtreat persons with mentaldisorders.Use of psychotherapy to

help solve challenges andto help people cope betterwith stress.They do diagnoses and

treatment of psychologicaldisorders.

uses psychologicaltechniques to assess andtreat persons with mentaldisorders.Use of psychotherapy to

help solve challenges andto help people cope betterwith stress.They do diagnoses and

treatment of psychologicaldisorders.

2. Counseling psychology:2. Counseling psychology:

focus on helping peoplewith adjustmentproblems. Provide advise for

college students onadjustment, choice ofsubjects, vocationaldecisions, etc.

focus on helping peoplewith adjustmentproblems. Provide advise for

college students onadjustment, choice ofsubjects, vocationaldecisions, etc.

3. School psychology:3. School psychology:

work in school settingswhere they help childrenwith academic, emotionaland behaviouralproblems.

Also help with placementin special educationproblems.

They team up withteachers to identifychildren who are needyand those with learningdisabilities.

work in school settingswhere they help childrenwith academic, emotionaland behaviouralproblems.

Also help with placementin special educationproblems.

They team up withteachers to identifychildren who are needyand those with learningdisabilities.

4. Educational Psychology:4. Educational Psychology:

Applies the principles ofpsychology in theclassroom.Develops tests that

measure intellectualability or academicpotential, help teachersenhance teachingmethods and learningprocess, motivation inthe classroom, etc.

Applies the principles ofpsychology in theclassroom.Develops tests that

measure intellectualability or academicpotential, help teachersenhance teachingmethods and learningprocess, motivation inthe classroom, etc.

5. Developmental psychology:5. Developmental psychology:

Concerned with humandevelopment (e.g.physical, social, cognitive,language development,etc) from conception tothe end of life.• Also, they may

specialize ondevelopment inchildhood, adolescenceor adulthood.

Concerned with humandevelopment (e.g.physical, social, cognitive,language development,etc) from conception tothe end of life.• Also, they may

specialize ondevelopment inchildhood, adolescenceor adulthood.

6. Personality psychology6. Personality psychology

Deals with how peoplediffer from one anotherin their individual traits.Also, how people

develop theirpersonality, whetherthey can be changed ornot, etc. e.g, how doesone become a leader?Why do people helpothers?

Deals with how peoplediffer from one anotherin their individual traits.Also, how people

develop theirpersonality, whetherthey can be changed ornot, etc. e.g, how doesone become a leader?Why do people helpothers?

7. Social psychology:7. Social psychology:

how our behaviour andattitudes are influencedby others. For example, atthe stadium, how dopeople becomeinfluenced by thosearound them?

Areas of study includeconformity, aggression,friendship, attraction,leadership, prejudice,attitudes, etc.

how our behaviour andattitudes are influencedby others. For example, atthe stadium, how dopeople becomeinfluenced by thosearound them?

Areas of study includeconformity, aggression,friendship, attraction,leadership, prejudice,attitudes, etc.

8. Environmental psychology:8. Environmental psychology:

Studies relationshipsbetween the physicalenvironment andbehaviour.

How do the physicalenvironment influencebehaviour? E.g. the linkbetween noise,temperature, airpollution, housingdesigns, overcrowding,etc and behaviour.

Studies relationshipsbetween the physicalenvironment andbehaviour.

How do the physicalenvironment influencebehaviour? E.g. the linkbetween noise,temperature, airpollution, housingdesigns, overcrowding,etc and behaviour.

9. Experimental Psychology9. Experimental Psychology

They applyexperimental methodto the study ofbehaviour and mentalprocesses(e.g.learning, sensation,perception, etc)

Note: Other psychologistsalso use the experimentalmethod.

They applyexperimental methodto the study ofbehaviour and mentalprocesses(e.g.learning, sensation,perception, etc)

Note: Other psychologistsalso use the experimentalmethod.

10. I/O Psychology:10. I/O Psychology:

Studies behaviour atthe workplace. Focus ison how to increasemotivation, jobsatisfaction, or decreaseabsenteeism amongemployees. Also, training workers

to increase productivity,personnel selection, jobattitudes, etc.

Studies behaviour atthe workplace. Focus ison how to increasemotivation, jobsatisfaction, or decreaseabsenteeism amongemployees. Also, training workers

to increase productivity,personnel selection, jobattitudes, etc.

11. Consumer psychology:11. Consumer psychology:

Focuses on consumerbehaviour. What factorsinfluence people to buyor not to buy aparticular product?Influence of adverts on

consumers, packaging,type of music incommercials onbehaviour, etc.

Focuses on consumerbehaviour. What factorsinfluence people to buyor not to buy aparticular product?Influence of adverts on

consumers, packaging,type of music incommercials onbehaviour, etc.

12. Biological psychology12. Biological psychology

Focuses on biologicalprocesses that underliebehaviour. For example,how heredity andhormones influencedepression or anxiety,how the braininfluences behaviour.

Focuses on biologicalprocesses that underliebehaviour. For example,how heredity andhormones influencedepression or anxiety,how the braininfluences behaviour.

13. Cognitive psychology13. Cognitive psychology

• Focus is on mentalprocesses. E.g. decisionmaking, problemsolving, perception,language and memory.

• Focus is on mentalprocesses. E.g. decisionmaking, problemsolving, perception,language and memory.

14. Community psychology:14. Community psychology:

Focuses on improvingcommunity mental health. Emphasizes prevention of

social and communityproblems, works withcommunities rather thanindividuals.May work to prevent teen

pregnancy, drug use, childneglect, domestic violenceetc in communities

Focuses on improvingcommunity mental health. Emphasizes prevention of

social and communityproblems, works withcommunities rather thanindividuals.May work to prevent teen

pregnancy, drug use, childneglect, domestic violenceetc in communities

15. Health psychology15. Health psychology

Studies how factors such asstress, lifestyle andattitudes affect health.They help develop health

promotion programs andinterventions to improvequality of life of people.

Studies how factors such asstress, lifestyle andattitudes affect health.They help develop health

promotion programs andinterventions to improvequality of life of people.

16. Cross-cultural psychology:16. Cross-cultural psychology:

• Looks at how cultureinfluences behaviour.

17. Forensic psychology17. Forensic psychology

Deals with criminalbehaviour and the legalsystem.Help law enforcement

agencies in conductingprofiles of possiblesuspects for a crime.Give expert testimonyin court onpsychological issues, etc

Deals with criminalbehaviour and the legalsystem.Help law enforcement

agencies in conductingprofiles of possiblesuspects for a crime.Give expert testimonyin court onpsychological issues, etc

18. Sports psychology:18. Sports psychology:

Work with sportsmenand women and sportsprograms and teams.Focus is on injury

recovery, teambuilding, motivation,performanceenhancementtechniques, and howfans influence athleteperformance.

Work with sportsmenand women and sportsprograms and teams.Focus is on injury

recovery, teambuilding, motivation,performanceenhancementtechniques, and howfans influence athleteperformance.

Emerging Fields/Areas:Emerging Fields/Areas:

• Geropsychology:Interested in

psychological processesassociated with aging.Work of the aged to

help them cope withstress, retirement, lostof loved ones anddeclining health.

• Geropsychology:Interested in

psychological processesassociated with aging.Work of the aged to

help them cope withstress, retirement, lostof loved ones anddeclining health.

Emerging fieldsEmerging fields

• Clinical neuropsychology: Work to evaluate

cognitive effects of braininjuries, strokes, etc.

Also, help designprograms that aim to helppeople who have sufferedbrain damage regainsome of their functioning.

• Clinical neuropsychology: Work to evaluate

cognitive effects of braininjuries, strokes, etc.

Also, help designprograms that aim to helppeople who have sufferedbrain damage regainsome of their functioning.

Psychology Degrees by AreaPsychology Degrees by Area

• Minimum Masters Degree in Psychology.• In US Doctorate is mandatory.• A period of between 6 and 10years of post

secondary education(3 to 4 years undergraduate,and between 2 to 6years postgraduate studies).

• In addition some subfield; industrial, counselling,and others require internship of at least 6 monthsfor certification and licensing.

•Becoming a Psychologist: education,training & experience

•Becoming a Psychologist: education,training & experience

• Minimum Masters Degree in Psychology.• In US Doctorate is mandatory.• A period of between 6 and 10years of post

secondary education(3 to 4 years undergraduate,and between 2 to 6years postgraduate studies).

• In addition some subfield; industrial, counselling,and others require internship of at least 6 monthsfor certification and licensing.

Becoming a PsychologistBecoming a Psychologist

• These guidelines are strictly enforced byAmerican Psychological Association (APA).

• British Psychological Association (BPA).• In Ghana, issue of licensing is still underway;

the Ghana Psychological Association justformed in 2000 is still negotiating withrelevant institution to finalize the regulations.

• These guidelines are strictly enforced byAmerican Psychological Association (APA).

• British Psychological Association (BPA).• In Ghana, issue of licensing is still underway;

the Ghana Psychological Association justformed in 2000 is still negotiating withrelevant institution to finalize the regulations.

Status and Prospect in GhanaStatus and Prospect in Ghana

• Psychology Department of University of Ghanawas founded in 1967 and has trained manyGhanaians and Non-Ghanaians at undergraduateand graduate levels.

• UCC and UEW also offers courses in psychology.• UG runs 3 programmes at graduate level; social,

clinical and industrial.• Ghana Psychology Association was formed to

bring psychologist together.• Currently psychologists are found in every sector

of the national life.

• Psychology Department of University of Ghanawas founded in 1967 and has trained manyGhanaians and Non-Ghanaians at undergraduateand graduate levels.

• UCC and UEW also offers courses in psychology.• UG runs 3 programmes at graduate level; social,

clinical and industrial.• Ghana Psychology Association was formed to

bring psychologist together.• Currently psychologists are found in every sector

of the national life.