Specialties in the Field of Psychology, Essay Example

Introduction

Psychology is a field of interest by many students (Ferreira et al., 2016). One can specialize in specific areas since psychology covers a wide area. There are activities related to each field. There is a certain level of education needed for all fields to qualify for the specific fields (Ferreira et al., 2016). Every field has a respective specialist; for instance, in the health service, there are health psychologists (Gurung, 2018), in the clinical field, clinical psychologists, and likewise in the forensic department, among others (Gurung, 2018). The present paper discusses 12 different specialists in the field of psychology with a summary of their job responsibilities, work locations, salaries, education, licensing requirements, and career outlooks (BLS, 2021).

Child Psychologist

In this field, this specialist is involved in analyzing children’s mental issues, their emotions, and their interactions in social settings (Martinez, 2019). Their behavior is carefully analyzed as well (APA, 2021). In most cases, the specialist makes sure that a solution is found for unusual behavior or feature in the studied areas, such as the emotional sector (Martinez, 2019). These children’s cognitive processes are studied and evaluated to identify the child’s psychological health (Martinez, 2019). The specialists focus on learning their non-verbal cues, for they speak a lot about a person). Body language, for instance, is crucial in this sector (Martinez, 2019). The specialists pick up various information concerning people as they study them. Additionally, Child specialists study the behavior patterns for children, the causes for such behaviors with factors influencing them among other entities in their study (Martinez, 2019).

Psychology students are qualified to be child specialists on completion of child psychology doctorate degrees from their universities and colleges ((BLS, 2021)). Intensive study is needed before they complete their degree. Internships are very much applicable in this field as in other areas of study (BLS, 2021). For instance, a one-year internship is required for the students to undertake as part of their school program (BLS, 2021). Before being licensed by the health department in the country to be a qualified child psychologist gone through these educational requirements (BLS, 2021). The person needs to have integrity, analytical, and good interpersonal skills. Their salary ranges from $70,000 – $82,000 for the whole year (BLS, 2021). The median figure particularly reads $102,790 yearly (BLS, 2021). The field of psychology is expected to increase with more child psychologists’ employees entering the field. I would consider myself one of them; the salary is good (BLS, 2021). They can work in schools as well as do private, home-based operations.

Counseling psychologist

Most, if not all, domestic issues and problems are dealt with with the help of these types of psychologists (BLS, 2021). They work closely with the people burdened by these issues to help them overcome them. They help identify their strengths and their weaknesses as well. Counseling psychologists give people advice and tips on living a better life (BLS, 2021). They advise their patients on the best way to overcome the detailed issues in a better way.

To be qualified to be a counseling psychologist, one must have gone through a doctorate program in the university or college (BLS, 2021). They must have had internships and a lot of practice. Every psychology expert must have a lot of practice and attain a doctorate from recognized universities (BLS, 2021). One can be a counseling psychologist in schools, hospitals, any government institutions, or decide to be private. The licenses are issued by the national health department (APA, 2021). The average yearly salary ranges from $82,180 (BLS, 2021). I would not consider being in this category. It seems to be dealing with a broader scope (BLS, 2021).

Clinical psychologist

These psychology specialists have vast knowledge and approach towards helping different people with different issues (APA, 2021). They focus on diagnosing and treating emotional, behavioral, and mental disorders. These issues may be severe or just in the early stages of development (APA, 2021). The earlier they diagnose the problem, the earlier they make sure the patient is helped. Some of the specialists in this category focus on different populations, such as children or the elder population (APA, 2021). They often consult with other health officials. They are primarily in healthcare clinics.

Aspiring clinical psychologists must go through a degree and a doctorate program from a recognized university (BLS, 2021). However, a master’s degree is sufficient (APA, 2021). They should develop high-level interpersonal and communicational skills. These will be an added advantage to the specialist as they deal with the patients throughout their careers (APA, 2021). This field is expected to grow by 8% in the next 10 years, before 2030 (BLS, 2021). The average wage of this kind of specialist amounts to &80,000 yearly. I would consider being one of them, for they have an option to specialize in a different population. I would focus on children (APA, 2021).

Developmental psychologist

This psychologist is tasked with the analysis, research and coming up with deep insight concerning the progress and development of things in life psychologically (APA, 2021). They mainly focus on children and young adults. In some cases, they focus on the aging and the older generation (BLS, 2021).

Most psychology specialties, these too have to go through the university and acquire a doctorate or a master’s equivalent (APA, 2021). Their license depends on these qualifications (APA, 2021). In addition to attaining these academic qualifications, they must have a broader and deeper understanding of the field and experience (APA, 2021). It is generally expected to have more employees in the near future. This field would be too cumbersome for me; therefore, I would not consider being one (APA, 2021).

Experimental psychologist

A specialist in this field focuses on studying things in life through experimentation (Kim, 2019). Most of these experiments are physical. They analyze how some functions take place in living things through experiments (Kim, 2019).

The present specialist earns around $85,000 in one year. They must have a doctorate and a broader scope of experience in this field for them to be licensed to work (Kim, 2019). They can work in academic institutions, universities to be exact. Additionally, they can work in research centers, whether government-based or private. They are the best to have when one conducts research. These specialists are inspiring to me because I love research (APA, 2021). I would consider being an experimental psychologist. This field is increasingly in need of employees for research for many things is always undertaken (APA, 2021). Therefore, this specialty is expected to employ a lot of people.

Forensic Psychologist

A specialist from this category applies the vast knowledge they have about psychological things on legal issues. They closely work with the law (APA, 2021). They conduct a study on the jury to evaluate their effectiveness and/or competence. Some forensic psychologists are trained in both the field of psychology and that of the law (APA, 2021). They are well informed in judicial matters as well (APA, 2021). They also help detectives in their investigations. They are required to have a doctorate or a master’s degree from this field in a recognized university. Licensing is based on these academic qualifications (APA, 2021). Additional interpersonal and communication skills are an added advantage.

The judicial system always needs these specialists for their cases (APA, 2021). There will be increased growth of the need for forensic; thus, opportunities are expected to open up (APA, 2021). This field interests me, working with detectives and judges in investigation and solving different cases. Therefore I would be interested in being one of the Forensic psychologists (APA, 2021).

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist.

Psychologists for the organization and/or industry are involved in applying psychological skills and knowledge and principles of research and research methodologies in the organization’s workplace (APA, 2021). Their interest is to see the increased productivity of the organization. The specialists in this field are involved in testing employees before they are hired to ensure that only the competent ones are hired (APA, 2021). They may also be involved in managerial and strategic decision-making activities. Top management officials mostly seek out help from these types of specialists.

Their academic requirements demand a doctorate in this field from a recognized university (APA, 2021). This is one of the requirements for a license to be credited to them. In addition to these, they are required to have gone/enrolled into an internship and completed it before they are licensed (APA, 2021). The payment averages $82,180 yearly.

Health Psychologist

A health psychologist is a specialist who investigates how illnesses are influenced by psychological, social, and biological factors (APA, 2021). In addition, they examine how the patients handle the different illnesses that have afflicted them (Gurung, 2018). For instance, they try to understand why some patients do not follow the usage of pain medications or follow the advice given by the healthcare officials (Gurung, 2018). They help patients get well soon by coming up with different healthcare principles that ensure their emotional and physical wellness (Gurung, 2018). In addition, they also advise healthcare officials about the patients’ stress during illnesses.

Their academic qualifications include a master’s degree or a doctorate. They are found in healthcare facilities distributed all over the country. The health ministry accredits the license in consideration of their qualifications (APA, 2021). This field pays an average of $82,000 yearly (APA, 2021). I would be interested in this specialty because it is diverse (APA, 2021).

Neuropsychologist.

To help understand who is a neuropsychologist, here is an example (APA, 2021). They explore and carefully examine how the brain makes memories and how it keeps them. Another example of their activities is designing to-do lists that help study the brain’s normal functioning (APA, 2021). They may include positron emission tomography (TEP) tools in conducting their study (APA, 2021). From the two examples, it is seen that these specialists are interested and involved in brain study and its relationship with human behavior.

Their yearly median wage plays around $83,000 (APA, 2021). They are required to have a doctorate. They can work in healthcare facilities, academic institutions, research institutions and choose to be government-oriented or being private. I would not be interested in this specialty (APA, 2021). I would not like to focus on the brain in my studies (APA, 2021).

School Psychologist

A school psychologist is exclusively involved with academic institutions (APA, 2021). They counsel the students, the students’ parents as well as the institution’s staff. They earn an average of 82,000 dollars in a year (APA, 2021). They are qualified for the jobs after completing their studies and acquiring a master’s or a doctorate (BLS, 2021).

There is a growing need for these specialists due to the increased rates of adolescents’ depression and mental health issues (APA, 2021). More school psychologists are going to be employed and keep on employed. Most, if not all, schools employ these specialists full-time (BLS, 2021). I would not be interested in this category of specialists because this field is, in a way, confined to schools. I would like where there is the diversity of the field.

Social Psychologist

These specialists have the task of studying how people’s interactions alter, change, or influence someone’s mental health and behavior. Their scope of the study includes all interpersonal relationships regarding individuals and groups as well (BLS, 2021). An example of one of their activities is helping people understand other people. They help people understand others in terms of their attitudes. They also provide suggestions for when these attitudes are negative on how to change them. They can work in academic institutions or advertisement agencies. They can also be in the field of business and different government firms (BLS, 2021).

Their academic requirements are master’s and/or doctorate degrees in a recognized university (BLS, 2021). It would be essential for these specialists to include integrity and develop their interpersonal and communication skills for these specialists. This would increase their competence. They can get licensed by the government after they have been vetted under these qualifications. The median wage yearly amounts to $82,000 (BLS, 2021). I would consider being one of them. Firstly, I would like to change someone’s attitude and view towards other people and, secondly, because of the money.

Sports Psychologist

The specialists in this category help the athletes and/or people who love sports to be more competitive in their games (APA, 2021). They help in keeping the athletes keenly focused on their competition goals. They can work in any sports club or any institution (APA, 2021). They are also observed to work closely with the athletes’ coaches. They help drive away from the fear of failure and its environment, keeping the athletes positive and motivated (APA, 2021).

Their academic qualifications are similar to most of the specialists in psychology, that is, a master’s degree or a doctorate in the current field (BLS, 2021). For these specialists, interpersonal and communication skills, as well as integrity, are an added advantage (APA, 2021). This category interests me. I would consider being one of them, for it pays better than many jobs (APA, 2021). Additionally, they deal with sports (APA, 2021). I love sports.

Comparison between the Delivery of Content between the Occupational Handbook and APA.

The outline handbook contains a summary (BLS, 2021). It is precise in the description of terms and delivery of content (BLS, 2021). This resource has arranged the major content in a neat way, a section with clear linkage to the different sections of the field of psychology. For instance, it has tabs on the summary, “what they Do,” etc. tabs (BLS, 2021). The content is well organized in the handbook (BLS, 2021). The summary, for instance, contains some quick facts about psychologists detailing their medium pay, their typical entry-level, work experience, etc. (BLS, 2021). On the flip side, the handbook does not have information about all the 12 required field psychology specialists (BLS, 2021).

On the other hand, the APA website details all the twelve required psychology specialist information with precise and more details (APA, 2021). This website has more information and/or descriptions on each of the specialists giving a detailed report (APA, 2021). The arrangement of the facts is pointed out (APA, 2021). The website also has more details on the specialists, such as facts (APA, 2021). For example, their pay and estimated employment’ the job outlook for all the specialists in the field of psychology (APA, 2020). The difference is that this website does not generalize information about the segments like the handbook has been doing, for instance, generalizing the academic requirements for all the specialists in the sector.  The site is well arranged as well (APA, 2021). The information is easy to be found. The resource that I found easier to use from the foregoing discussion was the APA website for the already mentioned reasoned (APA, 2020).

Conclusion

Psychology is a wide field with many students being interested (BLS, 2021). It is contained in several sub-fields. Each with a specialty. The present paper has discussed twelve of these sectors of psychology and their specialties. The discussion has included a summary of their job responsibilities, where they work, salaries, education, and job/career outlooks (BLS, 2021). The twelve specialists include child psychologist (APA, 2020), counseling psychologist, clinical psychologist, developmental psychologist, experimental psychologist, forensic psychologist, industrial or organizational psychologist, health psychologist, neuropsychologist, school psychologist, social and sports psychologist (BLS, 2021).

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm (visited October 28, 2021).

Ferreira, A. I., Rodrigues, R. I., & da Costa Ferreira, P. (2016). Career interests of students in psychology specialties degrees: psychometric evidence and correlations with the RIASEC dimensions. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 16(1), 91-111.

Gurung, R. A. (2018). Health psychology. Cambridge University Press.

Martinez, M. A. Q. (2019). Análisis comparativo para seleccionar una herramienta de reconocimiento de emociones aplicando el modelo AHP. UNIANDES-Episteme, 6(3), 453-463.

Kim, A. (2019). Early experimental psychology. In The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Psychology (pp. 41-58). Routledge.

American Psychological Association (APA). (2021). Careers in Psychology. https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide/careers