Who are Psychologists?

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior.  Psychology is a multifaceted discipline and includes many sub-fields of study such areas as human development, sports, health, clinical, social behavior and cognitive processes.

Psychologists strive to learn more about the many factors that can impact thought and behavior, ranging from biological influences to social pressures. There's a lot of confusion out there about psychology. Unfortunately, such misconceptions about psychology abound in part thanks to stereotyped portrayals of psychologists in popular media as well as the diverse career paths of those holding psychology degrees.

A practicing psychologist will meet with patients, carry out assessments to find out what their concerns are and what is causing any difficulties, and recommend or provide treatment, for example, through counselling and psychotherapy. Psychologists may have other roles, too. They may carry out studies to advise health authorities and other bodies on social and other strategies, assess children who find it difficult to learn in school, give workshops on how to prevent bullying, work with recruitment teams in companies, and much more.

A psychologist has correctly said that “The best thing about this job is that people open up their lives to you - that’s a great responsibility but also an honor.” The old stigma related to therapy is diminishing, as more people turn to psychologists to help them get through difficult periods of life. Depression is now recognized as a treatable disorder thanks to psychologists.

Academic prospects in Psychology

There is a plethora of options that one can choose in the field of Psychology. Indian Academy offers both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Psychology, and has been named one of the best psychology colleges in Bengaluru. The minimum eligibility to apply for a graduate degree is 10+2 qualification, while those with an undergraduate degree in Psychology are eligible for a Master’s degree in Psychology.

Major branches of Psychology

Social psychology

Social psychology uses scientific methods to understand how social influences impact human behavior. It seeks to explain how feelings, behavior, and thoughts are influenced by the actual, imagined or implied presence of other people.

A social psychologist looks at group behavior, social perception, non-verbal behavior, conformity, aggression, prejudice, and leadership. Social perception and social interaction are seen as key to understanding social behavior.

Occupational Psychology

Occupational or organizational psychologists are involved in assessing and making recommendations about the performance of people at work and in training.

They help companies to find more effective ways to function, and to understand how people and groups behave at work.

This information can help improve effectiveness, efficiency, job satisfaction, and employee retention.

Clinical psychology

Clinical psychology integrates science, theory, and practice in order to understand, predict and relieve problems with adjustment, disability, and discomfort. It promotes adaption, adjustment, and personal development.

A clinical psychologist concentrates on the intellectual, emotional, biological, psychological, social, and behavioral aspects of human performance throughout a person's life, across varying cultures and socioeconomic levels.

Clinical psychology can help us to understand, prevent, and alleviate psychologically-caused distress or dysfunction, and promote an individual's well-being and personal development.

Psychological assessment and psychotherapy are central to the practice of clinical psychology, but clinical psychologists are often also involved in research, training, forensic testimony, and other areas.

Other branches of psychology Include: forensic psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, evolutionary psychology, neuropsychology etc.

Psychology in a nutshell

Psychology colleges offer internships and placements for students to get better exposure in terms of a job. Opportunities are abundant in the academic setting: students can work freelance or as employees in a firm to treat patients and to cure a mental disorder. The demand for psychologists is expected to be huge in the corporate, educational, and public sectors. The assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness are central interests of psychology, but psychology encompasses much more than mental health. Today, psychologists seek to understand many different aspects of the human mind and behavior, adding new knowledge to our understanding of how people think as well as developing practical applications that have an important impact on everyday human lives.