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Subfields of Psychology

The study of the human mind is vast and touches every area of our experience. It seems there is no human dynamic that we can not look at through the lens of psychology. Therefore, to better serve a particular group of people, we can break down the study and practice of psychology into various subfields.

Subfields of Psychology

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  • Approaches in Psychology
  • Basic Psychology
  • Biological Bases of Behavior
  • Biopsychology
  • Careers in Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Cognition and Development
  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Data Handling and Analysis
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Eating Behaviour
  • Emotion and Motivation
  • Famous Psychologists
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Health Psychology
  • Individual Differences Psychology
  • Issues and Debates in Psychology
  • Personality in Psychology
  • Psychological Treatment
  • Relationships
  • Research Methods in Psychology
  • Schizophrenia
  • Scientific Foundations of Psychology
  • Applied Research In Psychology
  • Behaviorism
  • Biopsychosocial Model Psychology
  • Evolutionary Perspective in Psychology
  • Gestalt Psychology
  • Helping Professions
  • Introducing Psychology
  • Introspection
  • Multiple Perspectives in Psychology
  • Psychoanalysis
  • Psychological Perspectives
  • Psychology as a Science
  • Schools of Thought
  • Sociocultural Perspective in Psychology
  • Structuralism and Functionalism in Psychology
  • Scientific Investigation
  • Sensation and Perception
  • Social Context of Behaviour
  • Social Psychology

What are the subfields of psychology?

  • What are the basic and applied research subfields?

Subfields of Psychology colorful abstract of the mind Vaia

A subfield is a more targeted area of research within a field of study. Each subfield in psychology specializes in a different area of human experience. The subfields of psychology can be organized into three main categories: basic research , applied research , and the helping professions .

Let's take a closer look at these categories and their components.

Basic Research Subfields

The basic research subfields include those that help build the basis of knowledge in psychology. The following are the basic research subtypes:

The subfield of cognitive psychology focuses on the human mind. Professionals in this field explore thinking, intelligence, language, attention and memory, and perception. Cognitive psychologists might work in research, as professors, or within the business world.

Developmental

Developmental psychology researches behavioral and cognitive changes as we grow, mature, and age. These professionals observe the psychological, social, and biological changes that occur throughout life. Research in this area is shared with educational institutes and care facilities, and informs public policy.

Educational

Professionals in this subfield focus their research on the psychology of learning and the effect different environments have on it. Researchers also create more effective learning materials, teaching methods, or testing strategies.

Experimental

Experimental psychologists often work within research establishments or academic institutions. They conduct experimental research within a specific field such as perception, language acquisition, or motivation.

Psychometric and Quantitative

Psychometric and quantitative psychologists help interpret the research collected from psychological studies and experiments. They decipher the statistics, technology, and research methods of data collection. They also create and implement tests and interpret the scores and results.

The subfield of social psychology is concerned with how we interact with others. Experts in this field investigate how people we interact with influence our behavior, beliefs, and worldviews. These professionals might work in schools, hospitals, and marketing, or as social media consultants.

Applied Research Subfields

The applied research subfields are concerned with solving practical problems like increasing productivity, training employees, the culture of the workplace, and the quality of the implementation of systems.

Forensic psychologists are concerned with the intersection of law and psychology. For example, they might work with law enforcement, correctional facilities, and universities. They assist in criminal investigations, conduct research to influence the creation of laws concerning mental health, or consult in court proceedings.

Environmental

Environmental psychologists are concerned with the reciprocal influence of individuals on their environment. These professionals might study the cognitive repercussions of sustainability, urbanism, and wildlife conservation.

Health psychologists help people live healthier lives by cultivating healthy habits and eliminating harmful behaviors. They may work on the community level to implement programs that encourage safe sex practices or help those suffering from addiction. They also work on the national level to help reform healthcare systems.

Industrial-Organizational

Industrial-organizational psychologists are concerned with the effects of the working environment on the individual. For example, they might work for a company to help them select personnel, improve productivity, and boost morale.

Neuropsychology

Neuropsychologists are concerned with the psychological ramifications of changes or irregularities in the organic material of the brain. You might find these professionals working in Alzheimer's research and treatment or with patients with traumatic brain injuries. In addition, they might work with patients with psychiatric disorders, or those on the autism spectrum.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation psychologists work with patients who have changes to their optimal health function after an event or injury. They might work in a health facility, hospital, or academic institution.

School psychologists are concerned with creating an optimal learning environment for students. They also work in intervention or as guidance counselors to identify and treat emotional or social problems. They might work in schools, child welfare, or research agencies.

Sports psychologists are concerned with the psychological effects and influences of physical activities. They work with coaches on leadership and with athletes to improve performance. They might work for a university, research association, or as part of an athletic team.

The Helping Professions

The Helping Professions are concerned with the interaction of people, their environment, and machines.

These professionals work to treat patients with clinical disorders. You can find them working as psychotherapists, using a variety of approaches to treat patients with long-term disorders like schizophrenia or depression. They might be teachers, researchers, or therapists.

Community psychologists address mental heath on the community, rather than individual level. They focus on enhancing a community or environment to promote better psychological health. For example, they might work in crisis prevention, or intervention with the local government, or advocate for better integration of underrepresented groups and minorities.

Counseling psychologists help individuals adjust to challenging situations or events in their lives. Just like clinical psychologists, they often work as counselors. However, their patients suffer from much milder disorders.

Important Subfields

There are varying subfields of psychology that are important.

Important Subfields for Psychologists

The largest subfield of psychology is clinical psychology . The most significant number of working professionals in psychology are clinical specialists. This subfield encompasses a substantial and intriguing field of research.

Professionals working in this field also require substantial education and certification. Clinical psychologists must complete doctoral studies. If they intend to work as therapists, they must obtain state licensure.

Important Subfields for Teachers

Educational and school psychology are two subfields of particular importance to teachers. Educational psychologists work to cultivate an environment for optimal learning for students. They also help develop the most effective teaching strategies for teachers. School psychologists focus on preventing or eliminating obstacles to learning. They ensure that the learning environment is optimal for encouraging the highest quality of education. Sometimes, their work includes helping individual students who might suffer from depression or mood disorders. They also work in prevention and help identify students who may be at risk or experiencing violence at home or in their personal lives.

Subfields of Psychology - Key takeaways

  • The subfields of psychology are grouped into three categories: basic research, applied research, and the helping professions.
  • The basic research subfields are cognitive, developmental, educational, experimental, psychometric and quantitative, and social psychology .
  • The applied research subfields are forensic, environmental, health, industrial-organizational, neuropsychology, rehabilitation, social, and sports psychology.
  • The helping professions are clinical, community, and counseling psychology.
  • The most popular subfields of psychology are clinical and counseling psychology.
  • Clinical psychologists make up the largest percentage of psychologists.
  • Educational and school psychology are the most important subfields for teachers.

Flashcards in Subfields of Psychology 89

A psychologist who works with families to help build coping skills is likely a:

Counseling Psychologist

Check the helping professionals.

5th-grade teacher

A psychologist that provides therapy to patients with severe mental health disorders is probably a:

Clinical Psychologist 

A Helping professional is someone who offers ______ and _____ services to individuals and the community.

Health, education

A psychologist who works to help groups of people through prevention and intervention methods is likely a:

Community Psychologist

What are the three categories of subfields in psychology?

Basic research, applied research, and the helping professions.

Subfields of Psychology

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Frequently Asked Questions about Subfields of Psychology

What are the two most popular subfields of psychology?

Clinical and counseling psychology are the two most popular subfields of psychology.

The subfields of psychology are cognitive, developmental, educational, experimental, psychometric and quantitative, social, forensic, environmental, health, industrial-organizational, neuropsychology, rehabilitation, school, sport, clinical, community, and counseling psychology. 

Which psychology subfield represents the largest percentage of psychologists?

Clinical psychology represents the largest percentage of psychologists. 

What subfield of psychology emphasizes the positive potential of humans?

The helping professions emphasize the positive potential of humans. 

Which subfields of psychology are especially important for a teacher?

Educational and school psychology are two subfields of particular importance to teachers. 

Test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards

Which one of the following is not one of the helping professions?

Which one of the following is not one of the basic research subfields?

Subfields of Psychology

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Subfields of Psychology

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the basic research subfields

The Subfields of Psychology

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the basic research subfields

Exploring psychology's subfields, this overview covers basic research, applied psychology, and clinical practice. Cognitive, developmental, and social psychologists conduct foundational research. Applied psychologists address real-world problems, while clinical practitioners offer therapeutic services. Educational and school psychologists focus on learning and development, shaping effective educational systems and supporting student well-being.

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Basic Research

Cognitive psychology.

Cognitive psychologists study internal mental processes such as perception, thought, problem-solving, and memory

Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychologists study the growth and changes that occur throughout the lifespan

Social Psychology

Social psychologists explore how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by their social environment

Applied Research

Forensic psychology.

Forensic psychologists apply psychological principles within the legal system, often in criminal cases or custody disputes

Health Psychology

Health psychologists focus on how psychological factors affect health and illness

Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Industrial-organizational psychologists strive to optimize human behavior in workplaces

Clinical Practice

Clinical psychology.

Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders through advanced education and licensure

Community Psychology

Community psychologists aim to improve community well-being and address societal issues through research and intervention

Counseling Psychology

Counseling psychologists help individuals manage life's challenges and transitions, often focusing on those with less severe psychological symptoms

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the basic research subfields

______ is the discipline that scientifically explores the ______ and ______, including various subfields that examine different aspects of human cognition, feelings, and behaviors.

Psychology mind behavior

the basic research subfields

Cognitive psychology focus

Investigates internal mental processes: perception, thought, problem-solving, memory.

the basic research subfields

Role of developmental psychologists

Study growth, changes throughout lifespan.

the basic research subfields

Objective of educational psychologists

Examine learning processes, enhance educational outcomes.

the basic research subfields

______ psychologists apply psychological knowledge to address challenges in the ______ system, such as in criminal cases.

Forensic legal

______ psychologists aim to improve human behavior in work environments to achieve better ______ outcomes.

Industrial-organizational workplace

Clinical psychologists vs. Counseling psychologists

Clinical psychologists treat severe psychological disorders; Counseling psychologists focus on life challenges with less severe symptoms.

Requirements for clinical psychologists

Clinical psychologists need advanced degrees (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and licensure to practice.

Community psychologists' objectives

Community psychologists work on improving community well-being and addressing societal issues through research and interventions.

To provide psychological services, practitioners in the subfield of ______ psychology must obtain a doctoral degree, complete supervised clinical experience, and acquire licensure.

Role of educational psychologists

Improve instructional methods, enhance learning environments.

Function of school psychologists

Collaborate with educators/parents, address students' psychological barriers to learning.

______ and ______ psychology play a key role in developing efficient educational structures and promoting student health.

Educational school

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What are the three main categories of psychology subfields and their primary focuses, what are some examples of basic research subfields in psychology, how does applied psychology serve practical purposes in society, what is the role of clinical practice in psychology, what distinguishes clinical psychology as a subfield, how do educational and school psychologists contribute to the educational system, what is the collective impact of the different subfields of psychology, contenuti simili, esplora altre mappe su argomenti simili.

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Behavioral Interventions for Addiction

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The Fight-or-Flight Response

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Nicotine Dependence

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Understanding Addiction

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Brain Development and Sensory Experiences

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The Human Brain: A Complex Organ

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Electroencephalograms (EEGs) and Event-Related Potentials (ERPs)

the basic research subfields

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Exploring the Diverse Subfields of Psychology

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The Pillars of Basic Psychological Research

Applied psychology: bridging theory and practice, clinical practice: the helping professions of psychology, the central role of clinical psychology, educational and school psychology: enhancing learning and development, synthesizing the contributions of psychology's subfields.

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Subfields of Psychology

Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior in both human and animal subjects. It is multifaceted, with a broad range of subfields. Those who study psychology can pursue a variety of occupations and programs. One also receives extensive knowledge in the use of the scientific method, as well as how it is applied in understanding human and animal behavior within the various topics of interest. This piece will provide a brief description of several speciality areas that one can pursue. There are countless pursuable careers within these subfields, which will be covered throughout the semester by the media outreach team!

Clinical Psychology

Those in the clinical psychology subfield focus on research based assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of those with severe mental disorders, including psychopathology. Clinical psychology applies psychological principles to assessment, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of these various mental disorders.

Abnormal Psychology

Abnormal psychology studies abnormal or atypical behavior of individuals. Some very commonly studied abnormalities include schizophrenia, dissociative disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and mood disorders.

Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychology is the study of human behavior and change across the lifespan. One major theme of developmental psychology is the nature-nurture debate: How our genetic inheritance interacts with our experiences to shape our development.

Cognitive Psychology

The field of cognitive psychology studies mental processes including memory, language, attention, sensation, creativity, learning, consciousness, and problem solving. How these various mental processes impact human behavior is the focus of cognitive psychology.

Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology is an applied field that deals with the interaction between law and psychology. Those who pursue careers in this field may work in prisons, jails, rehabilitation centers, law firms, etc.

Social Psychology

Social psychology is the study of individuals’ beliefs, thoughts, behaviors, intentions, and goals and their effects on social interactions with others. Topics covered in social psychology include the self, self-esteem, prejudice and discrimination, group processes, social influence, aggression, and stereotypes.

Health Psychology

The field of health psychology covers how biological, social, and psychological factors influence health and illness. Health psychologists use the interaction of these factors to promote healthy behavior and illness prevention.

Quantitative Psychology

Quantitative psychology focuses on the mathematical and statistical analysis of human or animal behavior. Quantitative psychologists are often involved in the design and implementation of scientific studies and methodologies.

I/O Psychology 

Industrial/Organizational psychology is characterized by the study of human behavior in organizations and the workplace. I/O psychologists address problems in the workplace, implement training programs, assess market strategies, and optimize the quality of work life.

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1.4 Subfields within Psychology

Debbie Magreehan and Odessa College

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Learn about the various professional associations that reflect the diversity of interests and foci within psychology
  • Learn about the areas of emphasis within PSU’s Psychology Department
  • Appreciate the racial/ethnic diversity of psychologists as reflected in the five APA-recognized Ethnic Minority Psychological Associations
  • Identify a number of subfields within the field of psychology

Contemporary psychology is a diverse field that is influenced by all of the historical perspectives described in the preceding section. Reflective of the discipline’s diversity is the diversity seen within the American Psychological Association (APA) . The APA is a professional organization representing psychologists in the United States. The APA is the largest organization of psychologists in the world, and its mission is to advance and disseminate psychological knowledge for the betterment of people. There are 54 divisions within the APA, representing a wide variety of specialties that range from Societies for Clinical Psychology to Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology to the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity and Race. Reflecting the diversity of the field of psychology itself, members, affiliate members, and associate members span the spectrum from students to doctoral-level psychologists, and come from a variety of places including educational settings, criminal justice, hospitals, the armed forces, and industry (American Psychological Association, 2014).

Table 1.4.1 highlights the five areas of emphasis within Portland State University’s Psychology Department , the APA divisions with which they affiliate, and a recent research study from a Portland State University faculty member within each field. You can learn more by following the links to each area’s page.

Table 1.4.1: Portland State University Psychological Areas of Emphasis and Affiliated APA Divisions

“For minority students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, attending university and succeeding despite social and academic stressors is often considered the ultimate marker of resilience. However, a growing body of work suggests that there may be health costs to upward mobility for such students. This study investigated whether believing that the social system is fair simultaneously promotes psychological health while undermining the physical health of Latinx students experiencing frequent discrimination.”

to full article
“In Portland, Oregon, advocates lobbied for a new model of emergency response for 911 calls involving unhoused community members and people experiencing behavioral health crises. To ensure the program reflected the needs and perspectives of people experiencing homelessness, teams of researchers, community volunteers, and people with lived experience interviewed 184 people in camps, shelters, and parks….This article describes the methods, findings, and recommendations from our collaborative survey process aimed at ensuring that the voices of people experiencing homelessness informed the development of the Portland Street Response pilot program.”

to full article
“The present study evaluates the effectiveness of a supervisor support training program on both supervisor attitudes and employee sleep and stress outcomes by drawing on a multi‐level rigorous randomized controlled trial in 35 organizations. Utilizing theory from the social support and training literatures, the purpose of the current study was to understand ways to improve the transition, and ultimately the health and well‐being, of military veteran employees in the workplace via a supervisor support training intervention.”

to full article
“Recent research emphasizing disciplinary identities in the classroom indicates the importance of social interaction and inclusion in the classroom, yet only limited work focuses on how peer-initiated exclusion impacts learners. This study addresses that gap by examining the role of microexclusions, or affronts to sense of belonging and competence, in collaborative groups in 7th grade inquiry science classrooms.”

to full article
“A Monte Carlo simulation examined estimation difficulties and parameter and standard error bias for mean and variance estimates of binary latent growth curve models using mean and variance adjusted diagonally weighted least squares (WLSMV) and robust maximum likelihood (MLR).”

to full article

The Association for Psychological Science (APS) was founded in 1988 and seeks to advance the scientific orientation of psychology. Its founding resulted from disagreements between members of the scientific and clinical branches of psychology within the APA. The APS publishes six research journals and engages in education and advocacy with funding agencies. A significant proportion of its members are international, although the majority is located in the United States.

Other organizations provide networking and collaboration opportunities for professionals of several ethnic or racial groups working in psychology. Most of these groups are also dedicated to studying psychological and social issues within their specific communities. The APA recognizes five Ethnic Minority Psychological Associations : the American Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African Psychological Association (AMENA-Psy); the Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA); the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi); National Latina/o Psychological Association (NLPA); the Society of Indian Psychologists (SIP).

“AMENA-Psy’s mission is to build a supportive network that enhances the professional development of the American Arab/MENA psychological workforce, as well as to promote the wellbeing of Arab/MENA communities in North America through research, education, advocacy, and the advancement of ethical practice.”
The mission of the Asian American Psychological Association is to advance the mental health and well-being of Asian-American communities through research, professional practice, education and policy.”
The Association of Black Psychologists sees its mission and destiny as the liberation of the African mind, empowerment of the African character and enlivenment and illumination of the African spirit.”
The mission of NLPA is to create a supportive professional community that advances psychological education and training, science, practice and organizational change to enhance the health, mental health and well-being of Hispanic/Latina/o populations.”
The mission of the Society of Indian Psychologists is to provide an organization for Native American indigenous people to advocate for the mental well-being of Native peoples by increasing the knowledge and awareness of issues impacting Native mental health.”

Links to Learning

Please visit this website to learn about the divisions within the APA.

Student resources are also provided by the APA.

Follow this link to learn more about the five Ethnic Minority Psychological Associations recognized by the APA.

CLINICAL AND COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY

Clinical psychology is the area of psychology that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and other problematic patterns of behavior. As such, it is generally considered to be a more applied area within psychology; however, some clinicians are also actively engaged in scientific research. Counseling psychology is a similar discipline that focuses on emotional, social, vocational, and health-related outcomes in individuals who are considered psychologically healthy.

As mentioned earlier, both Freud and Rogers provided perspectives that have been influential in shaping how clinicians interact with people seeking psychotherapy. While aspects of the psychoanalytic theory are still found among some of today’s therapists who are trained from a psychodynamic perspective, Roger’s ideas about client-centered therapy have been especially influential in shaping how many clinicians operate. Furthermore, both behaviorism and the cognitive revolution have shaped clinical practice in the forms of behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Issues related to the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and problematic patterns of behavior will be discussed in detail in later chapters of this textbook.

The points of an equilateral triangle are labeled “thoughts,” “behaviors,” and “emotions.” There are arrows running along the sides of the triangle with points on both ends, pointing to the labels.

By far, this is the area of psychology that receives the most attention in popular media, and many people mistakenly assume that all psychology is clinical psychology.

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

Social psychology focuses on how we interact with and relate to others. Social psychologists conduct research on a wide variety of topics that include differences in how we explain our own behavior versus how we explain the behaviors of others, prejudice, and attraction, and how we resolve interpersonal conflicts. Social psychologists have also sought to determine how being among other people changes our own behavior and patterns of thinking.

There are many interesting examples of social psychological research, and you will read about many of these in a later chapter of this textbook. Until then, you will be introduced to one of the most controversial psychological studies ever conducted. Stanley Milgram was an American social psychologist who is most famous for research that he conducted on obedience. After the holocaust, in 1961, a Nazi war criminal, Adolf Eichmann, who was accused of committing mass atrocities, was put on trial. Many people wondered how German soldiers were capable of torturing prisoners in concentration camps, and they were unsatisfied with the excuses given by soldiers that they were simply following orders. At the time, most psychologists agreed that few people would be willing to inflict such extraordinary pain and suffering, simply because they were obeying orders. Milgram decided to conduct research to determine whether or not this was true. As you will read later in the text, Milgram found that nearly two-thirds of his participants were willing to deliver what they believed to be lethal shocks to another person, simply because they were instructed to do so by an authority figure (in this case, a man dressed in a lab coat). This was in spite of the fact that participants received payment for simply showing up for the research study and could have chosen not to inflict pain or more serious consequences on another person by withdrawing from the study. No one was actually hurt or harmed in any way, Milgram’s experiment was a clever ruse that took advantage of research confederates, those who pretend to be participants in a research study who are actually working for the researcher and have clear, specific directions on how to behave during the research study (Hock, 2009). Milgram’s and others’ studies that involved deception and potential emotional harm to study participants catalyzed the development of ethical guidelines for conducting psychological research that discourage the use of deception of research subjects, unless it can be argued not to cause harm and, in general, requiring informed consent of participants.

An advertisement reads: “Public Announcement. We will pay you $4.00 for one hour of your time. Persons Needed for a Study of Memory. We will pay five hundred New Haven men to help us complete a scientific study of memory and learning. The study is being done at Yale University. Each person who participates will be paid $4.00 (plus 50 cents carfare) for approximately 1 hour’s time. We need you for only one hour: there are no further obligations. You may choose the time you would like to come (evenings, weekdays, or weekends). No special training, education, or experience is needed. We want: factory workers, city employees, laborers, barbers, businessmen, clerks, professional people, telephone workers, construction workers, salespeople, white-collar workers, and others. All persons must be between the ages of 20 and 50. High school and college students cannot be used. If you meet these qualifications, fill out the coupon below and mail it now to Professor Stanley Milgram, Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven. You will be notified later of the specific time and place of the study. We reserve the right to decline any application. You will be paid $4.00 (plus 50 cents carfare) as soon as you arrive at the laboratory.” There is a dotted line and the below section reads: “TO: PROF. STANLEY MILGRAM, DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY, YALE UNIVERSITY, NEW HAVEN, CONN. I want to take part in this study of memory and learning. I am between the ages of 20 and 50. I will be paid $4.00 (plus 50 cents carfare) if I participate.” Below this is a section to be filled out by the applicant. The fields are NAME (Please Print), ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NO. Best time to call you, AGE, OCCUPATION, SEX, CAN YOU COME: WEEKDAYS, EVENINGS, WEEKENDS.

COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY

Community psychology is a subfield that focuses on strengthening the abilities and resources of communities, organizations, and broader social systems, to encourage thriving of the individuals within those settings. Rather than focusing on how individuals cope with negative circumstances (e.g., trauma, poverty, discrimination), this area focuses on empowering people and members of the affected community to change those circumstances, prevent problems, and develop stronger networks and communities. Examples of community psychology interventions include partnering with neighborhoods to prevent and address racism, improving support for natural disaster victims, collaborating with schools to prevent bullying, and helping change policies to improve health outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness (APA, 2008).

INDUSTRIAL-ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

Industrial-Organizational psychology (I-O psychology) is a subfield of psychology that applies psychological theories, principles, and research findings in workplace settings. I-O psychologists are often involved in issues related to leadership, teamwork and communication, diversity in hiring, performance appraisal and management, stress and burnout at work, work-family conflict, training at work, organizational structure, and workplace environment. Businesses and other organizations often seek the aid of I-O psychologists to make the best hiring decisions as well as to create an environment that results in high levels of employee productivity, efficiency, and health. In addition to its applied nature, I-O psychology also involves conducting scientific research on behavior within workplace settings (Riggio, 2013).

HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

Health psychology focuses on how health is affected by the interaction of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. This particular approach is known as the biopsychosocial model. Health psychologists are interested in helping individuals achieve better health through public policy, education, intervention, and research. Health psychologists might conduct research that explores the relationship between one’s genetic makeup, patterns of behavior, relationships, psychological stress, and health. They may research effective ways to motivate people to address patterns of behavior that contribute to poorer health (MacDonald, 2013).

Three circles overlap in the middle. The circles are labeled Biological, Psychological, and Social.

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Developmental psychology is the scientific study of development across a lifespan. Developmental psychologists are interested in processes related to physical maturation. However, their focus is not limited to the physical changes associated with aging, as they also focus on changes in cognitive skills, moral reasoning, social behavior, and other psychological attributes.

Early developmental psychologists focused primarily on changes that occurred through reaching adulthood, providing enormous insight into the differences in physical, cognitive, and social capacities that exist between very young children and adults. For instance, research by Jean Piaget demonstrated that very young children do not demonstrate object permanence. Object permanence refers to the understanding that physical things continue to exist, even if they are hidden from us. If you were to show an adult a toy, and then hide it behind a curtain, the adult knows that the toy still exists. However, very young infants act as if a hidden object no longer exists. The age at which object permanence is achieved is somewhat controversial (Munakata, McClelland, Johnson, and Siegler, 1997).

A photograph shows Jean Piaget.

While Piaget was focused on cognitive changes during infancy and childhood as we move to adulthood, there is an increasing interest in extending research into the changes that occur much later in life. This may be reflective of changing population demographics of developed nations as a whole. As more and more people live longer lives, the number of people of advanced age will continue to increase. Indeed, it is estimated that there were just over 40 million people aged 65 or older living in the United States in 2010. However, by 2020, this number is expected to increase to about 55 million. By the year 2050, it is estimated that nearly 90 million people in this country will be 65 or older (Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.).

PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY

Personality psychology focuses on patterns of thoughts and behaviors that make each individual unique. Several individuals (e.g., Freud and Maslow) that we have already discussed in our historical overview of psychology, and the American psychologist Gordon Allport, contributed to early theories of personality. These early theorists attempted to explain how an individual’s personality develops from his or her given perspective. For example, Freud proposed that personality arose as conflicts between the conscious and unconscious parts of the mind were carried out over the lifespan. Specifically, Freud theorized that an individual went through various psychosexual stages of development. According to Freud, adult personality would result from the resolution of various conflicts that centered on the migration of erogenous (or sexual pleasure-producing) zones from the oral (mouth) to the anus to the phallus to the genitals. Like many of Freud’s theories, this particular idea was controversial and did not lend itself to experimental tests (Person, 1980).

More recently, the study of personality has taken on a more quantitative approach. Rather than explaining how personality arises, research is focused on identifying personality traits, measuring these traits, and determining how these traits interact in a particular context to determine how a person will behave in any given situation. Personality traits are relatively consistent patterns of thought and behavior, and many have proposed that five trait dimensions are sufficient to capture the variations in personality seen across individuals. These five dimensions are known as the “Big Five” or the Five Factor model , and include dimensions of conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness, and extraversion. Each of these traits has been demonstrated to be relatively stable over the lifespan (e.g., Rantanen, Metsäpelto, Feldt, Pulkinnen, and Kokko, 2007; Soldz & Vaillant, 1999; McCrae & Costa, 2008) and is influenced by genetics (e.g., Jang, Livesly, and Vernon, 1996).

A diagram includes five vertically stacked arrows, which point to the left and right. A dimension's first letter, name, and description are included inside of each arrow. A box to the left of each arrow includes traits associated with a low score for that arrow's dimension. A box to the right of each arrow includes traits associated with a high score for that arrow's dimension. The top arrow includes the trait “openness,” which is described with the words, “imagination,” “feelings,” “actions,” and “ideas.” The box to the left of that arrow includes the words, “practical,” “conventional,” and “prefers routine,” while the box to the right of that arrow includes the words, “curious,” “wide range of interests,” and “independent.” The next arrow includes the trait “conscientiousness,” which is described with the words, “competence,” “self-discipline,” “thoughtfulness,” and “goal-driven.” The box to the left of that arrow includes the words, “impulsive,” “careless,” and “disorganized,” while the box to the right of that arrow includes the words, “hardworking,” “dependable,” and “organized.” The next arrow includes the trait “extroversion,” which is described with the words, “sociability,” “assertiveness,” and “emotional expression.” The box to the left of that arrow includes the words, “quiet,” “reserved,” and “withdrawn,” while the box to the right of that arrow includes the words, “outgoing,” “warm,” and “seeks adventure.” The next arrow includes the trait “agreeableness,” which is described with the words, “cooperative,” “trustworthy,” and “good-natured.” The box to the left of that arrow includes the words, “critical,” “uncooperative,” and “suspicious,” while the box to the right of that arrow includes the words, “helpful,” “trusting,” and “empathetic.” The next arrow includes the trait “neuroticism,” which is described as “tendency toward unstable emotions.” The box to the left of that arrow includes the words, “calm,” “even-tempered,” and “secure,” while the box to the right of that arrow includes the words, “anxious,” “unhappy,” and “prone to negative emotions.”

 BIOPSYCHOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY

As the name suggests, biopsychology explores how our biology influences our behavior. While biological psychology is a broad field, many biological psychologists want to understand how the structure and function of the nervous system is related to behavior. As such, they often combine the research strategies of both psychologists and physiologists to accomplish this goal (as discussed in Carlson, 2013).

An illustrated outline of a human body labeled “central nervous system” shows the location of the “brain” and “spinal cord.” An illustrated outline of the human body labeled “peripheral nervous system” shows many “nerves” inside the body.

The research interests of biological psychologists span a number of domains, including but not limited to, sensory and motor systems, sleep, drug use and abuse, ingestive behavior, reproductive behavior, neurodevelopment, plasticity of the nervous system, and biological correlates of psychological disorders. Given the broad areas of interest falling under the purview of biological psychology, it will probably come as no surprise that individuals from all sorts of backgrounds are involved in this research, including biologists, medical professionals, physiologists, and chemists. This interdisciplinary approach is often referred to as neuroscience, of which biological psychology is a component (Carlson, 2013).

While biopsychology typically focuses on the immediate causes of behavior based in the physiology of a human or other animal, evolutionary psychology seeks to study the ultimate biological causes of behavior. To the extent that a behavior is impacted by genetics, a behavior, like any anatomical characteristic of a human or animal, will demonstrate adaption to its surroundings. These surroundings include the physical environment and, since interactions between organisms can be important to survival and reproduction, the social environment. The study of behavior in the context of evolution has its origins with Charles Darwin, the co-discoverer of the theory of evolution by natural selection. Darwin was well aware that behaviors should be adaptive and wrote books titled, The Descent of Man (1871) and The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals (1872), to explore this field.

SENSATION AND PERCEPTION

Scientists interested in both physiological aspects of sensory systems as well as in the psychological experience of sensory information work within the area of sensation and perception . As such, sensation and perception research is also quite interdisciplinary. Imagine walking between buildings as you move from one class to another. You are inundated with sights, sounds, touch sensations, and smells. You also experience the temperature of the air around you and maintain your balance as you make your way. These are all factors of interest to someone working in the domain of sensation and perception.

An ambiguous drawing looks like a duck facing to the left but also looks like a rabbit facing to the right.

As described in a later chapter that focuses on the results of studies in sensation and perception, our experience of our world is not as simple as the sum total of all of the sensory information (or sensations) together. Rather, our experience (or perception) is complex and is influenced by where we focus our attention, our previous experiences, and even our cultural backgrounds.

COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

As mentioned in the previous section, the cognitive revolution created an impetus for psychologists to focus their attention on better understanding the mind and mental processes that underlie behavior. Thus, cognitive psychology is the area of psychology that focuses on studying cognitions, or thoughts, and their relationship to our experiences and our actions. Like biological psychology, cognitive psychology is broad in its scope and often involves collaborations among people from a diverse range of disciplinary backgrounds. This has led some to coin the term cognitive science to describe the interdisciplinary nature of this area of research (Miller, 2003).

Cognitive psychologists have research interests that span a spectrum of topics, ranging from attention to problem solving to language to memory. The approaches used in studying these topics are equally diverse. Given such diversity, cognitive psychology is not captured in one chapter of this text per se; rather, various concepts related to cognitive psychology will be covered in relevant portions throughout this text.

SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY

Researchers in sport and exercise psychology study the psychological aspects of sport performance, including motivation and performance anxiety, and the effects of sport on mental and emotional wellbeing. Research is also conducted on similar topics as they relate to physical exercise in general. The discipline also includes topics that are broader than sport and exercise but that are related to interactions between mental and physical performance under demanding conditions, such as fire fighting, military operations, artistic performance, and surgery.

FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY

Forensic psychology is a branch of psychology that deals questions of psychology as they arise in the context of the justice system. For example, forensic psychologists (and forensic psychiatrists) will assess a person’s competency to stand trial, assess the state of mind of a defendant, act as consultants on child custody cases, consult on sentencing and treatment recommendations, and advise on issues such as eyewitness testimony and children’s testimony (American Board of Forensic Psychology, 2014). In these capacities, they will typically act as expert witnesses, called by either side in a court case to provide their research- or experience-based opinions. As expert witnesses, forensic psychologists must have a good understanding of the law and provide information in the context of the legal system rather than just within the realm of psychology. Forensic psychologists are also used in the jury selection process and witness preparation. They may also be involved in providing psychological treatment within the criminal justice system. Criminal profilers are a relatively small proportion of psychologists that act as consultants to law enforcement.

  Link to Learning

The APA provides career information about various areas of psychology.

OER Attribution: “Introduction to Psychology” by Debbie Magreehan, Odessa College is licensed under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Minor edits were made to this chapter by Tori Crain and Zeinab Hachem. Additional written material (Table 1.4.1 and information on the Ethnic Minority Psychological Associations) by Zeinab Hachem is licensed under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 .

1.4 Subfields within Psychology Copyright © by Debbie Magreehan and Odessa College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Explore Psychology

28 Main Branches of Psychology

Categories The Basics

Psychology is often defined as the study of the mind and behavior, a very broad topic that is often broken down into a number of different branches of psychology. Each of these branches of psychology is centered on a specific subfield within psychology .

The four main branches of psychology are often defined as clinical psychology, behavioral psychology, cognitive psychology, and biopsychology. However, the number of psychology branches and subfields varies depending on how they are categorized. Just counting the most prominent branches, there are more than 20 distinct branches of psychology, but other counts suggest far more. For example, Wikipedia’s list of psychology branches currently identifies more than 90 distinct subfields.

Some psychologists study the functions of the brain and their influence on behavior. Others explore how personality develops and changes over the course of life. Other psychologists are interested in exploring how psychology can improve life in the workplace.

Branches of psychology

Table of Contents

Understanding the Branches of Psychology

Each branch of psychology differs in terms of what it studies and what perspective it typically takes. These psychology areas share the goals of describing, explaining, predicting, and sometimes changing how people behave and think.

The two main areas of psychology are basic science and applied psychology. The branches of psychology often tend to focus on one of two areas, although some fields encompass both:

  • Basic research : This type of research is focused on contributing our scientific knowledge about the topic.
  • Applied research : This type of research is focused on solving problems that exist in the real world.

Basic science focuses on expanding fundamental knowledge and theoretical understanding of psychological processes, adding to the body of scientific knowledge. Applied psychology, on the other hand, focuses on applying what we have learned through basic research to solve problems and improve people’s lives.

In order to understand just how broad and deep the subject of psychology truly is, let’s take a closer look at some of the different branches of psychology.

Main Branches of Psychology

Some of the main branches of psychology include:

  • Abnormal psychology
  • Behavioral psychology
  • Biological psychology
  • Clinical psychology
  • Cognitive psychology
  • Community psychology
  • Consumer psychology
  • Counseling psychology
  • Criminal psychology
  • Cross-cultural psychology
  • Developmental psychology
  • Educational psychology
  • Engineering psychology
  • Environmental psychology
  • Evolutionary psychology
  • Experimental psychology
  • Forensic psychology
  • Health psychology
  • Humanistic psychology
  • Industrial-organizational psychology
  • Media psychology
  • Military psychology
  • Personality psychology
  • Positive psychology
  • Psychoanalysis
  • School psychology
  • Social psychology
  • Sports psychology

Basic Branches of Psychology

These branches and subfields tend to focus on research and increasing our scientific knowledge of these subject areas.

Abnormal Psychology

Abnormal psychology is a branch of psychology that seeks to identify, understand, and treat behavioral, thought, and emotional patterns that are considered abnormal and maladaptive.

There are different ways of defining what is normal and what is not. In statistical terms, things that are considered abnormal are those that lie outside of what the majority of people experience.

Abnormality can also be defined in terms of functioning. Behaviors that are considered maladaptive and make it difficult to function normally in daily life are often considered abnormal.

Behavioral Psychology

Behavioral psychology , also known as behaviorism, is an area of psychology that is devoted to the study of observable, overt behaviors and how learning takes place via conditioning processes.

Important behavioral concepts include classical conditioning , which involves learning through associations, and operant conditioning , which involves learning as a result of consequences.

Biological Psychology

Biological psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on how biological influences, specifically the brain and nervous system, influence the human mind and behavior.

Biopsychologists often study how brain injury and illness impact normal psychological functioning. This area of psychology also often involves using imaging tools such as MRI and PET scans to look at the brain to determine which areas are activated when particular tasks are performed.

Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychology is a branch of psychology concerned with looking at mental processes that underlie behavior including thinking, perception, problem-solving , decision-making, memory, and attention.

Cognitive psychologists use several different approaches to study and understand thinking. They often break down knowledge into different units and explore how people process information in the world around them.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

This area of psychology is devoted to studying similarities and differences in cultures worldwide. Some aspects of human behavior are universal, while others are unique to a culture.

By studying these things, professionals can understand better how human behavior is influenced by the culture at large.

Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychology focuses on the study of development over the entire course of life. This includes physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth from the earliest days of infancy into old age. Professionals who work in this field often specialize in working with a particular population, such as young children, adolescents, or older adults.

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary psychology is a branch of psychology that looks at human thought and behavior from an evolutionary perspective. Researchers who study evolutionary psychology are interested in answering questions about how evolution has shaped human behavior and psychological processes, such as emotion and social cognition.

Experimental Psychology

This branch of psychology is an area concerned with understanding the human condition through experimental methods. Experimental psychologists conduct research on a wide range of subjects, including memory, intelligence, sensation, perception, social behavior, emotions, personality, and much more.

Humanistic Psychology

Humanistic psychology is a branch of psychology that emerged during the 1950s as a response to psychoanalysis and behaviorism. In humanistic psychology, you take the approach that all people are inherently good.

This field of psychology takes a more holistic approach and focuses on helping people fulfill their individual potential and achieve self-actualization.

Personality Psychology

Personality psychology is a large area of psychology interested in personality development. Researchers in this field are interested in understanding the many forces influencing how personality develops and is expressed. They are also interested in learning more about how personality changes over the course of life.

Social Psychology

This branch of psychology is interested in how people’s though, behaviors, and emotions are influenced by other people. Group behavior, attitudes, aggression, conformity , obedience, persuasion, group dynamics, and attraction are just some of the major areas of interest in social psychology .

Applied Branches of Psychology

These branches and subfields are focused on taking our understanding of psychology principles and applying them to solving real-world problems.

Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology is a field known as one of the single largest areas of employment within psychology. Clinical psychologists typically work directly in mental health treatment and work with patients who experience some form of mental illness, psychological distress, or emotional disturbances.

Community Psychology

Community psychology is a field of psychology devoted to understanding the individual’s relationship with their community as well as how that community fits in with the larger society.

This field often involves psychologists collaborating with community members and local organizations to help create positive changes in the community and address social justice issues.

Professionals who work in this branch of psychology work to identify the factors that cause social problems, such as substance use, inequality, violence, discrimination, and poverty.

Using their knowledge, they design and develop community programs that can help promote mental health, prevent illness, reduce social inequality, and effect positive social change that benefits individuals and communities.

Consumer Psychology

Consumer psychology is an area of psychology that centers on using psychological principles to understand consumer behavior. Professionals in this branch of psychology utilize their knowledge to help businesses understand what motivates consumers to buy products and services.

Consumer psychologists also investigate the different factors that impact consumer behavior. This can include social influences, marketing strategies, product design, emotions, motivation, personality, and situational factors.

Counseling Psychology

Counseling psychology, like clinical psychology, is devoted to diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental health issues. This branch of psychology takes a special focus on functioning in areas related to social, emotional, family, vocational, and developmental well-being.

Counseling psychologists often work with individuals, families, and couples to help them better cope with their problems. They may use a variety of techniques, including talk therapy and other interventions, to help people cope with anxiety, depression, stress, and other problems.

Criminal Psychology

Criminal psychology focuses on understanding all aspects and influences of criminal behavior, including the myriad factors that contribute to criminal actions.

Professionals in this field study the thoughts, intentions, motivations, emotions, and behaviors of people who commit crimes. Those who work in this field are often called to help with criminal investigations and to testify in criminal cases.

Educational Psychology

This branch of psychology is concerned with the process of learning. This often involves looking at both behavioral and cognitive methods of learning as well as the motivational, intellectual, and societal factors that impact the learning process.

Educational psychologists their knowledge of learning to develop and evaluate educational programs, materials, and methods. They work to help learners of all ages and abilities achieve their educational goals.

Psychologists who work in this branch of psychology also collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to identify and address issues that may be affecting how students learn and perform.

Engineering Psychology

This branch of psychology is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates ergonomics and human-machine interactions. The goal of this field is often to make products and machines that people use regularly more user-friendly and safe.

Environmental Psychology

This area of psychology is about understanding how humans interact with their environments. This could include both natural settings as well as man-made environments.

Professionals in this field are often concerned with helping people interact better with her and firemen and creating safe and more conducive spaces.

Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology is an area of psychology that utilizes an understanding of the human mind and behavior and applies it to the field of law. Forensic psychologists often perform tasks such as conducting child custody evaluations, assessing competency to stand trial, and testifying in criminal and civil cases.

Health Psychology

This is an area of psychology devoted to understanding the psychological and behavioral influences that impact health and well-being. Health psychologists understand that well-being is influenced by both biological factors as well as social and emotional factors.

Professionals who work in this field utilize their knowledge to help both individual patients improve their health and also work in public health programs to improve the health and wellness of communities.

Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Industrial-organizational psychology is an applied branch of psychology. It involves applying psychological principles to the workplace.

I-O psychologists, as they are often called, are interested in helping organizations by improving employee selection, motivation, workplace performance, productivity, and occupational health.

Media Psychology

Media psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on understanding how technology and media influence human cognition, emotion, and behavior. Psychologists who specialize in media psychology investigate how people interact with the internet, social media, television, film, and other mediated communication. They also evaluate how using media can influence attitude formation, beliefs, behaviors, and mental well-being.

Military Psychology

This branch of psychology is devoted to using psychological principles in military settings. Some professionals who work in this field treat soldiers who have served in the military, while others conduct research designed to help improve military operations and increase the chances of success in combat settings.

Positive Psychology

This is a relatively young branch of psychology centered on helping people live better lives. One of the key goals of this area of psychology is to help people become happier.

Psychoanalytic Psychology

Psychoanalysis is one of the oldest branches of psychology. It grew out of the work of the famed psychiatrist Sigmund Freud . Freud believed that people were influenced by unconscious forces.

He believed that by bringing these unconscious motivations into awareness, people could find relief from psychological problems.

School Psychology

This field of psychology is devoted to helping students deal with academic, social, emotional, and behavioral issues they face in school settings. These professionals work with individual students, parents, educators, and school administrators.

Sports Psychology

This is a branch centered on the psychology of sport and exercise. Professionals who work in this field might help people overcome injury and work with professional athletes to improve motivation and focus.

Reasons to Learn About the Branches of Psychology

As you can see from looking at the list above, there are many different branches and subfields of psychology to explore. But this is not all. Psychology is always growing and adapting to meet new needs.

In a shifting world, new demands for psychologists and psychological information will continue to drive the growth of new branches of psychology.

Online psychology, traffic psychology, spiritual psychology, and aviation psychology are just a few different fields that have sprung up in recent years. By learning more about these many branches of psychology, you can better understand the many topics that psychology tackles.

American Psychological Association. Psychology subfields .

Lundh L. G. (2023). Person, population, mechanism. Three main branches of psychological science .  Journal for person-oriented research ,  9 (2), 75–92. https://doi.org/10.17505/jpor.2023.25814

Neal, T. M. S. (2018). Forensic psychology and correctional psychology: Distinct but related subfields of psychological science and practice . American Psychologist , 73(5), 651–662. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000227

Roccella, M., & Vetri, L. (2021). Adventures of clinical psychology . Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(21), 4848. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10214848

[…] ramificações incluem psicologia militar, de consumo, educacional, transcultural e ambiental. O número de filiais […]

[…] Other branches include military, consumer, educational, cross-cultural, and environmental psychology. The number of branches continues to grow. […]

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Major Branches of Psychology

18 Psychological Areas You Can Study

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

the basic research subfields

Verywell / Ran Zheng

Abnormal Psychology

Behavioral psychology, biopsychology, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, comparative psychology, counseling psychology, cross-cultural psychology, developmental psychology, educational psychology, experimental psychology, forensic psychology, health psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, personality psychology, school psychology, social psychology, sports psychology.

Psychology is such a broad field that conveying its depth and breadth can be difficult. As a result, a number of unique and distinctive branches of psychology have emerged, each one dealing with specific psychological areas within the study of the mind, brain, and behavior.

Understanding what these subtopics represent can help you decide where your interests may lie. Here is more information about 18 major types of psychology if you are interested in studying, earning your degree , or creating a career in this expansive field.

Overview of the Branches of Psychology

The major areas of psychology include:

  • Abnormal psychology
  • Behavioral psychology
  • Clinical psychology
  • Cognitive psychology
  • Comparative psychology
  • Counseling psychology
  • Cross-cultural psychology
  • Developmental psychology
  • Educational psychology
  • Experimental psychology
  • Forensic psychology
  • Health psychology
  • Industrial-organizational psychology
  • Personality psychology
  • School psychology
  • Social psychology
  • Sports psychology

Each of these psychological areas looks at questions and problems from a different perspective. While they all have their own focus, they still share a common goal of studying and explaining human thought and behavior.

Because human behavior is so varied, the number of subfields in psychology is constantly growing and evolving. Some of these subfields have been firmly established as areas of interest, and many colleges and universities offer courses and degree programs in these topics. 

Each type of psychology represents a specific area of study focused on a particular topic. Oftentimes, psychologists specialize in one of these as a career. The following are just some of the major branches of psychology. For many of these, working in that specific area requires graduate study in that particular field.

2 Main Areas of Psychology

Psychology can be roughly divided into two major areas:

  • Research,  which seeks to increase our knowledge base
  • Practice , through which our knowledge is applied to solving problems in the real world

Abnormal psychology looks at psychopathology and abnormal behavior. It involves the study of people's emotional, thought, and behavior patterns to identify, understand, and potentially resolve any issues that may be negatively affecting a person's life.

Mental health professionals in this branch of psychology assess, diagnose, and treat a wide variety of psychological disorders , including anxiety and depression. Counselors, clinical psychologists, and psychotherapists often work directly in this field.

Behavioral psychology , also known as behaviorism, is a theory of learning based on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. Behavioral strategies such as classical conditioning and operant conditioning are often utilized to teach or modify behaviors.

For example, a teacher might use a reward system to teach students to behave during class. When students are good, they receive gold stars, which can then be turned in for some sort of special privilege.

While this type of psychology dominated the field during the first part of the twentieth century, it became less prominent during the 1950s. However, behavioral techniques remain a mainstay in therapy, education, and many other areas.

Biopsychology is a psychological area focused on how the brain, neurons, and nervous system influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The biopsychology field draws upon many different disciplines, including basic psychology, cognitive psychology, experimental psychology, biology, physiology, and neuroscience.

People who work in this type of psychology often study how brain injuries and brain diseases impact human behavior.

Biopsychology is also sometimes referred to as physiological psychology, behavioral neuroscience, or psychobiology. So, if you are interested in studying or earning a degree in this psychology branch, you may want to look for courses or programs with these names.

Clinical psychology  is the branch of psychology concerned with the assessment and treatment of mental illness, abnormal behavior, and psychiatric disorders. Clinicians often work in private practices, but many also work in community centers or at universities and colleges.

You can even find clinical psychology professionals in hospital settings and mental health clinics. In these organizations, they often work as part of a collaborative team that may include physicians, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals.

Cognitive psychology is a psychological area that focuses on internal mental states. This area has continued to grow since it emerged in the 1960s and is centered on the science of how people think, learn, and remember.

Professionals who work in this type of psychology typically study cognitive functions such as perception, motivation, emotion, language, learning, memory, attention, decision-making , and problem-solving .

Cognitive psychologists often use an information-processing model to describe how the mind works, suggesting that the brain stores and processes information much like a computer.

Comparative psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with the study of animal behavior. This is important because the study of how animals behave can lead to a deeper and broader understanding of human psychology.

This psychology subtype has its roots in the work of researchers such as Charles Darwin and George Romanes and has grown into a highly multidisciplinary subject. In addition to psychologists contributing to this field, so do biologists, anthropologists, ecologists, geneticists, and several others.

Counseling psychology is one of the largest areas of psychology. It is centered on treating clients in mental distress who may be experiencing a wide variety of psychological symptoms.

The Society of Counseling Psychology explains that professionals working in this type of psychology can improve their clients' interpersonal functioning throughout life. They do this by improving the client's social and emotional health, as well as addressing concerns about health, work, family, marriage, and more.

Cross-cultural psychology is a branch of psychology that looks at how cultural factors influence human behavior. This may involve looking at differences between collective and individualist cultures , for instance. Cross-cultural psychologists might also look at how cultures vary in terms of emotion, personality, or child development.

The International Association of Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP) was established in 1972. This type of psychology has continued to grow and develop since that time, with increasing numbers of psychologists investigating how behavior differs among cultures throughout the world.

Developmental psychology focuses on how people change and grow throughout life. This area of psychology seeks to understand and explain how and why people change. Developmental psychologists study physical growth, intellectual development, emotional changes, social growth, and perceptual changes that occur throughout the lifespan.

Some professionals may specialize in infant, child, adolescent, or geriatric development, while others might primarily study the effects of developmental delays. This psychology branch covers a huge range of topics, ranging from  prenatal development  to Alzheimer's disease .

Educational psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with schools, teaching psychology, educational issues, and student concerns. Educational psychologists often study how students learn. They may also work directly with students, parents, teachers, and administrators to improve student outcomes.

Professionals in this type of psychology sometimes study how different variables influence individual students. They may also study learning disabilities , giftedness, and the instructional process.

8 Things to Know About Educational Psychology

Experimental psychology is the psychological area that utilizes scientific methods to research the brain and behavior. Many of these techniques are also used in other psychology areas to study everything from childhood development to social issues.

This type of psychology is often viewed as a distinct subfield, but experimental techniques and methods are used extensively throughout every branch. Some of the methods used include experiments, correlational studies , case studies , and naturalistic observation .

Experimental psychologists work in a wide variety of settings, including colleges, universities, research centers, government, and private businesses. They utilize the scientific method to study a range of human behaviors and psychological phenomena.

Forensic psychology deals with issues related to psychology and the law. Those who work in this branch apply psychological principles to legal issues. This may involve studying criminal behavior and treatment or working directly in the court system.

Forensic psychologists perform a wide variety of duties, including providing testimony in court cases, assessing children in suspected child abuse cases, preparing children to give testimony, and evaluating the mental competence of criminal suspects.

In many cases, people working in forensic psychology aren't necessarily "forensic psychologists." These individuals might be clinical psychologists, school psychologists, neurologists, or counselors who lend their psychological expertise to provide testimony, analysis, or recommendations in legal or criminal cases.

Health psychology (also sometimes called medical psychology or behavioral medicine) focuses on how biology, psychology, behavior, and social factors influence health and illness. This area of psychology involves the promotion of health across a wide variety of domains, as well as the prevention and treatment of disease and illness.

Health psychologists often deal with health-related issues such as weight management, smoking cessation , stress management , and nutrition. They might also research how people cope with illnesses, helping patients learn more effective coping strategies .

Some professionals in this branch of psychology assist with the design of disease prevention and public awareness programs, while others work within the government to improve health care policies.

Industrial-organizational psychology applies psychological principles to workplace issues. This psychological area, often referred to as I/O psychology, seeks to improve productivity and efficiency in the workplace while maximizing the well-being of employees. It includes areas such as human factors.

Human factors psychology focuses on human error, product design, ergonomics, human capability, and human-computer interaction. Its goal is to improve how people interact with products and machines. This might involve helping to design products intended to minimize injury or creating workplaces that promote greater accuracy and safety.

Research in I/O psychology is known as  applied research  because it seeks to solve real-world problems. These types of psychologists study topics such as worker attitudes, employee behaviors, organizational processes, and leadership.

Personality psychology is the branch of psychology that focuses on the study of thought patterns, feelings, and behaviors that make each individual unique. Classic theories of personality include Freud's psychoanalytic theory of personality and Erikson's theory of psychosocial development.

Personality psychologists might look at how different factors (such as genetics, parenting, and social experiences) influence personality development and change. They may also be involved in the creation or administration of personality tests .

School psychology is a type of psychology that involves working in schools to help kids deal with academic, emotional, and social issues. School psychologists also collaborate with teachers, students, and parents to help create a healthy learning environment.

Most school psychologists work in elementary and secondary schools, but others can be found in private clinics, hospitals, state agencies, and universities. Some go into private practice and serve as consultants—especially those with a doctoral degree in school psychology.

Social psychology seeks to understand and explain social behavior. It looks at diverse topics including group behavior, social interactions and perceptions, leadership, nonverbal communication, and social influences on decision-making.

Social influences on behavior are a major interest in social psychology, but these types of psychologists are also focused on how people perceive and interact with others. This branch of psychology also includes topics such as conformity, aggression, and prejudice.

Sports psychology is the study of how psychology influences sports, athletic performance, exercise, and physical activity. Individuals may work with a sports psychologist to improve their focus, develop mental toughness, increase motivation, or reduce sports-related anxiety .

Some sports psychologists work with professional athletes such as pro sports players and top Olympians. Others utilize exercise and sports to enhance the health and well-being of non-athletes throughout their lifespan.

Psychology is always evolving and new fields and branches continue to emerge. It is important to remember that no single branch of psychology is more important or better than any other. Each area contributes to our understanding of the many different psychological factors that influence who we are, how we behave, and how we think.

By conducting research and developing new applications for psychological knowledge, professionals working in all branches of psychology are able to help people better understand themselves, confront the problems they may face, and live better lives.

American Psychological Association. Biological psychology .

American Psychological Association. Society of Counseling Psychology .

International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology. Home page .

Gray PO, Bjorklund, D. Psychology .

Hockenbury SE, Nolan SA. Psychology .

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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Subfields of Psychology

male psychologist

Psychology is the science of behaviour, both in humans and non-human animals. In contrast to other disciplines, psychology is very broad, with many sub-fields.

Consequently, psychologists can work in many different research areas, and pursue a variety of careers.

Psychology is a diverse field and it has evolved into a number of subfields over the years:

  • Abnormal psychology – According to the NKU , this is the study of behaviors and mental illnesses that are unusual and atypical; out of the societal norm. 
  • Behavioural psychology – According to James Clear , this is the study of the connection between our minds and our behaviour. 
  • Biopsychology – According to the Acta Psychopathologica , this analyzes how the brain and neurotransmitters influence our behaviors, thoughts and feelings.
  • Blog psychology – Dennis Relojo-Howell, the world’s first blog psychologist , says that this subfield deals with the psychological benefits people can derive from blogging
  • Clinical psychology –  According to the NHS , this deals with a wide range of mental and physical health problems including addiction, anxiety, depression, learning difficulties and relationship issues.
  • Cognitive psychology – According to G.D. Logan , this concerns with advances in the study of attention, memory, language processing, perception, problem solving, and thinking.
  • Comparative psychology – According to the Encyclopedia Britannica , t his discipline pays particular attention to the psychological nature of human beings in comparison with other animals.
  • Counselling psychology – According to the American Psychological Association , this addresses the emotional, social, work, school and physical health concerns people may have at different stages in their lives, focusing on typical life stresses and more severe issues with which people may struggle as individuals and as a part of families, groups and organizations.
  • Cross-cultural psychology – According to the Springer Link , this concerns with uniformity and variation of psychological abilities, processes, and characteristics across cultures.
  • Developmental psychology – According to R.A. Dixon , this concerns with the description and explanation of changes that occur in psychological processes at any point in the life span. 
  • Educational psychology – According to the British Psychological Society , educational psychology is concerned with children and young people in educational and early years settings.
  • Experimental psychology – According to CSP , this seeks to explore and better understand behaviour through empirical research methods. 
  • Forensic psychology – According to the NHS , forensic psychology applies psychological theory to criminal investigation, understanding psychological problems associated with criminal behaviour, and the treatment of those who have committed offences.
  • Health psychology – According to the Lumen Boundless Psychology , this is a discipline concerned with understanding how biological, psychological, environmental, and cultural factors are involved in physical health and the prevention of illness.
  • Industrial-organizational  psychology – According to the Careers in Psychology , this is the study of the workplace environment, organisations, and their employees. 
  • Personality psychology – According to the Science Daily , this studies personality and individual different processes which makes us into a person.
  • Political psychology – According to Diana Mutz , political psychology is, at heart, concerned with the characteristics of individuals and of situations that are most conducive to a successful political system.
  • School psychology – According to the Verywell Mind , this collaborates with parents, teachers, and students to promote a healthy learning environment that focuses on the needs of children.
  • Social psychology – According to Saul McLeod , this is a s cientific study of how people’s thoughts, feelings, beliefs, intentions and goals are are constructed within a social context by the actual or imagined interactions with others.
  • Sports psychology – According to the IResearchNet , this is a subdiscipline that applies to a competitive sport as a specific context of organized physical (motor) activity. 

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Subfields of Psychology

  • September 3, 2013
  • Blog Posts , Faculty Posts

With So Many Subfields of Psychology, Where Do I Fit?

There are many subfields of psychology and, for prospective students; it can be difficult to determine which subfield is “the best fit.”  While researching the various available subfields and graduate programs in psychology, students are often confronted with contradictory information between pop-culture definitions and specific graduate student program definitions of the same subfield(s) of psychology.  This often leaves students wondering if they really understand the differences between the subfields of psychology; and, more importantly, the various available definitions and descriptions of subfields often leaves prospective students wondering which type of psychology best fits their interests and future career plans.  

Within the field of psychology, there is a division between “professional” (or practice-oriented) psychology and non-practice-oriented psychology.  The term “professional psychology” is somewhat misleading.  While there are professionals who practice in all subfields of psychology, the term “professional psychology” is often used to refer specifically to those psychologists who practice psychology by providing psychotherapy and psychological testing services.  The three subfields of professional psychology are: Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and School Psychology. 

In general, there is significant overlap among the training received by students in all three professional psychology subfields.  For example, regardless of whether a student enters a Clinical, Counseling, or School Psychology program, he or she will be required to learn basic research methods, intelligence and personality assessment, and therapy interventions.  How these skills are applied, however, may vary considerably.  Broad descriptions can be helpful in understanding the differences among the practice-oriented subfields of psychology.  The American Psychological Association (APA), the largest professional association of psychologists in the U.S., offers brief descriptions of 14 various subfields of psychology here .  According to the APA:

  • Clinical Psychologists are “interested in the diagnosis, causes, and treatment of mental disorders (such as depression, personality disorders, or schizophrenia).”
  • Counseling Psychologists are “interested in the treatment of mental disorders.  The main difference between [clinical and counseling psychologists] is that Counseling Psychologists are concerned primarily with ‘normal’ problems of adjustment or challenge, such as choosing a career, experiencing academic stress, or coping with marital problems.”
  • School Psychologists are “interested in the emotional or learning problems of students.”  School Psychologists often engage in psychoeducational testing to diagnose learning disorders and develop educational interventions to assist schools and teachers to help students learn.

While these descriptions are helpful in understanding the differences among the various subfields in psychology, these descriptions are really generalizations.  Prospective students are encouraged to learn more about specific programs in deciding which program best fits their needs and interests.  For example, while multicultural and diversity issues are often most salient in Counseling Psychology programs and personality assessment is generally associated with Clinical Psychology training (Price, 2009), not all Counseling Psychology programs provide in depth training in multicultural and diversity issues and not all Clinical Psychology programs emphasize personality assessment.   

While broad descriptions are helpful, they are not absolute.  What may be more important than the actual program is the quality of the training students receive and how well the training aligns with a student’s career plans and interests.  So, those interested in pursuing advanced training in psychology are best advised to learn about the philosophy and culture of the training programs in which he or she is interested.  Prospective students can learn more about how to assess a program’s fit by reviewing these brief tips from the APA .

Dustin Shepler, PhD psychology associate

References  

Price, M. (2009). Counseling vs. clinical programs: Similarities abound. gradPSYCH. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2009/03/similarities.aspx

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Subfields of Psychology

The study of the human mind is vast and touches every area of our experience. It seems there is no human dynamic that we can not look at through the lens of psychology. Therefore, to better serve a particular group of people, we can break down the study and practice of psychology into various subfields.

Subfields of Psychology

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What are the subfields of psychology?

  • What are the basic and applied research subfields?

Subfields of Psychology colorful abstract of the mind StudySmarter

A subfield is a more targeted area of research within a field of study. Each subfield in psychology specializes in a different area of human experience. The subfields of psychology can be organized into three main categories: basic research , applied research , and the helping professions .

Let's take a closer look at these categories and their components.

Basic Research Subfields

The basic research subfields include those that help build the basis of knowledge in psychology. The following are the basic research subtypes:

The subfield of cognitive psychology focuses on the human mind. Professionals in this field explore thinking, intelligence, language, attention and memory, and perception. Cognitive psychologists might work in research, as professors, or within the business world.

Developmental

Developmental psychology researches behavioral and cognitive changes as we grow, mature, and age. These professionals observe the psychological, social, and biological changes that occur throughout life. Research in this area is shared with educational institutes and care facilities, and informs public policy.

Educational

Professionals in this subfield focus their research on the psychology of learning and the effect different environments have on it. Researchers also create more effective learning materials, teaching methods, or testing strategies.

Experimental

Experimental psychologists often work within research establishments or academic institutions. They conduct experimental research within a specific field such as perception, language acquisition, or motivation.

Psychometric and Quantitative

Psychometric and quantitative psychologists help interpret the research collected from psychological studies and experiments. They decipher the statistics, technology, and research methods of data collection. They also create and implement tests and interpret the scores and results.

The subfield of social psychology is concerned with how we interact with others. Experts in this field investigate how people we interact with influence our behavior, beliefs, and worldviews. These professionals might work in schools, hospitals, and marketing, or as social media consultants.

Applied Research Subfields

The applied research subfields are concerned with solving practical problems like increasing productivity, training employees, the culture of the workplace, and the quality of the implementation of systems.

Forensic psychologists are concerned with the intersection of law and psychology. For example, they might work with law enforcement, correctional facilities, and universities. They assist in criminal investigations, conduct research to influence the creation of laws concerning mental health, or consult in court proceedings.

Environmental

Environmental psychologists are concerned with the reciprocal influence of individuals on their environment. These professionals might study the cognitive repercussions of sustainability, urbanism, and wildlife conservation.

Health psychologists help people live healthier lives by cultivating healthy habits and eliminating harmful behaviors. They may work on the community level to implement programs that encourage safe sex practices or help those suffering from addiction. They also work on the national level to help reform healthcare systems.

Industrial-Organizational

Industrial-organizational psychologists are concerned with the effects of the working environment on the individual. For example, they might work for a company to help them select personnel, improve productivity, and boost morale.

Neuropsychology

Neuropsychologists are concerned with the psychological ramifications of changes or irregularities in the organic material of the brain. You might find these professionals working in Alzheimer's research and treatment or with patients with traumatic brain injuries. In addition, they might work with patients with psychiatric disorders, or those on the autism spectrum.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation psychologists work with patients who have changes to their optimal health function after an event or injury. They might work in a health facility, hospital, or academic institution.

School psychologists are concerned with creating an optimal learning environment for students. They also work in intervention or as guidance counselors to identify and treat emotional or social problems. They might work in schools, child welfare, or research agencies.

Sports psychologists are concerned with the psychological effects and influences of physical activities. They work with coaches on leadership and with athletes to improve performance. They might work for a university, research association, or as part of an athletic team.

The Helping Professions

The Helping Professions are concerned with the interaction of people, their environment, and machines.

These professionals work to treat patients with clinical disorders. You can find them working as psychotherapists, using a variety of approaches to treat patients with long-term disorders like schizophrenia or depression. They might be teachers, researchers, or therapists.

Community psychologists address mental heath on the community, rather than individual level. They focus on enhancing a community or environment to promote better psychological health. For example, they might work in crisis prevention, or intervention with the local government, or advocate for better integration of underrepresented groups and minorities.

Counseling psychologists help individuals adjust to challenging situations or events in their lives. Just like clinical psychologists, they often work as counselors. However, their patients suffer from much milder disorders.

Important Subfields

There are varying subfields of psychology that are important.

Important Subfields for Psychologists

The largest subfield of psychology is clinical psychology . The most significant number of working professionals in psychology are clinical specialists. This subfield encompasses a substantial and intriguing field of research.

Professionals working in this field also require substantial education and certification. Clinical psychologists must complete doctoral studies. If they intend to work as therapists, they must obtain state licensure.

Important Subfields for Teachers

Educational and school psychology are two subfields of particular importance to teachers. Educational psychologists work to cultivate an environment for optimal learning for students. They also help develop the most effective teaching strategies for teachers. School psychologists focus on preventing or eliminating obstacles to learning. They ensure that the learning environment is optimal for encouraging the highest quality of education. Sometimes, their work includes helping individual students who might suffer from depression or mood disorders. They also work in prevention and help identify students who may be at risk or experiencing violence at home or in their personal lives.

Subfields of Psychology - Key takeaways

  • The subfields of psychology are grouped into three categories: basic research, applied research, and the helping professions.
  • The basic research subfields are cognitive, developmental, educational, experimental, psychometric and quantitative, and social psychology .
  • The applied research subfields are forensic, environmental, health, industrial-organizational, neuropsychology, rehabilitation, social, and sports psychology.
  • The helping professions are clinical, community, and counseling psychology.
  • The most popular subfields of psychology are clinical and counseling psychology.
  • Clinical psychologists make up the largest percentage of psychologists.
  • Educational and school psychology are the most important subfields for teachers.

Flashcards in Subfields of Psychology 89

A psychologist who works with families to help build coping skills is likely a:

Counseling Psychologist

Check the helping professionals.

5th-grade teacher

A psychologist that provides therapy to patients with severe mental health disorders is probably a:

Clinical Psychologist 

A Helping professional is someone who offers ______ and _____ services to individuals and the community.

Health, education

A psychologist who works to help groups of people through prevention and intervention methods is likely a:

Community Psychologist

What are the three categories of subfields in psychology?

Basic research, applied research, and the helping professions.

Subfields of Psychology

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Frequently Asked Questions about Subfields of Psychology

What are the two most popular subfields of psychology?

Clinical and counseling psychology are the two most popular subfields of psychology.

The subfields of psychology are cognitive, developmental, educational, experimental, psychometric and quantitative, social, forensic, environmental, health, industrial-organizational, neuropsychology, rehabilitation, school, sport, clinical, community, and counseling psychology. 

Which psychology subfield represents the largest percentage of psychologists?

Clinical psychology represents the largest percentage of psychologists. 

What subfield of psychology emphasizes the positive potential of humans?

The helping professions emphasize the positive potential of humans. 

Which subfields of psychology are especially important for a teacher?

Educational and school psychology are two subfields of particular importance to teachers. 

Test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards

Which one of the following is not one of the helping professions?

Which one of the following is not one of the basic research subfields?

Subfields of Psychology

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 The Advanced Land Observing Satellite-4 "DAICHI-4" (ALOS-4) was successfully launched on the third H3 Launch Vehicle (H3 F3: Flight No.3) from the Tanegashima Space Center at 12:06:42 on July 1, 2024 (JST).  The full deployment of its solar array paddles was confirmed by telemetry data received from "DAICHI-4" at the JAXA Mingenew Station, Australia at 12:25 on the same day (JST).  Following this, the signal from "DAICHI-4" was received at the Santiago Station in Chile at 12:59 (JST), and it was confirmed that "DAICHI-4" is now in nominal condition with Sun Acquisition Mode.

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the basic research subfields

Research shows that 78% of leaders report “collaboration drag” — too many meetings, too much peer feedback, and too much time spent getting buy-in from stakeholders.

Gartner research shows 78% of organizational leaders report experiencing “collaboration drag” — too many meetings, too much peer feedback, unclear decision-making authority, and too much time spent getting buy-in from stakeholders. This problem is compounded by the fact that companies are running as many as five types of complex initiatives at the same time — each of which could involve five to eight corporate functions and 20 to 35 team members. The sheer breadth of resource commitments across such a range of initiatives creates a basic, pervasive background complexity. To better equip teams to meet the demands of this complexity, Gartner recommends the following strategies: 1) Extend executive alignment practices down to tactical levels; 2) Develop employee strategic and interpersonal skills; and 3) Look for collaboration drag within functions or teams.

Corporate growth is the ultimate team sport, relying on multiple functions’ data, technology, and expertise. This is especially true as technology innovation and AI introduce new revenue streams and business models, which require significant cross-functional collaboration to get off the ground.

  • SC Sharon Cantor Ceurvorst is vice president of research in the Gartner marketing practice , finding new ways of solving B2B and B2C strategic marketing challenges. She sets annual research agendas and harnesses the collective expertise of marketing analysts and research methodologists to generate actionable insights.
  • KL Kristina LaRocca-Cerrone is senior director of advisory in the Gartner marketing practice , overseeing Gartner’s coverage of marketing leadership and strategy, cross-functional collaboration, proving the value of marketing, and marketing innovation and transformation.
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  • Dr. Cecilia Moens named Raisbeck Endowed Chair for Basic Science

Fred Hutch Cancer Center developmental biologist Cecilia Moens, PhD , was recently announced as the recipient of the Raisbeck Endowed Chair for Basic Science. 

Endowed chairs  are one of the highest honors a Fred Hutch researcher can receive, and this position will allow Moens to continue her groundbreaking research, which is focused on understanding early brain development. 

Moens’ lab on the Fred Hutch South Lake Union campus includes more than 7,000 zebrafish, which are ideally suited for study because they are almost completely transparent and develop outside their mother. Early zebrafish brain development, specifically in the vagus nerve, follows a similar process as humans, giving Moens and her team invaluable insights into the human brain and a wide variety of disorders, from epilepsy and depression to digestive and immunity problems. 

“The kinds of neurons that are in the zebrafish nervous system are similar to other vertebrates, including humans,” Moens said. “Because zebrafish embryos have the optical qualities of water, we can watch these processes happening in real time.” 

Moens was also recently elected as president of the International Zebrafish Society .

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This endowment is just the second in Fred Hutch’s Basic Sciences Division , which seeks to understand the foundations of human biology in order to unlock the innovative cures and treatments developed at Fred Hutch. There are currently a total of 38 endowed chairs at Fred Hutch.

“As the fundamental science department at Fred Hutch, we study really diverse problems to gain an understanding of the principles of biology,” said Sue Biggins, PhD , Director of the Basic Sciences Division. “Our mission is to do the basic science that is essential for people to be able to make translational discoveries.” Biggins is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator.

Moens said receiving the endowed chair honor means a lot. 

“It’s a recognition of the value of basic science to this institution," Moens said. "It’s a well-respected and valued area of research here at Fred Hutch, and it’s so appreciated.” 

A legacy of scientific support 

This endowment is made possible by Sherry Raisbeck and her late husband, James, who have generously supported Fred Hutch for more than 20 years. It’s one of four endowments they have funded.

“I really respect science and the fact that each question leads to another question,” Mrs. Raisbeck said. “I love that way of thinking.” 

When Moens’ work with zebrafish was proposed as a new home for the endowment, she gave Mrs. Raisbeck a tour of her lab to demonstrate the research in action. 

“Mrs. Raisbeck clearly values basic research,” Moens said. “She’s a genuinely curious and interested person who had wonderful questions about everything in the lab.” 

Basic research questions can lead to answers that eventually lead to treatments.

“Researching fundamental science within a cancer center is crucial. If we don’t know how the body works, we won’t know how to fix it. This endowment from the Raisbecks paves the way for life-saving breakthroughs,” said Thomas J. Lynch Jr., MD , president and director of Fred Hutch and holder of the Raisbeck Endowed Chair.

Ushering in the next generation of researchers

Moens has been at Fred Hutch since she finished her postdoctoral research more than 25 years ago. With this new funding, she hopes to add a postbaccalaureate researcher to her lab team. 

“I’m really excited about the possibility of bringing in a young person who is interested in the research but doesn’t yet have a ton of experience,” she said. “This endowed chair gives us the opportunity to delve into the fundamental question of how neurons find their targets in the embryo so that they can accurately regulate body functions throughout life. I am deeply grateful to the Raisbeck family for making this work possible.” 

Read more  about Fred Hutch achievements and accolades.

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Case Western Reserve University

Research Agreements 101: Basic Overview of Research & Related Agreements

Friday, May 24, 2024 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Event Details

Join this session to understand the various agreement types required in particular projects, including Federal Award Agreement Needs vs. Industry Sponsored Agreement Needs, and Unfunded Agreements relating to research projects (DUAs, MTAs, NDAs, etc). You will discover what they are, what some basic non-negotiable points are, what CWRU's stance is on certain topics, as well as who to go to for advice and when.

Credits:  0

Google framework helps LLMs perform basic vulnerability research

(Credit: Backcountry Media – stock.adobe.com)

(Credit: Backcountry Media – stock.adobe.com)

Google’s Project Zero team has developed a framework to enable large language models (LLMs) to perform basic vulnerability research autonomously.

A recent blog post explained how the “Project Naptime” framework builds on research by Meta, which set benchmarks for the ability of LLMs to discover and exploit memory vulnerabilities, namely advanced memory corruption and buffer overflow flaws.

The project sought to address a fundamental shortcoming in LLMs when it comes to assessing security flaws. In the Meta experiments, dubbed “CyberSecEval 2,” LLMs were found to score low in their ability to perform basic vulnerability discovery, with none coming close to “passing” the benchmark challenge.

However, Google’s Project Zero researchers found that the Naptime framework, named for the idea that LLMs may one day allow security researchers to “take regular naps” during automated processes, improved the performance of LLMs on CyberSecEval 2 tests by up to 20-fold.

Project Naptime gives LLMs access to tools to mimic human workflows

The Naptime architecture designed by Project Zero includes a toolset consisting of a debugger, code browser, Python tool and reporter tool that enhance LLMs’ abilities to evaluate code, exploit vulnerabilities and verify successful exploitation autonomously.

For example, the code browser enables LLMs to navigate the target program’s source code similarly to how a human researcher would use something like Chromium Code Search to better identify the locations of referenced functions or variables.

The Python tool enables the LLMs to run Python scripts within a sandbox in order to both perform precise calculations and generate complex inputs to text and exploit that target program.

The debugger grants the LLMs the ability to better observe, record and understand the behavior of the target program in response to different inputs, and the reporter provides a mechanism for the LLM to signal its progress to a controller, which will verify whether or not a success condition, such as a crash, has been achieved.

The Naptime framework also aims to grant LLMs the ability to work more similarly to a human researcher by giving it more flexibility to use “reasoning” processes. For example, the framework encourages the LLMs to produce long explanations for its decisions, which has been shown to increase accuracy.

GPT 4 Turbo, Gemini 1.5 Pro excel in basic vulnerability research

The Naptime test results published by Project Zero reveal that GPT 4 Turbo performed best in the CyberSecEval 2 buffer overflow test, which required exploiting a buffer overflow vulnerability to trigger a program output outside of the program’s “normal” execution, while Gemini 1.5 Pro scored highest in the advanced memory corruption test, in which triggering a program crash signaled success.

In the buffer overflow test, GPT 4 Turbo was the only LLM to receive a “passing” score of 1.00, with Gemini 1.5 Pro coming in at a close second with a score of 0.99 over 20 test completions.

In the advanced memory corruption test, the researchers discovered that the LLMs achieved an unexpectedly high success rate by discovering and exploiting a separate unintended, easy-to-exploit vulnerability in the target program, with GPT 4 Turbo achieving the best results.

However, when this unintended flaw was removed, leaving only the original target vulnerability, Gemini 1.5 Pro came out on top with a score of 0.58 after 20 test completions.

The other models tested were GPT 3.5 Turbo and Gemini 1.5 Flash, which scored a maximum of 0.21 and 0.26 in the buffer overflow test and a maximum of 0.56 and 0.53 in the advanced memory corruption test, respectively.

“When provided with the right tools, current LLMs can really start to perform (admittedly rather basic) vulnerability research!” the researchers wrote.

However, the Project Zero team acknowledged that LLMs are still far from achieving the ability to autonomously aid researchers in real-life vulnerability research scenarios, which involve greater ambiguity and complexity than the benchmark tests of CyberSecEval 2.

“Solving these challenges is closer to the typical usage of targeted, domain-specific fuzzing performed as part of a manual review workflow than a fully autonomous researcher,” the authors concluded. “More importantly, we believe that in tasks where an expert human would rely on multiple iterative steps of reasoning, hypothesis formation, and validation, we need to provide the same flexibility to the models; otherwise, the results cannot reflect the true capability level of the models.”

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NASA Logo

Amendment 24: D.18 Euclid General Investigator Program: Mission Involvement

D.18 Euclid General Investigator Program (EGIP) solicits proposals for basic research focused on data from the ESA Euclid mission to which NASA contributed infrared detectors. The EGIP solicits research based on the analysis of data from the Euclid mission that is publicly available by the start of the selected project. See Section 1.3 for more information on types of proposals solicited.

ROSES-2024 Amendment 24 adds new requirement to D.18 EGIP to distinguish proposed work from that associated with missions. Section 1.4 and Table D.18-1 have been updated to specify that if the proposal includes individuals associated with an active mission team, then the proposal must demonstrate that the proposed work does not overlap with any mission-related activities as part of the “Expertise and Resources Not Anonymized” document. New text is in bold.

As a result of the addition of this new requirement, the due dates have been delayed: Mandatory NOIs are now due August 22, 2024, and proposals are due October 3, 2024. Also, the Planning start date is now March 2025.

On or about July 1, 2024, this Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2024" (NNH24ZDA001N) will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2024

Questions concerning D.18 EGIP may be directed to Doris Daou at [email protected] .

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Mission Success: HERA Crew Successfully Completes 45-Day Simulated Journey to Mars 

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COMMENTS

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  12. 28 Main Branches of Psychology

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  23. Dr. Cecilia Moens named Raisbeck Endowed Chair for Basic Science

    Fred Hutch Cancer Center developmental biologist Cecilia Moens, PhD, was recently announced as the recipient of the Raisbeck Endowed Chair for Basic Science.. Endowed chairs are one of the highest honors a Fred Hutch researcher can receive, and this position will allow Moens to continue her groundbreaking research, which is focused on understanding early brain development.

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    Add to Calendar 2024-05-24 11:00:00 2024-05-24 12:00:00 Research Agreements 101: Basic Overview of Research & Related Agreements Join this session to understand the various agreement types required in particular projects, including Federal Award Agreement Needs vs. Industry Sponsored Agreement Needs, and Unfunded Agreements relating to research projects (DUAs, MTAs, NDAs, etc).

  25. Google framework helps LLMs perform basic vulnerability research

    Google's Project Zero team has developed a framework to enable large language models (LLMs) to perform basic vulnerability research autonomously. A recent blog post explained how the "Project ...

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  27. Amendment 24: D.18 Euclid General Investigator Program: Mission

    D.18 Euclid General Investigator Program (EGIP) solicits proposals for basic research focused on data from the ESA Euclid mission to which NASA contributed infrared detectors. The EGIP solicits research based on the analysis of data from the Euclid mission that is publicly available by the start of the selected project. See Section 1.3 for more […]

  28. Module 3 Review Flashcards

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