Psychology specialization: future/career/fields and the difference between psychology and psychiatry
The human being, feelings, and thoughts, experiences, and what he embodies by his behavior and personality were and still are among the most complex issues that have been researched and delved into their depths and their secrets and keys have been revealed.
Learn in this article a brief overview of the concepts and developments of psychology and its reflections that have led to a human cognitive revolution.
Psychology major
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior in conjunction with an understanding of biological influences, social pressures, and environmental factors that affect the way people think, act and feel. societal.
History of Psychology
The early emergence of psychology is based on the development of the concepts of philosophy and biology, and the first discussions about it throughout history were at the hands of the early Greek thinkers, among whom we mention Aristotle and Socrates.
The word “psychology” is derived from the same Greek word psyche, which means “life” or “breath”. It also includes meanings derived from it, such as “soul” or “self”. Its emergence as a separate and independent field of study dates back to when the German philosopher Wilhelm Wundt established the first experimental psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany in 1879.
The various schools of thought throughout the ages and centuries have served as a beacon to explain the human mind and behavior. The following are some of the major schools that still adopt their timeless ideas to this day.
- The structural psychological school
- career school
- school of psychoanalysis
- behavioral school
- School of Humanistic Psychology
- Cognitive psychology school
The peculiarity of psychology as a science in itself
Psychology is the study of the human mind and its wide-ranging functions and effects. Psychological research and studies advance our understanding of human and interpersonal emotions, intelligence, memory, cognition, attention, and motivation, as well as delve into the biological processes underlying various human functions and behaviors, in addition to studying individuals and groups to better understand how people coexist. People with their communities and develop new paths to help them thrive.
Psychology as a profession
The goal of psychology is not only to study human thinking and behavior but to put this knowledge into practice, to help people and societies solve everyday problems and improve and advance the quality of life. Therefore, psychology is also a profession dedicated to improving mental health, well-being, learning, performance, and societal cohesion.
Psychology applications
The most obvious application of psychology is in the field of mental health. Psychologists use principles, research, and clinical findings to help patients manage, control, and overcome symptoms of mental disorders and mental illness. Some additional applications of psychology include:
- Educational software development
- Efficient work environment
- Public policy information
- Mental health treatment
- Improve the performance
- Personal health and well-being
- Psychological research
- Self help
- Social Software Design
- Understanding a child’s development…
Fields of work involving psychology
Persons wishing to practice psychology, provide various types of treatments, and carry out psychological counseling, will have to obtain a university degree (Bachelor) or a postgraduate certificate, which university psychology students seek to obtain. Among them:
- Commercial Business
- Study law
- The environment
- The world of crime and courts
- Social and development work
- Rehabilitation and Empowerment Centers
- Baby care
- Animal Husbandry
There are also other jobs available for psychology graduates that do not require a postgraduate degree or licensing, as in:
- School guidance counselor
- Law enforcement officer
- Human Resource Manager
- Marketing and Advertising Manager
- Research Assistant
Patterns of psychotherapy
Based on the broad and diverse fields in which psychology overlaps, some different sub-fields and specialized fields have emerged that deal with new types and methods of treatment, including:
– Behavioral therapy
This type of therapy seeks to identify unhealthy behaviors that may be self-destructive and work to help change them. The principle on which it is based is that all behaviors are acquired, so they are subject to correction and change. It can also be applied to adults and children who suffer from the following mental disorders:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Anger and agitation
- Eating and appetite disorders
- Social phobia
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
– Cognitive therapy
This treatment is concerned with studying the internal mental processes, including everything that revolves inside the mind of the tasks of perception, thinking, memory, attention, language, problem-solving, and learning. Many practical applications interfere with it, such as:
- Dealing with memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s
- Speech and language disorders treatment
- Finding ways to help people recover from trauma and brain injury
- Dealing with learning disorders
- Explore more about how people think
- A deeper understanding of how the human brain works
– Cognitive Analytical Therapy
It is based on two main elements: the analytical side and the cognitive side. The analytical side of treatment includes exploring previous events and experiences in childhood that can be related to the current problems that the patient suffers from. With the help of cognitive therapy techniques, new tools are developed that allow dealing with situations healthily.
It is necessary to develop an empathetic relationship between the referrer and the therapist to gain trust and comfort during treatment and to create an atmosphere of openness and safety during the upcoming sessions.
– Supportive psychotherapy
It is a conversational therapy aimed at relieving fears, concerned with making the patient feel comfortable and reassured away from anxiety while teaching him practical ways to deal with stressful beliefs and increasing his ability to adapt to situations that may have caused him stress in the past.
There are also more other treatments such as group and family therapy, motivational and suggestive hypnosis…etc.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
The terms psychiatrist and psychiatrist are often used interchangeably to describe anyone who provides therapeutic services to psychiatric patients, but the two professions and services they provide differ in content and scope.
Therefore, it is important to be aware of the differences between them, the main paradox is that psychiatrists are medical graduates who complete an additional four years of residency in psychiatry and mental health units within hospitals, and have the power to prescribe medication in conjunction with providing supportive psychotherapy, in turn. Although many specialists hold advanced degrees in psychology such as Ph.D., they are not medical professionals and most of them cannot prescribe medications, instead, they only provide psychotherapy of various types that involve cognitive and behavioral interventions.
Is this major right for you?
The journey of discovering the appropriate specialization for you based on your innate inclinations will lead you to safety that will guarantee you the specialization, university, and profession that suits your unique skills and abilities. If you can deal with stress, social dilemmas, and high-stress situations, and possess analytical and critical thinking skills, problem-solving and effective communication abilities, you are sure to find your passion and ambition in this field.
Psychology may be a relatively recent science, but it possesses a tremendous amount of depth and breadth. To this day, scientists are still striving to understand more amazing aspects of the human mind and behavior and add new knowledge to our understanding of how people think, in addition to developing practical applications that serve humans. In the simplest and most complex areas of his daily life.
Psychology specialization: future/career/fields and the difference between psychology and psychiatry
Psychology specialization: future/career/fields and the difference between psychology and psychiatry
