20 different types of psychologists and what they do (2023)

What are thedifferent types of psychologistsand what exactly do they do in the different branches of psychology? When people hear the term psychologist, many immediately picture a man or woman sitting in an office taking notes while a client sits passed out on a leather couch. Of course, there are many psychologists who engage in this type of research.speech therapy, but the people who work in thefield of psychologyalso do various other things.

Did you know that there are psychologists who study how people work and interact with tools in their environment? Or that some psychologists are inventing ways to slow global warming? Below is a list of someareas of expertiseand related tasks that comprise them.

flight psychologists

These psychologists study the behavior of pilots and other flight crew members. Flight psychologists also research flight safety, develop new training equipment and help select suitable personnel.

For example, an aviation psychologist may review or even develop psychological tests used to screen candidates for elite pilot positions. Due to the highly specialized and sensitive nature of the job, it is important to select candidates who are healthy, stable and able to handle intense pressure. Aviation psychologists use their psychological expertise to ensure only the best people are selected for these critical roles.

Aviation psychologists may also work with other professionals, including engineers and human factors psychologists, to design various aircraft components such as cabins or flight decks. By considering human psychology during the design process, flight psychologists can help ensure these products are developed with insight.Attention,Storage, and other features in mind.

Biopsychologen

These psychologists are also sometimes referred to as biological psychologists or physiological psychologists. They study and research about the brain and behavior. By studying the neural basis of behavior, biopsychologists are able to understand various biological factors that can influence how people think, feel, and act.

These types of psychologists can also study how brain disorders and injuries affect behavior. By better understanding how people are affected by such injuries and diseases, researchers can also find new ways to prevent, treat, and manage serious brain injuries and diseases.

Clinical Psychologists

Clinical PsychologistsAssess, diagnose and treat individuals with mental distress and mental illness. They also conduct psychotherapy and develop treatment plans.

Clinical psychologists often work in hospitals, psychiatric clinics, and private practices. They are trained in a variety of treatment techniques but may specialize in treating specific disorders or working with specific populations. For example, a clinical psychologist might specialize in an area such as substance abuse treatment,mental health of the child, adult mental health or geriatric mental health.

Although clinical psychologists generally work in medical settings, they are not physicians and, in most cases, cannot prescribe medication.

cognitive psychologists

cognitive psychologistsexamine how people think, including issues such asdecision makingeTroubleshooting. This type of psychologist is interested in how the brain processes, learns, stores, recognizes, and uses information.

Cognitive psychologists can work in a variety of settings, including universities, research centers, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, government agencies, and in private practice. Professionals in this field often perform a variety of roles, e.g. B. Conducting research and working with patients.

As in other areas of psychology, cognitive psychologists often specialize in a particular area, such as B. memory, language development, attention, problem solving or learning difficulties.

community psychologists

This type of psychologist conducts research on community health issues. They also try to educate the community and develop prevention programs. These professionals focus on driving positive change on an individual and community level.

You can find community psychologists working in a variety of settings at universities, government agencies, community organizations, and private companies as professors, consultants, policy advisers, program directors, and researchers.

Research in this area tends to be very action-oriented and focused on developing real-world solutions that can be immediately put into practice. Community psychologists work to solve social problems, promote health and well-being, and create policies that improve people's lives.

Comparative Psychologists

Comparative psychologists study the behavior of different species, particularly how animal and human behavior differ. Why study animals? Because while there are obviously major differences, it is believed that some things can apply to all species.

Therefore, studying the behavior and reactions of animals such as rats and dogs can also provide insights into human behavior. Such observations have proved important throughout much of the history of psychology.

Thorndike's work with cats,Pavlov's work with dogs, zSkinner's work with pigeonsare just a few examples of comparative psychology, where animal behavior can provide insight into human behavior.

consumer psychologists

Also known as Marketing Psychologists, Consumer Research Psychologistsconsumer behaviorand develop marketing strategies to promote business. These types of psychologists are involved in helping companies better understand what drives consumers to buy products and services. They examine how buyers react to marketing messages, analyze decision-making strategies and examine the role that emotions play in purchasing decisions.

These professionals help companies develop marketing messages, identify target audiences, create products that appeal to specific consumers, and learn how attitudes toward brands and products are forming and changing. They accomplish these tasks through the use of market research, experimentation,naturalistic observationsand consumer focus groups.

counseling psychologists

counseling psychologistsoffer psychotherapy for people with mental disorders, behavioral problems, emotional difficulties, stress and related problems. These professionals share many similarities with clinical psychologists.

Intercultural Psychologists

Intercultural PsychologistsObserve how people differ between cultures and how cultural affiliations influence behavior. They often explore how different aspects of behavior can be universal or different across cultures.

For example, intercultural psychologists can study howparenting stylesdistinguish betweencollectivist culturesagainstindividualistic culturesand how these educational differences affect adult behavior.

developmental psychologists

developmental psychologistsExplore human development throughout life. Some focus on a specific time period, such asearly childhood, adolescence, adulthood or old age. These professionals may perform tasks such as assessing children with a developmental delay or disability, investigating issues related to aging, and investigating language acquisition.

Some developmental psychologists can focus on research and improve our understanding of developmental issues that may arise throughout life. Other professionals can do applied work with clients who need help addressing developmental issues.

educational psychologists

These psychologists study how people learn and the educational process. This may involve the development of teaching strategies and teaching techniques. Some educational psychologists study giftedness or learning disabilities.

This type of psychologist studies how social, cognitive, and emotional factors affect the learning process. Some professionals in this field specialize in identifying and solving potential problems that can interfere with children's learning. Others specialize in research into the learning process, while others focus on creating instructional materials that maximize learning outcomes.

engineering psychologists

engineering psychologistsfocus on finding ways to improve human skills through the improvement of machines, equipment, technology and work environments. While some focus on more basic research, it is generally a very applied field. Engineering psychologists work to solve real-world problems and create solutions that may have practical applications in everyday life.

Engineering psychologists can be tasked with developing technology that can be used in the healthcare industry to help patients recover faster. They also help in the development and advancement of products that people use every day, including cell phones and automobiles.

environmental psychologists

Environmental psychologists study the relationship between people and their environment, including natural environments and created environments. This could include working on conservation projects, helping protect endangered species and exploring ways to curb global warming.

These professionals can work as researchers to study the impact that people have on their environment. Some environmental psychologists also work in government to help shape environmental policy.

Forensic Psychologists

forensic psychologistsFocus on the relationship between psychology and law. This may include acting as a criminal or civil litigation counselor, conducting custody reviews and providing psychotherapeutic services to crime victims.

Thanks to popular depictions in films and television shows, interest in this field has grown tremendously in recent years. While these pop culture depictions often portray the forensic psychologist as a detective working to catch criminals, actual forensic psychologists typically perform functions such as evaluating juvenile and adult offenders for risk of recidivism, working with witnesses for children who Judgment assessment and professional help. testimony in court.

health psychologists

health psychologistsfocus on how psychology, biology, social groups, and behavior affect well-being, illness, and overall health. They work with clients to maximize well-being and improve mental and physical health.

Some professionals in this field conduct clinical work in which they evaluate and treat patients seeking help with various health problems. This may include providing psychotherapy, conducting various psychological assessments, teaching people various coping techniques, and educating clients about healthy behaviors.

Industrial and organizational psychologists

I-O PsychologenStudying behavior in the workplace, selecting the best employees for specific tasks and increasing labor productivity. An I-O psychologist can use their knowledge of psychological principles to design assessments to screen candidates for specific jobs.

You may also be tasked with developing training programs for existing employees to increase knowledge, maximize efficiency and minimize injuries. I-O psychologists are also often asked to evaluate companies at the organizational level and look for new ways to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and increase employee satisfaction and retention.

military psychologists

Military psychologists practice psychology in a military setting. This can include things like treating soldiers with mental illness or emotional distress, researching various aspects of military life, and helping soldiers transition back into civilian life.

Some military psychologists focus on conducting psychotherapy in various branches of the military, while others apply their knowledge of the human mind and behavior to recruitment, stress management, training, decision-making, and leadership.

personality psychologists

Personality psychologists study various aspects of personality and how individual traits affect a person's life and behavior. Researchers in the field of personality psychology are interested in a variety of topics that can be applied in everyday life.

For example, you can study how personalities form andif it can be changed. They can also examine whether certain personality traits are related to certain illnesses or disorders, how personality affects people's decisions, and the many factors that contribute to personality development.

school psychologists

school psychologistshelp children deal with emotional, academic, social and behavioral problems at school. Professionals working in this field of psychology play an important role in the educational system, often working with parents, teachers, students, and other school staff to ensure the learning environment is healthy, safe, supportive, and productive.

Children struggling with any type of problem, whether behavioral, emotional, or academic, can work with a school psychologist to develop an effective plan for coping with the difficulty. School psychologists offer direct intervention or behavior management when needed, or simply offer support and counseling to students who need someone to talk to.

social psychologists

social psychologistsexamines group behavior, including how people behave in social situations and how groups influence individual behavior. A social psychologist can study a wide range of issues, includingIdeas,Prejudice, communication, interpersonal relationships,Aggression, zconviction.

For some practitioners, this primarily means conducting basic research aimed at improving our understanding of social behavior. In other cases, social psychologists use their skills and knowledge to influence human behavior to promote healthier and more productive groups.

A word from Verywell

As you can see from these brief descriptions, there are many types of psychology and psychologists that focus on a variety of human behaviors. If you are considering a career in psychology, you must determine which psychology career option is right for you.