SUBFIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology may be defined as the scientific study of behavior and

mental processes. While studying the different aspects of overt
processes like human response and behaviors and covert or internal
processes like experiences, cognition, states of consciousness, etc.,
psychology becomes a multifaceted field encompassing a wide range
of subfields. These subfields contribute to our understanding of human
behavior and mental processes and they often overlap and inform one
another. There are various major subfields of psychology, which
include – clinical psychology, counseling psychology, developmental
psychology, cognitive psychology, social psychology,
industrial/organizational psychology, educational and school
psychology. And other minor subfields of psychology that have gained
popularity now are – community psychology, health psychology, sports
psychology, forensic psychology, environmental psychology, military
psychology, etc.

Each of these psychological subfields 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 (Cherry, 2023).

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 some of the prominent subfields of
psychology :
(1) Clinical Psychology : Clinical psychology is a specialized subfield
within psychology that focuses on assessing, diagnosing, and treating
mental health disorders and emotional challenges in individuals.
Clinical psychologists are trained to apply psychological principles and
therapeutic techniques to help people improve their mental well-being
and overall quality of life.

(2) Counseling Psychology : Counseling psychology is a specialized

subfield within psychology that focuses on helping individuals cope
with various life challenges, emotional issues, and mental health
concerns, that are generally milder than those treated by clinical
psychologists (Morgan et al.,1986).

(3) Biopsychology : Biopsychology, also known as physiological

psychology or biological psychology or psychobiology, is a subfield of
psychology that focuses on understanding the relationship between the
brain, the nervous system, genetics, and behavior. It seeks to uncover
how biological processes influence our thoughts, emotions, and actions
(Bhalla, 2023).

(4) Developmental Psychology : Developmental psychology is a

branch of psychology that focuses on the study of human growth and
development across the lifespan. It seeks to understand how individuals
change physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially from
conception through old age.

(5) Cognitive Psychology : Cognitive psychology is a diverse subfield

that explores the mental processes underlying human behavior and
cognition. It encompasses various aspects of human thought,
perception, memory, problem-solving, decision-making, and language.
Cognitive psychologists investigate how individuals acquire, store,
process, and use information.
(6) Social Psychology : Social psychology is a subfield of psychology
that explores how individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are
influenced by the presence and actions of others. It delves into the
intricate interplay between an individual's mental processes and their
social environment.

(7) Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology : I/O Psychology is

a subfield of psychology that focuses on the application of
psychological principles and research to understand and improve the
performance, satisfaction, and well-being of individuals and groups
within organizational settings. I/O psychologists are concerned with
training employees, improving work conditions, and developing the
criteria for selection of employees.

(8) Educational and School Psychology : Educational psychology, a

subfield of psychology, focuses on understanding how individuals
learn and develop in educational settings, such as schools and
classrooms. It is concerned with developing methods and materials to
help people learn effectively at different ages. School psychology is a
related field that applies psychological principles to address the specific
needs of students, teachers, and the education system.

(9) Health Psychology : Health psychology is a subfield of psychology

that focuses on understanding the intricate relationship between
psychological factors and physical health. It explores how thoughts,
emotions, behaviors, and social context impact an individual's well-
being. Improving health through health enhancing factors, facilitating
patient-doctor relationship, etc. are important topics studied under
health psychology.

(10) Community Psychology : Community psychology is a subfield

of psychology that focuses on understanding and improving the well-
being of individuals within the context of their communities. It
emphasizes the importance of social and environmental factors in
shaping human behavior and mental health.

(11) Environmental Psychology : Environmental Psychology is a

field of psychology that examines the interplay between individuals
and their physical surroundings. It explores how the environment
influences human behavior, emotions, and well-being. This
interdisciplinary field considers factors such as urban design, natural
landscapes, and physical factors such as temperature, humidity, etc. in
understanding their impact on people’s behavior.

(12) Cross-cultural and Cultural Psychology : Cultural and Cross-

cultural Psychology is a field that examines the role of culture in
understanding human thought, behavior, and emotion. It assumes that
human behavior is not only a reflection of human biological potential,
but also a reflection of culture. Therefore, behavior should be studied
in its socio-cultural context.

(13) Sports Psychology : Sports psychology is a specialized subfield

of psychology that focuses on understanding and improving the mental
and emotional aspects of sports performance. It is concerned with
helping athletes in improving goal setting, motivation, concentration,
confidence, and coping with pressure.

(14) Forensic Psychology : Forensic psychology is a specialized

subfield of psychology that focuses on the intersection of psychology
and the legal system. It involves the application of psychological
principles and research to understand and address various aspects of the
legal process and criminal behavior.

(15) Military Psychology : Military Psychology focuses on

understanding and addressing the unique psychological challenges
faced by military personnel, veterans, and their families. It involves
studying topics such as combat stress, resilience, leadership, decision-
making under pressure, and the psychological effects of trauma.
Military psychologists work to enhance the mental well-being,
performance, and overall effectiveness of military individuals and
organizations.

Thus, these subfields collectively contribute to our understanding of

human behavior and the mind. While each has its unique focus, they
often collaborate to address complex issues and advance our
knowledge of the intricacies of human psychology.
 REFERENCES

❖ Bhalla, K. (2023). Understanding Concepts of Contemporary

Psychology. Retrieved September 7, 2023 from –
https://mantracare.org/therapy/therapy-types/contemporary-
psychology/

❖ Cherry, K. (2023). Major Branches of Psychology. Retrieved

September 7, 2023 from –
https://www.verywellmind.com/major-branches-of-psychology-
4139786

❖ Morgan, C. T., King, R. A., Weisz, J. R., & Schopler, J. (1986).

Introduction to Psychology (7th edition). New Delhi: Tata
McGraw-Hill.

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