Psychology2016

Applied Psychology and Psychology Careers B-7

diagnosis, treatment, and/or rehabilitation of individuals with various neurological,

medical, neurodevelopmental, or psychiatric conditions (National Academy of Neuro-

psychology, 2001). to Learning Objective 7.8.

COMPARATIVE PSYCHOLOGY Comparative psychology is an area that focuses exclu-

sively on animals and animal behavior. By comparing and contrasting animal behavior

with what is already known about human behavior, comparative psychologists can con-

tribute to the understanding of human behavior by studying animals. Research in ani-

mal behavior also helps people learn how to treat animals more humanely and coexist

with the animals in a common environment. Comparative psychologists might work in

animal laboratories in a university or may do observation and studies of animals in the

animals’ natural habitats.

Psychologists in these areas may do research that is directed at discovering basic

principles of human behavior (basic research), or they may engage in research designed

to find solutions to practical problems of the here and now (applied research). to

Learning Objective 1.4. There are many other areas in which psychologists may special-

ize that focus almost exclusively on applied research. These areas are those most often

associated with applied psychology.

PSYCHOLOGY BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

B.6 Describe how psychology interacts with other career fields.

Individuals working in psychology can serve in important roles in many different fields.

Some are extensions of the areas of specialization just covered. Other fields are well suited

due to the general and sometimes specific skills psychology professionals can provide.

PSYCHOLOGY AND HEALTH Health psychology focuses on the relationship of human behav-

ior patterns and stress reactions to physical health with the goal of improving and helping

maintain good health while preventing and treating illness. For example, a health psychol-

ogist might design a program to help people lose weight or stop smoking. Stress-man-

agement techniques are also a major focus of this area. Health psychologists may work in

hospitals, clinics, medical schools, health agencies, academic settings, or private practice.

In one study (Kerwin et al., 2010), researchers found an association between obesity

in older women and a decline in memory functioning in those women. This finding was

particularly true for women carrying the excess weight around their hips (pear shapes)

and less so for women carrying the excess weight around their waists (apple shapes). The

study controlled for other health variables, such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. This

is a good example of the kind of research that health psychologists conduct. Other areas

studied by health psychologists include the influence of optimistic attitudes on the prog-

ress of disease, the link between mental distress and health, and the promotion of wellness

and hope in an effort to prevent illness. to Learning Objectives 11.5, 11.6.

PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION Educational psychology is concerned with the study

of human learning. As educational psychologists come to understand some of the basic

aspects of learning, they develop methods and materials for aiding the process of learn-

ing. For example, educational psychologists helped design the phonics method of teach-

ing children to read. This type of psychologist may have a doctorate of education (Ed.D.)

rather than a Ph.D. and typically works in academic settings.

What types of research might an educational psychologist conduct? The August

2016 issue of Journal of Educational Psychology included articles on the impact of teacher

emotional exhaustion on student educational outcomes, developmental changes in

working memory and math achievement, kindergarten readiness as predictors of Grade

2–5 achievement in Latino children, and evaluation of a school-based intervention for

reducing posttraumatic symptoms and multicultural intolerance during times of political

violence—just to name a few.

comparative psychology

area of psychology in which the

psychologists study animals and their

behavior for the purpose of comparing

and contrasting it to human behavior.

educational psychology

area of psychology in which the

psychologists are concerned with

the study of human learning and

development of new learning

techniques.

This woman is a health psychologist.

Through the use of a storybook, she is

helping this young patient learn more about

his medical condition and address some of

his fears.

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