Branches of psychology and their definitions

  • Jul 26, 2021
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Branches of psychology and their definitions

Human behavior has intrigued psychologists for years. Our reactions to everyday problems at home or at work reflect the health of our "mind." Psychology is a science and an art that tries to study the individual, the family and society to understand the functions mental disorders and the triggers of safe and inexplicable social behavior, as well as neurological processes for development human.

In this Psychology-Online article we show you some of the main branches of psychology and their definitions.

You may also like: What is clinical psychology: definition, history, objective and examples

Index

  1. How many branches of psychology are there?
  2. Clinical psychology
  3. Cognitive psychology
  4. Comparative psychology or ethology
  5. Educational psychology
  6. Biological psychology
  7. Evolutionary Psychology
  8. Health Psychology
  9. juridic psychology
  10. Personality psychology
  11. Social psychology
  12. Work or organizational psychology

How many branches of psychology are there?

The phenomena of perception, personality, cognition, behavior, reaction and emotion not only show an immense diversity of the mental faculty, but also affect our relationships. The study involves the analysis of the processes within the conscious and unconscious mind. Psychology applies to all aspects of activity.

Although it is true that there are branches that share theoretical frameworks and psychological bases, today we can distinguish 11 branches of psychology and they are the following:

  • Clinical psychology
  • Health Psychology
  • Cognitive psychology
  • Ethology
  • Educational psychology
  • Psychobiology
  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Juridic psychology
  • Personality psychology
  • Social and organizational psychology
  • Work Psychology

Next, in this article on the branches of psychology and their definitions, we will explain to you what does each branch consist of.

Branches of psychology and their definitions - How many branches of psychology are there?

Clinical psychology.

In this type of psychology, the study is aimed at relieve stress or dysfunction that is triggered by various psychological reasons or psychopathological. This results in personal development and emotional and physical well-being.

Clinical psychologists study the depths of forensic testimony and clinical neuropsychology. Professionals use specially designed and adapted therapeutic models to generate therapeutic alliances. The subsequent exploration of psychological problems helps to identify and apply new modes of thought and behavior.

Discover here the general aspects of clinical psychology.

Cognitive psychology.

This type of psychology studies the mental processes that dictate the behavioral traits. Experiment with learning, perception, memory, and attention to apply information processing to mental reasoning and normal functions. It is for this reason that it is also called experimental psychology. Cognitive psychology is the result of contributions from neurobiology, logic, and linguistics, which emphasize not only theory, but also formalization.

Branches of psychology and their definitions - Cognitive psychology

Comparative psychology or ethology.

In this branch of psychology the patterns of animal behavior. This branch of science is vital for psychological research. Provides comparisons to determine traits and test for evolutionary links. The study of animal behavior also enables psychologists to better understand human psychology. It is experimented with animal models, to study emotion and behavior. A clear example of the psychological contribution of this branch is the Seligman's learned helplessness theory.

Educational psychology.

This branch of psychology studies the educational environment and interventions in that context. Educational psychologists experiment with the dimensions of teaching and applied social psychology in schools and colleges. Educational psychology influences the teaching methods and general practices inside and outside of school.

Branches of psychology and their definitions - Educational Psychology

Biological psychology.

Biological psychology studies the mental frame as a biological substrate. This branch of psychology investigates the behavior that arises from reactions within the nervous system. Most of the research is carried out through experiments with behavioral and cognitive neurosciences.

The objective is understand brain function regarding the different triggers and psychological processes. Biological psychology links human behavior with the brain to study the areas within the brain connected with certain reactions.

Evolutionary Psychology.

Evolutionary psychology tries to understand how and why humans evolved with fixed perspectives and modes of behavior that define an algorithm inherited from applications of deep-rooted defense mechanisms.

Branches of psychology and their definitions - Evolutionary psychology

Health Psychology.

Health psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on the general aspect of health maintenance. The psychological, physiological, behavioral and social dimensions of an individual are taken into account when it comes to health psychology.

In addition to delving into the concept of health psychology, the stream also focuses on provide preventive measures and treatments, serving as a virtual helper to keep fit and healthy. Health psychology also aims to understand the reactions of people suffering from certain health ailments and how they cope with them.

juridic psychology.

Legal psychology, known alternatively as forensic psychology, though marginally but significantly different, is considered together as psychology and law. The study of the reasoning on which the decisions of juries, evidence and eyewitness testimony are based is considered legal psychology and the study of clinical reports, systematic evaluation and analysis of court testimony is considered forensic psychology.

Psychology of personality.

Our personality intrinsically defines who we are today and what is the essential mode of behavior that we apply to face and react to situations. The way we operate we make decisions and we modulate our moods is unique to each of us. The study of the various Personality types it is known as personality psychology.

Social psychology.

Social psychology it focuses on the behaviors that people exhibit in various social settings. Also study other aspects of social interaction and the forms of behavior that shape the reactions of an individual, according to the construction of a set of responses for social situations.

Branches of psychology and their definitions - Social psychology

Work or organizational psychology.

Psychology industrial and organizational It is a branch of psychology that is gradually gaining recognition. It includes the study and analysis of the behavioral aspects of an employee in an organization through training programs and obtaining feedback from it. Everything is done to improve employee performance, thus benefiting the organization.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Branches of psychology and their definitions, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical psychology.

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