This document provides summaries of 22 areas of psychology, including abnormal psychology, biological psychology, child psychology, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, comparative psychology, community psychology, counseling psychology, developmental psychology, educational psychology, environmental psychology, evolutionary psychology, experimental psychology, forensic psychology, gero-psychology, health psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, legal psychology, media psychology, neuro-psychology, para-psychology, and personality psychology. Each summary briefly describes the focus and key topics within each area as well as potential career paths for psychologists working in that area.

1. 1. Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal psychology is the study of abnormal behavior of individuals including the factors,
situations, and conditions that cause mental disorders and emotional problems and how they
may be best treated. This knowledge is applied in clinical psychology to treat patients with
psychological disorders.
Abnormal psychologists can help people to live better lives. Careers in abnormal psychology
encompass a wide range of interests and services. Most treating psychologists, including
counselors, psychotherapists, clinical social workers, and clinical psychologists, are specialists in
abnormal psychology.
02. Biological Psychology
Biology is defined as “the study of life” (from the Greek bios meaning life and logos meaning
study). A biological perspective is relevant to the study of psychology in three ways.
Comparative method: different species of animal can be studied and compared. This can help in
the search to understand human behavior. Physiology: how the nervous system and hormones
work, how the brain functions, how changes in structure and/or function can affect behavior.
Investigation of inheritance: what an animal inherits from its parents, mechanisms of
inheritance (genetics).
Biological psychology is the scientific study of the biological side of behavior and mental states.
Seeing all behavior as intertwined with the nervous system, biological psychologists feel it is
sensible to study how the brain functions in order to understand behavior. This is the approach
taken in behavioral neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, and neuropsychology.
Bio-psychologists employ in various areas to include cognitive neuroscience,
psychopharmacology, neuropsychology, behavioral genetics and comparative psychology. Each
area uses the combination of biology and psychology in different ways.
03. Child Psychology
Child psychology is one of the branches of psychology focuses on the mind and behavior of
children from prenatal development through adolescence. Child psychology deals not only with
how children grow physically, but with their mental, emotional and social development as well.
Today, psychologists recognize that child psychology is unique and complex.
The different contexts of child psychology are Social Context, Cultural Context and
Socioeconomic Context. Some of main subjects of child psychology are Genetics, Environmental
Influences, Prenatal Development, Social Growth, Personality Development, Language, Gender
Roles, Cognitive Development, Sexual development.

2. Child psychologists work in different ways.
· Abnormal child psychologist: Works with children suffering from psychological disorders
including anxiety, mood and personality disorders.
· Adolescent psychologist: Works with adolescent clients between the ages of 12 and 18
who suffer from psychological illness or distress including eating disorders, depression or
anxiety.
· Developmental psychologist: May study childhood development.
· School psychologist: Works within the educational system to help children with emotional,
social and academic issues.
· Educational psychologist: Involves the study of how people learn, including topics such as
student outcomes,
the instructional process, individual differences in learning, gifted learners and learning
disabilities.
04. Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology is the largest specialty area in psychology. This is the branch of psychology
paid attention to the treatment of mental illness, abnormal behavior and psychiatric problems.
Wilhelm Wundt defined clinical psychology as "the study of individuals, by observation or
experimentation, with the intention of promoting change." Today, clinical psychology is one of
the most popular subfields within psychology.
Some of the major theoretical perspectives within clinical psychology include:
· Psychodynamic Approach: This comes from psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, who believed
that the unconscious mind played an important role in our behavior. Psychologists who utilize
this perspective may use techniques such as free association to investigate a client's underlying,
unconscious motivations.

3. · Cognitive Behavioral Perspective: by using this perspective, Clinical psychologists look at
how a client's feelings, behaviors and thoughts interact. Cognitive-behavioral therapy often
focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors that contribute to psychological distress.
· Humanistic Perspective: This perspective looks at the client more holistically and is focused
on such things as
self-actualization and helping people realize their full potential.
Clinical psychologists assess and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Some clinical
psychologists treat specific problems exclusively, such as phobias or clinical depression. Others
focus on specific populations: youngsters, ethnic minority groups, gays and lesbians, and the
elderly, for instance. They also consult with physicians on physical problems that have
underlying psychological causes.
05. Cognitive Psychology
Cognitive psychology studies mental processes including how people think, perceive, remember
and learn. As part of the larger field of cognitive science, this branch of psychology is related to
other disciplines including neuroscience, philosophy and linguistics. This includes: Memory,
Problem-Solving, Perception, Language, information Processing. Cognitive psychology is unlike
behaviorism, which focuses only on observable behaviors, cognitive psychology is concerned
with internal mental states. Cognitive psychology is unlike psychoanalysis, which relies heavily
on subjective perceptions; cognitive psychology uses scientific research methods to study
mental processes.
Cognitive psychology is investigated in several ways:
· Experimental cognitive psychology- this is the heart of all cognitive psychology and it uses
carefully controlled experiments. Experimental approach is influential on all of psychology like
clinical, social, developmental etc.
· Cognitive neuropsychology- this is investigation of cognitive performance in brain
damaged or brain diseased patients.

4. · Computational cognitive science- this involves computer programming to model or mimic
some kind of cognitive function. Artificial Intelligence involves computer programming to
construct intelligent outcomes, not necessarily resembling human processes.
· Cognitive neuroscience- this is the study of mental processes in the functioning brain to
understand how the brain works (or functions cognitively). Cognitive neuroscientists often use
neuroimaging tools, which can help them to observe which areas of the brain are active during a
particular task.
Cognitive psychologists also study reasoning, judgment, and decision making. Cognitive and
perceptual psychologists frequently collaborate with behavioral neuroscientists to understand
the biological bases of perception or cognition or with researchers in other areas of psychology
to better understand the cognitive biases in the thinking of people with depression.
Cognitive psychologists work in a number of areas. Many cognitive psychologists conduct
applied research or basic research on the human thought process. Cognitive psychologists often
work at colleges and universities, government agencies, corporate businesses and in private
consulting. Common careers titles include university instructor, human factors consultant,
industrial-organizational manager and usability specialist.
06. Comparative Psychology
Comparative psychology refers to the study of the behavior and mental life of animals other
than human beings. Today, biologists, psychologists, anthropologists, ecologists, geneticists and
many others contribute to the study of animal behavior.
Comparative psychology often utilizes the comparative method to study animal behavior. The
comparative method involves comparing the similarities and differences among species to
understanding of evolutionary relationships. The comparative method can also be used to
compare modern species of animals to ancient species. Major Topics in Comparative Psychology
are Evolution, Heredity, Adaptation and learning, Mating and parenting behaviors, Primates.
The study of animal behavior can lead to a deeper and broader understanding of human
psychology. Research on animal behavior has led to numerous discoveries about human
behavior, such as Ivan Pavlov's research on classical conditioning or Harry Harlow's work with

5. rhesus monkeys. Students of biological sciences and social sciences can benefit from studying
comparative psychology.
07. Community Psychology
Community psychology is a special area concerned with how individuals relate to society. How
do people become more active contributors in their communities? How do community issues
impact the health and illness of individuals? These are both major topics of community
psychology.
Elements of Community psychology come from other subjects like sociology, political science,
public health, cross-cultural psychology and social psychology. Psychologists working in this field
look at the cultural, economic, social, political and environmental influences on people all over
the world. The focus of community psychology is oftentimes a mix of both applied and
theoretical sides.
Normally clinical psychologists focus on individuals who show signs o disorder. Most community
psychologists attract about groups of people are not mentally ill (but may be at risk of becoming
so) or on the population in general.
Community psychologists can be employed in various types of areas including education,
government, nonprofit groups, community organizations and private consulting. Within the
educational system, community psychologists often work at colleges and universities to teach
courses and conduct original research. In government setting, they may work in health and
human services for local, state and federal governments.
08. Counseling Psychology
Counseling psychology is like clinical psychology this is interested in the treatment of mental
disorders. The main difference between the two is that counseling psychology pays attention on
normal problems of adjustment or challenge, such as choosing a career, experiencing academic
stress, or coping with marital problems. The Society of Counseling Psychology describes this field
as "a psychological specialty (that) facilitates personal and interpersonal functioning across the
life span with a focus on emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related,
developmental and organizational concerns."
Many counseling psychologists provide psychotherapy services, but other career paths are also
available. Research, teaching and vocational counseling are just a few of the possible
alternatives to psychotherapy. Counseling psychologists may also conduct research and may
seek to find answers to questions such as: Are there sex differences in the way people cope with
difficulties? What is the psychological impact of exposure to a major disaster? These
psychologists often work in academic settings, community mental health centers, hospitals, or
private clinics.

6. 09. Developmental Psychology
Developmental psychology studies the human growth and development throughout their life
cycle including not only physical development, but also cognitive, social, intellectual, perceptual,
personality and emotional growth. The study of human development is important not only to
psychology, but also to biology, anthropology, sociology, education and history. Developmental
psychology helps people to better understand how people change and grow.
Some developmental psychologists focus on a specific population, such as developmentally
delayed children. Others specialize in studying a particular age range, such as adolescence or old
age. Some of developmental psychologists work in educational settings at colleges and
universities, often conducting research on developmental topics while teaching courses. Others
may work in government agencies to help assess, evaluate and treat individuals suffering from
developmental disabilities. Other possible areas of employment psychologists are assisted living
homes for the elderly, teen rehabilitation clinics, centers for the homeless, psychiatric clinics
and hospitals, and public school systems and as day care center directors.
10. Educational Psychology
Educational psychologists study the processes of learning, remembering, and thinking and then
apply that knowledge to educational factors. Its study focuses on how people learn, including
topics such as educational technology, instructional design, special education, curriculum
development, organizational learning, gifted learners, individual differences in learning, and
learning disabilities also. As well as it includes the social, emotional and cognitive processes in
learning throughout the lifetime.
Educational psychologists are employed by academic and educational settings. Recently industry
and the military are offering increased possibilities for people with doctoral degrees who can
design and evaluate systems to teach complex technical skills. There are new opportunities in
evaluation of social problems and policies as well. All of these areas may begin to provide jobs
for those with master's degree.
11. Environmental Psychology
The environmental psychology studies the relationship between human behavior and physical
environments such as social settings, built environments, learning environments and
informational environments. These environments move from homes and offices to urban areas
and regions. Environmental psychologists may work for government or private environmental
agencies or other agencies and corporations.
12. Evolutionary Psychology

7. Evolutionary psychology is the combination of two science. Those are evolutionary biology and
cognitive psychology. Evolutionary psychology studies how evolutionary principles such as
mutation, adaptation, and selective fitness influence human thought, feeling, and behavior.
Because of their focus on genetically shaped behaviors that influence an organism's chances of
survival, evolutionary psychologists study mating, aggression, helping behavior, and
communication. Evolutionary psychologists are particularly interested in paradoxes and
problems of evolution.
13. Experimental Psychology
Experimental psychology studies psychological phenomena including cognitive processes,
comparative psychology, learning and conditioning, and psychophysics. Experimental
psychology pays its attention on both human and nonhuman animals with respect to their
abilities to detect what is happening in a particular environment and to acquire and maintain
responses to what is happening.
These processes may include learning, sensation, perception, human performance, motivation,
memory, language, thinking, and communication as well as the physiological processes
underlying behaviors such as eating, reading, and problem solving. Most experimental
psychologists work in academic settings, teaching courses and supervising students' research.
Experimental psychologists are also employed by research institutions, business, industry, and
government, academic settings, zoos, and engineering firms.
14. Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology is the field which deals with both psychology and the law. Psychology and
law is a new field with career opportunities at several levels of training. At this point, psychology
and law is concerned both with looking at legal issues from a psychological perspective and with
looking at psychological questions in a legal context. In fact, forensic psychologists apply
psychological principles to legal issues. This may involve studying criminal behavior and
treatments, or working directly in the court system.
In many cases, clinical psychologists, school psychologists, neurologists or counselors also deal
with forensic psychology. Forensic psychologists definitely play an important role in the criminal
justice system, however, and this can be an exciting career for students interested in applying
psychological principles to the legal system. Forensic psychologists may work in prisons, jails,
rehabilitation centers, police departments, law firms, schools, government agencies, or in
private practice.
15. Gero-Psychology
Geropsychology is a branch of psychology which studies about older adults. Geropsychology
finds about mental disorders, depression, anxiety and age-related illnesses of older adults.

8. Geropsychology bring about psychotherapies and interventions to treat a variety of disorders,
aging concerns, and challenges to encourage older adults to live better life in their senior years.
It is also a field that provides guidance for common changes that take place in these later years.
Geropsychologists utilize sociology, biology, psychology, and other disciplines to study the
factors associated with adult development and aging. Geropsychologists find employment in
academic settings, research centers, industry, health care organizations, mental health clinics,
and agencies serving the elderly. Others are engaged in private practice as consultants on the
design and evaluation of programs for the elderly.
16. Health Psychology
While health psychology is known as the biosocial model it says illness and health are a result of
a combination of biological, psychological and social factors. Health psychology studies how
patients handle illness, why some people don't follow medical advice, and the most effective
ways to control pain or to change poor health habits.
The field health psychology is focused on promoting health as well as the prevention and
treatment of disease and illness. Health psychologists also focus on understanding how people
react, cope and recover from illness. While habits.
Psychologists may design programs to help people stop smoking, lose weight, manage stress,
prevent cavities, or stay physically fit. They work in Medical centers, hospitals, health
maintenance organizations, rehabilitation centers, public health agencies, and private practices.
17. Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Industrial/organizational psychology studies the relationship between people and organizational
structures. These studies focus on people in the workforce including organizational change,
workers' productivity and job satisfaction, consumer behavior, and the interaction between
humans and machines.
Industrial/organizational psychologists apply psychological principles and research methods to
the work places. Many of Industrial/organizational psychologists work as Consumer
psychologists, engineering psychologists and Personnel psychologists also. They serve as human
resources specialists, helping organizations with staffing, training, and employee development.
And others work as management consultants in such areas as strategic planning, quality
management, and coping with organizational change.
18. Legal Psychology (Psychology of Law)
Legal psychology is identified with researchers from different areas within psychology (although
social and cognitive psychologists are typical). Legal psychologists explore such topics as jury
decision-making, eyewitness memory, scientific evidence, and legal policy. The term legal

9. psychology has only recently come into use, and typically refers to any non-clinical law-related
research.
19. Media Psychology
Media psychology studies the relationships between mediated communication and the
thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of the senders and recipients of the communication. To be a
media psychologist, you have to study psychology and technology. If you want to “practice”
media psychology, you should know how media technologies work, how they are developed,
produced, and consumed. And you have to know psychology so you can actually apply it to
issues of usability, effectiveness, and impact.
20. Neuro-Psychology
Neuropsychology studies the relationship between physical systems and behavior. This may
study chemical and physical changes that occur in the body when one experiences different
emotions and it may study the effect of specific biochemical mechanisms in the brain to
behavior, and the relation of brain structure to function.
Neuropsychologists work in academic settings where they conduct research and train other
neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists, and medical doctors. They might also work in
hospitals and clinics.
21. Para-Psychology
Parapsychology is the scientific and scholarly study of certain unusual events associated with
human experience. These experiences have been called "psychic" for want of a better term.
Parapsychology does not correlate with astrology, UFOs, searching for Bigfoot, paganism,
vampires, alchemy, or witchcraft.
Parapsychologists normally study about psychic, telepathy, precognition, clairvoyance, extra-
sensory perception, psychokinesis, direct mental interactions with living systems, near death
experience, out-of-body experience, reincarnation, haunting and more things.
22. Personality Psychology
Personality psychology studies about the characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings and
behaviors that make a person unique. Personality arises from within the individual and remains
fairly consistent during the life time. There are different theories explain about personality. A
few of the major theories of personality are trait theories, psychoanalytic theories, behavioral
theories, humanist theories. Personality psychologists often work in academic settings as
instructors or researchers.
23. Positive Psychology

10. Positive psychology focuses on human prospering. This new field of psychology is centered on
helping people become happier. Martin Seligman says that "We believe that a psychology of
positive human functioning will arise that achieves a scientific understanding and effective
interventions to build thriving in individuals, families, and communities."
Main topics in positive psychology are happiness, optimism and helplessness, mindfulness, flow,
character strengths and virtues, hope, positive thinking, resilience. Positive psychology’s study
has a range of real including education, therapy, self-help, stress management and workplace
issues. Using strategies from positive psychology, teachers, coaches, therapists and employers
can motivate others and help individuals understand and develop their personal strengths.
24. Psychology of religion
Many areas of religion remain unexplored by psychology. While religion and spirituality play a
role in many people’s lives, it is uncertain how they lead to outcomes that are at times positive,
and at other times negative. Psychology of religion applies psychological studies to religious
traditions, as well as to both religious and irreligious individuals. The science attempts to
accurately describe the details, origins, and uses of religious beliefs and behaviors.
25. Psychology of women
Psychology of women is the study of psychological and social factors affecting women's
development and behavior. Psychology of women focuses its study in a variety of academic and
clinical settings. Most psychologists whose concern is the psychology of women have received
their training in clinical, developmental, or social psychology, or in psycho-biology areas.
Researchers who focus on health issues for women have been hired as faculty members in
nursing, public health, social work, or psychiatry departments of universities.
26. Psycho-metrics and Quantitative Psychology
Psycho-metrics and quantitative psychology studies about psychological measurement. This
branch of psychology includes the measurement of knowledge, personality traits, attitudes and
abilities. Students of psycho-metrics and quantitative psychology are mainly concerned with the
design and application of questionnaires, tests and other instruments of psychological
measurement.
These psychologists are well trained in mathematics, statistics, and computer programming.
They create new intelligence, personality, and aptitude tests. They are also qualified to interpret
experimental results and design new techniques for analyzing information. Psycho-metricians
and quantitative psychologists are mainly employed by universities and colleges, testing
companies, private research firms, and government agencies.
27. Rehabilitation Psychology

11. Rehabilitation Psychology assists the individual with an injury or illness, which may be chronic,
traumatic or congenital, including the family, in achieving optimal physical, psychological and
interpersonal functioning. Rehabilitation psychologists work with stroke and accident victims,
people with mental retardation, and those with developmental disabilities caused by such
conditions as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism.
Rehabilitation psychologists work in public health programs to prevent disabilities, including
those caused by violence and substance abuse. And they testify in court as expert witnesses
about the causes and effects of a disability and a person's rehabilitation needs.
28. School Psychology
School psychology applies principles of clinical psychology and educational psychology to the
diagnosis and treatment of children's and adolescents' behavioral and learning problems. This is
used in creating environments that facilitate learning and mental health. Most school
psychologists work in elementary and secondary schools, but others work in private clinics,
hospitals, state agencies, and universities. Some go into private practice and serve as
consultants.
29. Social Psychology
Social psychology studies how individuals interact with others and how they are influenced by
their social environments. This studies individuals, groups, observable behaviors, and private
thoughts. Main topics of social psychology are the formation of attitudes and attitude change,
individual and group decision making, attraction between people such as friendship and love,
prejudice, personality and social development, group dynamics, and violence and aggression.
Social psychologists can be found in academic settings, advertising agencies, corporations,
hospitals, and survey firms.
30. Sports Psychology
Sports psychology studies how psychology influences sports, athletic performance, exercise and
physical activity. Sports psychology applies psychological methods and knowledge to the study
and modification of the behavior and mental processes of people involved in sports. Sports
psychologists’ careers are counseling in a sports medicine clinic or with a professional sports
team, health care settings working in health promotion and rehabilitation programs.