Page 40 - Understanding Psychology

Figure 1.11 Where Psychologists Work
6% Counseling and guidance centers
Clinical settings
Clinical and counseling psychologists
work with
clients in independent practice or in hospitals, mental health centers, clinics, or guidance centers.
5% School systems
1% Other
36%
Academic institutions
12%
Business and government
Academic institutions Psychologists are employed
to conduct basic research and
to teach psychology courses.
Source: American Psychological Association Research Office
Business and government Businesses and government agencies hire psychologists
to conduct research, screen candidates for employment, improve work environments,
or counsel workers.
Schools School psychologists give psychological tests, supervise programs for students with special needs, and may help teachers implement classroom strategies.
22%
Independent practice
17%
Hospitals and clinics
Most psychologists in the United States are engaged in clinical psychology. Why do businesses and government agencies hire psychologists?
developmental psychologist: a psychologist who studies the emotional, cognitive, biological, personal, and social changes that occur as an individual matures
educational psychologist:
a psychologist who is con- cerned with helping students learn
community psychologist:
a psychologist who may work in a mental health or social welfare agency
industrial/organizational psychologist: a psychologist who uses psychological con- cepts to make the workplace a more satisfying environment for employees and managers
Developmental psychologists study physical, emotional, cognitive, and social changes that occur throughout life. Specialists in this field study children, the elderly, and even the process of dying.
Educational psychologists deal with topics related to teaching chil- dren and young adults, such as intelligence, memory, problem solving, and motivation. Specialists in this field evaluate teaching methods, devise tests, and develop new instructional devices. A community psychologist may work in a mental health or social welfare agency operated by the state or local government or by a private organization. A community psycholo- gist may help design, run, or evaluate a mental health clinic. Industrial/organizational psychologists are employed by business firms and government agencies. Industrial psychologists study and de- velop methods to boost production, improve working conditions, place applicants in jobs for which they are best suited, train people, and reduce accidents. Organizational psychologists study the behavior of people in organizations such as business firms.
26 Chapter 1 / Introducing Psychology