Take Your Education Deeper: 10 Psychology Concentrations To Consider

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These days, almost everyone is in some form of therapy. Society at large understands the value of taking care of mental health. So it may come as a surprise to you that psychology is a relatively new science.

Even so, there are a wide variety of psychology concentrations from psychoanalysis to psychiatry. Each one of them requires studying a highly esoteric field. It’s a mistake to assume that majoring in psychology, in general, will be enough to tackle all psychology specializations.

The best psychology concentrations will depend on which field interests you most. In this guide, we’ll discuss 10 concentrations in psychology.

1. Psychology Concentrations in Behavioral Science

Behavioural science has to do with how the function of our mind affects our physical behaviour. This field deals with studies that analyze human behaviour as well as therapy and treatment.

Behaviourism focuses a lot on stimulus and response. You will spend a good deal of your time studying Skinner, and understanding how to incentivize and discourage the behaviour.

Is psychology a good major for people who want less human interaction? Yes, and behavioural science studies give you that option.

2. Clinical Psychology

For those who want a hands-on experience with people, this is the career choice for you. You will need to spend countless hours in counselling centres, clinics, and hospitals. This career requires direct involvement with patients along their path from diagnosis to cure.

You will need accreditation to work in this field. The American Psychological Association certifies psychologists in the US to work.

3. Perceptual and Cognitive Psychology

If you want to get deeper into human perception, judgment, and memory, this is your dream field. This is a PhD field that allows you to study the human mind in depth.

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This field can branch out into new and interesting areas, such as artificial intelligence and visual processing. Cognitive psychologists often deal with the deepest questions about the human condition.

4. Counseling Psychology

Counselling is a bit different from therapy. Therapy is usually long-term and deals with deep, significant problems. Counselling is more lighthearted and deals with everyday stress and struggles.

A perfect example is a school counsellor. Your job is not to diagnose mental illness or issue medicine. Rather, you talk to people and help them feel better about common struggles.

5. Developmental Psychology

Human development from the womb to old age is a fascinating discipline. It allows you to understand the physiological and cultural effects on certain age groups. You may deal with problems that are unique to certain age groups over others.

This may lead to a career in social work, dealing with broken families and orphaned children. Or, you could help lead studies into procedures and life habits that are good for certain ages of people.

6. Engineering Psychology

The above careers have more to do with the front lines, while engineering psychology has to do with the back end. Engineering psychology can work in anything from how people operate systems, to the application of technology. It can even involve designing UI and intuitive programs.

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This field encompasses everything from the research stage to distribution. You will likely work with corporations more often than the government.

7. Experimental and Research Psychology

If you want to be at the head of all the latest studies, you should try out research psychology. Every time you see a new study in the news from some scientific journal, the scientists behind it were research psychologists. You will need a doctoral degree and will have to pass postdoctoral placement.

There is a huge need for research psychologists as studies are ongoing. The human mind continues to be an intriguing entity that we still don’t fully understand. Working in this experimental field brings humanity one step closer to comprehending it.

8. Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology doesn’t mean that you will be picking up bullets and putting them into plastic bags. Rather, you will be working directly with criminals and suspects. Your job is to understand why they did what they did to better improve our societies.

In some cases, this will have to do with determining a criminal’s guilt. But many forensic psychologists work to develop more effective policies and laws. They can be essential advisors to politicians who need to create effective responses to crime.

9. Health Psychology

This is the intersection between physical and mental health. While doctors work on understanding symptoms to prescribe cures, your job is to understand the psychology behind this.

This is about health education, prevention of mental diseases in the healthcare industry, and much more. Think of yourself as a consultant to doctors who have no clinical psychology experience.

10. Neuropsychology

This is the field for those who are curious about how Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other mental disorders work. You study the causes of these disorders as well as their effects on everyday behaviour. Your job is to rehabilitate people who have lost everyday functions as a result of a mental disorder.

Much of this work has to do with the struggles of the elderly, such as dementia. But it extends to other fields, such as rehabilitation after a traumatic accident. You may even work with brain injuries and certain types of animals.

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Choose Psychology Concentration Today

Psychology concentrations handle everything from group therapy discussions to the study of mental diseases. They may put you on the front lines with patients, or on the backend with studies that help them. Either way, there’s something for you that will give you a fulfilling career.

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