The other three-fourths of psychologists use basic psychological knowledge to solve human problems. Some applied psychologists teach and do research. but most Tk in mental health centers. industries. school systems. medical centers. and other apd settings. The following are the major specialties within applied psychology:
Clinical psychology. Clinical psychologists try to understand and treat emotional problems and correct abnormal behavior.
Counseling psycholagy. Specialists in this field help people with personal or school problems and with career choices.
Industrial and organizational psychology. This field focuses on ways to match employees to jobs. to train and moti vate v.orkers. and to promote job satisfaction and good relationships among workers.
Educational and school psychology. Educational psychology is concerned with the ways children learn in the classroom and with the construction of psychological and educational tests. School psychologists consult v.ith teachers about children who are experiencing learning or behavioral problems. and they test children to see whether they could benefit from special educational programs.
Health psychology. Specialists in this field focus on the ways in which pressures. conflicts, hardships. and other factors contribute to poor health. They seek to prevent health problems such as heart disease by teaching people to relax. exercise. control their diets. and stop high-risk behaviors. such as smoking.
The distinction between the basic and applied fields is not hard and fast. Often psycholog;ists in the experimental fields work on important applied topics. For example. developmental psychologists work closely with the producers of the television program Sesame to be sure that the educational material is appropriate for young children. Social psycholigists similarly work on applied topics. such as helping businesses overcome prejudice based on gender or ethnicity in the workplace. There is something in psychology to interest just about everyone.
