Question

Describe any five applied branches of Psychology.

Answer 1

The knowledge and principles generated through theoretical research are used to develop techniques to solve practical problems and to help individuals to adjust to real-life situations. This is Applied Psychology.

1. Educational Psychology - It is concerned with increasing the efficiency of the teaching - learning process. The main areas of work of an educational psychologist are teacher training, curriculum planning, instruction designing for better classroom environment, etc. They are concerned with preparing intervention programmes for exceptional children, to develop motivation and effective study habits. Educational psychologists are associated with schools colleges, etc. Many psychologists also deal with behavioural issues of students such as learning disorders, ADHD, etc.
2. Clinical Psychology - It is concerned with the study, diagnosis and treatment of serious emotional, psychological and behavioural disorders such as delinquency, depression, drug addiction, etc. A clinical psychologist does not have medical training. They collect detailed information about a client using techniques like psychological tests, interviews, case study, etc. They use psycho-therapeutic methods to help the client to deal with the problem. They work in hospitals, health centres, etc. It is the largest subfield of psychology.
3. Counselling Psychology - It is concerned with the study, diagnosis and treatment of less severe emotional, psychological and behavioural problems. It aims at helping normal individuals who have adjustment problems such as in studies, in personal life or at the workplace. Counselling psychologists are involved in vocational and career guidance. The subfields of counselling psychology include -
   (i) educational counselling
   (ii) career counselling
   (iii) personal counselling
   (iv) marital counselling, etc. Counselling psychologists make use of psychological tests and psychotherapy.
4. Criminal Psychology - It is concerned with identifying the causes of crime, studying the personality traits of criminals, suggesting preventive measures to control criminal behaviour and implementing plans for criminal rehabilitation. Criminal psychologists work closely with law enforcement agencies, investigative agencies and social organisations.
5. Industrial Psychology - It is concerned with the behaviour of persons working in organisations in areas like motivational level, group morale, teamwork, leadership, training and supervisions, conflict resolution, etc. It aims to improve communication, decision - making and stress management at the work place leading to increased employee satisfaction and efficiency. It includes personnel selection, Organisational Psychology, ergonomics and consumer psychology.