Education & Career Trends: June 14, 2024
Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Content compiled and curated by Team ICS
Derived from the Greek words “psyche” (mind) and “logos” (study), psychology is all about understanding the complexities of human behaviour and mental processes. This fascinating behavioural science addresses profound questions such as: Who am I? Why do I behave the way I do? What can I become as a person? Psychology seeks to unravel the mysteries of the human brain, including consciousness, learning, memory, emotion, language, perception, and creativity.
Psychologists observe and assess human and animal behaviour through rigorous scientific methods, experimental techniques, and statistical analysis.
Key Branches of Psychology
Psychology is a diverse field with several specialised branches, each focusing on human behaviour and mental processes. Here are some of the key branches:
- Clinical Psychology: Clinical psychologists work in hospitals and clinics, treating patients referred by psychiatrists and other medical specialists. They deal with a wide range of behavioural problems and psychological difficulties, helping children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly.
- Abnormal Psychology: This branch studies psychological dysfunctions such as schizophrenia, depression, and neurosis, exploring ways to overcome these issues.
- Educational Psychology: Educational psychologists work in schools, social service establishments, and child guidance clinics, focusing on the learning and development of children.
- Occupational Psychology: This branch examines the relationship between people, work, and organisations, involving personnel selection, training, industrial relations, and workplace ergonomics.
- Counselling Psychology: Counseling psychologists help individuals make decisions and adjust to their environment, providing realistic orientations to life’s challenges.
- Industrial Psychology: Industrial psychologists address work behaviour, including job analysis, employee selection, performance appraisal, and job satisfaction.
- Social Psychology: Social psychologists study interactions between individuals and groups, exploring social behaviour and dynamics.
- Experimental Psychology: This branch uses experimental methods to investigate various psychological issues, contributing to our understanding of fundamental psychological processes.
What Do Psychologists Do?
Clinical psychologists often work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices, treating patients with a variety of mental health issues. Abnormal psychologists research and develop treatments for psychological disorders. Educational psychologists support children’s learning and development in educational settings. Occupational psychologists improve workplace dynamics and employee well-being. Counselling psychologists assist people in making important life decisions and coping with challenges. Industrial psychologists enhance workplace efficiency and satisfaction. Social psychologists analyse social interactions and behaviours, while experimental psychologists conduct research to expand our knowledge of psychological phenomena.
What Should You Study?
To pursue a career in psychology, you should have completed your 10+2 education in any subject stream. However, having psychology as a subject in Plus Two can be advantageous for admission to top colleges. During your studies, you will cover topics such as perception, learning and memory, motivation, emotions, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, personality, and statistical norms.
Career Prospects in Psychology
Psychology is a dynamic field with new applications emerging regularly, expanding opportunities for everyone. Career prospects in Psychology depend on your area of specialisation and it is only after postgraduation that specialised courses are offered in the highly advanced branches of Psychology. Clinical, Organisational and Counselling Psychology are currently the most popular branches of specialisation. You also have an advantage if you wish to pursue your MBA in Human Resource Development.
Psychologists are employed by government, multinationals, hospitals, schools, NGOs etc in various positions such as Psychiatric Social Worker, Personnel Welfare Officer, Organisational Psychologist, Industrial Relations Officer, Labour Officer, Counsellor, and Psychotherapist etc. In jobs like Market Research it is possible to move into more generalised management work. There are increasing opportunities to work freelance or on consultancy basis.
Where Can You Study?
Some of the recommended undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Psychology are available
at:
- Lady Sri Ram College, Delhi University, New Delhi
- Jesus and Mary College, Delhi University, New Delhi
- Indraprastha College for Women, Delhi University, New Delhi
- Gargi College, Delhi University, New Delhi
- Kamla Nehru College, University of Delhi, Delhi
- Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, Delhi
- Ashoka University, NCR
- Ambedkar University, Delhi
- Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamianagar, Delhi
- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
- DAV College, Chandigarh
- University of Calcutta, Kolkata
- St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai University, Mumbai
- Sophia College, University of Mumbai, Mumbai
- Fergusson College, Pune University, Pune
- FLAME University, Pune
- Krea University, Andhra Pradesh
- Symbiosis International, Pune
- Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai
and more.
Specialised Diploma courses after post-graduation are available at:
- Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore
- Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Delhi
For more information on pursuing a career in psychology, visit us at ICSCareerGPS.
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Have you checked out yesterday’s blog yet?
Top 10 Career Paths You Can Choose with a Master’s in Business Analytics
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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