The Diverse Nature of Psychology Essay Example
The Diverse Nature of Psychology
Amy Wallace
PSY 490
Corey Vigdor
July 1, 2013
The Diverse Nature of Psychology Psychology in itself is diversified. The reason for this is that people in all walks of life, ethnicity, gender, and culture that study or work in psychology bring different experiences and points of view to psychology. Different fields of psychology focus on different sub-topics of psychology for example, biopsychology focuses on the idea that a person’s biological make up has influence on his or her behavior. Another example would be Environmental Psychology (EP) where the focus is on how and why a person’s environment affects his or her behavior. This paper explores two sub-disciplines and two-subtopics within psychology and how those sub-disciplines and sub-topics can be applied to other disciplines within psychology.
Two Sub-disciplines and Sub-topics of Psychology The American Psychological Association (APA) includes 54 divisions of psychology, which each explores a different concept of psychology and that have its own approach to human interactions (Plante, 2011). Abnormal psychology and Lifespan Development are two examples of sub-disciplines in psychology. The first example is Abnormal psychology, which focuses on abnormal behavior, assesses psychopathology, and the research, and treatment of mental disorders (Hansell & Damour, 2008). Abnormal psychology is not only a sub-discipline of psychology but some of its theories are used in psychotherapy and clinical psychology. Within abnormal psychology there are sub-topics that include focus on whether or not biology has an affect on mental illness and the study of the effectiveness of treatment (Plante, 2011). Theories that were developed in Abnormal Psychology focus on cognitive processes and abilities, identity and social functioning (Hansell & Damour, 2008). The second example is Lifespan Development, which focuses on a person’s growth and
Amy Wallace
PSY 490
Corey Vigdor
July 1, 2013
The Diverse Nature of Psychology Psychology in itself is diversified. The reason for this is that people in all walks of life, ethnicity, gender, and culture that study or work in psychology bring different experiences and points of view to psychology. Different fields of psychology focus on different sub-topics of psychology for example, biopsychology focuses on the idea that a person’s biological make up has influence on his or her behavior. Another example would be Environmental Psychology (EP) where the focus is on how and why a person’s environment affects his or her behavior. This paper explores two sub-disciplines and two-subtopics within psychology and how those sub-disciplines and sub-topics can be applied to other disciplines within psychology.
Two Sub-disciplines and Sub-topics of Psychology The American Psychological Association (APA) includes 54 divisions of psychology, which each explores a different concept of psychology and that have its own approach to human interactions (Plante, 2011). Abnormal psychology and Lifespan Development are two examples of sub-disciplines in psychology. The first example is Abnormal psychology, which focuses on abnormal behavior, assesses psychopathology, and the research, and treatment of mental disorders (Hansell & Damour, 2008). Abnormal psychology is not only a sub-discipline of psychology but some of its theories are used in psychotherapy and clinical psychology. Within abnormal psychology there are sub-topics that include focus on whether or not biology has an affect on mental illness and the study of the effectiveness of treatment (Plante, 2011). Theories that were developed in Abnormal Psychology focus on cognitive processes and abilities, identity and social functioning (Hansell & Damour, 2008). The second example is Lifespan Development, which focuses on a person’s growth and