Pearson BTEC National Applied Psychology Book 1

What is psychology? Professions using psychology The BTEC course is a vocational one – which means it is concerned with the world of work. Therefore, a focus of the course is how the academic study of psychology is applied to the world of work. Someone who is a professional psychologist is likely to have a degree in psychology and then has gone on to do a postgraduate degree. On the le we have mentioned some of these vocational areas, such as criminal and forensic psychology and sport psychology but there are jobs in these elds (and the ones further down this page) that don’t require a degree in psychology or even a degree, but do bene t from knowledge of psychology, such as the ones below: • Healthcare practitioner (nurse, radiographer, dietician, paramedic, physiotherapist, social care worker). • Social worker. • Teacher (understanding cognitive development). • Counsellor (bereavement, drugs). • Chaplain. • Town planner. • Police (dealing with people, not just crime). • Crime scene investigator. • Working with animals (zoo keeper, veterinarian, trainer). • Law (solicitor, judge, court clerk). • Military psychologist. • Sports coach. • Advertising and marketing. Specialist branches of psychology Clinical psychology Psychologists are o en confused with psychiatrists – a psychiatrist is rst of all quali ed as a medical doctor and then specialises in psychiatry. Psychiatrists study psychological disorders, diagnose patients and provide treatments. Clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists and other therapists are concerned with health issues – both physical and mental (psychopathology). Like psychiatrists, they may research, diagnose and treat clients. However, only a psychiatrist can prescribe medicine. Educational psychology Educational psychologists may be involved in designing, implementing and evaluating educational programmes for children with autism or dyslexia. They may also advise on how to deal with problem behaviour and may work directly with children who challenge the educational system. They are o en involved in using psychological tests, such as intelligence tests, to help diagnose educational or behavioural problems. Organisational psychology Also sometimes called industrial psychology, occupational psychology or business psychology – using psychological theory and research in the world of commerce, addressing the needs of employers, employees and consumers. An organisational psychologist might help human resources departments to interview applicants and nd the best person–organisation t. An organisational psychologist might also advise on strategies to improve sales by addressing customer needs or how to assess consumer satisfaction. The ‘organisation’ does not have to be commercial – the focus of the organisational psychologist is on how any organisation functions. Environmental psychology Environmental psychology studies the interaction between people and their environment, i.e. their surroundings. The physical and human environment affects our behaviour, feelings, health and performance. Environmental psychologists might advise on the design of cities or buildings or office work spaces, including schools and hospitals as well as businesses. They are also concerned with ways to encourage people to care more for the environment. Research psychology Many psychologists work in universities, teaching students but also pursuing their own research interests. Psychologists study everything about people – and what could be more interesting than people? Just look in any newspaper or on Facebook – full of stories about people’s behaviour. These stories tell us about what people are doing and try to explain why they do the things they do – for example, reporting that someone had been married for 60 years, and offering an explanation about why their marriage was so successful. Or reporting that a person had committed a terrorist act and trying to explain that. But psychology is more than just everyday interest in people… … Psychology is a science This means it is a systematic investigation of what people do and why. This systematic investigation involves two things: 1. Developing theories to explain why people do things. In Unit 1 you will be studying the main approaches (theories) in psychology. 2. Conducting research studies to collect evidence of what people actually do. In Unit 2 you will be studying the research process. Science is not perfect. Science takes small steps towards gradually getting at the ‘truth’. This is where evaluation comes in – at all times scientists must question and retest their ideas. But science is more than knowledge and evaluation… … Science is applied We depend on science to govern our world. Without science we could not develop safe and effective methods to treat disease, build bridges or buildings that don’t fall down, try to forecast dangerous weather conditions, develop successful methods to deal with criminal behaviour and so on. Psychological theory and research have a very large number of applications. → Physical health – advising the medical profession about, for example, how to best explain treatments to patients so they will remember what to do. If you go on to study BTEC Level 3 Extended certi cate in Psychology, you will study Health psychology . → Mental health – developing treatments for depression or anorexia and so on. This involves testing both psychological therapies and physical treatments such as the use of drugs. If you go on to study BTEC Level 3 Extended certi cate in Psychology, you have the option to study Psychopathology which is concerned with mental health. The following three branches of psychology are also options for the extended certi cate. → Criminal and forensic psychology Theories and approaches in psychology are applied to explain why some people become criminals. Psychological approaches are also used to develop successful methods to reduce reoffending and to research strategies to help the police solve crimes. → Child psychology is concerned with explaining how and why people change as they develop from birth through to adolescence. → Sport psychology Any sportsperson will tell you that winning is all in the mind. Yes, you do have to have certain skills but in the end it is the winning mindset that makes the difference between success and failure. Studying people (and animals). Any job involving people involves psychology – even mind reading . But psychology does not teach you to actually read minds, it teaches you about what people are likely to think and do. Dyscalculia – trouble with numbers. Perhaps a psychologist can help. Designed by a psychologist? Research shows people recover more quickly if they have a nice view from their hospital room (Ulrich 1984). What’s the ethics of using psychology to boost sales or win more votes? All practising psychologists must be registered with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and must show respect, competence, responsibility and integrity. So they can use psychology to make more money as long as they behave ethically in doing so. Health psychology Child psychology Sport psychology Criminal and forensic psychology 6 7

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