The Handy Psychology Answer Book. Lisa J. Cohen

scientific accuracy, it does not make for easy reading. Therefore, we put the reference list at the back of the book. Readers who are interested in learning more about any particular area can look up the relevant references for more information.

      WHO IS THIS BOOK INTENDED FOR?

      As part of the “Handy Answer Book” series, this book is intended for the general public. Anyone who has a passing interest in psychology could pick up this book to learn more about the field. Did you study psychology in college and always maintained an interest in it? Have you had personal experience with psychological problems, either in yourself or in your family? Are you thinking you might like to pursue a career in the mental health field? Or do you just wonder about why people behave the way they do?

      Although this book is intended for the general public, it can also be used to supplement traditional textbooks. If you want a quick review on Attachment Theory or Behaviorism, if you want to remind yourself of the basics of brain–behavior relationships, or if you want a quick introduction to key psychological theories, this book can be helpful for you.

      Whatever your reasons for picking up this book, I hope that you can put it down with a better appreciation of just how fascinating psychology can be and how important to everyday life.

      INTRODUCING PSYCHOLOGY

      THE BASICS

      What is psychology?

      Psychology involves the systematic study of mind and behavior. This extremely broad topic covers questions of thought and emotion, normal and abnormal behavior, mental health and mental illness, the individual and the group, and people functioning in their everyday lives.

      How does psychology relate to everyday life?

      Psychology relates to every part of everyday life. The questions of psychology relate to how and why we love and suffer and desire, how we raise our children, how and why we succeed or fail at work. Psychology also relates to why we are so fascinated with celebrities and why their marriages so often fail. While the science of psychology may seem abstract at times, the implications touch every arena in which people think, feel, or act.

      How does psychology interact with biology and sociology?

      The human mind does not function in isolation. It exists within both a biological and a social context. Therefore psychology serves as an interface between biology, specifically the biology of the brain, and sociology, the study of the behavior of groups.

      What do psychologists do?

      Psychology is a remarkably varied field, involving both the performance of scientific research and the application of its findings. Psychologists work as scientists, clinicians, teachers, authors, consultants, and evaluators. They perform empirical research, provide therapy and assessment, and evaluate mental status or disability in numerous settings, such as the government, schools, and the judicial system. Psychologists also consult on wide-ranging problems for businesses, schools, the military, the police force, sports teams and even rock bands. As the study of human behavior, psychology can potentially apply to any field of human endeavor.

      What is the major professional association of American psychologists?

      The American Psychological Association (APA) was founded in 1892 and has 134,000 members in 2015. There are 56 divisions covering the wide range of activities within the field. The APA is the oldest and largest psychological association in the world.

      What is the difference between psychologists and psychiatrists?

      The responsibilities of psychologists and psychiatrists often overlap; both psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose and evaluate mental illness, provide psychotherapy, and conduct research. Nonetheless, their background and training differ considerably. In general, psychologists are students of the mind and behavior while psychiatrists are experts in mental illness. Psychologists are trained in academia and their highest degree is the doctorate (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology. They do not prescribe medicine, unless they are certified by the few states that have prescription privileges for psychologists. Moreover, not all psychologists are involved with clinical work. In contrast, psychiatrists are trained in the medical field. They are all physicians, having completed medical school and having obtained an M.D. (or D.O.). Their training is almost entirely clinical and focuses on the evaluation and pharmacological treatment (i.e., medication) of severe mental illness.

      What are the divisions of the American Psychological Association?

      The APA is divided into the following interest groups, known as divisions.

      1. Society for General Psychology

      2. Society for the Teaching of Psychology

      3. Experimental Psychology

      5. Evaluation, Measurement and Statistics

      6. Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology

      7. Developmental Psychology

      8. Society for Personality and Social Psychology

      9. Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI)

      10. Society for the Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts

      12. Society of Clinical Psychology

      13. Society of Consulting Psychology

      14. Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology

      15. Educational Psychology

      16. School Psychology

      17. Society of Counseling Psychology

      18. Psychologists in Public Service

      19. Society for Military Psychology

      20. Adult Development and Aging

      21. Applied Experimental and Engineering Psychology

      22. Rehabilitation Psychology

      23. Society for Consumer Psychology

      24. Society for Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology

      25. Behavior Analysis

      26. Society for the History of Psychology

      27. Society for Community Research and Action: Division of Community Psychology

      28. Psychopharmacology and Substance Abuse

      29. Psychotherapy

      30. Society of Psychological Hypnosis

      31. State, Provincial and Territorial Psychological Association Affairs

      32. Society for Humanistic Psychology

      33. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

      34. Society for Environmental, Population and Conservation Psychology

      35. Society for the Psychology of Women

      36. Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality

      37. Society for Child and Family Policy and Practice

      38. Health Psychology

      39. Psychoanalysis

      40. Society for Clinical Neuropsychology

      41. American Psychology-Law Society

      42. Psychologists in Independent Practice