What Psychologists Do
Industrial-organizational psychologists apply psychological research and methods to workplace issues.
Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and to their environments. They use their findings to help improve processes and behaviors.
Psychologists typically do the following:
- Study behavior and brain function by observing, interviewing, and surveying individuals
- Identify psychological, emotional, behavioral, or organizational issues and diagnose disorders
- Research and identify behavioral or emotional issues, such as anxiety and depression
- Test for patterns that will help them better understand and predict behavior
- Discuss the results of testing with clients or their families and, if needed, develop treatment plans
- Write articles, research papers, and reports to share findings
Psychologists seek to understand and explain thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Through techniques such as observation, assessment, and experimentation, they try to gain a better understanding about how beliefs and feelings influence people.
Psychologists often gather information and evaluate behavior through controlled laboratory experiments, psychoanalysis, or psychotherapy. They may administer personality, performance, aptitude, or intelligence tests. They look for patterns of behavior or relationships between events, and they use this information in their research or when treating clients.
The following are examples of types of psychologists:
Clinical and counseling psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. They help people deal with problems ranging from everyday issues to severe, chronic conditions.
Clinical and counseling psychologists typically interview clients, administer diagnostic tests, and provide psychotherapy to individuals, families, and groups. They help clients identify their strengths and available resources to prevent or manage problems, and they design behavior modification plans that they help clients to implement.
Clinical and counseling psychologists sometimes work with a specific population, such as older people, or focus on a specific condition, such as cognitive disorders. Some states permit clinical psychologists to prescribe medication.
Industrial–organizational psychologists apply psychological principles to solve workplace problems and improve work-life quality. They study issues such as productivity, employee testing and selection, and organizational dynamics. They may work closely with top executives, training and development managers, and training and development specialists.
School psychologists study strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental problems that impact students’ learning. They may design and implement performance plans, evaluate performance, and counsel students and families. They may consult with teachers, administrators, and other educators.
Other psychologists include forensic psychologists, who work with judges, attorneys, and related specialists to understand the psychological aspects of a legal case; neuropsychologists, who study how dysfunction or damage to the brain, spine, or nerves affects behavior and cognition; and rehabilitation psychologists, who help foster independence in clients who have physical or developmental disabilities due to illness or injury.
Psychologists are among several specialists who focus on mental and behavioral health. For more information about some of these specialists, see the profiles on psychiatrists, a type of physician; marriage and family therapists, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, and social workers.