What are the 8 core types of psychology?
This article was updated on November 30, 2023.
Written by Michael Feder
Reviewed by Christina Neider, EdD, Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
The 8 different types of psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and human behavior. It is a multifaceted discipline that concerns all aspects of human experience, from the workings of the human brain to the environmental and social factors that influence behavior.
Within psychology, there are subfields, including applied psychology and forensic psychology. Each takes its own approach and makes its own contributions to our understanding of the human mind and human behavior. And while the subfields have different foci, they share a common goal: to understand why people think, feel and behave the way they do.
If you're considering a degree in psychology, it's essential to know the different subfields. By understanding the differences, you can identify which area best aligns with your interests and abilities. Armed with this knowledge, you can choose the right in-person or online psychology courses to set yourself up for success in your chosen career path.
1. Abnormal psychology
Abnormal psychology specializes in the study of behavioral deviations. These include atypical behaviors, emotions and thoughts. Abnormal psychology researchers seek to understand why these deviations occur and how best to treat them.
Psychologists focus on such aspects of life as:
- Societal interactions
- Role expectations
- Interpersonal relationships
Abnormal behavior can seem like a subjective term, but clinical psychologists in this field use some general markers to identify it. If the behavior causes distress to a person or those around them, and if it interferes with their ability to participate in their normal life, then it might be considered abnormal.
This area of psychology focuses on differentiating between maladaptive and adaptive behaviors. This is the difference between behaviors that are beneficial in the short term versus those that are in fact beneficial in the long term. Some of the disorders studied in this field are:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive disorders
- Eating disorders
- Personality disorders
2. Behavioral psychology
Behavioral psychology focuses on studying observable behaviors. Behavioral psychology researchers seek to understand why certain behaviors occur and how best to change them. The main focus of behavioral psychologists is to find ways to change problematic behaviors through:
- Observation
- Experimentation
- Analysis
Behavioral psychologists work in a variety of settings, such as:
- Hospitals
- Universities
- Private practices
- Government agencies
John Watson is generally considered the father of behavioral psychology. Behaviorists emphasize how “stimuli,” or the interactions between a subject and their environment, enforce or punish certain behavior. Behavioral psychology has applications in clinical psychology and research settings.
Biopsychology focuses on studying the biological bases of behavior and mental processes. Biopsychology researchers seek to understand how the structure and function of the brain and nervous system influence behavior. These psychologists are scientists who study:
- Genes
- Neurotransmitters
- Hormones
Typically, a biopsychologist works with patients who have:
- Brain injuries
- Alzheimer's disease
- Parkinson's disease
- Epilepsy
Many jobs in this field require a doctorate in biopsychology or a related field such as neuroscience. Although many biopsychologists work in academic and private research facilities, they may also work in marketing, education, technology or politics.
4. Cognitive psychology
Cognitive psychology focuses on studying mental processes. These include perception, memory, language and thinking. Cognitive psychology researchers seek to understand how people process information and how these processes influence behavior. These psychologists study:
- Attention
- Decision-making
- Learning
- Memory
- Problem-solving
Cognitive psychologists work in a variety of settings, such as:
- Hospitals
- Universities
- Private practices
- Government agencies
A career path in cognitive psychology includes clinical psychology work as a mental health counselor or licensed professional counselor. A Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a common prerequisite for this kind of work. Many students, however, go on to obtain a doctoral degree.
5. Developmental psychology
Developmental psychology focuses on studying human development. In other words, how do people develop physically, emotionally and mentally throughout their life span? Developmental psychologists study:
- Physical development such as motor skills and sensory processing
- Cognitive development such as moral understanding, language and problem-solving
- Emotional development in terms of self-esteem, emotional self-regulation and empathy
- Social development in terms of self-concept, relationships, prosocial behavior and altruism
- Personality development such as identity information, temperament and self-efficacy
Developmental psychologists work in various positions as both clinical psychologists and general therapy roles such as:
- Teachers
- Counselors
- Social workers
- School psychologists
- Child psychologists
6. Forensic psychology
Forensic psychology applies psychological principles to the criminal justice system. It explores how psychological knowledge might be used to investigate and evaluate legal issues and matters relating to crime and procedure.
Forensic psychologists work in many different settings, such as:
- Courts
- Police departments
- Prisons
- Probation and parole offices
- Private practices
- Child protective services
The goal of forensic psychology is to come to conclusions that help inform legal arguments without interrupting the process. As a result, there is a great focus on resolving the conflicts between psychological ethics and legal requirements.
This work can involve making observations and conducting interviews with people involved in a case. Forensic psychologists may be responsible for summarizing and reporting a psychological profile to the judge and jury.
That isn’t to say that forensic psychologists do not occupy any health psychology or clinical psychology roles. Their familiarity with criminal cases puts them in a unique position to provide counsel to victims of violent crimes.
For work in the field of forensic psychology, students must complete an accredited doctoral program and pass a state licensing exam.
7. Social psychology
Social psychology studies how people interact with each other and how they behave in groups. It focuses on the factors that influence social behavior, such as:
- Attitudes
- Beliefs
- Emotions
- Evaluations
- Interpersonal relationships
Social psychologists seek to understand and explain how people's thoughts, feelings and actions are impacted by the actual, mental or imagined presence of others. Social psychologists work in many different settings, such as:
- Academic institutions
- Businesses
- Government agencies
- Nonprofit organizations
Social psychologists typically need a doctoral degree and a state licensing credential to work in this field, particularly when their duties intersect with clinical psychology. However, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs in social work generally require a bachelor’s or master's degree.
8. Industrial-organizational psychology
Industrial-organizational psychology applies psychological principles to organizations. It focuses on how people interact with each other and how they behave in the workplace. Industrial-organizational psychologists operate in many different settings, such as:
- Human resources departments
- Training and development departments
- Management consulting firms
- Private companies
- Government
The typical focus of an industrial-organizational psychologist is not an individual but rather a group of people. Industrial-organizational psychologists use their knowledge to help organizations improve their productivity and effectiveness.
Industrial-organizational psychology helps businesses keep morale high, which in turn can help boost productivity within an organization.
Industrial-organizational psychologists can tackle a multitude of duties. They can help in the hiring process by defining the optimal psychological profile of the perfect candidate. They can define success metrics and help managers identify where certain employees are struggling and where things can be improved.
A common educational journey in industrial-organizational psychology begins with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. As a next step, students can pursue a Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology degree. However, depending on a student’s desired career path, a PhD in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) may be required.
Bachelor of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
The Bachelor of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology focuses on applying psychological principles to managing employee work performance and interactions.
Similarly, the Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology expands on such principles for an in-depth knowledge of workplace culture and motivation.
Career outcomes for students pursuing degrees in industrial-organizational psychology can include:
Human resources specialist
These professionals are involved in recruiting, screening and interviewing job applicants. As of May 2023, it's reported that human resources specialists earned between $42,900 and $121,800, with a median wage of $67,650, according to BLS.
The salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location, and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level, or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.
Training and development specialist
Specialists in training and development work to enhance the skill set of an employee group through various methods including learning and development. As of May 2023, training and development specialists earned between $36,050 and $116,140, with a median wage of $64,340, according to BLS.
Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology
University of Phoenix also offers a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology with a concentration in Media and Technology. By focusing on the ways media and technology can influence behavior, this degree program offers foundational knowledge that can be applied to industries ranging from business to government to education.
With this degree, a person might pursue a variety of career options, including work as a communication specialist. According to BLS, public relations specialists work to shape public perception about a company or organization through multiple communication channels. The national salary range was $37,020 to $124,620 in May 2021, according to BLS.
Those looking to gain a deeper understanding of human behavior may also consider pursuing a Master of Science in Psychology after completing a qualifying bachelor’s degree program. At University of Phoenix, the master of psychology program explores the ways psychological principles can be applied to personal, social and organizational challenges.
Psychology is a complex and diverse field with many specialties. Pursuing a career in psychology can be rewarding, as you will have the opportunity to help people in a variety of ways.
Interested in the inner workings of the human mind? Consider a psychology degree from University of Phoenix!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and its Writing Seminars program and winner of the Stephen A. Dixon Literary Prize, Michael Feder brings an eye for detail and a passion for research to every article he writes. His academic and professional background includes experience in marketing, content development, script writing and SEO. Today, he works as a multimedia specialist at University of Phoenix where he covers a variety of topics ranging from healthcare to IT.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Christina Neider is the dean of the University of Phoenix College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Neider’s career spans more than 30 years in academia, healthcare and the U.S. Air Force. She has held several academic leadership roles at University of Phoenix, and she is the Vice President of membership for the Arizona Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.
This article has been vetted by University of Phoenix's editorial advisory committee.
Read more about our editorial process.
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