
Psychologists
study the human mind and human behavior. Research psychologists
investigate the physical, cognitive, emotional, or social aspects of
human behavior. Psychologists in health service fields provide mental
health care in hospitals, clinics, schools, or private settings.
Psychologists employed in applied settings, such as business, industry,
government, or nonprofit organizations, provide training, conduct
research, design organizational systems, and act as advocates for
psychology.
Like other social scientists, psychologists formulate hypotheses and
collect data to test their validity. Research methods vary with the
topic under study. Psychologists sometimes gather information through
controlled laboratory experiments or by administering personality,
performance, aptitude, or intelligence tests. Other methods include
observation, interviews, questionnaires, clinical studies, and surveys.
Psychologists apply their
knowledge to a wide range of endeavors, including health and human
services, management, education, law, and sports. They usually
specialize in one of a number of different areas.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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