The science of psychology

The science of psychology benefits society and enhances our lives. Psychologists examine the relationships between brain function and behavior, and the environment and behavior, applying what they learn to illuminate our understanding and improve the world around us.

The Go-To Science

Curiosity is part of human nature. One of the first questions children learn to ask is “why?” As adults, we continue to wonder. Using empirical methods, psychologists apply that universal curiosity to collect and interpret research data to better understand and solve some of society’s most challenging problems.

It’s difficult, if not impossible, to think of a facet of life where psychology is not involved. Psychologists employ the scientific method — stating the question, offering a theory and then constructing rigorous laboratory or field experiments to test the hypothesis. Psychologists apply the understanding gleaned through research to create evidence-based strategies that solve problems and improve lives.

The result is that psychological science unveils new and better ways for people to exist and thrive in a complex world.

Psychologists in Action

Helping Organizations

As an organizational psychologist, Dr. Eduardo Salas studies people where they work — examining what they do and how they make decisions.

Working in Schools

Dr. Kathleen Kremer knows a thing or two about fun. Using psychological science, she studies user attitudes, behaviors and emotions to learn what makes a child love a toy.

    

Science in Action

Psychology is a varied field. Psychologists conduct basic and applied research, serve as consultants to communities and organizations, diagnose and treat people, and teach future psychologists and those who will pursue other disciplines. They test intelligence and personality.

Many psychologists work as health care providers. They assess behavioral and mental function and well-being. Other psychologists study how human beings relate to each other and to machines, and work to improve these relationships.

The application of psychological research can decrease the economic burden of disease on government and society as people learn how to make choices that improve their health and well-being. The strides made in educational assessments are helping students with learning disabilities. Psychological science helps educators understand how children think, process and remember — helping to design effective teaching methods. Psychological science contributes to justice by helping the courts understand the minds of criminals, evidence and the limits of certain types of evidence or testimony.

The science of psychology is pervasive. Psychologists work in some of the nation’s most prominent companies and organizations. From Google, Boeing and NASA to the federal government, national health care organizations and research groups to Cirque du Soleil, Disney and NASCAR — psychologists are there, playing important roles.

Subfields

Brain Science and Cognitive Psychology

Brain science and cognitive psychologists study how the human mind thinks, remembers and learns. They apply psychological science to understand how we make decisions and perceive our world.

Climate and Environmental Psychology

Climate and environmental psychologists use psychological science to improve the interactions of people with the world around us.

Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychologists integrate the science of psychology with the treatment of complex human problems.

Counseling Psychology

Counseling psychologists focus on facilitating personal and interpersonal functioning across the lifespan.

Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychologists study how people grow and adapt over the course of their lives. They apply their research to help people overcome developmental challenges and reach their full potential.

Experimental Psychology

Experimental psychologists use science to explore the processes behind human and animal behavior.

Forensic and Public Service Psychology

Forensic and public service psychologists use psychological science to support the judicial system and other organizations dedicated to public safety. Their expertise and assessments are important in a range of issues that straddle the psychology and legal fields, from mental competence to youth testimony.

Health Psychology

Health psychologists use the science of psychology to promote health, prevent illness and improve health care. They get to the root of people’s emotions to help them make healthy choices.

Human Factors and Engineering Psychology

Human factors and engineering psychologists strive to make everyday experiences easier, more comfortable and less frustrating by applying the psychological science of human behavior to the products, systems and devices we use every day.

Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Industrial and organizational psychologists use science to study human behavior in organizations and the workplace.

Psychology of Teaching and Learning

Psychologists working in education study how people learn and retain knowledge. They apply psychological science to improve the learning process and promote educational success for all students.

Quantitative Psychology

Quantitative psychologists study and develop the methods and techniques used to measure human behavior and other attributes. Their work involves the statistical and mathematical modeling of psychological processes, the design of research studies and the analysis of psychological data.

Rehabilitation Psychology

Rehabilitation psychologists study individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions and help to improve their overall quality of life.

Social Psychology

Social psychologists use psychological science to understand how we perceive ourselves in relation to the rest of the world and how this perception affects our choices, behaviors and beliefs.

Sport and Performance Psychology

Sport and performance psychologists use science to study human behavior and abilities in sport, exercise and performance. They help people overcome psychological barriers that can impede their achievements and professional success.