Jobs in Psychology

Psychologists who enjoy working with children may want to consider a career in child psychology. Working with children requires different techniques and approaches than working with adults. Children are often unaware they have a problem that is impacting their development. Parents may notice something is not quite right with their child and decide to take him to a psychologist. A child psychologist can listen to what parents say, but that often does not solve the issue. The psychologist must find a way to work with a child and get him to open up. Only then, can the situation be improved.

Child psychologists will work with children as young as infants all the way through adolescence. Their training focuses heavily on the normal developmental patterns for a child. Parents may notice their child is not demonstrating expected cognitive or behavioral development for his age. A psychologist can diagnosis and provide treatment for developmental disorders. Some children may have learning disabilities. Child psychologists can administer a battery of tests to determine what might be causing the problem, along with providing suggestions to improve the child's learning experiences.

Psychology Job Search

These psychologists may often deal with some pretty heavy issues. Unfortunately, life is not perfect for all children. Children may experience the death of a loved one, go through a divorce, or have trouble adjusting to a new city. Children are not immune to mental health disorders either. Children can be diagnosed with anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disease, or depression. A child psychologist can help a child work through these issues to lessen the impact of them on his life. Psychologists will also often work with social workers counseling children who have been victims of child abuse.

Psychologists who choose this profession need to have a knack for dealing with children. These individuals need to be able to communicate with children regardless of their age and make a child feel comfortable. Child psychologists need to be patient, compassionate, and sensitive. These characteristics will greatly increase treatment success. Children aren't always able to describe what they are feeling. A child psychologist will use techniques such as drawing, role playing, and even music to help diagnosis a problem. Many times a child's parents will also be involved in the course of treatment. Again, sensitivity is a must. Most parents will have a hard time accepting that they may be part of the problem.

To become a child psychologist, you will need to earn at least a master's degree in psychology. However, most of these jobs will go to those holding a doctoral psychology degree. Many states will require a license to practice in their state. Child psychology jobs can be found in private practices, hospitals, clinics, and even some schools. The government estimates that in 2009 the average median salary for a child psychologist was $55,000. Keep in mind, earning potential will be determined by your psychology degrees, experience, and job location.

Clinical psychology forms one of the most popular psychology fields in which to work. A career in this branch of psychology will allow you to work one-on-one with patients and apply many of the theories and concepts you spent years studying. Clinical psychologists will work with a wide variety of patients, including those with severe debilitating mental health disorders. These psychologists will work with each patient to assess and diagnose the problem, and then provide a course of treatment. They will also help patients modify their behavior to prevent future problems.

Some clinical psychologists will choose to specialize in a particular mental health disorder such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia, which require a much more intensive treatment course. Many times psychologists will work together with psychiatrists to treat these patients. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication, but psychiatrists can. Clinical psychologists who treat these patients must be emotionally stable, compassionate, and patient. It can be very hard watching a person suffer through a debilitating mental health disorder. But, it is very rewarding for you and the patient as he begins to make improvements and is able to lead a more normal life.

There are many clinical psychologists, however, who choose to not specialize in a particular mental health disorder. They treat a wide variety of conditions, including personal problems, and may also provide counseling services. Many less-debilitating psychological problems do not need to be treated with medication. Psychologists will make suggestions on ways to modify behavior or suggest ways to view situations differently.

The majority of clinical psychologists will work in private practice. However, some will choose to work in hospitals, clinics, drug rehabilitation centers, or crisis centers. These clinical psychologists may work with patients who have suffered a stroke, spinal cord injury, or neurological disorder. They may work with recovering addicts. A small portion of clinical psychologists will choose to work in academia. Many times, after years of practicing in the field, these psychologists want to return to academia to teach up-and-coming psychology students.

You will need to earn a doctoral psychology degree to become a clinical psychologist. Plus, states will require you to earn a license to practice. The federal government estimates a positive job outlook for clinical psychology. People will continue to seek the services of clinical psychologists for help with mental health disorders. The government also estimates people will turn to clinical psychologists for assistance in improving unhealthy lifestyles such as alcoholism, smoking, and obesity. The American Psychology Association estimates the average salary for a clinical psychologist is $64,000. However, many people in this field work in private practice. Your income potential will be determined by the number of patients you choose to see.

Cognitive psychology focuses on internal mental processes. Cognitive psychologists will study thinking, perception, decision-making, memory, and judgment. They will examine how a person gathers, processes, stores, and recalls information. It wasn't until the mid 20th century that cognitive psychology began gaining prominence in the field. Until then, behaviorism was the dominant theory. Behaviorism assumes that conditioning causes a person's actions. Cognitive psychology assumes there is a connection between the brain and behavior.

Many cognitive psychologists will find careers as researchers. This branch of psychology prefers using research methods to prove their theories. Other branches, like clinical psychology, may use observation methods to prove their theories. Cognitive psychologists will usually use human subjects to conduct their research. They may conduct experiments to see how memory can be improved. They may conduct experiments to better understand why some people can recall information more quickly than others. Research studies might be conducted to see what drives decision-making. Cognitive psychologists can also find positions at colleges and universities. They may be involved in teaching, conducting research, or writing academic journals.

Businesses also employ cognitive psychologists. Companies want their employees to perform at their peak. Cognitive psychologists will work with managers to improve the working environment and develop strategies to help employees improve their job performance. When marketing departments study consumer behavior to build marketing campaigns, cognitive psychologists may be brought in to explain what affects a consumer's decision-making process.

Cognitive psychologists work with Alzheimer patients and their families. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, debilitating condition where a person begins losing his memory. Psychologists will work with patients to develop strategies to improve cognitive functioning. They may also work with children who are struggling in school by providing children and parents with techniques to improve memory, as well as suggesting different study strategies.

The majority of cognitive psychology jobs will require you to earn either a master's or doctoral psychology degree. A cognitive psychologist's earning potential will be determined by the degree held, the type of organization where you choose to work, and experience. The average cognitive psychologist's salary is $55,00. With over twenty years of work experience, the average salary will rise to $92,000. A cognitive psychologist's average salary is lower than other branches of psychology. Growth for this branch is mixed. Job growth is anticipated for positions in businesses. However, many people in this field will work at universities in research or faculty departments. In good and in tough economic times, competition can be stiff for university positions.

Developmental psychology studies a human's development through every stage of life. Throughout life, there are major physical, cognitive, and social milestones a person should achieve. Developmental psychologists work with and study infants, young children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. These psychologists need to demonstrate a high level of patience, compassion, and sensitivity.

This branch of psychology studies one of the oldest debates. Does nature or nurture impact a child's upbringing? Most psychologists feel that it is a combination of both, but the research continues. Developmental psychologists will examine topics about the role life experiences play in development, the correlation between genetics and the environment, and the causes of abnormal development patterns.

Parents closely watch their child's development to ensure that she is meeting physical and cognitive milestones. When parents see their child is not developing on schedule, they may decide to consult a developmental psychologist. These psychologists can administer a battery of tests to measure a child's cognitive development. They develop exercises to measure a child's social development, and they will use their biology training to measure physical development. Many times the problems will be miniscule. Some children just do not develop as quickly as other children, but others do have serious developmental problems. Children may suffer from autism, obsessive compulsive disorders, dyslexia, or stuttering. Developmental psychologists work with these children to develop strategies to lessen the impact of these disorders, and parents form be an integral part of treatment.

Developmental psychologists also work with the elderly. As we age, our cognitive functions may not remain as sharp as they once were, and physical challenges can impact patients' lives. These psychologists will work with the elderly and help them develop techniques and strategies to keep their mind and bodies sharp.

A person holding a master's psychology degree may be able to find developmental psychology jobs, but the majority of these jobs will require a doctoral psychology degree. Many of these jobs will require a state license in order to practice. Over 40% of developmental psychologists work in a private practice, which will also require a license. Jobs can also be found in research laboratories, schools, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and clinics.

The outlook for job growth is positive. The federal government estimates that developmental psychology job opportunities will increase at a rate of 12% during the next ten years. Income potential is high and will be based on your experience and the place you choose to practice developmental psychology. Self-employed psychologists will have the highest income opportunities.

If you enjoy researching different theories or designing experiments, then consider a career in experimental psychology. Experimental psychologists conduct and design research to study animal and human behavior in areas such as cognition, motivation, social behavior, personality, physiology, sensation, learning, emotion, sensation, and social behavior.

The world of psychology is constantly evolving and experimental psychologists play a large role. Existing psychology theories are constantly being researched and updated. New theories, prevention methods, and treatment courses are being designed and researched in laboratories throughout the world. There will never be a shortage of research projects for an experimental psychologist.

These psychologists will be responsible for designing, conducting, and presenting the results of their research studies. They will have to carefully select subjects for their experiments. Depending on the type of subject matter being researched, experimental psychologists may use animal or human subjects. It is imperative that these psychologists adhere to the strong ethics code established by the American Psychology Association. If subjects are treated unethically, the researcher will lose credibility in the field. Researchers must also take into account the powerful placebo effect.

Experimental psychologists will use a combination of research methods in their experiments. Some of the more popular methods are:

• Correlation: This method will indicate a relationship, but will not show the cause.
• Naturalistic Observation: Sometimes you can learn a lot about a person by just observing his behavior in a natural setting. You see how a person interacts with his peers and how he behaves when he thinks no one is watching. The downside is that you only see the current behavior. You are unable to ask probing questions about his thoughts or past behavior in similar situations.
• Case Studies: These became popular during Sigmund Freud's research. A case study will take a comprehensive look at a person's history. From that, a researcher should be able to see causes and effects. Not every person is the same which makes it hard to apply the research across a broad spectrum of people.
• Interviews: This is one of the most popular psychology research methods. When performing an interview, psychologists sit down with a subject and ask questions which can lead to more and more probing questions. However, interviews can be time-consuming and not everyone is truthful when answering questions

The experimental psychology field is very competitive. You will need to earn a doctoral psychology degree for many of these jobs. If you participated in or designed research projects during college, you may have an even better chance of landing a job. These jobs are mainly found in research labs and universities, but businesses and the government also use experimental psychologists. The government anticipates the field will experience better than average growth. An experimental psychologist, holding a Ph.D, can earn an average yearly salary of $87,000.

Perhaps you considered attending law school but your interest in psychology was stronger and you decided to pursue a psychology degree. There is a branch of psychology that will allow you to combine your two interests, forensic psychology. Forensic psychologists work as consultants or expert witnesses in the justice system. This branch of psychology is fast becoming one of the most popular areas in which to work.

Television shows like Criminal Minds show psychologists probing deep into the minds of killers, anticipating their next move before they strike again. In the real world, the life of a forensic psychologist is not that exciting. They may work with law enforcement agencies to help them understand what may have caused a person to commit a certain crime and their likelihood to commit another, but they seldom go in the field with law enforcement to prevent crimes.

Forensic psychologists may work in criminal court, civil court, or family court. Those working in criminal court may be called to testify about a defendant's mental state or be asked to describe causes for behaviors that are out of the defendant's control. They may also work with prosecution and defense witnesses, particularly children, prior to testimony.

Psychologists working in family court may work closely with social services, looking into child abuse cases or child custody issues. They will provide assessments of family situations and provide recommendations to the court. Civil courts do not hear criminal cases. These courts hear cases about disputes involving money, property, and even people. Forensic psychologists may be called to testify and give their opinions or provide competency assessments. In both civil and family court, these psychologists may be asked to provide therapy.

If you decide to pursue a career in forensic psychology, understand that you may deal with violent criminals who have committed horrific crimes. You may be involved with intense family situations and see the heartbreaking impact of domestic violence and child abuse. Make sure you can handle the emotional toll that working day after day with these issues can bring.

Since this branch of psychology is so popular, competition for jobs can be intense. Some positions will allow you to just have a master's degree, but most will require a doctoral degree. If you want to become an expert witness, you will need a doctoral psychology degree. Prosecutors and defense attorneys will put you on the stand to testify. They want someone who has the credentials to back up his testimony to make juries belief their side is correct.

Job growth for forensic psychologists is trending positively. More and more defense attorneys and prosecutors use psychologists to bolster their cases. What better way to convince a jury than with expert testimony? Many forensic psychologists will choose to become consultants, owning their own private forensic psychology practice. If you are in high demand, you could earn over $100,000 a year. If you decide to work directly for the police department or a social service agency, expect an average beginning salary of $40,000.

A health psychologist studies the role that psychology plays in a person's overall health. They may consider biological and social factors as they conduct studies on the relationship between stress and health. They will study how personality traits impact overall health. They may visit with patients helping them cope with the emotional issues associated with serious diseases.

This branch of psychology has seen an uptick in growth over the past decade. Americans continue to see a rise in health concerns such as obesity, smoking, diabetes, and heart disease. Psychologists who specialize in health will conduct research studies to discern any correlations between behavior and disease. Are American's genetically prone to these health issues or does an American's behavior increase the chances of developing these health issues? Government agencies may employ health psychologists to help design or promote public policies for healthy lifestyles.

Health psychologists often work with patients to curb unhealthy behaviors. People who need help losing weight or kicking the smoking habit may seek the services of a health psychologist. Many patients realize their actions are contributing to their health problems, but need help changing their behaviors. Through therapy, a health psychologist will be able to show patients how to modify their behaviors, leading to a more productive, healthier lifestyle. These psychologists may also be involved in interventions. If a patient cannot see the impact that his actions have on his life, psychologists can stage interventions with the help of family and friends.

Many health psychologists also work with patients experiencing a severe or terminal illness like cancer. Cancer patients not only have to fight the disease with surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy. These patients have to deal with all the emotions associated with this disease, including confronting the unknown. Psychologists will work with the patients, their family, and their friends to develop coping mechanisms.

If you are considering a career in health psychology, you will need to earn a doctoral psychology degree. Many of these jobs can be found in hospitals, clinics, or private practice. For those specializing in research, work can be found in businesses, universities, and the government. The job outlook for health psychologists is positive. The federal government anticipates job growth will increase at least 10% over the next ten years. Income potential will be based on the industry you work in and your experience. Average salaries for health psychologists are $64,140.

Industrial/organizational psychologists study psychology and the workplace. Businesses have discovered that using industrial psychologists can improve the overall work environment. Psychology does play a large role in the workplace. Consider all the different interactions an employee has each day. Why do some employees get along well with others while other employees interact poorly with co-workers? Why are some managers more successful than others? Is it their ability to interact well, their communication skills, training commitment, or cognitive abilities? These are questions industrial psychologists will assist a business in answering.

Businesses know that if they have a poor working environment their workers will be unhappy, less productive, and more likely to head for the exit door. Employee turnover can be a huge financial burden for companies. When an employee voluntarily chooses to leave, it can cost the company up to 150% of that person's salary. Why? Companies will have to recruit to fill the position, figure out a way to get the work done while the position is vacant, train a new employee, and wait and see the psychological impact of the person leaving the department. When one employee leaves, the floodgates may open, with many more employees exiting the company. Businesses want to make sure they hire employees who are likely to stay and work for an extended length of time. Plus, they want to ensure that their current employees are happy in their positions. Industrial/organizational psychologists can help a business with these situations.

Typically, industrial/ organizational psychologists work with the human resource department developing job applicant screening procedures. Businesses want to hire the right person for the job. Industrial psychologists work to develop interview questions designed to uncover an applicant's skills, personality, and ability to handle situations. They may also design or administer psychological tests to determine cognitive abilities or personality traits.

Many organizational psychologists work inside individual departments. They will study the employees using naturalistic observation methods. They can administer tests to determine if employees are working in positions suited to their skill sets. They make suggestions to boost employee productivity and recommend training programs. Many times, they will be brought in to determine why employee morale is so low. Through confidential interviews, they are likely to uncover the root causes. Higher morale will increase productivity and a company's profitability. Industrial psychologists also take on roles such as counselor, executive coach, and consultant.

Industrial/ organizational psychology is one branch of psychology where you do not need to have a doctoral degree to land decent-paying jobs. There are some industrial psychology jobs you can find with just a bachelor's degree, but most will require a master's psychology degree. Most of these jobs will be located inside businesses, but some industrial psychologists run their own consulting firms. The federal government anticipates growth in the industrial psychology field. The average salary for an industrial psychologist is $77,000. Remember, your salary will be dictated by your education, experience, and type of organization for which you work.

Neuropsychology studies the relationship between behavior and the central nervous system. Psychologists who choose to specialize in neuropsychology will not only become experts in psychology, they will also become well-versed in the neurological functions of the brain. Neuropsychologists will work together with medical doctors, since they themselves are unable to prescribe medications.

Patients will often seek the services of a neuropsychologist if they see changes with their cognitive abilities. The neuropsychologist will administer a battery of tests during the initial visit. These tests will measure a variety of skills including memory, fine motor dexterity, attention, concentration, visual organization, planning and organization, emotional functioning, and intellectual functioning. A treatment course will be designed to include cognitive and emotional therapies.

A neuropsychologist may work at hospitals or clinics helping patients with neurological disorders. People who have suffered head trauma, spinal cord injuries, brain tumors, or a stroke may be treated by a neuropsychologist. These patients might require help relearning basic motor and cognitive skills. A neuropsychologist can work with them to develop therapies to quicken their recovery.

Neuropyschologists are often employed by pharmaceutical companies. A pharmaceutical company must understand the impact of a drug on the brain. Some powerful drugs can change a person's personality or increase feelings of depression. These psychologists will conduct research trials to understand the impact of a drug on the central nervous system.

Some neuropsychologists will choose to work in academic research. They may study the relationship between neurological disorders and behavioral changes. Experiments may be conducted to test new therapies for stroke patients. They may look at the correlation between neurology and criminal behavior. Research studies may be conducted on memory loss and the nervous system. There is no limit to the amount of research a neuropsychologist can do, which makes this branch of psychology so fascinating.

Neuropsychology is a very specialized branch of psychology. Jobs can be found in hospitals, health-related organizations, universities, and in private practices. Most neuropsychologists will be required to earn a license in order to practice. You will need to earn a doctoral psychology degree to find work in this field. There are very few, if any, neuropsychology jobs for those holding just a bachelor's or master's degree. The federal government estimates job growth will remain positive for this branch of psychology. A neuropsychologist's average salary is $90,460 when working in a hospital or organization. Neuropsychologists who have their own practice average $127,000 per year.

Many people who choose to earn a psychology degree will work at hospitals, in private practices, or for businesses. There is another career path to consider- a college psychology professor. Psychology professors can be found on virtually every college campus across the country. Professors can teach bachelor's level, master's level, or doctoral level courses. They can be involved in research projects and develop new theories in the field.

The main role of a psychology professor is to teach students. Professors must constantly keep up-to-date on the latest trends in psychology, the latest research studies, and the newest treatments. Professors need to inform and educate students so they can go out in the field and have productive professional careers. A college professor's job is more involved than a middle school or high school teacher. A professor must take very complex subject matter and present the material in a way that students can understand and apply to real-world situations. Class sizes may vary. Professors may teach a small class or an auditorium filled with hundreds of students. Teaching methods will need to be adjusted based on the student ratio.

Psychology professors will always hold office hours. Students may come to them for advice or suggestions on career goals. Many students will ask professors to help with course selection based on career paths they want to pursue. Some may come to seek help on topics discussed during class. Professors may also write letters of recommendation for students.

Psychology professors will additionally be engaged in research studies. Many professors will only teach a few classes each semester. This gives them the opportunity to be engaged in research related to the courses they teach. Many times, through the course of teaching, a professor will discover a concept that needs more study or research. They can be involved in securing funding, designing the experiment, conducting the study, and presenting the results. Professors who are engaged in research will be able to present more relevant, interesting material to students. Professors also frequently write for psychology journals. They may review others' research studies or present the results of their own work.

Deciding to become a college psychology professor can lead to a very rewarding career. You will be constantly learning, teaching burgeoning psychologists, and engaged in research. Competition for these jobs can be tough since turnover in this field is very low. You will need to earn a doctoral psychology degree to be eligible for these positions. A professor's salary is based on the type of school, public or private, where he teach, as well as his tenure status.

People can visit a variety of different types of psychologists to gain help with psychological problems. People will often choose to see a psychotherapist when they feel lost, unsure, or fear continue repeating patterns of bad behavior. Psychotherapists will use a variety of methods to treat patients. Psychotherapy is a type of treatment that uses conversations or interviews to diagnosis and treat patients. Psychotherapy does not use any type of biological treatment during patient sessions.

A psychotherapist sees patients struggling with a variety of problems. There is not one particular psychological disorder that a psychotherapist treats. A patient may suffer from an anxiety disorder. This patient once enjoyed friends, family, and work, but is now terrified to leave the house. During the initial visit, a psychotherapist will have a detailed conversation with the patient, asking probing questions to try to reveal the true cause of the anxiety disorder. Patients may reveal much information or reveal too little. It is the goal of a psychotherapist to provide insight to a patient and help the patient see he can successfully modify his behavior to live a more fulfilling life.

Psychotherapists must be compassionate, sensitive, trustworthy, and patient in order to successfully treat clients. Some patients will see a psychotherapist for years. Other patients will see a psychotherapist only a few times. It all depends on the type of psychological problem the patient suffers from and how well the patient responds to treatment. Patients need to be able to trust their therapist. In order for therapy to be successful, patients must be able to open up to their therapists.

There are a wide variety of methods psychotherapists use to treat patients. Here are some of the more popular psychotherapy techniques and methods that are used:

• Insight Therapy: This therapy assumes that a person's psychological well-being is based on understanding a person's thoughts, emotions, behavior, motives, and coping patterns.
• Psychoanalysis: Sigmund Freud developed this technique which uses free association, dream analysis, and transference to uncover repressed impulses or memories.
• Rational Emotive Therapy: This is a more confrontational form of therapy which will challenge a patient's irrational thoughts in order to modify behavior.

In order to become a psychotherapist, you will need to earn a doctoral psychology degree. Since a psychotherapist counsels patients, you will also need to earn a license in the state in which you plan to practice. Psychotherapists can find jobs in private practices, hospitals, clinics, and drug or alcohol rehabilitation centers. The federal government estimates that the demand for psychotherapists will continue to increase over the next ten years. Those psychotherapists working in private practice will usually have higher income earning potential than those working directly for an organization.

Today, children face more and more pressures at school and at home, so schools across the country are employing psychologists. School psychologists will work with students to help them achieve their full potential, as well as to help them succeed in all aspects of life, not just academics.

School psychologists work with students on a variety of issues. Some children do not like going to school. They may be afraid of school because the work is too difficult for them or they are having trouble interacting with classmates. These children will often work with a school psychologist, developing strategies to help overcome learning barriers and devise confidence-building exercises. School issues are not the only issues with which a school psychologist assists. Children may have trouble at home due to illness, divorce, or death. They may feel anxious, depressed, or turn to alcohol. Psychologists will work these children and their families, devising strategies to help them cope more effectively with the situation.

Teachers will also work with school psychologists. These psychologists may suggest ways to improve the classroom environment. Perhaps a teacher is having trouble with disruptive students in the classroom. A school psychologist can help the teacher develop techniques designed to modify her students' behavior. They will also work with teachers to design programs to increase students' motivation to excel in school.

School administrators work closely with school psychologists. These psychologists may design school-wide prevention programs to prevent bullying. They may speak at a school assembly promoting healthy lifestyles and discouraging teen drinking and driving. They may also conduct seminars aimed at helping the faculty foster a better learning environment.

If you want to become a school psychologist, you will need to earn a master's or doctoral psychology degree. You will also need to study education courses throughout college. School psychologists must be well-versed in the latest education and psychology trends in order to make meaningful recommendations to students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Most school psychologists will be required to earn a license. The license requirements for a school psychologist may differ from license requirements for other types of psychologists. Some states will require you to have the National Certified School Psychologist designation from the National Association of School Psychologists or require you to pass the National School Psychology Examination.

School psychologists can find work in elementary and secondary schools, colleges, juvenile justice centers, and private practices. The federal government estimates job growth will continue at an average pace for school psychologists. In 2009, the average annual salary for a school psychologist employed by an elementary or secondary school was $69,870. Income potential will be determined by the type of organization for which you choose to work, experience, location, and the degree you hold.

If you are interested in studying how a person's surroundings impact his behavior, you may want to consider becoming a social psychologist. These psychologists examine how social interactions, social perceptions, and social influences impact a person's behavior. This is a fascinating branch of psychology in which to work. There is no limit to the amount of research that can be done to better understand these influences on one's behavior.

Many social psychologists will choose to work in research. These psychologists may conduct research on obedience or compliance. Studies show that the majority of people will comply to a request even though they know the request is wrong and may cause adverse consequences. Research continues as to why people behave in that manner. Social psychologists also study nonverbal behavior. A person's facial expressions, gestures, body language, and even posture can communicate emotions. Research experiments are conducted to examine why some nonverbal behavior is more powerful than other behaviors.

Social psychologists do extensive research on how people interact in groups. Some people lose their identity when they are in a group. Research studies are conducted to examine why some people are more easily swayed by a group while others are not swayed at all. They examine topics such as social loafing which suggests people tend to put forth less effort working in a group than when working by themselves.

These psychologists will also be involved in researching the affect that attitudes have on behavior. They will examine the concept of attribution, including situational and dispositional. They may examine why some people act more aggressively than other people. They also study the role that interests and attitudes play in a person's choice of mates and friends.

Businesses employ social psychologists. The concept of groupthink can be very dangerous in an organization. Employees may have a tendency to agree with each other, even when they know it is the wrong decision. This can be especially dangerous when dealing with public safety issues. Businesses may bring in a social psychologist to work in market research departments. Understanding how society influences a consumer's behavior can help a business develop powerful marketing campaigns.

Because social psychology is such a diverse field, many social psychologists will choose to specialize in an area such as attitudes or group behaviors. Most social psychologists will earn a doctoral psychology degree in order to land the best jobs in the field. The federal government anticipates job growth in social psychology to increase 11% over the next ten years. These psychologists can work in research departments, businesses, the government, and as consultants. A social psychologist's income will be determined by her degree, experience, and industry in which she chooses to.

Each fall, football fans eagerly await the start of the college football season and feel certain that this will be the year their favorite college football team will make it to the BCS championship game. Your enthusiasm for the team begins to fade. The first few games of the season have not gone well. Your team performs great in the first half, but falls apart during the second-half game after game. The coach says the team is physically tough, but mentally starts to fall apart when things don't go their way. Your favorite football team will probably be hiring a sports psychologist to help them get back in the game.

A sports psychologist helps athletes perform at their peak. Sports are very competitive. Yes, some people say, "It's just a game." But to those individuals playing the game, winning is everything. The pressure to win can take a toll on even the best athlete. A football team may have drafted the top quarterback or running back. This player may have the best athletic skills in the business, but if he does not have the mental or emotional toughness to handle the game, don't expect great results.

Sports psychologists are used in college football, the NFL, NBA, MLB, NASCAR, NHL, and maybe at your local high school. Professional athletes are paid a hefty salary to score touchdowns, kick field goals, make free throws, and pass their competitors on the race track. Think about this scenario. You are a field goal kicker playing in the AFC championship game. There are three seconds left on the clock. If you score the winning field goal, your team goes to the Super Bowl. Talk about pressure, plus the thousands of screaming fans. Sport psychologists help athletes develop strategies to handle the pressure and block out distractions.

Sports psychologists may work with an entire team or with a particular athlete on the team. These psychologists work with players to devise strategies to increase mental toughness. When players learn how to block out on and off the field distractions, their performance will improve. Sports psychologists also work with players to improve their motivation and attitudes. The worst thing an athlete can do is give up when things start going their opponent's way.

Sports psychology is a terrific career choice for those who love sports and psychology. More and more sports teams are turning to sports psychologists. Teams will always want to be number one, and any kind of advantage to help get them to that top spot will be used. Most sports psychology jobs will require you to earn a master's or doctoral psychology degree. There are not many college programs dedicated to just sports psychology, so many individuals who choose to specialize in the field will study clinical or counseling psychology. Income potential will vary based on the type of sports team or athlete you are treating. Those working with professional sports teams may earn incomes in the six figure range.