Clinical psychology is aimed at understanding and studying human and animal behavior. Clinical psychologists evaluate mental health problems and conduct and use scientific research to understand them. They also develop, provide, and assess psychological care and interventions (psychotherapy). In America, clinical psychologists are normally required to hold a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. and often have postgraduate work experience.
American psychologist Lightner Witmer (1867-1956) used the term clinical psychology for the first time in a paper in 1907. He particularly defined it as the study of individuals, by examination or experimentation, with the objective of promoting change. The American Psychological Association provides a more contemporary definition of the term and defines it as the field that combines science, theory, and practice to comprehend and alleviate maladjustment and disability as well as to promote human adaptation, adjustment, and personal development.
Clinical psychology developed as a result of a need for supplementary clinicians to treat mental health problems. It also developed partly as psychological science advanced to the stage where the fruits of psychological research could be effectively applied in a clinical setting.
The field of clinical psychology generally identifies three major perspectives of practice. They are psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and humanistic. However, there does exist a growing debate regarding the inclusion of the transpersonal perspective as well.
The psychodynamic standpoint developed out of the psychoanalysis of Sigmund Freud. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) formed from the two branches of cognitive psychology and behaviorism. Humanistic psychology came into being in the 1950s. This was largely a reaction to both behaviorism and psychoanalysis, mainly due to the person-centered therapy of Carl Rogers. As such, it is often referred to as Rogerian Therapy. It is often argued that humanistic psychology is more of an outlook than a set of techniques.
Clinical psychology pays attention to the intellectual, emotional, genetic, psychological, and social characteristics of human functioning across the life span at all socioeconomic levels.
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Humanistic Psychology
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Humanistic psychology is a school of psychology that came to be established somewhere in the 1950s. This was found in reaction to both behaviorism and psychoanalysis. Humanistic psychology is concerned with the human dimension of psychology and the human context for the growth of psychological...
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History Of Psychology
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What Is Psychology?
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Online Psychology Degrees
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Psychological Terms
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The word ‘psychology’ has evolved from the Greek word ‘psyche,’ which means ‘soul’ or ‘mind,’ and ‘logos.’ which means ‘speech. It is an academic and applied field concerning the study of the mind, brain, and both human and nonhuman behavior. Psychology also refers to the...
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Psychology
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For many centuries, the study of human thought and emotion was not considered a very fruitful pursuit. Not that it hasn’t fascinated many people down the ages – it has. But the most interesting insights into human psychology came not from scientists but from poets...
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Child Psychology
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Psychology is by no means only the study of adult minds and emotions. In an increasingly complex and stress-oriented world, children are just as affected by the abnormalities of daily life as adults are. The sad story of modern society speaks of child abuse, incest,...
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Forensic Psychology
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Not to be confused with the discipline of forensic science (the study of crime scenes, evidence, etc.) with which it does share a common platform, forensic psychology is one of the main bulwarks of criminal justice today. Basically, it finds application in the establishment of...
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Adolescent Psychology
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Adolescence is the intermediary stage of growth between childhood and adulthood. It represents the period of time during which a person is subjected to an array of biological transformations and runs into a number of emotional tribulations. The ages, which are termed to be part...
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Psychology Graduate Programs
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You can earn a graduate degree, Master’s and doctoral, in Psychology either through a regular grad school/university or through an online college. Before applying you should do thorough homework about the schools, their curriculum, reputation, teaching approach (some schools are research-oriented whereas some schools emphasize...