Meaning & Definition of "Psychology"

Psychology is a combination of two words in two different languages.

Psychology in Latin:

“Psyche” Soul/Mind

“Ology” Study

Psychology in Greek:

“Psyche” Soul/Mind

“Logus” Word/Knowledge

In both Languages its meaning is “The study of the soul or mind.”

Psychology is an academic and applied discipline involving the scientific study of mental
processes and behavior. Psychology also refers to the application of such knowledge to
various spheres of human activity, including relating to individuals' daily lives and the
treatment of mental illness.

Applications of Psychology in Different Fields

Psychological tests and methods have proved useful in solving some concrete problems.
Whereas basic researchers test theories about mind and behavior, applied psychologists are
motivated by a desire to solve practical human problems. Psychology helps the human in
many different fields.

Psychology in Education

Psychology helps the students in getting Education by solving their problems. This is also
called Educational Psychology.

Educational psychology is the study of how humans learn in educational settings, the
effectiveness of educational interventions, the psychology of teaching, and the social
psychology of schools as organizations. Educational psychology is concerned with how
students learn and develop, often focusing on subgroups such as gifted children and those
subject to specific disabilities. Researchers and theorists are likely to be identified in the US

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and Canada as Educational psychologists, whereas practitioners in schools or school-related
settings are identified as school psychologists.

Educational psychology can in part be understood through its relationship with other
disciplines. The role of Educational Psychology is to bring together theory and research from
psychology and related disciplines in order to facilitate healthy human development and
effective learning and teaching.

Educational psychology is rarely applied in Pakistan. But it is one of the significant field of
psychology that is at least applied in Pakistan to some extent.

Review material that has already been learned by the teacher

1. Prepare the student for new material by giving them an overview of what they are
learning next
2. Present the new material.
3. Relate the new material to the old material that has already been learned.
4. Show how the student can apply the new material and show the material they will
learn next.

Counseling Psychology:

Counseling psychology is a psychological specialty that encompasses research and applied

work in several broad domains: counseling process and outcome; supervision and training;
career development and counseling; and prevention and health. Some unifying themes among
counseling psychologists include a focus on assets and strengths, person–environment
interactions, educational and career development, brief interactions, and a focus on intact
personalities.

Though this is highly required to be implemented in Pakistan, but as other important things, it
is also not taken under consideration.

Psychology in Health

Health psychology is concerned with understanding how biological, psychological,

environmental, and cultural factors are involved in physical health and the prevention of
illness. Health psychologists work alongside other medical professionals in clinical settings,
work on behavior change in public health promotion, teach at universities, and conduct
research.

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Clinical psychology:

Clinical psychology is the application of abnormal psychology research to the understanding,

treatment, and assessment of psychopathology. This primarily includes behavioral and mental
health concerns. It has traditionally been associated with psychological treatment and
psychotherapy, although modern clinical psychology may take an eclectic approach,
including a number of therapeutic approaches. Typically, although working with many of the
same clients as psychiatrists, clinical psychologists do not, in general, prescribe psychiatric
drugs.

The students who fail to pass MCAT exam, and still wish to be called doctor, this is the field
for them. Clinical psychology is one of the rising fields in Pakistan. There are many
educational institutions in Pakistan that offer clinical psychology studies at best level. Various
job types for clinical psychologist in Pakistan are:

 Criminal psychologist
 Practitioner
 Lecturer

Developmental psychology:

Developmental psychology is the scientific study of how and why human changes over
lifespan. It is an approach that aims to explain growth, change and consistency over the
course of life. There is a wide range of topics including moral development, language
acquisition and personality. Developmental psychology involves a wide range of fields such
as educational psychology, child development, cognitive and cultural psychology.

In Pakistan, developmental psychologist can work in a variety of settings, including academic

and health care facilities. Those working in colleges and schools focus primarily on teaching.
Others working in applied settings, such as hospitals or clinics, help in assessing and
evaluating to treat people with disabilities.

Public health psychology (PHP)

Community health psychology (CoHP)

Critical health psychology (CrHP)

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 Psychology in Politics

Political psychology is an interdisciplinary academic field dedicated to the relationship

between psychology and political science, with a focus on the role of human thought,
emotion, and behavior in politics.

It analyzes political science as related to entities such as voters, lawmakers, local and national
governments and administrations, international organizations, political parties, and
associations.

Prominent Political Psychologists

James David Barber Diana Mutz

Christopher Federico Ofer Feldman

Steven Walker John Jost

There’s a wide range application of political psychology in developed countries but in third
world countries like Pakistan, it is scarcely applied.

Psychology in Law

Psychology in Law also called Legal Psychology. Legal psychology involves empirical,
psychological research of the law, legal institutions, and people who come into contact with
the law.

Forensic psychology is the intersection between psychology and the justice system. It
involves understanding criminal law in the relevant jurisdiction in order to be able to interact
appropriately with judges, attorneys and other legal professionals. An important aspect of
forensic psychology is the ability to testify in court, reformulating psychological findings into
the legal language of the courtroom, providing information to legal personnel in a way that
can be understood. Further, in order to be a credible witness, for example in Pakistan, the

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forensic psychologist must understand the philosophy, rules, and standards of the Pakistan
judicial system.

Many psychologists today work in the legal system. They consult with attorneys, testify in
court as expert witnesses, counsel prisoners, teach in law schools, and research various
justice-related issues. Sometimes referred to as forensic psychologists, those who apply
psychology to the law study a range of issues, including jury selection, eyewitness testimony,
and confessions to police, lie-detector tests, the death penalty, criminal profiling, and the
insanity defense.

Psychology in Industries and Organizations

Industrial and organizational psychology is the scientific study of employees, workplaces,

and organizations. Industrial and organizational psychologists contribute to an organization's
success by improving the performance and well-being of its people. An I/O psychologist
researches and identifies how behaviors and attitudes can be improved through hiring
practices, training programs, and feedback systems. I/O psychologists also help organizations
transition among periods of change and development. Industrial and organizational
psychology is related to the concepts of organizational behavior and human capital.

In Pakistan awareness towards various fields of psychology including educational and

organizational psychology has developed recently. Psychologists are now offered jobs in
organizations for psychotherapy of psychological assessment for selection of employees. In
educational institutions responsibilities of the incumbent includes student assessment,
guidance and counseling.

Psychology in Sports

Sport psychology is science that involves the study of how psychological factors affect
performance and how participation in sport and exercise affect psychological and physical
factors. In addition to instruction and training of psychological skills for performance
improvement, applied sport psychology may include work with athletes, coaches, and parents
regarding injury, rehabilitation, communication, team building, and career transitions.

Sport and exercise psychology consists of instructing athletes, coaches, teams, exercisers,
parents, fitness professionals, groups, and other performers on the psychological aspects of
their sport or activity.

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In 2009, the year in which Pakistan won ICC T20 world cup, a psychologist was hired by
Pakistan cricket team management.

Psychology in Military

Military psychology is applied towards counseling and treatment of stress and fatigue of
military personnel or military families as well as treatment of psychological problems suffered
as a result of military operations.

Another use of military psychology is in interrogation of prisoners who may provide

information that would enhance outcomes of friendly military operations or reduce friendly
casualties.

Psychological stress and disorders have always been a part of military life, especially during
and after wartime, but the mental health section of military psychology has not always
experienced the awareness it does now. Even in the present day there is much more research
and awareness needed concerning this area.

Pakistan army has certified psychologists. They are called GDMO,s. They are the part of
panel who selects future officers.

References

 Akhtar, M. (2013). Scope of Psychology in Pakistan. Retrieved from

http://ilm.com.pk/jobs-career/career-in-pakistan/scope-of-psychology-in-pakistan/
 Shehzad, M. A. (2013). Psychology In Pakistan. Retrieved from
https://www.google.com.pk/amp/s/psyport.wordpress.com/2013/10/13/psychology-in-
pakistan/amp/
 Faraz,A. (2012). Applications of Psychology With Special Reference to Pakistan.
Retrieved from
https://kupdf.com/download/applications-of-psychology-with-special-reference-to-
pakistan_59cf45e108bbc53f51686fc1_pdf#
 Mahmood, A. (2014). Mental illness in Pakistan: The toll of neglect. Retrieved from
https://www.dawn.com/news/1133196
 University of Punjab. (2016). Applications of psychology with special reference to
pakistan. Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/samisadiq/applications-of-psychology-with-reference-to-
pakistan