To understand just how broad and deep a subject psychology truly is, let’s take a closer look at some of

its different branches

Key takeaways

 Broadly defined, psychology is the study of mind and behaviour

 Different branches of psychology have emerged to help study different topics of interest within the field.
 Psychology can be broadly classified into 10 main branches

Tell anyone you’re considering studying psychology and the inevitable response is “So, what am I
thinking? Or “Can you read my mind?”. It’s a banality no psychologist will ever be able to dodge
(#askanypsychologystudent).
But beyond mind reading, psychics, out-of-body experiences, recovered memories and lie detection,
psychology is actually by definition, the study of mind and behaviour. And, while the uninformed may
associate psychology with a comfy couch, a pair of listening ears and a hypnotic pendulum, the field is in
fact so vast that there’s a slew of specialties packed under its umbrella. After all, the human experience is
a multifaceted one, because no single study can ever fathom the incredible depths of our behaviour,
thoughts and emotions.
However, in an effort to right the misguided assumptions, here are 10 of the most widely-known fields of
psychology:
1. Clinical Psychology
This treatment-oriented branch of psychology deals with scientific ways of handling psychological
problems. Also called counselling psychology or psychotherapy, it focuses on the prevention,
understanding and cure of psychological issues by way of psycho-therapeutic treatment.
2. Biopsychology
This branch of psychology looks at the role the brain and neurotransmitters play in influencing our
thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It combines neuroscience and the study of psychology.
3. Educational Psychology
Educational psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour in an educational setting and, as such,
it deals with issues such as learning disorders, adolescence behaviours, and so on. These studies focus
primarily on the different developmental stages of children and teenagers.
4. Cognitive Psychology
The branch of psychology that deals with mental processes, such as thoughts, memory and problem
solving, is called cognitive psychology. In essence, it is concerned with the perception and problem-
solving capability of the brain.
5. Forensic Psychology
The application of psychology to law making, law enforcement, the examination of witnesses, and the
treatment of the criminal is the job of the forensic psychologist. Also known as legal psychology, this
branch of psychology is not dissimilar to cognitive and clinical psychology, but involves a thorough
understanding of the law.
6. Social Psychology
Focussed on the psychological aspects of individuals within a communityenvironment, community
psychology explores characteristics such as interdependence, adaptation, diplomacy, empowerment,
social justice, and so on. It is also referred to as critical psychology.
7. Industrial Psychology
This branch of psychology addresses practical problems in the workplace through the application of
psychological principles. Industrial psychologists, also called organisational psychologists, are employed
by companies to administer tests which measure employee aptitudes or skills in hiring and placement
programmes.
8. Health Psychology
This branch of psychology observes how behaviour, biology and social context influence illness and
health. Health psychologists generally work alongside other medical professionals in clinical settings.
9. Experimental Psychology
Experimental psychologists work to understand the underlying causes of behaviour by studying humans
and animals. They work mainly in a laboratory environment, exploring how different species interrelate
and investigating the evolutionary significance of certain behaviours.
10. Developmental Psychology
Developmental psychology is a branch of psychology that attempts to explain the development of humans
over time, both in the micro sense, as they develop from babies to mature adults, and in the macro sense,
as the culture itself evolves through the years and decades.
If you’ve been mulling over the prospect of studying psychology, why not consider the South African
College of Applied Psychology? SACAP’s Bachelor of Applied Social Science degree is a comprehensive
undergraduate psychology degree programme, providing a perfect springboard for those wishing to
progress to Honours and Masters in order to become a psychologist.
The college’s Bachelor of Psychology professional degree, meanwhile, has a “built-in” Honours equivalent
which will provide you with an internationally recognised pathway to obtaining your Master’s Degree in
Psychology and, ultimately, to becoming a qualified psychologist. For more information, enquire now.