Why people do the things they do is an age-old question. However, psychology – the
science concerned with behavior, both human and nonhuman animals – is only about 125
years old. Despite its youth, it is a broad discipline, essentially spanning subject
matter from biology to sociology. Biology studies the structures and functions of
living organisms. Sociology examines how groups function in society. Psychologists
study the intersection of two critical relationships: one between brain function and
behavior, and one between the environment and behavior. As scientists, psychologists
follow scientific methods, using careful observation, experimentation, and analysis.
But psychologists also need to be creative in the way they apply scientific findings.

Psychologists are frequently innovators, evolving new approaches from established
knowledge to meet changing needs of people and societies. They develop theories and
test them through their research. As this research yields new information, these findings
become part of the body of knowledge that practitioners call on in their work with
clients and patients. Psychology is a tremendously varied field. Psychologists conduct
both basic and applied research, serve as consultants to communities and organizations,
diagnose and treat people, and teach future psychologists and other types of students.
They test intelligence and personality. Many psychologists work as health care providers.
They assess behavioral and mental function and well-being, stepping in to help where
appropriate. They study how human beings relate to each other and also to machines,
and they work to improve these relationships. And with America undergoing large changes
in its population makeup, psychologists bring important knowledge and skills to understanding
diverse cultures.

Many psychologists work independently. They also team up with other professionals
– for example, other scientists, physicians, lawyers, school personnel, computer experts,
engineers, policymakers, and managers – to contribute to every area of society. Thus
we find them in laboratories, hospitals, courtrooms, schools and universities, community
health centers, prisons, and corporate offices.

Psychologists traditionally study both normal and abnormal functioning, and also treat
patients with mental and emotional problems. They also concentrate on behaviors that
affect the mental and emotional health and mental functioning of healthy human beings.
For example, they work with business executives, performers, and athletes to reduce
stress and improve performance. They advise lawyers on jury selection and collaborate
with educators on school reform. Immediately following a disaster, such as a plane
crash or bombing, psychologists help victims and bystanders recover from the trauma,
or shock, of the event. They team with law enforcement and public health officials
to analyze the causes of such events and prevent their occurrence. Involved in all
aspects of our fast-paced world, psychologists must keep up with what’s happening
all around us. When you’re a psychologist, your education never ends.

According to economists at the Department of Labor, opportunities for people with
graduate degrees in psychology are expected to grow between 10% and 20% by 2010.

Opportunities for work in psychology are expanding in number and scope, especially
for those with graduate degrees, while an undergraduate degree remains excellent preparation
for continued graduate work in psychology or for another field, such as business,
medicine, or computer science. The move toward preventing illness, rather than merely
diagnosing and treating it, requires people to learn how to make healthy behavior
a routine part of living. Indeed, many of the problems facing society today are problems
of behavior, for example, drug addiction, poor personal relationships, violence at
home and in the street, and the harm we do to our environment. Psychologists contribute
solutions to problems through careful collection of data, analysis of data, and development
of intervention strategies – in other words, by applying scientific principles, the
hallmark of psychology.

In addition, an aging America is leading to more research and practice in adapting
our homes and workplaces for older people. The promises of the electronic revolution
demand more user-friendly technologies and training. More two-career families in the
workplace calls for employers to accommodate the needs of families. Psychologists
are helping employers to make the changes that are needed. The diversity of America
today calls for psychologists to develop and refine therapies to meet the unique needs
of different ethnic groups. Furthermore, research advances in learning and memory,
and the integration of physical and mental health care, make psychology more exciting
than ever.

Most psychologists say they love their work. They cite the variety of daily tasks
and the flexibility of their schedules. They are thrilled by the exciting changes
taking place in the field, from adapting technology to humans to working as part of
primary health care teams. They are working hard to provide answers to research questions
in diverse areas such as prevention, perception, and learning. Educators strive to
train the next generations using new technology and knowledge.

The study of psychology is good preparation for many other professions. Many employers
are interested in the skills that psychology majors bring to collecting, analyzing,
and interpreting data, and their experience with statistics and experimental design.