This comprehensive guide delves into the main fields of psychology, ranging from the exploration of social dynamics and individual differences to developmental, abnormal, positive and biological psychology, providing valuable insights into the diverse facets of the human mind and behaviour.

The main fields of psychology explained 

The field of psychology is broad and extremely far-reaching. The following branches of psychology are among the most discussed and studied areas of psychology: 
 
Social psychology

Social psychology is the study of people’s minds and behaviour with other people. Studied from around the 1930s, Social Psychologists study how social influence, social perception and social interaction influence individual and group behaviour.  

Consider the different ways an individual would act in different settings, including being alone, going on a first date, having a catch up with a close friend, starting a new job, or being introduced to a large group of new people. Social psychology is about delving deeper into these differences in the ways we act and project ourselves. Learn more about the study of social psychology. 
 
Developmental psychology 

What is developmental psychology?  

Developmental psychology helps us understand how and why individuals develop, learn, grow and adapt over time. Developmental psychology first appeared as an area of study in the late 19th century (Baltes, Lindenberger, & Staudinger, 2007), focusing initially on child and adolescent development. 

The understanding of each developmental stage of individuals’ lives aids psychologists in gaining insights into the reasons behind an individual's thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Learn more about the study of developmental psychology and the main areas of this field. 

Clinical psychology 

What is clinical psychology?  

Clinical psychology deals with psychopathology and non-typical patterns of behaviour, including thoughts and patterns of emotion associated with a mental health condition. This broad term encompasses the study of a large range of mental health disorders, including everything from personality disorders, to depression and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).  
 
Psychologists study clinical psychology through methods such as clinical observation, psychological assessments and neuroimaging, with an ultimate aim of understanding, diagnosing and treating mental health disorders by examining deviations from typical cognitive patterns. 

Positive psychology 

What is positive psychology?  

Positive psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on the study of positive aspects of human experience, such as happiness, well-being, strengths and positive emotions. Positive psychology interventions in individuals’ lives can contribute to increased happiness and life satisfaction, strengthen relationships, increase resilience, personal growth and overall quality of life. 
 
Individual differences psychology 

What is individual differences psychology?  

Individual differences are the unique characteristics and traits we all possess, which distinguish us from others. This can apply to individuals, as well as groups of individuals. Individual differences psychology is the study of these differences, including the analysis of the magnitude, nature, consequences and causes of these psychological differences. 

By investigating and analysing these differences, psychologists find insights into the unique characteristics that make each person distinct, aiding a better understanding of human and cultural diversity.  

Biological psychology 

What is biological psychology?  

Also known as biopsychology or psychobiology, biological psychology is an area of psychology that explores the link between aspects of our biology, and our behaviours, thoughts and feelings. This branch of psychology is a fairly recent addition to the study of psychology, and offers valuable insight into the intricate connections between our physiological processes and psychological experiences. 

Cognitive psychology

What is cognitive psychology?

Cognitive psychology focuses on understanding how people acquire, process, store, and retrieve information. It explores the mental processes underlying behaviour, including perception, memory, attention, language, problem-solving, decision-making, and reasoning. Cognitive psychologists use various research methods, such as experiments, observations, and computer simulations, to study these processes and gain insights into human cognition. 

How can an MSc in psychology benefit you?