Examination of Clinical Psychology

Examination of Clinical psychology Kristina England PSY/480 Tara Thompson University of Phoenix Clinical psychology concentrees on the assessment, treatment, and understanding of psychological and behavioural problems and disorders in fact, clinical psychology focuses its efforts on the ways in which the human psyche interacts with physical, emotional, and hearty aspects of wellness and dysfunction (Plante, 2011, P. 5). This news report pull up stakes examine the field of clinical psychology.This paper will provide a brief overview of the history and evolving personality of clinical psychology, apologise the role of search and statistics in clinical psychology, and last discuss the differences between clinical psychology and other mental health professions, including social meet, psychiatry, and social psychology. Throughout the course of history, there have been many events that have fixed the foundation for the development of clinical psychology each era property a di fferent view and providing new perspective and insight as explanation.The ancient Greeks believed the Gods were the cause of both health and illness and that the intelligence and physical structure were closely interconnected (Plante, 2011, P. 46). Moving into the Middle Ages followed the same concept of the birth between health, illness, body, and mind however, it was spiritual beings such as demons, sin, and witches that caused sickness and derangement. The reincarnation brought new discoveries, beliefs, and insight to the table decreasing the beliefs that the cause of disease and insanity were the result of supernatural beings or religious views.Discoveries in medicine provided info in bio medical checkup reductionism. It was suggested that disease and mental illness could be silent by means of scientific observation and experimentation rather than beliefs about the mind and soul (Plante, 2011, P. 46). Moving forward to Freuds time, Sigmund Freud along with his colleagues brought the notion of the federation between the mind and body to resurface as Freud demonstrated the connecter between unconscious conflicts and emotional influences capable of bringing forth disease (Brown, 1940).Freuds views of the connection between the mind and body gave an opening for the beliefs of the Greeks to reemerge allowing a more holistic view of health to be considered as an unobjectionable answer regarding emotional life, and ones health, illness, and behavior. Psychology was freshman completed when Wilhelm Wundt developed the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig, Germany in 1879 and print the first classic psychology text in 1890 titled Principles of Psychology. The American Psychological Association (APA) was established in 1892 with G.Stanley Hall as its chairman and led into the creation of clinical psychology. Clinical psychology was formed not as a result of agreement of the APA, but rather in spite of it as many clinicians felt lack of support and affect for the clinical aspect of psychology. As a result more focus began to take place in clinical psychology and in 1896 the first psychological clinic was opened at the University of Pennsylvania by Lightner Witmer and a prospective for the need and purpose of clinical psychology.The evolving nature of clinical psychology holds much in store as advancements in technology and communication palm anticipate to rise. There be many events that have contributed to the ever-changing and evolving nature of clinical psychology one event in particular that importantly impacted clinical psychology is the changes made by the APA. The changes made in the publications and the revisions of the DSM, particularly regarding the ethical standards (Plante, 2011). The field of clinical psychology will continue to change with new methods and cost efficient ways reaching to fly off the handle and redefine quality mental health c are. look and statistics are a central part of cl inical psychology and are, in essence, the very foundation of which it is built. Research is used to service answer questions regarding diagnosis, treatment, and human behavior as swell up as when investigating research questions particularly in cases involving new, rare, or funny phenomenon. Generally, the primary goal of research in clinical psychology is to study knowledge about human behavior and use this knowledge to help improve the lives of others. Clinical psychologists use the scientific method in conducting their research activities (Plante, 2011, P. 06) the scientific method is a way to ask and answer questions through making observations and performing experiments. The steps to the scientific method include ask a question, doing background research, constructing a hypothesis, perform an experiment to test hypothesis, poll data, and draw a conclusion, and finally communicate the results (Science Buddies,2002). Statistics in clinical psychology are applied to researc h and is used to determine whether the findings are valid and reliable so that they can be modified to accommodate, or remain the same.The differences between clinical psychology and other mental health professions can include length of education and readying, point of focus, and location, or setting, of the work environment. Social workers typically hold a bachelors form in social science, such as psychology or sociology, and afterward enter a two- course of instruction graduate program to attain a masters level in social work followed by two years supervised clinical experience to become accredited as a Clinical Social Worker (Plante, 2011, P. 25). Unlike with psychology, social work holds less emphasis on training in research.Psychiatrists are physicians who earn a medical degree (MD) and complete residency training in psychiatry (Plante, 2011, P. 24). Generally, psychiatrists receive a bachelors degree in premedical related fields such as biological science or chemistry fo llowed by four years of medical train to obtain a MD degree. Prior to residency, a one year clinical internship is completed however, unlike a clinical psychology internship, medical internships focus on medical training, and the residency is more so aimed to psychotherapy.Social psychology is the scientific study of how people think about, influence, and relate to one other(prenominal) studying how individuals are affected by social interactions with sort outs and relationships (Kinderman, 2009). Unlike clinical psychologists, social psychologists do not treat individuals suffering from mental or emotional issues but rather observe how individuals influence one anothers behavior and attitude both individually and in group settings. According to the APA, clinical psychology attempts to use the principles of sychology to better understand, predict, and alleviate intellectual, emotional, biological, psychological, social, and behavioral aspects of human functioning (APA, 2009a, as cited in, Plante, 2011, P. 5). This paper has examined the field of clinical psychology. This paper has discussed the history and evolving nature of clinical psychology, explained the role of research and statistics in clinical psychology, and last discussed the differences between clinical psychology and other mental health professions, including social work, psychiatry, and social psychology.References Brown, J. F. (1940). Freuds contribution to psychology, American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 10(4), 866-868. inside 10. 1111/j. 1939-0025. 1940. tb05757. x Kinderman, P. (2009). The future of psychology a view from outside. Counseling Psychology Review, 24(1), 16-21. Plante, T. G. (2011). Contemporary clinical psychology. Hoboken, NJ John Wiley & Sons. Science Buddies. (2002). Retrieved from http//www. sciencebuddies. org/science-fair-projects/project_scientific_method. shtml