Problems coexist with our daily routine almost in perfect harmony, despite the fact that most of these only cause us distress and worry, they can also offer us valuable lessons on how to be able to handle similar situations in the future.
In this way, every time we win the battle against a problem we acquire a new capacity of perception of the world that is extremely beneficial.
However, it is very well known that sometimes problems overtake us, not because of their presence in itself, but because we do not manage to solve them, they are difficult to obtain and represent a major conflict or because it seems that more problems explode around us in unison. Causing an affectation at an emotional, psychological and performance level in different daily areas, due to the inability to resolve these conflicts on our own.
That is why psychologists come into action, who are fully trained to meet and seek the most practical solutions to the conflicts presented by their clients or by a social situation. It is for this reason that in this article we will talk about the benefits that psychology brings to life and its importance in this world..
- You may be interested in: “The 10 types of psychologists and how to choose the best therapy”.
What is psychology?
Psychology is the science that studies human behavior, mental processes and the meaning of personal experiences in relation to the influence of the surrounding environment. It comes from the ancient Greek ‘psykhe-logy’ which can be translated as “study of the soul”.
It is considered a social and human scientific discipline because its field of study focuses on people and their development in the world. and their development in the world, as well as their evolution or impact on the society, culture and lifestyle in which they are involved on a daily basis. In order to know this subjective feedback and analyze its observable effects on the behavior and belief system of that person, company or community.
Types or areas of psychology
This is perhaps the most distinctive characteristic of psychology, since it has multiple areas of study and action.This makes it one of the most complete and complex disciplines in existence. Among them we can highlight the following.
1. Clinical Psychology
It is possible that this is the one you recognize the most, after all, what comes to your mind when you think of psychology? A person in formal dress writing down what you say while you sit on a couch? However, clinical psychology goes beyond that, it assesses the patient’s situation and offers a simple and functional guide to help them regain control of their life. Of course, the intervention and techniques to be used vary depending on the conflict presented.
2. Organizational psychology
This refers to the field of psychology in companies. These can range from assessing the psychosocial health of workers, the quality of the work environment and the work climate, to helping to improve the company’s objectives and overall presentation.
3. School psychology
It is in charge of studying and facilitating the teaching-learning tools that an institution has, it evaluates the quality of the school environment and offers a guide that helps students who present some academic problem, so that they can achieve their best pace and take advantage of their own learning style.
4. Community psychology
It has a wide and significant field of action since, in essence, it studies, analyzes and offers solutions to conflicts presented in a community. With the aim that there is a change for the benefit of the population or that the same can have tools to help grow and improve their environment on their own.
5. Social Psychology
On the other hand, there is this branch of psychology whose main focus is the study of human evolution within society and how this has influenced its development, as well as finding out the impact that people themselves have on the settlement of a culture. It is an observation, analysis and proposal of this human-social feedback.
6. Experimental psychology
As its name indicates, it is in charge of studying and experimenting with different theories of psychology, with the aim of testing their veracity. In this way, psychology can have new and updated scientific discoveries.
7. Health psychology
It acts on the field of general health. Studying, analyzing and proposing new tools and approaches to capture people’s attention, with the aim of making them even more interested in taking care of their own current state, preventing diseases or leaning towards a better and healthier lifestyle.
8. Criminal psychology
Psychologists also help police forces by building psychological profiles of criminals, evaluating their behavior and assessing whether their confessions are true or not. So that they can rule out whether the person acted of their own free will or under the influence of mental illness.
9. Psychopathology
This is the branch of psychology that is in charge of studying, observing and acting on mental illnesses and disorders. So that they can observe the evolution of the same in people who suffer from them, propose new discoveries or improved intervention techniques.
10. Marketing psychology
It is relatively a new branch of psychology that is responsible for studying and analyzing the market of human interest in digital dynamics. So they can be one step ahead and help companies, businesses or influencers to better prepare their content so that their message interests more people.
Global benefits of psychology
Because it is so broad and its scope can reach different corners, its benefits are more than just positive for those seeking psychological guidance.
1. It focuses on the human being
This is its main focus of study and action, the human being in all its complexity. For psychology people are influential and influenced by the environment at the same time, we build while we deconstruct, we put aside old things to create new things. We are in constant movement and psychology provides us with support to control, focus and solve problems that affect us.
2. Provides positive change
Regardless of whether it is a clinical, social, educational or work intervention, the resulting changes are quite beneficial for all parties involved and even long-lasting if the advice given is followed and the tools provided are used.
Among these benefits we can highlight: better communication channels, increased self-esteem, social reintegration, evolution in one’s own abilities, motivation and orientation towards future goals and greater empathy.
3. Various fields of application
As already mentioned, psychology can have various fields of action and, therefore, of intervention.
Cognitive
This refers to psychotherapy interventions, where a person’s belief system is studied in order to make changes or strengthen it, depending on the situation that the patient manifests in therapy. In a way that helps him/her to have a positive effect on his/her lifestyle.
3.2. Social
Both in the awareness of the influence we have and that society has on ourselves, as well as the power to give people the confidence and tools to create solutions or changes in their community on their own.
3.3. Clinical
Psychology can offer guidance and improvement to people within hospitals. Whether it is the staff (improving their approach to work and patient care) or whether it is the patients (acceptance, coping or resolution of their illnesses and the care they need to follow to get better).
3.4. Judicial
As there are psychologists who contribute to the police forces, their testimony and professional skills are valued in the judicial area. To establish convictions, verify confessions or evaluate the mental stability of those involved.
3.5. Labor
One of the greatest benefits of psychology is to improve the work environment and climate of a company. So that the performance and productivity of the same can be ensured, guaranteeing occupational health and establishing psychosocial benefits for all employees.
4. It is an academic discipline
A very complex and abundant discipline, which not only trains professionals in the different branches that exist, but also offers the world new important discoveries that serve to learn a little more about the vast world of the human mind.
5. Observation is its strongest tool
Although it may sound simple, observation is a thorough technique that involves more than just looking. In it, psychologists analyze people’s behavior through their nonverbal language, how they behave in their environment and how they communicate with others.
6. It is dynamic
But it does not stop at observation, study and analysis. Once the psychologists, from the different areas of action, gather all the necessary information, they make a plan of action. Which refers to the intervention needed for the specific conflict to be treated.
7. Global empathy
Empathy is the pillar of psychology, since each person is a different universe and has its own problems that, no matter what it is, has a significant gravity for that person. Similarly, empathy is composed of discretion, respect and coping, which when given to patients or clients, can place their trust in the psychological process.
8. From the parts to the whole
Psychology does not only focus on a problem or the big picture, but is interested in the small parts that complement the whole. So that they can prevent the emergence of a larger problem or the psychological collapse of a person. This happens when instead of solving a conflict, they accumulate.
As you can see psychology is a discipline that can cover various problems in the developmental areas of life. So if you need guidance for any of them, do not hesitate to consult a psychologist.