Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. It examines how we think, feel, and act, both in our own environment and in the wider world. It explores topics such as memory, emotion, learning, development, and social behavior. Psychologists study the mind and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how individuals and groups interact.
They use scientific methods to investigate how people think, feel, and behave, and how these factors can influence people’s lives. Psychology is a broad field that can include research from biological, social, cognitive, and developmental perspectives. It can also include specializations such as clinical, educational, and industrial-organizational psychology.
Psychology concentrations are specialized areas of study within the field of psychology. Most will need a psychology degree. They focus on a particular psychological topic, such as clinical psychology, health psychology, counseling, research, mental illness, psychological disorders, developmental psychology, or social psychology. Each concentration includes courses in the particular subfield and may also include courses in related areas.
For example, a concentration in clinical psychology might include courses in diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of mental illness, as well as courses on psychopathology and psychotherapy. A concentration in research might include courses in research methods, statistics, and psychological measurement. Additionally, many concentrations require students to take courses in the history and philosophy of psychology. This allows them to gain a greater understanding of the history and development of the field. Ultimately, concentrations provide students with the opportunity to specialize in an area of interest and to gain a greater depth of knowledge.
Five Lucrative Concentrations in Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Neuropsychology
- Engineering Psychology
- Industrial-Organizational Psychology
- Health Psychology
Psychology is essentially the study of the human mind including motivation, cognition, and personality among other things, and given this broad base, depending on a professional’s interests, there are a variety of high-paying psychology specialties to pursue. In some cases, these skills are obtained through an undergraduate emphasis as part of a bachelor’s degree track, but often, they require a master’s or doctorate degree along with experience in the field. Some popular concentrations include the following.
1. Clinical Psychology
This is one of the most common high-paying psychology specializations. These professionals work with psychiatrists to diagnose and treat psychiatric illnesses. Some states even allow them to prescribe psychotropic medications independently. Entering this profession usually requires a doctoral degree along with a residency period before licensing, but then, clinical psychologists can find work in a variety of environments including hospitals, schools, and private practice.
The salary of a clinical psychologist ranges from $70,000 to $150,000 annually depending on experience, location and the type of practice. The job responsibilities of a clinical psychologist include providing psychological assessment and treatment for clients, conducting research, diagnosing and treating mental health disorders and developing treatment plans.
They also provide counseling, psychotherapy, and other interventions to help clients improve their mental health. Clinical psychologists work with individuals, couples, groups, and families. They help clients to cope with issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and relationship problems. They also work with medical personnel to coordinate treatments and services and provide guidance and support to clients.
2. Forensic Psychology
This branch of psychology focuses on the overlap of psychology, criminal justice, and law. These professionals evaluate defendants before trials and then testify in court as to their findings. They may also perform assessments of police offers and other criminal justice professionals before hiring and after incidents. In other situations, they examine evidence and help solve crimes by developing profiles of criminals based on their behaviors.
Forensic psychologists typically earn an annual salary of between $60,000 and $100,000 depending on the level of their experience and psychology major as well as the type of job they are performing. The job responsibilities of a forensic psychologist can vary greatly depending on their position.
Generally speaking, forensic psychology is responsible for assessing and evaluating behavior, providing expert testimony, conducting research, and providing therapeutic services to individuals who have been affected by crime. They may also work with law enforcement and other organizations to help reduce the risk of criminal behavior in the future.
3. Neuropsychology
This is one of the highest-paying concentrations due to the complexity and breadth of the field and psychology major, including neuroscience, biochemistry, and physics as well as psychology. Neuropsychologists study the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behavior and the actual biochemical processes in the brain.
They rely on cutting-edge imaging technology to examine brain function of both humans and animals in different situations. Many of the careers in this field focus on research, but some neuropsychologists have very practical jobs diagnosing and treating patients suffering from brain damage.
The salary of a neuropsychologist will vary depending on their experience, location, and specialty area. However, the median salary for neuropsychologists is around $90,000 per year.
The job responsibilities of a neuropsychologist include diagnosing and treating mental health disorders, conducting psychological assessments, interpreting test results, providing psychotherapy, developing treatment plans, and conducting research. They may also consult with other healthcare professionals and provide educational services to patients and their families. Neuropsychologists may also provide support to individuals and families who are dealing with cognitive and mental health issues.
4. Engineering Psychology
Using many of the principles found in engineering, these professionals study the interaction between humans and technology. They often work for corporations on product development or software design teams to help more technical employees make products that are helpful for the less savvy general public. These psychologists need a solid understanding of data analysis and statistics as well as the ability to evaluate the effects of technology, both on the individual user and on society.
Engineering psychologists generally earn salaries in the range of $60,000 to $90,000 per year. Job responsibilities for engineering psychologists can include:
- Designing or evaluating work environments, tools, and machines to maximize worker safety, efficiency, and satisfaction
- Investigating the effects of physical and environmental factors on worker performance
- Developing, testing, and evaluating human-computer interfaces
- Conducting usability tests on products to ensure user-friendliness
- Analyzing data to identify patterns and trends in human behavior
- Developing and implementing training and safety protocols
- Analyzing the impact of technology on behavior
- Consulting with organizations to improve worker performance and reduce errors
- Designing and implementing ergonomics programs to improve comfort and reduce fatigue in the workplace.
5. Organizational Psychology
I-O psychologists combine business and management practices with psychology, and their main goal is increasing productivity while creating a positive work environment for employees. Talent recruitment and retention, developing training modules, and ensuring the wellness of employees, both mentally and physically, are some of the main focus areas of these professionals. According to Business Insider, this position will become increasingly important as workplaces are overall becoming more toxic. They use statistical modeling to determine problem areas and also to measure the effectiveness of new programs or policies.
Related Resource: Top 10 Best Colleges for a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Informatics
Since psychology essentially involves the study of individuals and their relationship with themselves and the outside world, there are many different focus areas within the broader field. Many of these areas are top-paying concentrations because they require years of education and practice.
Related:
5 Great Jobs for a Respiratory Therapist
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Psychology Degree Program?