AYBU PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology is a relatively new branch of science in the "effort to understand humans." Although it has a long history, its past is short. However, throughout its short history, psychology has shown quite rapid progress and has attracted attention with both scientific developments and the richness of its application areas. In our country, psychological research, education, and applications have begun to find a place in society, albeit with a delay. Although original theoretical knowledge and methodological approaches in the field of psychology are increasing rapidly, psychology as a science naturally maintains its place at the intersection of different branches of science (biology, statistics, anthropology, sociology, politics, business, culture, and other social sciences, etc.). Psychology exhibits great diversity both as a branch of science and as a field of application. The APA (American Psychological Association) defines and includes 54 different subfields of psychology. Considering graduate education in our country, we can mention 6 subfields of psychology that particularly stand out.
1. Experimental Psychology (Bio-Cognitive-Experimental)
It attempts to understand basic processes of behavior such as learning, memory, sensation, perception, language, motivation, performance, and communication through experiments conducted under controlled laboratory conditions.
2. Social Psychology
Social psychology studies interpersonal relationships and interaction. Attitudes, gender, social perception, self, prejudice, political psychology, dyadic relationships, group behavior, aggression, health, and values are common topics addressed in social psychology.
3. Industrial and Organizational Psychology
As one of the applied subfields of psychology, the primary study topics of Industrial and Organizational Psychology can be listed as job description, recruitment, testing, performance evaluation, human resources management, orientation, occupational health and safety, leadership, feedback, organizational behavior, motivation, training, etc.
4. Clinical Psychology
Human "normal" and "abnormal" behaviors are the focus of clinical psychology. Clinical psychologists examine the problems individuals experience in cognitive, behavioral, and emotional dimensions, and play an active role in making the necessary psychological assessment and managing the treatment flow.
5. Developmental Psychology
It studies the regular and successive age-related changes observed in human development during the lifespan from prenatal to death. Developmental psychologists research behaviors observed at different stages of human development and the effects of environmental and hereditary factors on these behaviors; they attempt to develop a theoretical perspective and determine principles related to the field.
6. Applied Psychology
It covers areas such as Psychometrics, Health psychology, Traffic, Political Psychology, Community Psychology, School psychology, Family Psychology, Legal Psychology, Psychology of Religion, Addiction, and Sports Psychology.
Career Opportunities
Psychology graduates have the opportunity to work in the public sector, the private sector, and independently. According to KPSS exam results;
In the Public Sector
In hospitals, community health centers, and health clinics under the Ministry of Health
In courts, prisons, and reformatories under the Ministry of Justice
In disability institutions, nursing homes, and social projects under the Ministry of Family and Social Services
In RAM centers and as teachers under the Ministry of National Education
In the police force and various military institutions
In the Private Sector
In psychotechnical assessment centers
In private psychotherapy and mental health centers
In kindergartens, special education, and rehabilitation centers
In human resources and public relations departments
In advertising, marketing, and research centers
Regarding independent work opportunities; with recent legal regulations, psychology undergraduate graduates can work as family counselors, provided they complete the necessary training.