Every problem has a solution. Wise sayings that the way out of a difficult situation is the same as the entrance. In other words, if a person has a role in the origin of a problem, then he can also influence getting rid of it. When solving such issues, knowledge from the field of general psychology, sociology and other humanities is needed.
Applied Psychology and Its Tasks
The science of the laws of the human soul and the functioning of mental activity has formed a separate industry - psychology. It is developing in two directions. Practical applied directly to solve the problems of a group of people or one person. The theoretical replenishes with new discoveries and developments of scientists.
Applied psychology is being improved along with the development of social relations and its individual branches. It is believed that this area does not have a clear completed structure. But the main directions can be distinguished.
First of all, it’s worthwhile to understand in which areas applied psychology conducts activities.
Task levels
Each science develops in two directions: enriching the theoretical part with new discoveries and practical application from which each user benefits. Psychology in this regard takes a leading position, since its aspects directly concern each person: problems in relations with other people, reaction to certain situations, personal failures of a person, etc.
If a person can obtain a certain part of knowledge independently, then for a deeper and more detailed analysis, a specialist with extensive knowledge will be required. Based on such features, the principles of practical psychology are distinguished.
- Practical questions are an individual task that arises when a person visits a specialist and shares his problem.
- Applied tasks are relevant for the full functioning of individual societies. For example, in the preparation of training programs, the implementation of recommendations and training programs.
- Research activity is aimed at developing a methodological base for the work of specialists in the field of psychology.
The main task
A person who is constantly in society and interacting with other people needs psychological support. Experts say that such assistance in terms of relevance is not inferior to the social and economic needs of a person. Subjectively, the level of psychological support is considered by a person as a criterion for determining the quality of life.
The main sector in society is man. Its development has a direct impact on progress in other areas of society. The highest goal of society is the development of human creativity. From this point of view, applied psychology is aimed at solving the following problems of a private nature:
- Providing psychological assistance in crisis situations.
- Recommendations for further independent growth.
- Psychological support at certain stages of life or the social path.
- Identification of problematic aspects in the psyche and assistance in overcoming them.
- The development of psychological culture of the masses.
- Improving work systems in these areas.
- Improving the professional skills of the specialist.
These and other important tasks require diverse activities in the areas that will be discussed later.
Directions
The well-known psychotherapist Carl Jung believed that a psychologist for a patient is similar to someone who leads him along an unknown route, relying entirely on his professionalism. To this end, he carries out extensive work of a diagnostic, analytical and therapeutic nature. All these areas are closely interconnected. The main ones are:
- Prevention The work at this stage is aimed at preventing disorientation in educational institutions and in the team. In this aspect, applied psychology and pedagogy should conduct joint work. The essence of the activity is to create a favorable psychological climate, rallying group members and relieving psychological stress.
- Diagnostics involves the collection of information about the studied object or group, and compiling a psychological picture.
- Correction is a set of effects on certain areas of the psyche of an object.
- In the applied problems of psychology, counseling is the priority, the purpose of which is to develop human skills for orientation in problem situations.
- Psychotherapy, the purpose of which is to provide medical and corrective care in the presence of significant psychological problems.
The work of an applied psychologist
The ultimate goal of this specialist is to help the patient make a decision. Professionals in applied psychology use different approaches to help people adapt their emotional reactions and behavior when making decisions.
The priority goal of a psychologist depends on the direction of activity. For example, consultants in this area usually talk with patients to help them improve their everyday situations in life, work with couples, families or groups. They also help patients with alcohol and drug abuse problems. Often their customers are young people.
More advanced applied psychologists use unconventional approaches in their work.
Corporate psychologists help their clients not only improve their mental health, but also stabilize their work. Legal professionals offer their opinions on the criminal mental health, behavior and motives.
Areas of activity
The central object in psychology is man. Accordingly, science can be applied in any field where human participation is required. True, there is an industry that deals with animal psychology, but this is a separate issue. Applied social psychology in Russia is widely used and developed only in the last 15 years. Currently, this science needs special attention, since for too long it has been only an academic subject and did not serve specific people to solve their problems.
Today, applied psychology is widely used in various branches of public life. Below is a brief description of these industries.
In politics
Attracting the attention of the masses to one's person, convincing oneself of the rightness, and turning their followers into loyal associates are just some of the tasks of applied psychology in the field of politics. Other tasks are no less global in nature:
- Formation of a positive image of a political figure.
- Attracting public attention in the election race.
- Influence on public opinion through the media.
- Examination of laws, programs and other large-scale measures adopted in the country aimed at preventing riots in the country.
It is difficult to imagine a politician who has poor knowledge of psychological techniques and methods. If the above tasks relate to the more public part of his activity, then behind the scenes there is also no need to apply practical and applied psychology, since it is always important to keep a team around you, to control many processes and at the same time not to lose ratings.
In economics and business
If we consider the psychological component of the economy and business, then immediately come to mind the numerous commercial trainings and coach sessions aimed at setting up a person for success. Everyone knows that motivation is the engine of any processes. Around it is built an entire industry of methodological training. But the applied aspect of psychology in the field of economics and business is much deeper:
- Adaptation of staff to new working conditions.
- Help a specific person in changing economic conditions.
- Help in creating an effective management structure in the enterprise.
- Training managers in effective ways of communicating both with clients and with respect to subordinates.
- Conflict resolution skills.
- Applied social psychology in commercial and social advertising.
In the field of jurisprudence
In classical psychology, a special role is assigned to the legal direction, since its application in this area differs from all other cases. The essence of the work lies in the diagnostic and expert areas. It is important to consider that communications in this area are often established contrary to the will of the person (criminal, victim, witnesses, etc.). Under such conditions, experimental-applied psychology should draw up a detailed psychological portrait of a person based on minimal information.
In addition, often there is a need to verify the authenticity of the information provided. But the main tasks of applied legal psychology should be considered:
- Analysis of the human condition for criminogenicity.
- Assistance in the professional adaptation of law enforcement officers.
- Their psychological rehabilitation.
- Correction of personality structure and its features.
Thus, psychological aspects in jurisprudence and in the entire law enforcement system play leading roles.
In the field of education
The effectiveness of education systems depends on many factors, the most important of which is communication. To build effective communication with adolescents requires a special approach. The activity of psychology and pedagogy in this regard is multifaceted:
- Studying and addressing the causes of poor student performance.
- The study and analysis of teaching methods used by teachers.
- Work with adolescents with deviant behavior.
- Collaboration with small informal groups.
Also, do not forget about another type of social and educational institutions - orphanages and institutions for the disabled.
Family psychology
The family is the unit of society. In psychology and psychological sciences, many problems are considered in close connection with the family atmosphere of the client. Applied branches of psychology help in solving the following problems:
- Educational assistance in raising children.
- Diagnosis of family relationships, correction of the behavior of family members.
- The regulation of marital relations.
- Help in overcoming suicidal tendencies.
- Help with the formation of skills to overcome crisis situations independently.
- Formation of a positive attitude towards life.
In other words, theoretical and applied psychology in family matters is used to form harmonious relationships between all family members, while preserving the boundaries of everyone’s personal space.
In military and sports life
An important task in this industry is the development of the spirit of confrontation and competition. A number of measures are being taken in this direction:
- The formation of behavior skills in extreme situations.
- Prediction of human actions in the conditions of struggle and competition.
- Criteria for the selection of athletes for the competition.
- Formation of conditions favorable for achieving the goals.
- Rehabilitation skills after lesions, therapy of psychological injuries arising from a competitive state.
- Development of diagnostic methods and research base.
Penitentiary sector
This direction of psychology is not practiced in all countries, although its role in the development of society is invaluable. The essence of the direction is the re-education and adaptation of convicted persons. However, in many state systems, this industry has not been developed and implemented. Measures of interaction with convicted persons end with imprisonment.
This approach continues to produce negative results. Years of detention of convicts in conditions of moral and psychological pressure do not lead to the comprehension of their actions. The personality breaks down completely, and in the future only a small percentage is able to arrange their lives within the framework of social norms. For the majority of convicts, the violent form of relations becomes the norm, therefore, some time after their release, they again return to prison walls.
If you organize this industry as an independent professional structure, having formed specific tasks, if you attract the appropriate specialists, then this step will be a significant contribution to the development of society.
Environmental
Problems of applied psychology have their place in the environmental sphere. In this industry, the applied part of psychology is aimed at finding the inner potential of a person aimed at respecting the environment. If we are talking about specific actions, they are carried out when environmental conditions change due to natural disasters and other force majeure circumstances.
As in other areas of applied psychology, in this aspect, the tasks are diagnostic, corrective, therapeutic and rehabilitative in nature.