The field of psychology focuses on the human mind and behavior to
gain understanding of why people think, feel and behave certain ways. In a continuous effort to gain understanding
of human behavior psychologist observe individuals, administer questionnaires
that are known as psychological testing and develop theories based off of
results from experiments that are conducted.
The field of psychology has many sub-fields that include “human
development, health, industry, law, and so on” ("Psychology,"
2009). This paper will examine the
sub-field clinical psychology and discuss the history and evolving nature of that
branch of psychology. In addition to the
examination of clinical psychology this paper will also explain the role of
research and statistics in clinical psychology as well as discuss the
differences between clinical psychology and other mental health professions,
including social work, psychiatry, and social psychology.
Clinical psychology is considered a major sub-field of psychology
that involves “the scientific application of psychology with the purpose of
evaluating, diagnosing, preventing, and treating psychological distress or
dysfunctional behavior” ("Clinical psychology," 2009). The basis of clinical psychology revolves
around the notion that individuals have the ability to change therefore “clinical
psychology focuses its efforts on the ways in which the human psyche interacts
with the physical emotional and social aspects of health and dysfunction”
(Plante, 2011 p. 5). Clinical psychology
applies psychological findings in relation to human behavior to help
individuals manage issues that have developed due to unpleasant experiences
that may occurred in their life.
Examples of issues that clinical psychology help individuals with
include but are not limited to severe depression that may occur after a
traumatic experience such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. Substance abuse problems, “addictions,
hallucinations, compulsive eating, sexual dysfunction, physical abuse, suicidal
impulses and head injuries” (Plante, 2011 p. 6) just to name a few.
The field of clinical psychology concentration is on psychological
assessment and treatment. Psychological
assessment “involves the use of intelligence, achievement, personality, and
neuropsychological tests as well as clinical observations, to attain a better
understanding of the individual’s psychological problem” ("Clinical
psychology," 2009). Psychological
treatment happens “through psychotherapy that involves a relationship between a
clinical psychologist and a patient, couple, family, or group, where the
psychologists employs a series of techniques to relieve psychological distress
or otherwise improve coping strategies” ("Clinical psychology,"
2009). Psychoanalysis, Psychodynamic
therapy, behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and humanistic
therapy are different theoretical methods that clinical psychologist employ
during treatment.
History
The field of psychology emerged as a science in 1879 when “Wilhelm
Wundt, also known as the father of psychology, established the first laboratory
dedicated to psychological research at Leipzig University in Germany”
("Psychology," 2009). Soon after
the establishment of the research laboratory, “William James published The Principles of Psychology, which laid
the foundation for much of the stud of psychology that followed”
("Psychology," 2009) as well as Wundt’s publication of ‘The principles of Physiological Psychology and
Theodor Fechner’s publication of The Elements of Psychophysics” (Plante, 2011). These publications along with research
laboratory prompted the establishment of the American Psychological Association
in 1892. The main agenda in psychology
was to realistically measure human behavior through observation to gain an
understanding of the connection between the human mind and behavior.
Lightner Witmer established the “first psychology clinic at the
University of Pennsylvania in 1896” (Plante, 2011 p.32) that created the term clinical psychology,
however long before that development “several Greek thinkers were pivotal in
the early development of integrative approaches to illness, and this, were
precursors to a biopsychosocial perspective” (Plante, 2011 p. 33). Ancient Greeks believed that there was a
connection between mind and body in addition to their beliefs that God control
health and illness. Hippocrates was one
of the first to provide a physiological explanation of disease and dysfunction
by suggesting that disparities in the mixture and quantity of body fluids such
as black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood was the cause of quite a few emotions
and psychological disturbances, such as sadness, irritability, and anger.
Evolving Nature
The American Psychological Association was reluctant to accept a
practical approach to psychology; however that did not stop the field of
clinical psychology from evolving into a major contributor to the field of
psychology with the help of the “works and writings of Sigmund Freud and his
colleagues” (Plante, 2011). Sigmund
Freud expanded on the Greeks notion of the connection between the mind and body
in which he “proposed that unconscious conflicts and emotional influences could
bring about mental and physical illness” (Plante, 2011). It took some time before Freud’s work
actually had direct influence on clinical psychology, however eventually his
ideas on human psychology were substituted for humanism, cognitive-behaviorism,
and family system approaches.
Prior to World War II, there was not much efforts put into
clinical psychology, however after the war, “clinical psychology was newly
supported by government funds and expanded enormously” ("History of
clinical psychology," 2004). Eventually
the American Psychological Association began to establish “an official system
for accrediting training in clinical psychology” which prompted the Boulder
Conference to “set the pattern for such programs, which sought to train
scientist practitioners” ("History of clinical psychology,"
2004).
The field of clinical psychology continues to evolve due to
changes that occur as research is conducted and results differentiate from
previous research as well as “the evolution of Western medicine from a non-scientific
endeavor to today’s high-tech standard of practice is traced” (Plante,
2011). As clinical psychology evolved
it bought about changes in psychological assessments that lead to mental health
facilities being established and the beginning of psychotropic drugs being used
as treatment of abnormal psychology.
Although these developments in the field of clinical psychology provide
an alternate to what was considered traditional treatment they did not give a
full explanation of the behavior in question therefore prompting for research
to be continuous.
The Role of Research and Statistics
Research is the foundation that clinical psychology developed from
because “research conducted by psychologists or others in the behavioral
sciences provides the basis and direction for all professional activities”
(Plante, 2011). Research programs have
been developed to assist psychologist in making a determination on “which
assessment or treatment approach might be most effective for a particular
clinical problem such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or substance
abuse problems” (Plante, 2011).
Statistics is also a part of the foundation that clinical psychology
developed from because information gathered allows researchers to conclude
whether or not it is that information provides significance and is relevant to
a larger group of individuals.
Clinical Psychology as it differs from other fields
Clinical Psychology differs from others fields such as mental
health, social work, psychiatry, and social psychology because of the training
that is needed and the educational requirements. Clinical psychologist must complete Ph.D. or
Doctor of Psychology program that consists of five years of graduate course
work and studies that ends with a dissertations and a completion of one year
supervised work in the field. In
addition to the educational requirements a clinical psychologist is required to
obtain a license by the state before they can begin practice. Social workers must have a minimum of a
bachelor’s degree, pass a licensing examination and two years of clinical
experience that is supervised by a licensed social worker. Psychiatrist must attend medical school where
they are required to study chemistry, physiology, and the science of medicine
and also two years of applied clinical training. After medical school psychiatric residency is
also required as a part of continuing training.
Mental health requirements are a bachelors or master’s degree in
psychology and clinical experience that they can be obtained on the job. Social psychology requires a minimum of a
master’s degree and typically works in settings where they are making
observation on human interactions where they apply the knowledge they have on
human behavior with scientific research methods which is similar to clinical
psychology but it differs due to clinical psychology requiring that an
individual have knowledge and skills with all psychology sub-fields.
Conclusion
The field of psychology emerged as a scientific discipline when
the first laboratory was created for psychological research and soon after that
clinical psychology emerged as a sub-field adding major contributions to the
field of psychology. Several factors have contributed to the evolution of
clinical psychology that dates back to the Greeks and Hippocrates theories that
have allowed for psychologist to make continuous efforts to improve assessments
and treatments of individuals using information gathered from research and
statistics. Clinical psychology differs
from other disciplines because it’s focus is on applying the knowledge obtained
from other disciplines and research to develop assessments and treatment for
individuals.
No comments:
Post a Comment