Applied psychology and its tasks

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

Every problem has a solution. Wise sayings say that the way out of a difficult situation is the same as the entrance. In other words, if there is a role of a person in the origin of the problem, then he can also influence getting rid of it. Solving such issues requires knowledge from the field of general psychology, sociology and other humanities.

Applied psychology and its tasks

The science of the laws of the human soul and the functioning of mental activity has formed a separate branch - psychology. It develops in two directions. Practical is applied directly to solving the problems of a group of people or one person. The theoretical is replenished with new discoveries and developments of scientists.

Applied psychology is improving along with the development of social relations and its individual branches. It is believed that this direction does not have a clear completed structure. But the main directions can be identified.

First, it is worth understanding the directions in which applied psychology is active.

Task Levels

Each science develops in two directions: enrichment of the theoretical part with new discoveries and practical application, from which each user benefits. Psychology in this regard occupies a leading position, since its aspects directly relate to each person: problems in relationships with other people, reactions to certain situations, personal failures of a person, etc.

If a person can get a certain part of knowledge on their own, then for a deeper and more detailed analysis, a specialist with extensive knowledge will be required. Based on such features, the principles of the activity of practical psychology stand out.

1. Practical questions are an individual challenge that arises when a person visits a specialist and shares their problem.
2. Applied tasks are relevant for the full functioning of individual societies. For example, when compiling training programs, implementing recommendations and training programs.
3. Research activities are aimed at developing a methodological basis for the work of specialists in the field of psychology.

Main task

A person, constantly being in society and interacting with other people, needs psychological support. Experts argue that such assistance is not inferior to the social and economic needs of a person in terms of relevance. Subjectively, the level of psychological support is considered by a person as a criterion for determiningquality of life.

The main sector in society is a person. Its development has a direct impact on progress in other areas of society. The highest goal of society is the development of the creative potential of man. From this point of view, applied psychology is aimed at solving the following problems of a particular nature:

• Psychological assistance in crisis situations.
• Recommendations for further independent growth.
• Psychological support at certain stages of life or social path.
• Identification of problematic aspects in the psyche and help in overcoming them.
• Development of the psychological culture of the broad masses.
• Improvement of work systems in these areas.
• Improving the professional skills of the specialist himself.

These and other important tasks require diversified activities in the areas that will be discussed below.

Directions

The famous psychotherapist Carl Jung believed that a psychologist for a patient is like 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:

1. Prevention. Work at this stage is aimed at preventing disorientation in educational institutions and in the team. In this aspect, applied psychology and pedagogy should work together. The essence of the activitycomes down to the formation of a favorable psychological climate, the rallying of group members and the removal of psychological stress.
2. Diagnosis involves collecting information about the object or group under study and drawing up a psychological picture.
3. Correction is a set of influences on certain areas of the object's psyche.
4. In the applied tasks of psychology, counseling is a priority, the purpose of which is to develop a person's skills for orientation in problem situations.
5. Psychotherapy, the purpose of which is to provide medical and corrective assistance 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. Applied psychologists use a variety of approaches to help people adapt their emotional responses and decision-making behaviors.

The priority goal of a psychologist depends on the direction of activity. For example, counselors in this field usually talk to patients to help them improve their day-to-day situations in life, work with couples, families, or groups. They also help patients with alcohol and drug abuse problems. Often their clients are young people.

More advanced applied psychologists take unconventional approaches to their work.

Corporate psychologists help their clients not only improve their mental he alth, but also stabilize their work. Professionals working in the judiciary offer their views on the offender's mental he alth, behavior and motives.

Fields of activity

The central object in psychology is man. Accordingly, science can be applied in any area where human participation is required. True, there is a branch that deals with animal psychology, but this is a separate issue. Applied social psychology in Russia has been widely used and developed only in the last 15 years. At present, this science needs special attention, as for too long it was only an academic subject and did not serve specific people to solve their problems.

Today, applied psychology is widely used in various sectors of public life. Below is a brief description of these industries.

In politics

Getting the attention of the masses to your person, convincing yourself that you are right, and turning your followers into loyal comrades-in-arms are just some of the tasks of applied psychology in the field of politics. Other tasks are no less global:

• Formation of a positive image of a political figure.
• Getting the attention of the public in the election race.
• Influencing 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 command of psychological techniques and methods. If the above tasks aremore 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, control many processes and at the same time not lose ratings.

In economics and business

If we consider the psychological component of the economy and business, then immediately come to mind numerous commercial trainings and coaching sessions aimed at setting a person up for success. Everyone knows that motivation is the engine of any processes. An entire industry of methodical education has been built around it. But the applied aspect of psychology in the field of economics and business is much deeper:

• Adaptation of staff to new working conditions.
• Helping a specific person when economic conditions change.
• Help in creating an effective management structure at the enterprise.
• Teaching managers how to communicate effectively with both clients and 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 take into account that communications in this area are often established against the will of a person (criminal, victim, witnesses, etc.). ATUnder such conditions, experimental applied psychology should compile a detailed psychological portrait of a person based on minimal information.

In addition, it is often necessary to verify the authenticity of the information provided. But the main tasks of applied legal psychology should be considered:

• Analysis of a person's condition for criminality.
• Assistance in the professional adaptation of law enforcement officers.
• Their psychological rehabilitation.
• Correction of personality structure and its features.

Thus, the psychological aspects in jurisprudence and in the entire law enforcement system play a leading role.

In education

Efficiency of education systems depends on many factors, communication being an essential one. Building effective communication with teenagers requires a special approach. The activities of psychology and pedagogy in this regard are multifaceted:

• Investigate and address the causes of poor student achievement.
• Study and analysis of teaching methods used by teachers.
• Working with teenagers 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

Family is the cell of society. In psychology and the psychological sciences, many problems are considered in closerelationship with the client's family environment. 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.
• Regulation of marital relations.
• Help with overcoming suicidal tendencies.
• Help in developing skills for self-management of crisis situations.
• Building 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 maintaining the boundaries of everyone's personal space.

In military and sports life

In this industry, an important task is to develop the spirit of confrontation and competition. A number of measures are being taken in this direction:

• Formation of skills of behavior in extreme situations.
• Predicting human actions in conditions of struggle and competition.
• Criteria for selecting athletes for competitions.
• Creating conditions conducive to achieving goals.
• Skills of rehabilitation after defeats, therapy of traumas of a psychological nature 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 indevelopment of society is invaluable. The essence of the direction lies in the re-education and adaptation of convicted persons. However, in many government systems, this industry is not developed and implemented. Interactions with convicted persons result in imprisonment.

This approach continues to give its negative results. Years of keeping convicts under conditions of moral and psychological pressure do not lead to understanding 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 most convicts, a violent form of relationship becomes the norm, so some time after their release they return to the prison walls.

If this industry is organized as an independent professional structure, having formed specific tasks, if relevant specialists are involved, then such a step will be a significant contribution to the development of society.

Ecological

Problems of applied psychology have their place in the ecological sphere as well. In this industry, the applied part of psychology is aimed at finding the inner potential of a person, aimed at caring for the environment. If we are talking about specific actions, then 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.