What is the purpose of a psychologist?

Answer 1

Psychology is the study of the human mind. It seeks to understand why people behave the way they do, how people think, learn and interact. There are many branches of psychology that look at specific aspects of this vast subject. Clinical psychologists are concerned with what happens when the mind breaks down - psychopathy, Cognitive psychologists, examine how we understand and think, forensic psychologists study criminal behaviour. To correct a few assumptions, Clinical Psychologists do believe in medication but are more concerned with understanding and changing negative thought processes.

I think you are asking why a psychologist is necessary. Psychologists, unlike psychiatrists, can explain normal patterns of behaviour, explaining many human mysteries such as conflict, love and how we learn and speak. There are numerous applications from this, from improving methods of interrogating criminals, understanding motives for racism and identifying new ways to teach our children. Psychology aims to promote our understanding of ourselves through research. It is not, as some have suggested, a way of manipulate the weak or inventing maladies that excuse poor behaviour. Mental illness is a reality and the goal of psychology is to apply knowledge of how the mind works to understand these problems and combat them. Like all science, it can be misapplied by the unethical but in general it is a noble and fascinating pursuit.

Answer 2

To help the person realise what has made him this way. For example if someone is suffering from depression, the psychologist will help the patient release thoughts that might have been 'locked' in his mind and eventually come to the real cause of the illness and then help the patient find ways and means to get well again. A good psychologist just guides the patient to cure himself, not imposing his own ideas or views on him. Sometimes, a good old fashioned chin wag round the fire with friends can do just as well! But a professional is needed for more serious cases or when the patient feels he can't take his problems anywhere else.

Answer 3

The purpose of Psychology is to help those who are struggling to cme to terms with something, or have been medically diagnosed with a mental illness. They are not people who are striving to make money from people's insecurities, as some moron suggested.
Not all human brains have the capacity to deal with difficult or traumatic situations and at times we all need someone to talk to aboout our deepest fears, or difficulties we may have experienced at some point or another.

Those Psychologists which work within the mental health area are there to try and gain a greater understanding of the human brain and behaviour. They also work on dieseases of the brain such as dementia. without the research of the Psychologist there would be less understand of humans and their behaviour which would undoubtedly lead to much more mass destruction then there already is.

Answer 4

A psychologist is an individual with a doctorate in the analysis of the human mind. Psychologists are doctors whom you can speak to in hopes of a better understanding of mental issues, stress, cognitive issues and psychosocial effects among other aspects of course. Psychologists believe that medication does not help, but finding the root cause and understanding how that root has influenced the human aspect allows the patient to alter/change behaviors. Psychiatrist are able to prescribe medications but that does not mean that it helps. Psychologists often see patients who require assistance be it due to depression, stress or emotion cognitive in capabilities. Psychologists look towards healing the patient not medicating the symptoms until they are masked by other factors. I hope that helps.

Answer 5

There are many types
clinical psychologist--testing, consultation and clinical care
counseling psychologist--similar to above but more focus on counseling
experimental psychologist--research in animal learning, cognition, statistics, or many other areas of research
industrial psychologist--personnel and performance issues in industry

Answer 6

Carl Rogers would have a lot to say about this argument. Is it just me that finds the term mentioned earlier " understanding through research" alarming when talking about people. People are not an exact or any other form of science

Answer 7

to me psychologist are a waste of space...there real purpose is to assist or help people deal with there issues mentally to make them deal with problems in a practical way ....however almost all of them are there just to rip people off and make money...

Answer 8

To find out if you are mentaly deranged or suffering from a gloryfication of self, a fine example being Tony Blair, if anyone needs a phycologist it is him

Answer 9

Psychoanalysis?

Answer 10

yes