01心理学是什么2000－7.doc

1、心理学专业英语读物 1. What Psychology Is 首都师范大学心理学系 雷雳 编 200071What Psychology IsWhy people do the things they do is an age-old question. However, psychology-the science concerned with behavior, both humans and animals-is only about 125 years old. Despite its youth, it is a broad discipline, essentially span

2、ning subject matter from biology to sociology. Biology studies the structures and functions of living organisms. Sociology examines how groups function in society. Psychologists study two critical relationships: one between brain function and behavior, and one between the environment and behavior. A

3、s scientists, psychologists follow scientific methods, using careful observation, experimentation, and analysis. But psychologists also need to be creative in the way they apply scientific findings. Psychologists are frequently innovators, evolving new approaches from established knowledge to meet c

4、hanging needs of people and societies. They develop theories and test them through their research. As this research yields new information, these findings become part of the body of knowledge that practitioners call on in their work with clients and patients. Psychology is a tremendously varied fiel

5、d. Psychologists conduct both basic and applied research, serve as consultants to communities and organizations, diagnose and treat people, and teach future psychologists and other types of students. They test intelligence and personality. They assess behavioral and mental function and well-being, s

6、tepping in to help where appropriate. They study how human beings relate to each other and also to machines, and they work to improve these relationships. And with America undergoing large changes in its population makeup, psychologists bring important knowledge and skills to understanding diverse c

7、ultures. Many psychologists work independently. They also team up with other professionals-for example, other scientists, physicians, lawyers, school personnel, computer experts, engineers, policy makers, and managers-to contribute to every area of society. Thus we find them in laboratories, hospita

8、ls, courtrooms, schools and universities, community health centers, prisons, and corporate offices. Psychologists traditionally study both normal and abnormal functioning, and also treat patients with mental and emotional problems. Today, they are increasingly concentrating on behaviors that affect

9、the mental and emotional health and mental processes of healthy human beings. For example, they work with business executives, performers, and athletes to combat stress and improve performance. They advise lawyers on jury selection and collaborate with educators on school reform. They show up immedi

10、ately following a disaster such as a plane crash or bombing, to help victims and bystanders recover from the trauma, or shock, of the event. They team with law enforcement and public health officials to analyze the causes of such events and prevent their occurrence. Involved in all aspects of our fa

11、st-paced world, psychologists must keep up with whats happening all around us. When youre a psychologist, your education never ends. Psychology is a discipline with a bright future. Among fields requiring a college degree, it is expected to be the third fastest-growing field in America through the y

12、ear 2005 and to continue to grow steadily for at least another dozen years after that. Opportunities for work in psychology are expanding in number and scope. The move toward preventing illness, rather than merely diagnosing and treating it, requires people to learn how to make healthy behavior a ro

13、utine part of living. Indeed, many of the problems facing society today are problems about behavior, for example, drug addiction, poor personal relationships, violence at 心理学专业英语读物 1. What Psychology Is 首都师范大学心理学系 雷雳 编 200072home and in the street, and the harm we do to our environment. Psychologist

14、s contribute solutions to problems through careful collection of data, analysis of data, and development of intervention strategies-in other words, by applying scientific principles, the hallmark of psychology. In addition, an aging America is leading to more research and practice in adapting our ho

15、mes and workplaces for older people. The promises of the electronic revolution demand more user-friendly technologies and training. More women in the workplace calls for employers to accommodate the needs of families. Psychologists are helping employers to make the changes that are needed. The diver

16、sity of America today calls for psychologists to develop and refine therapies to meet the unique needs of different ethnic groups. Furthermore, research advances in learning and memory, and the integration of physical and mental health care, make psychology more exciting than ever. Most psychologist

17、s say they love their work. They cite the variety from day to day and the flexibility of their schedules. They are thrilled by the most exciting changes taking place in the field, from working with primary care physicians to using computers. Most of all, they are committed to helping people manage t

18、he ups and downs of daily life. The study of psychology is also good preparation for many other professions. Many employers are interested in the skills that psychology majors bring to collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, and their experience with statistics and experimental design. The Job

19、 Outlook for the Next Two DecadesPsychology graduates are generally pleased with the way what they studied in school helped prepare them for both life and work. A woman who opened her own business shortly after earning a baccalaureate in psychology explains, “After all, psychology is the business of

20、 life.“ Psychology graduates continue to be excited by the changes taking place in the field that relate to what they are now doing. Doctoral GraduatesAs might be expected, the highest paid and greatest range of jobs in psychology are available to doctoral graduates. Although the number of doctoral

21、graduates has at least doubled over the past 12 years, the demand continues to meet the supply. Furthermore, unemployment and underemployment rates for doctoral psychologists are slightly below the average for other scientists and engineers. Few drop out of the field. The greatest expansion of caree

22、r opportunities for doctoral psychologists in the last decade have been in the subfields of clinical, counseling, school, health, industrial and educational psychology. As a consequence portionally fewer new doctorates have headed into faculty positions as compared with the past. Masters GraduatesTh

23、e number of psychology students who pursue a terminal masters degree has increased sixfold since 1960. Competition for positions in psychology-related jobs is keen; nevertheless, approximately one-third of those with a masters degree in psychology find such work. Many handle research and data collec

24、tion and analysis in universities, government, and private companies. Others find jobs in health, industry, and education, the primary work settings for psychology professionals with masters degrees. With growing recognition of the role of the psychologist in the community, more jobs for psychologis

25、ts with masters degrees may also 心理学专业英语读物 1. What Psychology Is 首都师范大学心理学系 雷雳 编 200073become available in community mental health centers. Psychologists with masters degrees often work under the direction of a doctoral psychologist, especially in clinical, counseling, school, and testing and measur

26、ement psychology. Some jobs in industry, for example, in organizational development and survey research, are held by both doctoral- and masters-level graduates. But industry and government jobs in compensation, training, data analysis, and general personnel issues are often filled by professionals w

27、ith masters degrees in psychology. Bachelors GraduatesSome students stop with a bachelors degree in psychology and find work related to their college major. For example, they may be assistants in rehabilitation centers. If they meet state certification requirements, they can teach psychology in high

28、 school. But the study of psychology at the bachelors level is also a fine preparation for many other professions. In fact, psychology is the second most popular undergraduate major behind business administration. In 1996, about 65,000 college seniors graduated with a degree in psychology, but many

29、were not necessarily interested in a career as a psychologist. Of these 65,000 students, less than1 in 10 enrolled in graduate work in psychology. These students often possess good research and writing skills, are good problem solvers, and have well-developed, higher-level thinking ability when it c

30、omes to analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information. Most find jobs in administrative support, public affairs, education, business, sales, service industries, health, the biological sciences, and computer programming. They work as employment counselors, correction counselor trainees, intervi

31、ewers, personnel analysts, probation officers, and writers. Two-thirds believe their job is closely or somewhat related to their psychology background and that their jobs hold career potential. Psychology majors have many qualities that are attractive to job recruiters. Employers find that psycholog

32、y graduates possess strong people skills. And psychology majors also value these skills themselves. “Once you learn the principles of human behavior,“ says a banker with a bachelors degree in psychology, “theyre always at the top of the mind, ready to be used. You dont have to stumble across them by

33、 accident.“ What Psychologists Do and Where They Do ItPsychology is an extraordinarily diverse field with hundreds of career paths. Some specialties, like caring for mentally ill people, are familiar to most of us. Others, like helping with the design of advanced computer systems or studying how we

34、remember things, are less well known. What all psychologists have in common is a shared interest in mind and behavior, both human and animal. In their work, they draw on an ever-expanding body of scientific knowledge about how we think, act, and feel, and apply the information to their special areas

35、 of expertise. Among psychologists, researchers spend most of their time generating knowledge; practitioners apply the knowledge; and some psychologists do both. In addition to their particular mix of science and practice, psychologists can be distinguished in terms of where they work. Many psycholo

36、gists work in more than one setting. For instance, college professors often consult for industry or see clients on a part-time basis. Although its possible to identify a host of different work settings, for the purpose of this booklet, well consider some of the most prominent examples. 心理学专业英语读物 1.

37、What Psychology Is 首都师范大学心理学系 雷雳 编 200074Getting Ready to Work in PsychologyIf you are interested in a career as a psychologist, you have to complete graduate school with a major in psychology. Take time to research your choices. The program should match your interests. For example, some psychology

38、departments may specialize in a subfield of psychology that appeals to you. In addition, investigate the areas of expertise and research interests of individual faculty members if your career interest lies in a specific type of research. A graduate schools department of psychology is the best source

39、 of information about the nature of its program and its admission requirements. Throughout the application process, discuss your plans with your psychology faculty advisor. Apply to a number of programs that offer you a reasonable chance of acceptance. The American Psychological Association has many

40、 resources to help you. Contact the APA Education Directorate at 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. HIGH SCHOOL PREPARATIONA strong academic high school education is a good beginning for a career in psychology. Courses in science, math, English, history, social studies, and a foreign l

41、anguage are important. Science and math are particularly important because they provide the necessary skills for research and analysis in college psychology courses. Some high schools offer a course in psychology, which can give you a taste of what the field is about. You can also find a volunteer j

42、ob where psychologists work, or read about psychology in newspapers and magazines to explore the field. BACHELORS DEGREEMost four-year colleges and universities require a blend of research and liberal arts courses for a bachelors degree in psychology. The courses usually include introductory psychol

43、ogy, experimental psychology, and statistics. Other required courses can be in learning, personality, abnormal psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, physiological or comparative psychology, history and systems, and tests and measurement. Typically, you will be ready to take electi

44、ves in psychology by the time you are a college junior. It is a good time to make graduate school plans so you can make wise choices about future courses and extracurricular activities during the last two years of college. Know, however, that as long as youve taken some electives in psychology, you

45、dont always need to have a bachelors in psychology to get into a graduate program in the field. The Value of the Undergraduate DegreePsychology majors, whether or not they have gone on to other careers, cite courses in the principles of human behavior as especially important to life after college. T

46、he additional insight gained from these courses into what motivates people to perform at their peak helps them, whether they are functioning as parents at home or managers on the job.Many bachelors degree holders credit their college psychology courses with teaching them how people, including themse

47、lves, learn. “I use information on learning reinforcement every time I conduct a training session for my employees,“ says a manager in a consumer products company. Above all, it is the rigorous training in the scientific methodthe need to do thorough, objective research, analyze data logically, and

48、put forth the findings with claritythat stands psychology majors in good stead as they pursue their future careers. 心理学专业英语读物 1. What Psychology Is 首都师范大学心理学系 雷雳 编 200075GRADUATE SCHOOLMost graduate departments require that you take a standard aptitude test, usually the Graduate Record Examination (

49、GRE). Although programs vary in the weight they attach to test scores, successful applicants typically score well above 500 on both the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE. Determine if your GRE scores will qualify you for consideration by the institution to which you would like to apply. Competition for spaces in graduate school is keen. Masters DegreeUndergraduate course requirements for