Developmental psychologists study how we develop intellectually, socially, and emotionally over the lifespan. Some focus on just one period of life. Developmental psychologists usually do research and teach in academic settings, but many act as consultants to day care centers, schools, or social service agencies. Human Factors Psychology. They may be involved in clinical work, in the assessment of brain-damaged patients, or in research, such as attempts to relate cognitive activity to brain activity as seen in brain scans.
Social psychologists study how our beliefs, feelings, and behaviors are affected by other persons.
Some topics of interest to social psychologists are attitude formation and change, aggression, prejudice, and interpersonal attraction. Most social psychologists work in academic settings, but some work in federal agencies and businesses doing applied research. Clinical social workers are trained to diagnose and treat psychological problems. They do not do psychological testing. Psychiatric social workers provide services to individuals, families, and small groups.