Using Psychology at Work

Using Psychology at Work

Pets, cats, dogs and others often help us in ways we do not even realize. Interestingly enough, some psychologists say that owning a pet may even help with depression. Depression is the layman’s term for the clinical appellation Major Depressive Disorder (defined in the DSM published by the APA). Abnormal psychology, also called clinical psychology, is the branch of psychology most closely associated with psychiatry.

Psychology is a social science which centres on human behaviour and studying the mind. However, psychologists study other subjects than human ones. For example, pigeons, macaques, chimpanzees, cats and dogs have all been subjects to psychological research. Furthermore, psychologists are not psychiatrists, but may be psychotherapists. Thus, psychologists are not doctors and cannot prescribe medications in most jurisdictions.

Working in hard environment. Image: Elena

Nonetheless, using psychology at work may be a good idea. After all, it is hard to imagine a work environment in which there are no other people. Hence, using psychology may come in handy. However, one does not necessarily need to use reverse psychology. Alongside pop psychology, reverse psychology constitutes a popular term which covers elements of psychology and manipulation. Therefore, using reverse psychology may mean telling a coworker that he or she does not want to help, whereas one hopes that they do lend a helping hand at the task. Along similar lines, telling someone they cannot do something might challenge them to undertake the task, although none of these guidelines are necessarily proven in real life.

(Draft for an article about psychology at work).