Psychology is both a science and a form of therapy. In other words, psychology is an applied science. This means that when you are studying psychology, you will apply what you’ve learned to your work in your career! Below are the different ways you can apply what you’ve learned in psychology.
Psychology as a Scientific Discipline
Psychology is defined as the scientific study of behavior and mind [Source 1]. It is known to be in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) field, so it makes sense that it’s a scientific discipline! Below are a few different scientific methods psychologists use:
- Empirical Methods: Psychologists use scientific methods to ensure their findings are reliable and valid. This means that you will design controlled experiments and conduct observational studies to test hypotheses about human and nonhuman behavior [Source 1].
- Focus on Evidence: Psychological research investigates different methods including cognition, attention, emotion, motivation, and personality. This means that you will analyze causal and correlational relationships between variables using proper evidence [Source 1].
- Interdisciplinary: Psychology crosses the boundaries between the natural sciences (e.g., neuroscience, which links the discipline to brain function) and the social sciences (e.g., sociology, which seeks to understand group behavior) [Source 1]. This means that in your interdisciplinary studies you will learn more about multiple different scientific methods in testing your theories!
Therapy as an Applied Science
Therapy, or more specifically psychotherapy, is the application of the knowledge you’ve attained from psychological science. This means that you will take what you learn from psychology as a science to then put it into practice by helping individuals and groups. It transforms scientific findings into practical solutions! Below are some therapy practices psychologists use:
- Evidence-Based Practice (EBP): Modern clinical psychology operates under strict standards of EBP. This means that therapeutic techniques are not based on intuition or tradition, but on treatments that have been studied and proven effective in scientific research [Source 2]. For example, the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety is based on countless studies demonstrating its effectiveness.
- The Scientist-Practitioner Model: Many professional training programs emphasize the integration of science and practice. This means that clinical psychologists are not only skilled therapists but are also professionals who can critically evaluate new research and adjust their clinical practice based on the best available evidence [Source 2].
- A "Thriving Profession": Professional therapy applies psychological science to real-world problems. For example, clinical and counseling psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. They also apply psychological principles to areas like in business and law [Source 2].
Careers and More
Psychology gives the best of both worlds because it’s an applied science! There are many careers that allow you to apply the therapeutic, scientific, or combined practices of psychology. To see a list of these careers and more, visit these articles [INSERT DEGREE PAGE ARTICLE & WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE ARTICLE]. Whatever you decide to do, the knowledge and experience you will gain from studying psychology will lead you to personal success and the ability to help others!
Sources
1. Wikipedia. (n.d.). Psychology. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology
2. Careers in Psychology. (2025). Is Psychology a Science? What Students Should Know in 2025. Retrieved from https://careersinpsychology.org/practice-psychology-art-science/