When it comes to the field of psychology, there are many different subfields to choose from. Two of the most popular subfields are clinical psychology and AP psychology. While both of these subfields deal with the study of human behavior and mental processes, there are significant differences between the two.
What is Clinical Psychology?
Clinical psychology is a subfield of psychology that focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness and psychological distress. Clinical psychologists are trained to work with people who are dealing with a wide range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse.
To become a clinical psychologist, individuals must typically complete a doctoral degree in psychology, gain supervised clinical experience, and pass a state licensing exam. Clinical psychologists may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, and mental health clinics.
What Is AP Psychology?
AP psychology, on the other hand, is a high school level course that introduces students to the study of human behavior and mental processes. AP stands for Advanced Placement, which means that students who successfully complete the course and pass the exam may be able to earn college credit.
AP psychology covers a broad range of topics, including social psychology, personality psychology, and cognitive psychology. Students in this course learn about different theories and methods used in psychology research, as well as how to evaluate research studies and draw conclusions based on evidence.
Differences Between Clinical Psychology and AP Psychology
The main differences between clinical psychology and AP psychology are their scope, level of education required, and the types of issues they address.
Scope
Clinical psychology has a much narrower scope than AP psychology. Clinical psychologists focus on the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and psychological distress. AP psychology covers a wider range of topics and is intended to provide a broad introduction to the field of psychology.
Education Required
Becoming a clinical psychologist requires significantly more education than taking an AP psychology class. Clinical psychologists typically have at least a doctoral degree in psychology and have completed supervised clinical experience. In contrast, high school students taking an AP psychology class do not need any additional education beyond what they receive in high school.
Issues Addressed
Clinical psychology addresses serious mental health issues, while AP psychology covers a wider range of topics related to human behavior and mental processes. Clinical psychologists are trained to work with people who are experiencing serious mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. AP psychology, on the other hand, covers topics such as memory, perception, and learning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, clinical psychology and AP psychology are two very different subfields of psychology. Clinical psychology involves the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and psychological distress, while AP psychology is a high school level course that introduces students to the field of psychology. Understanding the differences between the two can help individuals make informed decisions about what field they would like to pursue.