Majoring in Psychology

• The new edition incorporates the most up-to-date research, as well as recent changes to the GRE
• Reveals the benefits of pursuing a psychology degree and shows students how to prepare for a career or to continue with graduate study in the field
• Features a wide range of supplemental exercises and materials plus topical contributions written by national and international figures in their respective psychology subfields
• Online support materials for instructors include Powerpoint slides and test banks to support each chapter

Jeffrey L. Helms is Professor of Psychology at Kennesaw State University. Dr. Helms, a licensed psychologist and member of the American Psychological Association, currently maintains a small private consulting practice that focuses on executive coaching and organizational, academic, and forensic consultation.

Daniel T. Rogers is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Kennesaw State University. A licensed psychologist, Dr. Rogers is also a member of the American Psychological Association and the Society for Personality Assessment.

List of Boxes xviii

List of Tables xxi

Preface xxii

Acknowledgments xxiv

About the Website xxvi

Part I Majoring in Psychology 1

1 Why Major in Psychology? 3

Introduction 3

How to Use this Book 6

Why Major in Psychology? 6

Suggested Exercises 13

Suggested Readings by Topic Area 14

References 14

2 Succeeding in College: Transitions, Strategies, and Resources 15

Introduction 15

The Experience of Adjusting to College 17

Academic Strategies 23

Campus Resources 30

Conclusion 33

Suggested Exercises 33

Suggested Readings 34

References 34

3 Succeeding in the Psychology Major: Adjustments, Common Difficulties, and Strategies 38

Introduction 38

The Nature of Academic Work in the Psychology Major 40

Common Challenges for Psychology Majors 43

Strategies for Success 49

Conclusion 54

Suggested Exercises 54

Suggested Readings 55

Resources 55

References 56

4 Assessing and Developing Career Goals 57

Introduction 57

The Nature and Value of Career Goal Setting 59

Assessing Self and Developing Life Goals 64

Assessing Self and Developing Career Goals 66

Assessing Self and Developing Educational Goals 69

Conclusion 73

Suggested Exercises 73

Suggested Readings 74

References 74

5 Using your Bachelor’s Degree: Preparing for the Job Market 76

Introduction 76

Work Settings of Recent Graduates 77

What Employers Want from Applicants for Entry‐Level Positions 79

How to Develop What Employers Want 82

Finding Entry‐Level Positions 85

Preparing Job Application Materials: Résumés and Cover Letters 87

Preparing for and Completing Job Interviews and Considering Offers 93

Starting Salaries 97

Suggested Exercises 98

Resources 99

References 100

6 The Preprofessional Degree: Preparing for Graduate School 102

Introduction 102

Is Graduate School Right for You? 103

Course Selection 104

Grades and Grade Point Average 110

Research Experience 111

Internships, Field Practica, and Work Experience 113

Mentoring 114

Getting Involved in Professional Organizations 115

Getting Involved on Campus 116

Community Service and Extracurricular Activities 118

Suggested Exercises 118

Suggested Readings 120

Resources 120

References 121

7 The Preprofessional Degree: Applying to Graduate School 122

Introduction 122

The Subfields of Psychology 122

Deciding on the Type of Graduate Education 127

Finding Available Graduate Programs 132

Evaluating the Graduate Programs You Find 133

Selecting Programs to Pursue 146

Preparing Vitae – An Essential Part of Your Application Packet 147

Statements of Intent and Admissions Essays 152

Letters of Recommendation 153

The Graduate School Application Packet 156

Interviewing 156

Making Your Decision 159

Plan B: What if I Don’t Get In? 161

10 Tips from a Successful Applicant: Laura L. Mayhew 162

Suggested Exercises 165

Suggested Readings 165

Resources 165

References 166

Part II The Subfields of Psychology 169

8 Careers in Research: Experimental, Developmental, Social, Cognitive, and Biopsychology 171

Introduction 171

Defining the Subfields 172

The Work 180

Training and Preparation 184

Working in Research‐Related Areas with a Bachelor’s Degree 186

An Insider’s Perspective: Testing the Waters: Marie Balaban, PhD 188

Professional Spotlight: Cynthia L. Pickett, PhD 190

Suggested Exercises 191

Suggested Readings by Topic Area 191

Resources by Topic Area 192

References 193

9 Careers in Industrial and Organizational Psychology 194

Introduction 194

Defining the Subfield 195

The Work 200

Training and Preparation 204

Working in Areas Related to I/O Psychology with a Bachelor’s Degree 209

An Insider’s Perspective: The Flexibility of the Doctoral Degree in I/O Psychology: Russell E. Johnson, PhD 211

Professional Spotlight: John Chan, PhD 213

Suggested Exercises 214

Suggested Readings 215

Resources 215

References 215

10 Careers in Clinical Psychology and Counseling Psychology 217

Introduction 217

Defining the Subfields 218

The Work 219

Training and Preparation 231

Working in Areas Related to Clinical or Counseling Psychology with a Bachelor’s Degree 241

An Insider’s Perspective: A Science of Heart and Mind: Robert McGrath, PhD 243

Professional Spotlight: Kimberlyn Leary, PhD, ABPP 244

Suggested Exercises 245

Suggested Readings by Topic Area 246

Resources 246

References 246

11 Careers in Educational and School Psychology 248

Introduction 248

Defining the Subfields 249

The Work 251

Training and Preparation 256

Working in Areas Related to Educational and School Psychology with a Bachelor’s Degree 260

An Insider’s Perspective: The Science of People: A Career in School Psychology: William Pfohl, PsyD, NCSP 261

Professional Spotlight: Rebecca S. Martínez, PhD, NCSP 263

Suggested Exercises 264

Suggested Readings by Topic Area 264

Resources 265

References 265

12 Careers in Exercise and Sport Psychology 266

Exercise and Sport Psychology Defined 266

The Work 267

Training and Preparation 271

Working in Areas Related to Exercise and Sport Psychology with a Bachelor’s Degree 275

An Insider’s Perspective: A Counseling Sport Psychologist’s Journey: Reflections and Observations: Christopher M. Carr, PhD 276

Professional Spotlight: Kate F. Hays, PhD 278

Suggested Exercises 280

Suggested Readings 280

Resources 280

References 281

13 Careers in Health Psychology 283

Health Psychology Defined 283

The Work 284

Training and Preparation 289

Working in Areas Related to Health Psychology with a Bachelor’s Degree 291

An Insider’s Perspective: Health Psychology and Culture: An Exciting Area of Study: Regan A. R. Gurung, PhD 292

Professional Spotlight: Chris Dunkel Schetter, PhD 294

Suggested Exercises 295

Suggested Readings 296

Resources 296

References 297

14 Careers in Neuropsychology 298

Neuropsychology Defined 298

The Work 299

Training and Preparation 304

Working in Areas Related to Neuropsychology with a Bachelor’s Degree 306

An Insider’s Perspective: Clinical Neuropsychology – Expanding our Borders: Maria T. Schultheis, PhD 308

Professional Spotlight: Antonio E. Puente, PhD 310

Suggested Exercises 312

Suggested Readings 312

Resources 313

References 313

15 Careers in Forensic Psychology 315

Forensic Psychology Defined 315

Contributions to the Discipline of Psychology 316

Core Activities of the Forensic Psychologist 318

Training Required to be a Forensic Psychologist 323

Forensic Psychology Training Programs 324

Preparing for Graduate Training in Forensic Psychology 325

Employment in the Forensic Psychology Subfield 327

Working in Areas Related to Forensic Psychology with a Bachelor’s Degree 330

An Insider’s Perspective: Why Become a Forensic Psychologist?: Matthew T. Huss 333

Professional Spotlight: Gina M. Vincent, PhD 334

Suggested Exercises 336

Suggested Readings 336

Resources 337

References 337

16 Careers in Academe 339

Academe Defined 339

Employment Settings 339

Professorial Activities 341

Working Conditions 345

Educational Degree and Training Needed 348

Rank 349

Salaries 351

Finding Employment 352

You Don’t Just Get to Stay! 353

Working in the Teaching Area with a Bachelor’s Degree 354

An Insider’s Perspective: Being an Academic Psychologist: A Great Career Choice: Randolph A. Smith, PhD 355

Professional Spotlight: Janie H. Wilson, PhD 357

Suggested Exercises 358

Suggested Readings 359

Resources 359

References 360

17 Assessing the Career Outlook for the Psychology Major 361

Introduction 361

Psychology’s Strengths 362

Psychology’s Weaknesses 364

Psychology’s Threats 365

Psychology’s Opportunities 367

Conclusion 369

References 369

Index 371

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