Theories Of Psychology

Professor receives Distinguished Psychologist Award

Loyola professor of psychology, Janet R. Matthews, Ph.D. , received the 2011 Louisiana Psychological Association Distinguished Psychologist Award on June 20 for her achievements and contributions to the science and profession of psychology.

“I was truly honored to be selected by the Psychological Association because it is a recognition not of one particular activity but a lifetime contribution to my profession,” Matthews remarked. “It was also important that this award was presented at a time when my psychologist-husband could be with me and share the experience. I could not have accomplished what I have done without his encouragement and support.”

Matthews joined Loyola’s Department of Psychology in 1984. She has held multiple professional offices including serving as chair of the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, president of the Southwestern Psychological Association, president of the teaching division of the American Psychological Association, and member of the board of directors of both the American Psychological Association and the American Board of Assessment Psychology.

“For me, psychology is an exceptionally broad field,” said Matthews. “Some members of my discipline are highly specialized while others are more generalists, but none of us can really keep up with advances in the entire discipline. Having an understanding of the basic principles of psychology is helpful to those who have no interest in actually becoming a psychologist. These principles help you evaluate the adequacy of studies that are so often quoted in the popular media, understand relationship issues, analyze advertisements and how they can manipulate us to focus on certain products rather than others and aid us in our own self-evaluations.”

Matthews regularly teaches Psychology of Women, Clinical Psychology, Theories of Personality, and Practicum in Applied Psychology at Loyola. She has also published four books, 13 book chapters and more than 40 journal articles.

Political Psychology Degree – A Fitting Career For the Current ...

We’ve currently embarked on some exciting political times. You cannot escape it – it is everywhere you look. With so much discussion on the future political developments, goals for the new president and the team that will support him, can we really talk about anything else? If you have become interested in politics but do not really know how to bank on that interest, consider a degree in political psychology . Is there really such a degree , you may ask. Yes, actually there is!

Political psychology degree programs prepare you for the application of contemporary psychological theories, concepts, and methods to the study of political behavior. This field is based on the study of both psychology and political science. If you like both areas of study, you do not have to pick and chose. A degree in political psychology combines these 2 fields perfectly.

Political Psychology Degree Programs

The majority of degree programs in this area focus heavily on traditional areas in social psychology such as the field of attitudes, emotions, affect and group interaction. They also incorporate the areas of memory, cognition and decision making. In this type of program you’ll focus on the structure of political beliefs and attitudes, the processing of information, factors that influence political decisions and judgments. To accomplish this task you’ll learn to utilize empirical research, experimenting as well as survey research.

Why don’t we go on with this post. Curriculum in these types of programs focuses on political psychology as well as American government and economy. On the other hand, most programs focus heavily on statistics and methodology. Course included in most programs include foundations of political psychology, experimental methods and design, ideology, socialization, mass communication and political persuasion, group influence, cognition, elite decision making, and behavioral decision theory.

Most Common Careers

A degree in political psychology prepares you to work in areas focusing in analyzing voters, lawmakers, local and national governments, parties and associations. Themes addressed include dynamics of public opinion, impact of media on attitudes, organization of beliefs, information processing, socialization, leadership, and international negotiation.

Degree programs in this area develop you people skills, critical thinking and problem solving abilities. They focus on statistic and research and combine a number of different fields, from political science and psychology to international affairs, sociology and anthropology. As a result, career options for these type of psychologists are vast and numerous. You could work as a faculty member in universities within the psychology, political science, business, and finance or sociology departments. You could also work on private research organizations or government agencies. If you like having many options and like being challenged by new issues and topic, consider a degree in political psychology. It just may be the perfect calling for you.

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