What purpose/help do psychologists serve towards society?

They provide a mirror for people to look at their innermost thought processes.

They give people clarity.

They study how the mind and the emotions and how relationships work. They attempt to learn from the research, and build tools that will help people get more of what they want out of their feelings and relationships. Some are better at it than others. Some use research and others just make it up. SO some are helpful, and others…. not so much.

A lot of people develop certain psychological issues through out their lives and medications aren’t always the best option for these individuals. Most of the time if drugs do not work the problem must be sorted out through talking with another human being one on one. It’s sort of like confiding your secrets to a friend, who happens to know almost exactly what to say and what kind of talking will assist you with your problem, eventually with the goal of overcoming it.

The world would be different because you’d really only have your best friend to talk about your problems with, they wouldn’t know what to say or how to help you.

I believe they are very significant part of helping other people, it takes them away from the drug route which usually only puts a band aid on the problem. We as people process deep thoughts and emotions and sometimes through the experiences life gives us, these thoughts can be distorted and our brains can work in different ways. Psychologists have proven theories that can reverse these negative effects through person on person therapy.

Yes, I think they are necessary to have.

I have been through therapy a couple times, and their ability to help me deal with life was invaluable.

@filmfann are you sure you aren’t talking about therapists? Or are they both the same?

Some psychologists are psychotherapists. Most are scientists attempting to add to our store of knowledge abut how memory, cognition, personality and development work. It’s kind of like asking if astronomers or physicists are useful.

Well, for one thing they really seem to piss off Scientologists, which makes them okay in my book.

Psychologists are the same as therapists, but they have a degree.
Psychiatrists are the same thing, but with a better degree, so they can prescribe medicine.

@filmfann I would disagree that psychiatrists have a “better” degree. Yes, they can practice medicine, but most of them would prefer to try talking first. However, at least in the U.S., insurance reimbursement is such that they need to see many people in a short period of time. Medication is the only “efficient” way to do that.

As a Psychologist, I refer you to here to give you access to detailed explanations of all the many ways we can help to make your life and your world a better place.

I was amazed at the breadth and depth of detail available here. Please have a look around. There is so much more here than I could possibly summarize.

If you have specific questions about what the experience of studying psychology at the advanced level is like, contact me for information about my experiences.

Psychologists can refer you to a physician, psychiatrist or not, who can write prescriptions where needed. Some psychiatrist do good therapy but many are too busy to spend the time you may need. They will often refer you to psychologists! I bet you did not know that!

Less dead people on the ground in cities with tall buildings. I know that was a cruel suicide joke, but…

@Fred931- That’s fewer dead people… I know that was a cruel grammar comment, but…

@AstroChuck: So, how do you really feel about that?

@filmfann – Psychiatrist’s don’t necessarily have a better degree than a Ph.D psychologist. What to you constitutes how much a degree is worth?

As well as my former answer, psychologists also do research in pretty much every field you can think of to help improve the standards of living, increase our knowledge of every aspect of the mind. The possibilities are almost endless.

@eLenaLicious – Therapist and psychologist are sometimes used interchangably so it’s difficult to know which one he is referring to. Clinical psychologist is the most stable denomination for a psychologist who helps people out by talking to them person to person.

I guess I should rephrase my answer to say Different, not Better.
Sorry if I hurt anyone’s feelings. If I did, you can go talk to someone about it.

My psychologist referred to himself as my counselor at a hearing. He made some crack once that Psychiatrists are MD’s who want to be psychologists. I dont believe I would be here today if it weren’t for my counselor and Effexor. .. and Valium .. and Clonidine. LOL