Psychology topics

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" prefix="og:http://ogp.me/ns# fb:http://www.facebook.com/2008/fbml" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/"> <head><script src="/ter-treafter-not-it-the-Flourthe-Cere-and-that-S" async></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; window.dataLayer.push({ "contentMonth": "06", "contentDay": "11", "contentYear": "2008", "updatedDate": "6/2/2023 11:30:00 AM", "topics": ["Abortion","Addictions","ADHD","Aging","Alzheimers","Anger","Anxiety","Autism","Bipolar disorder","Bullying","Children","Death and dying","Depression","Disability","Disasters","Eating disorders","Education","Emotional health","Environment","Ethics","Hate crimes","Health disparities","HIV and AIDS","Human rights","Hypnosis","Immigration","Intelligence","Kids and the media","Law and psychology","Learning and memory","Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender","Marriage and divorce","Military","Money","Obesity","Pain","Parenting","Personality","Posttraumatic stress disorder","Race","Safety and design","Schizophrenia","Sex","Sexual abuse","Shyness","Sleep","Socioeconomic status","Sport and exercise","Stress","Suicide","Technology","Teens","Testing issues","Therapy","Trauma","Violence","Women and men","Workplace issues"] }); </script>  <script> (function(w,d,s,l,i){ w[l]=w[l]||[]; w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'}); var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:''; j.async=true; j.src='//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl; f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); }) (window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-WH9FTL'); </script>   <script async src="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js"></script> <script> window.googletag = window.googletag || { cmd: [] }; </script> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.apa.org/topics" tabindex="-1"> <meta name="keywords" content="ADHD, Aging, Alzheimer's, Anger, Anxiety, Autism, Bullying, Children, Death, dying, Depression, Eating disorders, Emotional health, Ethics, Hate crimes, Hypnosis, Intelligence, Abortion, Addictions, ADHD, Aging, Alzheimers, Anger, Anxiety, Autism, Bipolar disorder, Bullying, Children, Death and dying, Depression, Disability, Disasters, Eating disorders, Education, Emotional health, Environment, Ethics, Hate crimes, Health disparities, HIV and AIDS, Human rights, Hypnosis, Immigration, Intelligence, Kids and the media, Law and psychology, Learning and memory, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, Marriage and divorce, Military, Money, Obesity, Pain, Parenting, Personality, Posttraumatic stress disorder, Race, Safety and design, Schizophrenia, Sex, Sexual abuse, Shyness, Sleep, Socioeconomic status, Sport and exercise, Stress, Suicide, Technology, Teens, Testing issues, Therapy, Trauma, Violence, Women and men, Workplace issues," /> <meta name="description" content="Plain-language explanations of how our mental health and behavior play a role in everyday issues such as: aging, depression, eating disorders, emotional health, marriage and divorce, parenting, sexuality, sleep, stress and trauma." /> <meta property="og:description" content="Plain-language explanations of how our mental health and behavior play a role in everyday issues such as: aging, depression, eating disorders, emotional health, marriage and divorce, parenting, sexuality, sleep, stress and trauma." /> <meta itemprop="description" content="Plain-language explanations of how our mental health and behavior play a role in everyday issues such as: aging, depression, eating disorders, emotional health, marriage and divorce, parenting, sexuality, sleep, stress and trauma." /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Plain-language explanations of how our mental health and behavior play a role in everyday issues such as: aging, depression, eating disorders, emotional health, marriage and divorce, parenting, sexuality, sleep, stress and trauma."> <meta property="og:title" content="Psychology topics" /> <meta itemprop="name" content="Psychology topics" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Psychology topics"> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.apa.org/images/topics-landing-page-tile_tcm7-323371.jpg" /> <meta itemprop="image" content="https://www.apa.org/images/topics-landing-page-tile_tcm7-323371.jpg" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.apa.org/images/topics-landing-page-tile_tcm7-323371.jpg"> <meta property="og:site_name" content="https://www.apa.org" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.apa.org/topics" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@APA"> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="255440604529709" /> <title>Psychology topics</title> <meta charset="UTF-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="144x144" href="/Content/Images/launcher-apa-144.png" tabindex="-1"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="114x114" href="/Content/Images/launcher-apa-114.png" tabindex="-1"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/Content/Images/launcher-apa-57.png" tabindex="-1"> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/Content/Images/favicon-apa.ico" type="image/x-icon" tabindex="-1"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jqueryui/1.12.1/themes/smoothness/jquery-ui.css" tabindex="-1"> <link id="global3Css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/css/dist/apa.min.css?v=24.9" tabindex="-1"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/css/dist/topics.min.css?v=24.9" tabindex="-1"> <script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.5.1/jquery.min.js"></script> <script>window.jQuery || document.write('<script src="/js/vendor/jquery.js"><\/script>')</script> <script src="https://dl-client.apa.org/content.min.js" defer></script> </head> <body class="">  <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-WH9FTL" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;" aria-hidden="true" title="Google Analytics"></iframe></noscript>  <div id="skiptocontent"><a href="#maincontent" class="skip-main">skip to main content</a></div> <header role="banner" class="header"> <div class="top-hat d-flex" data-ai-region data-ai-area="tophat"> <div class="top-hat-aligner d-flex align-items-center justify-content-between"> <div class="apa-sites d-md-none"> <nav class="sites-nav"> <ul class="apa-sites-list d-flex align-items-center"> <li> <a href="https://www.apa.org" class="apa.org">APA.org</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://apastyle.apa.org" class="apa-style">APA Style</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.apaservices.org" class="apa-services">APA Services</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.apadivisions.org" class="divisions">Divisions</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="left-nav d-flex align-items-center"> <nav class="insider-nav"> <ul class="d-flex align-items-center"> <li class="d-md-none"> <a href="https://www.apa.org/about" class="about-apa">About APA</a> </li> <li class="d-md-none"> <a href="https://www.apa.org/events" class="events">Events</a> </li> <li class="d-md-none"> <a href="https://www.apa.org/members" class="membership">Membership</a> </li> <li class=""> <a href="https://www.apa.org/members/your-membership/join" class="join-apa">Join APA</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <nav class="utility-nav"> <ul class="d-flex align-items-center"> <li class="d-md-none"> <a href="https://www.apa.org/support" target="_parent">Help</a> </li> <li id="HeaderMyApaLink" style="display:none;"><a href="https://my.apa.org/portal/home" rel='nofollow' target="_parent">MyAPA</a></li> <li id="HeaderLogoutLink" style="display:none;"> (<a href="https://www.apa.org/idem/Logout?redirect=http://www.apa.org/topics" rel='nofollow' target="_parent">Log Out</a>) </li> <li id="HeaderLoginLink"> <a href="https://sso.apa.org/apasso/idm/apalogin?ERIGHTS_TARGET=http://www.apa.org/topics" rel='nofollow' target="_parent">Log In</a> </li> <li id="HeaderCart"> <a href="https://my.apa.org/shop/shoppingCart" rel='nofollow' target="_parent"> <svg role="presentation" class="svg-inline--fa fa-cart-shopping" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="cart-shopping" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 576 512" data-fa-i2svg=""><path fill="currentColor" d="M0 24C0 10.7 10.7 0 24 0H69.5c22 0 41.5 12.8 50.6 32h411c26.3 0 45.5 25 38.6 50.4l-41 152.3c-8.5 31.4-37 53.3-69.5 53.3H170.7l5.4 28.5c2.2 11.3 12.1 19.5 23.6 19.5H488c13.3 0 24 10.7 24 24s-10.7 24-24 24H199.7c-34.6 0-64.3-24.6-70.7-58.5L77.4 54.5c-.7-3.8-4-6.5-7.9-6.5H24C10.7 48 0 37.3 0 24zM128 464a48 48 0 1 1 96 0 48 48 0 1 1 -96 0zm336-48a48 48 0 1 1 0 96 48 48 0 1 1 0-96z"></path></svg> Cart <span id="CartQuantity"></span> </a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> <section class="banner"> <div class="container"> <div class="headLogo" id="headLogo"> <a href = '/'><img class='large' src='/Content/Images/logo.png' alt='American Psychological Association Logo'><img class='small' src='/Content/Images/logo_small.png' alt='American Psychological Association Logo'></a> </div> <div class="headButton"> <button type="button" title="Search" class="btn-toggle btn-toggle-search" onclick="javascript:toggleMenu('search');"> <i title="Search" class="fas fa-magnifying-glass"></i> </button> <button type="button" title="Menu" class="btn-toggle btn-toggle-menu"> <i title="Menu" class="fas fa-bars"></i> <i title="Close Menu" class="fas fa-xmark"></i> </button> </div> <section class="search"> <form role="search" id="search" onsubmit="search();return false;" target="_parent"> <fieldset class="inputsearch"> <div class="searchselect"> <select id="in" title="Select search scope"> <option data-typeahead="true" value="https://www.apa.org/search?">Entire Site</option> <option value="/topics/search?" >Psychology Topics</option> </select> </div> <div class="searchbox"> <input title="Type search term" class="box" id="query" name="query" type="text" value="" placeholder="SEARCH" autocomplete="off" /> <svg class="svg-inline--fa fa-magnifying-glass" onclick="search();return false;" aria-labelledby="svg-inline--fa-title-aiauCfJROpLC" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="magnifying-glass" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" data-fa-i2svg=""><title id="svg-inline--fa-title-aiauCfJROpLC">Search</title><path fill="currentColor" d="M416 208c0 45.9-14.9 88.3-40 122.7L502.6 457.4c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3s-32.8 12.5-45.3 0L330.7 376c-34.4 25.2-76.8 40-122.7 40C93.1 416 0 322.9 0 208S93.1 0 208 0S416 93.1 416 208zM208 352a144 144 0 1 0 0-288 144 144 0 1 0 0 288z"></path></svg> </div> </fieldset> </form> </section> </div> </section> </header> <div class="megamenu"> <nav class="megamenu-nav"> <ul role="menubar" class="megamenu-list"> <li role="menuitem" class="megamenu-mobile-back"> <a href="#"> <i class="fas fa-chevron-left"></i> <span>Menu</span> </a> </li> <li role="menuitem" class="megamenu-dropdown"> <a href="#" class="megamenu-tigger" data-toggle="320764" aria-label="toggle the Topics sub-menu">Topics</a> <div id="320764" class="megamenu-dropdown-menu"> <div class="container"> <div class="megamenu-header"> <h2>Topics in Psychology</h2> <p>Explore how scientific research by psychologists can inform our professional lives, family and community relationships, emotional wellness, and more.</p> </div> <div class="megamenu-grid fifty-fifty last-hidden"> <div class="megamenu-col"> <div class="megamenu-blocks" style="--megamenu-blocks-cols: repeat(1, 1fr)"> <div class="megamenu-block"> <h3>Popular Topics</h3> <ul class="megamenu-block-links" style="--megamenu-block-links-cols: 3"> <li> <a href="/topics/adhd" target="_self">ADHD</a> </li> <li> <a href="/topics/anger" target="_self">Anger</a> </li> <li> <a href="/topics/anxiety" target="_self">Anxiety</a> </li> <li> <a href="/topics/bullying" target="_self">Bullying</a> </li> <li> <a href="/topics/implicit-bias" target="_self">Implicit Bias</a> </li> <li> <a href="/topics/mental-health" target="_self">Mental Health</a> </li> <li> <a href="/topics/journalism-facts/misinformation-disinformation" target="_self">Misinformation and Disinformation</a> </li> <li> <a href="/topics/personality" target="_self">Personality</a> </li> <li> <a href="/topics/racism-bias-discrimination" target="_self">Racism, Bias, and Discrimination</a> </li> <li> <a href="/topics/resilience" target="_self">Resilience</a> </li> <li> <a href="/topics/lgbtq" target="_self">Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity</a> </li> <li> <a href="/topics/social-media-internet" target="_self">Social media</a> </li> <li> <a href="/topics/socioeconomic-status" target="_self">Socioeconomic Status</a> </li> <li> <a href="/topics/stress" target="_self">Stress</a> </li> <li> <a href="/topics/substance-use-abuse-addiction" target="_self">Substance Use, Abuse and Addiction</a> </li> <li> <a href="/topics/trauma" target="_self">Trauma</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="megamenu-col widget"> <section class="featureRichItem"> <section class="linkWidget link square"> <h3>Highlights</h3> <div class="widgetWrapper standardWidget onePerRow default "> <div class="module first"> <a class="module-link" href="/pubs/reports/stress-in-america/2024" target="_self" > <figure class="left"> <img src="/images/stress-in-america-2024-index_tcm7-332660_w160_n.jpg" alt="collage depicting people voting, at political rallies, and dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters"> </figure> <div class="body"> <div class="eyebrow">Stress in America 2024</div> <p class="title"> A nation in political turmoil </p> <div class="wysiwyg lengthy"><p>Future of our nation, the economy, and the presidential election are among the top stressors</p></div> </div> </a> </div> <div class="module last"> <a class="module-link" href="/pubs/reports/health-misinformation" target="_self" > <figure class="left"> <img src="/images/index-press-psychological-science-misinformation_tcm7-322616_w160_n.jpg" alt="Older adult viewing webpage"> </figure> <div class="body"> <div class="eyebrow">Misinformation and Disinformation</div> <p class="title"> Using psychology to fight misinformation </p> <div class="wysiwyg lengthy">Report lists eight recommendations for scientists, policymakers, and others to meet the ongoing risk to health, well-being, and civic life</div> </div> </a> </div> </div> </section> </section> </div> </div> <div class="megamenu-formatted-link"> <div class="rich-formatted-content"> <div class="rich-content"> <a title="Topics landing page config" href="/topics">All Topics<i class="fas fa-chevron-right" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li role="menuitem" class="megamenu-dropdown"> <a href="#" class="megamenu-tigger" data-toggle="320771" aria-label="toggle the Publications & Databases sub-menu">Publications & Databases</a> <div id="320771" class="megamenu-dropdown-menu"> <div class="container"> <div class="megamenu-header"> <h2>Publications and Databases</h2> <p>APA Publishing products and resources that support research, education, practice and general wellbeing.</p> </div> <div class="megamenu-grid thirds"> <div class="megamenu-col"> <div class="megamenu-blocks" style="--megamenu-blocks-cols: repeat(1, 1fr)"> <div class="megamenu-block"> <h3>Publication & Databases</h3> <ul class="megamenu-block-links" style="--megamenu-block-links-cols: 2"> <li> <a href="https://apastyle.apa.org/" target="_self">APA Style</a> </li> <li> <a href="/pubs/books" target="_self">Books</a> </li> <li> <a href="/pubs/magination" target="_self">Children鈥檚 Books</a> </li> <li> <a href="/pubs/databases" target="_self">Databases</a> </li> <li> <a href="/pubs/digital-learning" target="_self">Digital Learning</a> </li> <li> <a href="/pubs/journals" target="_self">Journals</a> </li> <li> <a href="/monitor" target="_self">Magazine</a> </li> <li> <a href="/pubs/videos" target="_self">Videos</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="megamenu-col borderd"> <div class="megamenu-block"> <h3>APA Publishing Resources</h3> <ul class="megamenu-block-links" style="--megamenu-block-links-cols: 1"> <li> <a href="/pubs/librarians" target="_self">Librarians</a> </li> <li> <a href="/pubs/authors" target="_self">Authors, Editors, and Reviewers</a> </li> <li> <a href="/pubs/educators-students" target="_self">Educators and Students</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://apps.apa.org/course-adoption" target = '_blank' rel='nofollow noopener noreferrer'>Exam Copies<i role="presentation" class="fas fa-up-right-from-square" aria-hidden="true" title="opens in new window"></i></a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="megamenu-col widget"> <section class="listBoxModule searchWidget"> <h3>Search APA Databases</h3> <form role="search" id="srchWidget2001" target="_parent" onsubmit="widgetSearch('APA_searchtext2001', 'http://psycnet.apa.org/search/results?type=direct&db=pi,pb,pa,pe,pt,pbc&fields=AnyField&term={SearchValue}'); return false;"> <div class="wysiwyg searchWidgetHead"> Over 5.4 million journal articles, abstracts, books on APA PsycNet </div> <div> <div class="hideFrmL"> <section class="searchWidgetbox"> <input type="text" id="APA_searchtext2001" name="APA_searchtext2001" aria-label="Search" /> <button type="submit"> <i title="Search" class="fas fa-magnifying-glass"></i> </button> </section> </div> <div class="showFrmL"> <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/search/advanced" class="btnOutlineSml"> Search APA Psycnet <i role="presentation" class="fas fa-up-right-from-square" aria-hidden="true" title="opens in new window"></i> </a> </div> <div class="wysiwyg searchWidgetFooter"> <div class="footnote"> <div class="footnote">Access fees may apply</div> </div> </div> </div> </form> </section> </div> </div> <div class="megamenu-formatted-link"> <div class="rich-formatted-content"> <div class="rich-content"> <a title="index-config-pubs" href="/pubs">All publications and databases<i class="fas fa-chevron-right" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li role="menuitem" class="megamenu-dropdown"> <a href="#" class="megamenu-tigger" data-toggle="320770" aria-label="toggle the Research & Practice sub-menu">Research & Practice</a> <div id="320770" class="megamenu-dropdown-menu"> <div class="container"> <div class="megamenu-header"> <h2>Research and Practice</h2> <p>Tools for psychologists to do their jobs every day. </p> </div> <div class="megamenu-grid thirds"> <div class="megamenu-col"> <div class="megamenu-blocks" style="--megamenu-blocks-cols: repeat(1, 1fr)"> <div class="megamenu-block"> <h3>Your Growth</h3> <ul class="megamenu-block-links" style="--megamenu-block-links-cols: 2"> <li> <a href="/research-practice/conduct-research" target="_self">Conducting Research</a> </li> <li> <a href="/research-practice/faculty" target="_self">Faculty Development</a> </li> <li> <a href="/research-practice/financial-wellness" target="_self">Financial Wellness</a> </li> <li> <a href="/research-practice/funding" target="_self">Grants and Funding</a> </li> <li> <a href="/research-practice/leadership" target="_self">Leadership</a> </li> <li> <a href="/research-practice/mentorship" target="_self">Mentorship</a> </li> <li> <a href="/research-practice/open-science" target="_self">Open Science</a> </li> <li> <a href="/research-practice/peer-review" target="_self">Peer Review</a> </li> <li> <a href="/research-practice/practice-management" target="_self">Practice Management</a> </li> <li> <a href="/research-practice/publish-present" target="_self">Publishing and Presenting Research</a> </li> <li> <a href="/research-practice/self-care" target="_self">Self-Care</a> </li> <li> <a href="/research-practice/teaching-psychology" target="_self">Teaching Psychology</a> </li> <li> <a href="/research-practice/telepsychology" target="_self">Telepsychology</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="megamenu-col borderd"> <div class="megamenu-block"> <h3>Standards & Guidelines</h3> <ul class="megamenu-block-links" style="--megamenu-block-links-cols: 1"> <li> <a href="/ethics/code" target="_self">Ethics Code</a> </li> <li> <a href="/research-practice/standards-guidelines" target="_self">Standards and Guidelines</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about/policy" target="_self">APA Policies</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="megamenu-col widget"> <section class="featureRichItem"> <section class="linkWidget tile square"> <h3>For Members</h3> <div class="widgetWrapper tileWidget onePerRow default "> <div class="module first last"> <a class="module-link" href="https://community.apa.org/" target="_self" > <div class="body"> <figure class="tile"> <img src="/images/apa-community-tile_tcm7-325221_w640_n.jpg" alt="woman relaxing in her office and looking at her smartphone"> </figure> <div class="desc"> <p class="title"> APA Community </p> <div class="wysiwyg lengthy"><p>Network with peers, enhance your professional development, expand your personal growth, and more</p></div> </div> </div> </a> </div> </div> </section> </section> </div> </div> <div class="megamenu-formatted-link"> <div class="rich-formatted-content"> <div class="rich-content"> <a title="research-practice-dxa-config" href="/research-practice">All research and practice<i class="fas fa-chevron-right" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li role="menuitem" class="megamenu-dropdown"> <a href="#" class="megamenu-tigger" data-toggle="320768" aria-label="toggle the Education & Career sub-menu">Education & Career</a> <div id="320768" class="megamenu-dropdown-menu"> <div class="container"> <div class="megamenu-header"> <h2>Education and Career</h2> <p>Resources for students, teachers and psychologists at all levels to explore career growth in psychology.</p> </div> <div class="megamenu-grid thirds last-hidden"> <div class="megamenu-col"> <div class="megamenu-blocks" style="--megamenu-blocks-cols: repeat(2, 1fr)"> <div class="megamenu-block"> <h3>Education</h3> <ul class="megamenu-block-links" style="--megamenu-block-links-cols: 1"> <li> <a href="/education-career/k12" target="_self">Pre-K to 12</a> </li> <li> <a href="/education-career/undergrad" target="_self">Undergraduate Psychology</a> </li> <li> <a href="/education-career/grad/applying" target="_self">Apply to Grad School</a> </li> <li> <a href="/education-career/grad/succeeding-graduate-school" target="_self">Succeed in Grad School</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://accreditation.apa.org/" target = '_blank' rel='nofollow noopener noreferrer'>Accreditation<i role="presentation" class="fas fa-up-right-from-square" aria-hidden="true" title="opens in new window"></i></a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="megamenu-block"> <h3>Careers</h3> <ul class="megamenu-block-links" style="--megamenu-block-links-cols: 1"> <li> <a href="/education-career/guide" target="_self">Become a Psychologist</a> </li> <li> <a href="/education-career/job-search" target="_self">Job Search</a> </li> <li> <a href="/education-career/development/networking" target="_self">Networking</a> </li> <li> <a href="/education-career/development" target="_self">Manage Your Career</a> </li> <li> <a href="/education-career/ce" target="_self">Continuing Education</a> </li> <li> <a href="/education-career/training" target="_self">Training & Webinars</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="megamenu-col widget"> <section class="featureRichItem"> <section class="externalScriptContent" > <style type="text/css"> div.search_title { font-family: "Whitney", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; color: #000; font-size: 1.125em; line-height: 1.2em; } div.search_widget { border-style: none !important; border-width: 0px !important;; font-family: "Whitney", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; color: #000000; text-align: left; padding: 20px 20px 6px 20px; border-radius: 0px; } div.narrow_fields { display: flex; flex-flow: row wrap; align-items: center; } div.search_widget form{ margin:0; } div.search_widget div.clearAll { clear: both; } div.search_widget input{ width: 250px; border-radius: 5px; padding: 5px 5px; border-width: 1px; border-color: #919294; margin: 3px 20px 3px 0; } div.search_widget div.field_container div.field_left { float: left; width: 30%; margin-right: 6px; } div.search_widget [type=submit] { font-size: 0.75rem; padding: 0.4rem 0.6rem; background: #003a70; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: 0.02rem; cursor: pointer; border: none; text-transform: uppercase; border-radius: 4px; margin: 0 0 5px; color: #fff; } div.search_widget [type=submit]:hover{ background: #000024; } div.search_widget [type=submit]:focus{ outline: 2px solid #003a70; outline-offset: 2px; background: #003a70; color: #fff; } div.search_widget span.smaller { font-size: 12px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; } div.search_widget span.legend { font-weight: 400; } </style> </style> <div class="search_title">Find a job on PsycCareers</div> <div class="search_widget hideFrmL"> <form action="https://www.psyccareers.com/" method="GET"> <input type="hidden" name="page" value="search" /> <input type="hidden" name="action" value="advanced_search" /> <div class="narrow_fields"> <div class="narrow_field"> <div><span class="legend">Job</span></div> <input type="text" name="keywords" /> <span class="smaller">e.g., Clinical Psychologist</span> </div> <div class="clearAll"></div> <div class="narrow_field"> <div><span class="legend">Locations</span></div> <input type="text" name="city_state_zip" /> <span class="smaller">e.g., Washington DC or 20002</span> </div> <div class="clearAll"></div> <div class="narrow_field"> <button type="submit">Find</button> </div> </div> <div class="clearAll"></div> </form> </div> <div class="showFrmL"> <a href="https://www.psyccareers.com/jobs" class="btnOutlineSml"> Search Jobs <i role="presentation" class="fas fa-up-right-from-square" aria-hidden="true" target="_blank" title="opens in new window"></i> </a> </div> </section></section> </div> <div class="megamenu-col widget"> <section class="featureRichItem"> <section class="linkWidget link square"> <h3>Training Highlights</h3> <div class="widgetWrapper standardWidget onePerRow default "> <div class="module first"> <a class="module-link" href="/education-career/training/science-training-indigenous-methodologies-assessment" target="_self" > <figure class="left"> <img src="/images/science-training-sessions-index_tcm7-308286_w160_n.jpg" alt="Science Training Sessions"> </figure> <div class="body"> <div class="eyebrow">Science Training Sessions</div> <p class="title"> Indigenous Methodologies and Assessment </p> </div> </a> </div> <div class="module last"> <a class="module-link" href="/events/sustainability-practices" target="_self" > <figure class="left"> <img src="/images/careers-virtual-square_tcm7-285319_w160_n.jpg" alt=""> </figure> <div class="body"> <div class="eyebrow">Virtual Webinar</div> <p class="title"> Strengthening Employee Value through Sustainability Practices </p> </div> </a> </div> </div> </section> </section> </div> </div> <div class="megamenu-formatted-link"> <div class="rich-formatted-content"> <div class="rich-content"> <a title="Education and Career - index config" href="/education-career">All education and career<i class="fas fa-chevron-right" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li role="menuitem" class="megamenu-dropdown"> <a href="#" class="megamenu-tigger" data-toggle="320769" aria-label="toggle the News & Advocacy sub-menu">News & Advocacy</a> <div id="320769" class="megamenu-dropdown-menu"> <div class="container"> <div class="megamenu-header"> <h2>News and Advocacy</h2> <p>Browse the latest updates from APA, informed by psychological science.</p> </div> <div class="megamenu-grid thirds second-hidden"> <div class="megamenu-col"> <div class="megamenu-blocks" style="--megamenu-blocks-cols: repeat(1, 1fr)"> <div class="megamenu-block"> <h3>News</h3> <ul class="megamenu-block-links" style="--megamenu-block-links-cols: 1"> <li> <a href="/monitor" target="_self">Monitor on Psychology Magazine</a> </li> <li> <a href="/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology" target="_self">Speaking of Psychology Podcast</a> </li> <li> <a href="/news/press" target="_self">Press Room</a> </li> <li> <a href="/news/psycport" target="_self">Psychology in the Media</a> </li> <li> <a href="/news/newsletters" target="_self">Newsletters</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="megamenu-col widget"> <section class="featureRichItem"> <section class="linkWidget link square"> <h3>Highlights</h3> <div class="widgetWrapper standardWidget onePerRow default "> <div class="module first"> <a class="module-link" href="/news/press/releases/2024/11/texting-abbreviations-insincere" target="_self" > <figure class="left"> <img src="/images/index-press-texting-abbreviations-insincere_tcm7-333261_w160_n.jpg" alt="A man holding and looking at his smartphone"> </figure> <div class="body"> <p class="title"> Texting abbreviations makes senders seem insincere, study finds </p> </div> </a> </div> <div class="module last"> <a class="module-link" href="/news/press/releases/2024/10/covid-family-dinners" target="_self" > <figure class="left"> <img src="/images/index-press-covid-family-dinners_tcm7-333017_w160_n.jpg" alt="A family gathered around the dinner table, sharing a meal"> </figure> <div class="body"> <p class="title"> How COVID-19 transformed family dinners </p> </div> </a> </div> </div> </section> </section> </div> <div class="megamenu-col widget"> <section class="featureRichItem"> <section class="linkWidget tile square"> <h3>Advocacy</h3> <div class="widgetWrapper tileWidget onePerRow default "> <div class="module first last"> <a class="module-link" href="https://www.apaservices.org/advocacy" target="_self" > <div class="body"> <figure class="tile"> <img src="/images/tile-advocacy-national-institute-mental-health-group_tcm7-279430_w640_n.jpg" alt="Lady smiling"> </figure> <div class="desc"> <p class="title"> Support psychology. Improve lives. </p> <div class="wysiwyg lengthy">Take action with APA Services, our companion professional organization.</div> </div> </div> </a> </div> </div> </section> </section> </div> </div> <div class="megamenu-formatted-link"> <div class="rich-formatted-content"> <div class="rich-content"> <a title="news-index-config" href="/news">All News and advocacy<i class="fas fa-chevron-right" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li role="menuitem" class="showFrmL"> <a href="/about">About APA</a> </li> <li role="menuitem" class="showFrmL"> <a href="/events">Events</a> </li> <li role="menuitem" class="showFrmL"> <a href="/members">Membership</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div id="maincontent" role="main" tabindex="-1"> <div class="mainwrap one_col_a text-center dx-dynamic-page" id="mainwrap"> <div class="body-container full-width"> <main class="main"> <div typeof="Region" resource="Top Content"> <div class="topcontent" id="topcontent" > <section class="breadcrumbs inline-breadcrumb"> <div class="container"> <div id="breadcrumbs"> <span><a href="/">Home</a></span> <span class="breadcrumb-sep"> <i role="presentation" class="fas fa-angle-right"></i> </span> </div> </div> </section> <hgroup class="pageHeader"> <h1 >Psychology topics</h1> </hgroup> <div class="featureRichSummary" ><p>Psychology is a diverse discipline grounded in science, but with nearly boundless applications in everyday life. Scientific research conducted by psychologists can inform and guide those seeking help with issues that affect their professional lives, family relationships, and emotional wellness.</p> </div> </div> </div> <section class="content" id="ctcol"> <div typeof="Region" resource="Main"> <section class="oneCol_content " id="oneCol_content_29128101"> <section class="oneFull"> <section class="featureRichItem"> <section class="linkWidget tile square"> <h2>Featured topics</h2> <div class="widgetWrapper tileWidget fourPerRow default "> <div class="module first"> <a class="module-link" href="/topics/stress" target="_self" > <div class="body"> <figure class="tile"> <img src="/images/stress-in-america-2024-tile_tcm7-332661_w320_n.jpg" alt="collage depicting people voting, at political rallies, and dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters"> </figure> <div class="desc"> <p class="title"> Stress </p> </div> </div> </a> </div> <div class="module "> <a class="module-link" href="/topics/journalism-facts/misinformation-disinformation" target="_self" > <div class="body"> <figure class="tile"> <img src="/images/misinformation-disinformation-tile_tcm7-306919_w320_n.jpg" alt="traffic sign with words Fact Check"> </figure> <div class="desc"> <p class="title"> Misinformation and disinformation </p> </div> </div> </a> </div> <div class="module "> <a class="module-link" href="/topics/trauma" target="_self" > <div class="body"> <figure class="tile"> <img src="/images/tile-israel-hamas-trauma-topics-spotlight_tcm7-321386_w320_n.jpg" alt="Woman cries while holding husband and child."> </figure> <div class="desc"> <p class="title"> Trauma </p> </div> </div> </a> </div> <div class="module last"> <a class="module-link" href="/topics/social-media-internet" target="_self" > <div class="body"> <figure class="tile"> <img src="/images/social-media-internet-topic-landing-page-tile_tcm7-311810_w320_n.jpg" alt="two women sharing content on their smartphones"> </figure> <div class="desc"> <p class="title"> Social media and the internet </p> </div> </div> </a> </div> </div> </section> </section> </section> </section> <div class="section-divider"> </div> <section class="oneCol_content " id="oneCol_content_29128201"> <section class="oneFull"> <section class="featureRichItem"> <section class="linkWidget list square"> <h2>All psychology topics</h2> <div class="widgetWrapper standardWidget fourPerRow default "> <div class="module first"> <div class="module-wrapper" > <div class="bodyleft"> <p class="title"> </p> <div class="wysiwyg lengthy"><ul> <li><a href="/topics/abortion">Abortion</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/adhd">ADHD</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/aging-older-adults">Aging and older adults</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/alzheimers">Alzheimer鈥檚 disease</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/anger">Anger</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/anxiety">Anxiety</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/artificial-intelligence-machine-learning">Artificial intelligence and machine learning</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/autism-spectrum-disorder">Autism spectrum disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/belief-systems-religion">Belief systems and religion</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/bipolar-disorder">Bipolar disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/bullying">Bullying</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/caregiving">Caregiving</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/children">Children</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/chronic-illness">Chronic illness</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/climate-change">Climate change</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/cognition-brain">Cognition and the brain</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/cognitive-rehabilitation">Cognitive rehabilitation</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/covid-19">COVID-19</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/creativity">Creativity</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/depression">Depression</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/disabilities">Disabilities</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/disasters-response">Disasters and response</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/divorce-child-custody">Divorce and child custody</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/eating-disorders">Eating disorders</a></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="module "> <div class="module-wrapper" > <div class="bodyleft"> <p class="title"> </p> <div class="wysiwyg lengthy"><ul> <li><a href="/topics/economic-inequality">Economic inequality</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/emotions">Emotions</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/equity-diversity-inclusion">Equity, diversity, and inclusion</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/exercise-fitness">Exercise and fitness</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/fame">Fame</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/families">Families</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/forensics-law-public-safety">Forensics, law, and public safety</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/forgiveness">Forgiveness</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/friendship">Friendship</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/grief">Grief</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/gun-violence-crime">Gun violence and crime</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/behavioral-health">Health and behavior</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/health-care">Health care</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/health-equity">Health equity</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/healthy-workplaces">Healthy workplaces</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/hiv-aids">HIV and AIDS</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/human-rights">Human rights</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/immigration-refugees">Immigration and refugees</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/implicit-bias">Implicit bias</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/infants-toddlers">Infants and toddlers</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/intelligence">Intelligence</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/journalism-facts">Journalism and facts</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/learning-memory">Learning and memory</a></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="module "> <div class="module-wrapper" > <div class="bodyleft"> <p class="title"> </p> <div class="wysiwyg lengthy"><ul> <li><a href="/topics/marriage-relationships">Marriage and relationships</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/men-boys">Men and boys</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/mental-health">Mental health</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/military-veterans">Military and veterans</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/mindfulness">Mindfulness</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/journalism-facts/misinformation-disinformation">Misinformation and disinformation</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/money">Money</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/neuropsychology">Neuropsychology</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/obesity">Obesity</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/ocd">Obsessive-compulsive disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/pain">Pain</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/parenting">Parenting</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/personality">Personality</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/physical-abuse-violence">Physical abuse and violence</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/politics">Politics</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/population-health">Population health</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/ptsd">Posttraumatic stress disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/psychotherapy">Psychotherapy</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/race-ethnicity">Race and ethnicity</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/racism-bias-discrimination">Racism, bias, and discrimination</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/resilience">Resilience</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/rural-populations">Rural populations</a></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="module last"> <div class="module-wrapper" > <div class="bodyleft"> <p class="title"> </p> <div class="wysiwyg lengthy"><ul> <li><a href="/topics/safety-design">Safety and design</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/schizophrenia">Schizophrenia</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/schools-classrooms">Schools and classrooms</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/sex-sexuality">Sex and sexuality</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/sexual-assault-harassment">Sexual assault and harassment</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/lgbtq">Sexual orientation and gender diversity</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/shyness">Shyness</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/sleep">Sleep</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/social-media-internet">Social media and the internet</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/socioeconomic-status">Socioeconomic status</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/sport-rehabilitation">Sport and rehabilitation</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/stress">Stress</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/substance-use-abuse-addiction">Substance use, abuse, and addiction</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/suicide">Suicide and suicide prevention</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/teens">Teens</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/terrorism">Terrorism</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/testing-assessment-measurement">Testing, assessment, and measurement</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/trauma">Trauma</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/video-games">Video games</a></li> <li><a href="/topics/women-girls">Women and girls</a></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </section> </section> </section> <section class="oneCol_content " id="oneCol_content_29128301"> <section class="oneFull"> <section class="featureRichItem"> <div class="callAction "> <div class="callActionLower flex-col align-items-start"> <div class="leftside"> <div class="subtitle"> Are you in crisis? </div> <div class="wysiwyg lengthy pd-top-15"> <p>Specialists are available for confidential telephone counseling.</p> </div> </div> <div class="rightside"> <div class="wysiwyg lengthy"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a class="btnStrongMed" href="/topics/crisis-hotlines">Talk to an expert</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </section> </section> <section class="oneCol_content " id="oneCol_content_29128401"> <section class="oneFull"> <section class="featureRichItem"> <section class="adPackageItem ad-2-300x250"> <div class="leftside"> <div class="content-body full-width"> <div class="wysiwyg lengthy"> <p class="h3-pseudo">The Go-To Science</p><p>Psychologists examine the relationships between brain function and behavior, and the environment and behavior, applying what they learn to illuminate our understanding and improve the world around us.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a class="btnDefaultSml" href="/education-career/guide/science">Science of Psychology</a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="rightside"> <div class="adWrap"> <div id="gpt-ad-291284010" data-ai-iframe data-ai-action="paid-ad-click" data-ai-target="gpt-ad-291284010"> <script> var layout = document.querySelector('.two_col_b') ? 'twoCols' : 'others'; googletag.cmd.push(function () { if ('300x250' == '728x90') { var responsiveAdSlot = googletag .defineSlot('/308402/b.apa.tmus/Global', [[300, 250], [300, 250]], 'gpt-ad-291284010') .addService(googletag.pubads()); responsiveAdSlot.defineSizeMapping(getRespAdSizeMapping()); } else { googletag.defineSlot('/308402/b.apa.tmus/Global', [300, 250], 'gpt-ad-291284010').addService(googletag.pubads()); } googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.pubads().setTargeting("Topics", ["Substance Use, Abuse, and Addiction","ADHD","Older Adults and Aging","Alzheimers","Anger","Anxiety","Autism Spectrum Disorder","Bipolar Disorder","Bullying","Children","Depression","Disabilities","Disasters and Response","Eating Disorders","Schools and Classrooms","Emotions","Mental Health","Climate Change","Ethics","Racism, Bias, and Discrimination","Health Equity","HIV and AIDS","Human Rights","Immigration and Refugees","Intelligence","Forensics, Law, and Public Safety","Learning and Memory","LGBTQ","Marriage and Relationships","Military and Veterans","Money","Obesity","Pain","Parenting","Personality","PTSD","Race and Ethnicity","Business and Industry","Schizophrenia","Sex and Sexuality","Sexual Assault and Harassment","Shyness","Sleep","Socioeconomic Status","Sport and Rehabilitation","Exercise and Fitness","Stress","Suicide","Technology and Design","Teens","Testing, Assessment, and Measurement","Psychotherapy","Trauma","Physical Abuse and Violence","Healthy Workplaces"]); googletag.pubads().setTargeting("Audience", ["Public"]); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display('gpt-ad-291284010'); }); function getRespAdSizeMapping() { var mapping; if (layout == 'twoCols') { if (window.matchMedia("(max-width: 995px)").matches) { mapping = googletag.sizeMapping() .addSize([767, 100], [728, 90]) .addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]) .addSize([0, 0], []) .build(); } else { mapping = googletag.sizeMapping() .addSize([1160, 100], [728, 90]) .addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]) .addSize([0, 0], []) .build(); } } else { mapping = googletag.sizeMapping() .addSize([767, 100], [728, 90]) .addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]) .addSize([0, 0], []) .build(); } return mapping; } </script> </div> <div class='ad_label'>ADVERTISEMENT</div> </div> <div class="adWrap"> <div id="gpt-ad-291284011" data-ai-iframe data-ai-action="paid-ad-click" data-ai-target="gpt-ad-291284011"> <script> var layout = document.querySelector('.two_col_b') ? 'twoCols' : 'others'; googletag.cmd.push(function () { if ('300x250' == '728x90') { var responsiveAdSlot = googletag .defineSlot('/308402/b.apa.tmus/Global', [[300, 250], [300, 250]], 'gpt-ad-291284011') .addService(googletag.pubads()); responsiveAdSlot.defineSizeMapping(getRespAdSizeMapping()); } else { googletag.defineSlot('/308402/b.apa.tmus/Global', [300, 250], 'gpt-ad-291284011').addService(googletag.pubads()); } googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.pubads().setTargeting("Topics", ["Substance Use, Abuse, and Addiction","ADHD","Older Adults and Aging","Alzheimers","Anger","Anxiety","Autism Spectrum Disorder","Bipolar Disorder","Bullying","Children","Depression","Disabilities","Disasters and Response","Eating Disorders","Schools and Classrooms","Emotions","Mental Health","Climate Change","Ethics","Racism, Bias, and Discrimination","Health Equity","HIV and AIDS","Human Rights","Immigration and Refugees","Intelligence","Forensics, Law, and Public Safety","Learning and Memory","LGBTQ","Marriage and Relationships","Military and Veterans","Money","Obesity","Pain","Parenting","Personality","PTSD","Race and Ethnicity","Business and Industry","Schizophrenia","Sex and Sexuality","Sexual Assault and Harassment","Shyness","Sleep","Socioeconomic Status","Sport and Rehabilitation","Exercise and Fitness","Stress","Suicide","Technology and Design","Teens","Testing, Assessment, and Measurement","Psychotherapy","Trauma","Physical Abuse and Violence","Healthy Workplaces"]); googletag.pubads().setTargeting("Audience", ["Public"]); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display('gpt-ad-291284011'); }); function getRespAdSizeMapping() { var mapping; if (layout == 'twoCols') { if (window.matchMedia("(max-width: 995px)").matches) { mapping = googletag.sizeMapping() .addSize([767, 100], [728, 90]) .addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]) .addSize([0, 0], []) .build(); } else { mapping = googletag.sizeMapping() .addSize([1160, 100], [728, 90]) .addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]) .addSize([0, 0], []) .build(); } } else { mapping = googletag.sizeMapping() .addSize([767, 100], [728, 90]) .addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]) .addSize([0, 0], []) .build(); } return mapping; } </script> </div> <div class='ad_label'>ADVERTISEMENT</div> </div> </div> </section> </section> </section> </section> </div> </section> <div class="bottom-date"> <span class="date-item">Last updated: June 2023</span><span class="date-item">Date created: 2008</span> </div> <section class="social"> <div class="horizontal-icon-bar" data-ai-region data-ai-area="horizontal-bar"> <div> <a href="#" onclick="publishFacebookWallPost('255440604529709', 'https://www.apa.org/topics');" class="social-icon" data-ai-target="facebook" data-ai-action="share"> <i title="Share this on Facebook" class="fab fa-facebook-f"></i> </a> </div> <div> <a href="javascript: openSocialShare('https://twitter.com/share?url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.apa.org%2ftopics&via=APA&text=Psychology+topics')" class="social-icon" data-ai-target="twitter" data-ai-action="share"> <i title="Share this on X (formerly Twitter)" class="fab fa-x-twitter"></i> </a> </div> <div>  <a href="javascript: openSocialShare('https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.apa.org%2ftopics&title=Psychology+topics&summary=Plain-language+explanations+of+how+our+mental+health+and+behavior+play+a+role+in+everyday+issues+such+as%3a+aging%2c+depression%2c+eating+disorders%2c+emotional+health%2c+marriage+and+divorce%2c+parenting%2c+sexuality%2c+sleep%2c+stress+and+trauma.')" class="social-icon" data-ai-target="linkedin" data-ai-action="share"> <i title="Share this on LinkedIn" class="fab fa-linkedin-in"></i> </a> </div> <div>  <a href="javascript:openEmail('English');" class="social-icon" data-ai-target="email" data-ai-action="share"> <i title="Email this" class="fas fa-envelope"></i> </a> </div> </div> <script type="text/plain" class="optanon-category-C0005"> window.fbAsyncInit = function () { FB.init({ appId: 255440604529709, xfbml: true, version: 'v4.0' }); FB.AppEvents.logPageView(); }; (function (d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) { return; } js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); </script> <script> if (!document.getElementById('citationPopup')) { let popup = ` <div class="citationPopup" id="citationPopup"> <span class="capitalize">Cite this</span> <div class="closeCitation right" onclick="toggleCitation()"><i role="presentation" aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-rectangle-xmark"></i></div> <div class="hr"></div> <div class="citationBody" id="citationBody" onclick="selectAll()"> American Psychological Association. (2023). <i>Psychology topics.</i> https://www.apa.org/topics </div> </div> `; if (document.getElementById('mainwrap') != null) { document.getElementById('mainwrap').insertAdjacentHTML('beforeend', popup); } } </script> </section> </main> </div> </div> <footer class="megafooter" data-ai-region data-ai-area="footer"> <div class="megafooter-row megafooter-tagline"> <div class="container"> <div class="wysiwyg">Advancing psychology to benefit society and improve lives</div> </div> </div> <div class="megafooter-row content-row"> <div class="container"> <div class="footer-grid four-cols"> <div class="megafooter-block"> <div class="wysiwyg"> <div> <strong class="upperCase">ABOUT PSYCHOLOGY</strong> </div> <div> <a target="_parent" href="/education-career/guide/science">Science of Psychology</a> </div> <div> <a target="_parent" href="/topics">Psychology Topics</a> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <strong class="upperCase">STUDENTS</strong> </div> <div> <a href="https://accreditation.apa.org/accredited-programs" target="_parent">Accredited Psychology Programs</a> </div> <div> <a target="_parent" href="/education-career/guide/careers">Careers in Psychology</a> </div> <div> <a href="https://opl.apa.org">Online Psychology Laboratory</a> </div> <div> <a target="_parent" href="/about/students">More for Students</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="megafooter-block"> <div class="wysiwyg"><div><strong>PUBLICATIONS & DATABASES</strong></div> <div><a href="https://apastyle.apa.org" target="_parent">APA Style</a></div> <div><a target="_parent" href="/pubs/books">Books</a></div> <div><a target="_parent" href="/pubs/magination">Children's Books</a></div> <div><a href="/pubs/databases">Databases</a></div> <div><a target="_parent" href="/pubs/videos">DVD/Streaming Video</a></div> <div><a href="/pubs/journals/subscriptions">Journal Subscriptions</a></div> <div><a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/">APA PsycNET庐 Journal Articles</a></div> <div><a target="_parent" href="/pubs">More Publications & Databases</a></div></div> </div> <div class="megafooter-block"> <div class="wysiwyg"> <div> <strong class="upperCase">NEWS & ADVOCACY</strong> </div> <div> <a href="/monitor">Monitor on Psychology Magazine</a> </div> <div> <a href="/news/newsletters">Newsletters</a> </div> <div> <a href="/news/press">Press Room</a> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.apaservices.org/advocacy">Advocacy from APA Services, Inc.</a> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <strong class="upperCase">STANDARDS & GUIDELINES</strong> </div> <div> <a href="/research-practice/standards-guidelines">Standards and Guidelines</a> </div> <div> <a target="_parent" href="/ethics">Ethics</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="megafooter-block"> <div class="wysiwyg"> <div> <strong class="upperCase">CAREERS</strong> </div> <div> <a href="http://www.psyccareers.com" target="_parent">Find a Job with PsycCareers</a> </div> <div> <a target="_parent" href="/education-career/development/early">Early Career Psychologists</a> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <strong class="upperCase">EVENTS & TRAINING</strong> </div> <div> <div> <a href="https://convention.apa.org">APA Annual Convention</a> </div> </div> <div> <a target="_parent" href="/ed/ce">Continuing Education</a> </div> <div> <a href="/events">Events Calendar</a> </div> <div> <a href="/education-career/training">Training</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="megafooter-row bg-light-neutral-1"> <div class="container"> <section class="footer-grid two-cols about-memebers-cols"> <div class="megafooter-block aboutapa-block"> <div class="megafooter-heading">About APA</div> <div class="wysiwyg footer-grid three-cols"> <ul> <li> <a target="_parent" href="/about/governance">Governance</a> </li> <li> <a target="_parent" href="https://www.apadivisions.org">APA Divisions</a> </li> <li> <a target="_parent" href="/about/offices">Directorates and Programs</a> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <a target="_parent" href="https://apamerchstore.com/">APA Merch Store</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about/apa/corporate-supporters">Corporate Supporters</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://advertising.apa.org">Advertise with Us</a> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <a href="/about/apa-jobs">Work at APA</a> </li> <li> <a href="/donations">Donate</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about/contact">Contact Us</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="megafooter-block members-block"> <div class="footer-grid two-cols members-cols"> <div class="megafooter-block"> <div class="megafooter-heading">Members</div> <div class="wysiwyg"><ul> <li><a href="https://community.apa.org/">APA Community</a></li> <li><a href="/members/your-membership/get-involved">Get Involved</a></li> <li><a href="/members/your-membership/benefits">Membership Benefits</a></li> <li><a target="_parent" href="/members">More for Members</a></li> </ul></div> </div> <div class="megafooter-block"> <div class="wysiwyg"> <ul> <li style="text-align: left;"> <a href="https://renew.apa.org" class="btnOutlineMed">Renew Membership</a> </li> <li style="text-align: left;"> <a class="btnOutlineMed" href="/members/your-membership/join">Join APA</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="megafooter-row shorter-row with-social"> <div class="container"> <div class="footer-grid two-cols-uneven"> <div class="megafooter-links megafooter-block align-self-end"> <div class="wysiwyg wysiwyg-flex-ul"> <ul> <li> <a href="#" id="togglePrefCenter" name="togglePrefCenter">Cookies</a> </li> <li> <a target="_parent" href="/about/privacy">Privacy Statement</a> </li> <li> <a target="_parent" href="/about/termsofuse">Terms of Use</a> </li> <li> <a target="_parent" href="/about/accessibility">Accessibility</a> </li> <li> <a target="_parent" href="/website-feedback">Website Feedback</a> </li> <li> <a target="_parent" href="/sitemap">Sitemap</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="megafooter-socialmedia megafooter-block"> <div class="d-flex flex-wrap align-items-end justify-content-end"> <span>Follow APA</span> <ul class="socialmedia-items d-flex"> <li> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-psychological-association" target="_blank" title="Join us on LinkedIn" aria-label="Join us on LinkedIn" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> <svg class="svg-inline--fa fa-linkedin" aria-labelledby="svg-inline--fa-title-17l4b62nQnJI" data-prefix="fab" data-icon="linkedin" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512" data-fa-i2svg=""><title id="svg-inline--fa-title-17l4b62nQnJI">Join us on LinkedIn</title><path fill="currentColor" d="M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z"></path></svg> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/apa_org/" target="_blank" title="Instagram" aria-label="Instagram" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> <svg class="svg-inline--fa fa-square-instagram" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fab" data-icon="square-instagram" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512" data-fa-i2svg=""><path fill="currentColor" d="M224,202.66A53.34,53.34,0,1,0,277.36,256,53.38,53.38,0,0,0,224,202.66Zm124.71-41a54,54,0,0,0-30.41-30.41c-21-8.29-71-6.43-94.3-6.43s-73.25-1.93-94.31,6.43a54,54,0,0,0-30.41,30.41c-8.28,21-6.43,71.05-6.43,94.33S91,329.26,99.32,350.33a54,54,0,0,0,30.41,30.41c21,8.29,71,6.43,94.31,6.43s73.24,1.93,94.3-6.43a54,54,0,0,0,30.41-30.41c8.35-21,6.43-71.05,6.43-94.33S357.1,182.74,348.75,161.67ZM224,338a82,82,0,1,1,82-82A81.9,81.9,0,0,1,224,338Zm85.38-148.3a19.14,19.14,0,1,1,19.13-19.14A19.1,19.1,0,0,1,309.42,189.74ZM400,32H48A48,48,0,0,0,0,80V432a48,48,0,0,0,48,48H400a48,48,0,0,0,48-48V80A48,48,0,0,0,400,32ZM382.88,322c-1.29,25.63-7.14,48.34-25.85,67s-41.4,24.63-67,25.85c-26.41,1.49-105.59,1.49-132,0-25.63-1.29-48.26-7.15-67-25.85s-24.63-41.42-25.85-67c-1.49-26.42-1.49-105.61,0-132,1.29-25.63,7.07-48.34,25.85-67s41.47-24.56,67-25.78c26.41-1.49,105.59-1.49,132,0,25.63,1.29,48.33,7.15,67,25.85s24.63,41.42,25.85,67.05C384.37,216.44,384.37,295.56,382.88,322Z"></path></svg> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/theapavideo" target="_blank" title="Videos from APA on YouTube" aria-label="Videos from APA on YouTube" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> <svg class="svg-inline--fa fa-square-youtube" aria-labelledby="svg-inline--fa-title-YVOEJlE2Z05J" data-prefix="fab" data-icon="square-youtube" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512" data-fa-i2svg=""><title id="svg-inline--fa-title-YVOEJlE2Z05J">Videos from APA on YouTube</title><path fill="currentColor" d="M186.8 202.1l95.2 54.1-95.2 54.1V202.1zM448 80v352c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V80c0-26.5 21.5-48 48-48h352c26.5 0 48 21.5 48 48zm-42 176.3s0-59.6-7.6-88.2c-4.2-15.8-16.5-28.2-32.2-32.4C337.9 128 224 128 224 128s-113.9 0-142.2 7.7c-15.7 4.2-28 16.6-32.2 32.4-7.6 28.5-7.6 88.2-7.6 88.2s0 59.6 7.6 88.2c4.2 15.8 16.5 27.7 32.2 31.9C110.1 384 224 384 224 384s113.9 0 142.2-7.7c15.7-4.2 28-16.1 32.2-31.9 7.6-28.5 7.6-88.1 7.6-88.1z"></path></svg> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AmericanPsychologicalAssociation" target="_blank" title="Follow us on Facebook" aria-label="Follow us on Facebook" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> <svg class="svg-inline--fa fa-square-facebook" aria-labelledby="svg-inline--fa-title-xg8blDzqiENZ" data-prefix="fab" data-icon="square-facebook" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512" data-fa-i2svg=""><title id="svg-inline--fa-title-xg8blDzqiENZ">Follow us on Facebook</title><path fill="currentColor" d="M400 32H48A48 48 0 0 0 0 80v352a48 48 0 0 0 48 48h137.25V327.69h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.27c-30.81 0-40.42 19.12-40.42 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V480H400a48 48 0 0 0 48-48V80a48 48 0 0 0-48-48z"></path></svg> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.threads.net/@apa_org" target="_blank" title="Threads" aria-label="Threads" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> <svg class="svg-inline--fa fa-square-threads" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fab" data-icon="square-threads" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512" data-fa-i2svg=""><path fill="currentColor" d="M64 32C28.7 32 0 60.7 0 96V416c0 35.3 28.7 64 64 64H384c35.3 0 64-28.7 64-64V96c0-35.3-28.7-64-64-64H64zM294.2 244.3c19.5 9.3 33.7 23.5 41.2 40.9c10.4 24.3 11.4 63.9-20.2 95.4c-24.2 24.1-53.5 35-95.1 35.3h-.2c-46.8-.3-82.8-16.1-106.9-46.8C91.5 341.8 80.4 303.7 80 256v-.1-.1c.4-47.7 11.5-85.7 33-113.1c24.2-30.7 60.2-46.5 106.9-46.8h.2c46.9 .3 83.3 16 108.2 46.6c12.3 15.1 21.3 33.3 27 54.4l-26.9 7.2c-4.7-17.2-11.9-31.9-21.4-43.6c-19.4-23.9-48.7-36.1-87-36.4c-38 .3-66.8 12.5-85.5 36.2c-17.5 22.3-26.6 54.4-26.9 95.5c.3 41.1 9.4 73.3 26.9 95.5c18.7 23.8 47.4 36 85.5 36.2c34.3-.3 56.9-8.4 75.8-27.3c21.5-21.5 21.1-47.9 14.2-64c-4-9.4-11.4-17.3-21.3-23.3c-2.4 18-7.9 32.2-16.5 43.2c-11.4 14.5-27.7 22.4-48.4 23.5c-15.7 .9-30.8-2.9-42.6-10.7c-13.9-9.2-22-23.2-22.9-39.5c-1.7-32.2 23.8-55.3 63.5-57.6c14.1-.8 27.3-.2 39.5 1.9c-1.6-9.9-4.9-17.7-9.8-23.4c-6.7-7.8-17.1-11.8-30.8-11.9h-.4c-11 0-26 3.1-35.6 17.6l-23-15.8c12.8-19.4 33.6-30.1 58.5-30.1h.6c41.8 .3 66.6 26.3 69.1 71.8c1.4 .6 2.8 1.2 4.2 1.9l.1 .5zm-71.8 67.5c17-.9 36.4-7.6 39.7-48.8c-8.8-1.9-18.6-2.9-29-2.9c-3.2 0-6.4 .1-9.6 .3c-28.6 1.6-38.1 15.5-37.4 27.9c.9 16.7 19 24.5 36.4 23.6l-.1-.1z"></path></svg> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.twitter.com/apa" target="_blank" title="Follow us on X (formerly Twitter)" aria-label="Follow us on X (formerly Twitter)" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> <svg class="svg-inline--fa fa-square-x-twitter" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-prefix="fab" data-icon="square-x-twitter" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512" data-fa-i2svg=""><path fill="currentColor" d="M64 32C28.7 32 0 60.7 0 96V416c0 35.3 28.7 64 64 64H384c35.3 0 64-28.7 64-64V96c0-35.3-28.7-64-64-64H64zm297.1 84L257.3 234.6 379.4 396H283.8L209 298.1 123.3 396H75.8l111-126.9L69.7 116h98l67.7 89.5L313.6 116h47.5zM323.3 367.6L153.4 142.9H125.1L296.9 367.6h26.3z"></path></svg> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/rss" target="_blank" title="RSS Feeds" aria-label="RSS Feeds" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> <svg class="svg-inline--fa fa-square-rss" aria-labelledby="svg-inline--fa-title-BvyQKlkkGnvj" data-prefix="fas" data-icon="square-rss" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512" data-fa-i2svg=""><title id="svg-inline--fa-title-BvyQKlkkGnvj">RSS Feeds</title><path fill="currentColor" d="M64 32C28.7 32 0 60.7 0 96V416c0 35.3 28.7 64 64 64H384c35.3 0 64-28.7 64-64V96c0-35.3-28.7-64-64-64H64zM96 136c0-13.3 10.7-24 24-24c137 0 248 111 248 248c0 13.3-10.7 24-24 24s-24-10.7-24-24c0-110.5-89.5-200-200-200c-13.3 0-24-10.7-24-24zm0 96c0-13.3 10.7-24 24-24c83.9 0 152 68.1 152 152c0 13.3-10.7 24-24 24s-24-10.7-24-24c0-57.4-46.6-104-104-104c-13.3 0-24-10.7-24-24zm0 120a32 32 0 1 1 64 0 32 32 0 1 1 -64 0z"></path></svg> </a> </li> </ul> <div class="socialmedia-more"> <a href="/about/social-media" title="more social media link">more</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="megafooter-row shorter-row copyrights"> <div class="container"> <section class="copyright"> <div class="wysiwyg"> <a target="_parent" href="/about/contact/copyright"> <strong style="text-decoration: underline;">漏 2024 American Psychological Association</strong> </a> <br> 750 First St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242 <br> Telephone: (800) 374-2721; (202) 336-5500 | TDD/TTY: (202) 336-6123 </div> </section> <figure class="back-to-top"> <a href="javascript:void(0)" id="back-to-top"> <svg title="Back to top" class="svg-inline--fa fa-chevron-up fa-w-14" aria-labelledby="svg-inline--fa-title-sLQwkvREfMhB" data-prefix="far" data-icon="chevron-up" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512" data-fa-i2svg=""><title id="svg-inline--fa-title-sLQwkvREfMhB">Back to top</title><path fill="currentColor" d="M6.101 359.293L25.9 379.092c4.686 4.686 12.284 4.686 16.971 0L224 198.393l181.13 180.698c4.686 4.686 12.284 4.686 16.971 0l19.799-19.799c4.686-4.686 4.686-12.284 0-16.971L232.485 132.908c-4.686-4.686-12.284-4.686-16.971 0L6.101 342.322c-4.687 4.687-4.687 12.285 0 16.971z"></path></svg> </a> </figure> </div> </div> </footer> <div id="ie-margin-fix"> </div> </div> <div id="rwdOverlayMask" class="rwdOverlayMask" onclick="javascript:hideMask('rwdOverlayMask','overlayMask');"></div> <script defer src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jqueryui/1.12.1/jquery-ui.min.js"></script> <script>window.jQuery.ui || document.write('<script defer src="/js/vendor/jquery-ui.js"><\/script>')</script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/css/dist/print.min.css?v=24.9" media="print" tabindex="-1"> <script async src="/js/vendor/hammer.min.js"></script> <script defer src="/js/dist/global.min.js?v=24.9"></script> <script defer src="/js/dist/rwdTabs.min.js?v=24.9"></script> <script data-search-pseudo-elements defer src="/js/vendor/apafa.min.js?v=24.9"></script>  <script>myApaUrl="https://my.apa.org";</script> <script src="/js/dist/myapa.min.js?v=24.9"></script>  <script type="text/plain" class="optanon-category-C0005"> (function () { var twitterWidgets = document.createElement('script'); twitterWidgets.type = 'text/javascript'; twitterWidgets.async = true; twitterWidgets.src = 'https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js'; document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(twitterWidgets); })(); </script>  <script type="text/plain" data-pageid="34169" data-defaultevent="visit" src="/js/dist/insights.min.js?v=24.9" class="optanon-category-C0002"></script> <script defer src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/bootstrap-3-typeahead/4.0.2/bootstrap3-typeahead.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script defer id="typeahead" type="text/javascript"> jQuery(document).ready(function () { jQuery("#query").typeahead({ autoSelect: false, source: function (term, process) { var allowedTypeahead = jQuery('#in').find(':selected').data('typeahead') ? true : false; if (!allowedTypeahead || term.length < 3) return; var terms = []; return jQuery.get('/api/typeahead?term=' + term, function (data) { jQuery.each(data, function (i, item) { terms.push(item); }); process(terms); }); }, afterSelect: function () { jQuery('#search').submit(); }, highlighter: function (item) { var html = jQuery('<div></div>'); var query = this.query; var i = item.toLowerCase().indexOf(query.toLowerCase()); var len = query.length; var leftPart; var middlePart; var rightPart; var strong; if (len === 0) { return html.text(item).html(); } while (i > -1) { leftPart = item.substr(0, i); middlePart = item.substr(i, len); rightPart = item.substr(i + len); strong = jQuery('<span></span>').text(middlePart); html .append(document.createTextNode(leftPart)) .append(strong); item = rightPart; i = item.toLowerCase().indexOf(query.toLowerCase()); } return html.append(document.createTextNode(item)).html(); } }).on('keyup', this, function (e) { if (e.key === 'Enter' || e.keyCode === 13) { jQuery('#input').typeahead('close'); jQuery('#search').submit(); } if (!e.shiftKey && (e.key === 'Tab' || e.keyCode === 9 || e.which === 9)) { var val = jQuery('.typeahead.dropdown-menu li:first').find('a').text(); jQuery('.typeahead.dropdown-menu li:first').addClass('active'); if (val) { jQuery("#query").val(val).text(val).change(); jQuery('#input').typeahead('close'); jQuery('#search').submit(); } } }); jQuery('#in').change(function () { jQuery('#query').typeahead('setQuery', ''); }); }); </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_Incapsula_Resource?SWJIYLWA=719d34d31c8e3a6e6fffd425f7e032f3&ns=2&cb=192170957" async></script></body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Psychology topics