What is the difference between Basic Psychology and Applied Psychology?

There study of Psychology involves the method and pattern to study human behaviour through different courses and how to help society excel. There are various specialisations of Psychology which are taught in various universities and colleges. Candidates can get a detailed overview of Psychology course here. Know the difference between Applied and Basic Psychology which can help you make up your mind better on which course suits you more. 

Psychology can be defiend as the study of mind and behaviour. The course helps candidates to know how exactly the human mind works. The study involves the way of expressing onselves. There study of Psychology involves the method and pattern to study human behaviour through different courses and how to help society excel. There are various specialisations of Psychology which are taught in various universities and colleges. Candidates can get a detailed overview of Psychology course here in the article below. If a person has a problem which is stressing them out completely or they feel that they have emotions which are hard to express, they visit a psychologist. If not clinical psychology, students who require advice and guidance, visit a school counsellor. Check out the difference between Applied Psychology and Basic Psychology in the article below.

Types of Psychology Course 

There are different types of psychology which serve different purposes which are as follows:

Specialisation	Description
Clinical Psychology	Concentrates on the intellectual, emotional, biological, psychological, social and behavioural aspects of human performance through socioeconomic levels.
Cognitive Psychology	This investigates mental processes such as problem solving, memory, learning and language. Concentrates on how people perceive, communicate and remember.
Developmental Psychology	The scientific study which changes peoples experiences over a life span. It focuses on children, teenagers and young adults.
Evolutionary Psychology	This looks at how human behaviour has evolved through various adjustments and how people are adaptive in order to survive.
Forensic Psychology	This form involves applying psychology to criminal investigation and the law. It involves assessing the psychological factors which influence a case or behaviour.
Health Psychology	From behaviour to illness to social context influence, this is known as medical psychology where the practitioner focuses on the entire health of a person and what affects them.
Social Psychology	This practice uses scientific methods to understand how social influences impact human behaviour. From social perception to non-verbal behaviour, aggression and prejudice.

However, when it comes to selecting a course, one should know the difference between a Basic Psychology Course and an Applied Psychology course.

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What is Basic Psychology?

Basic Psychology is the generic term used for Psychology. Students who opt to take up Psychology, can go on to specialize in the above-mentioned courses which are offered by various universities and departments. However, it solely depends on which programme one is taking up. There is a difference between BA Psychology and BSc Psychology. While the Bachelor of Arts (BA) Psychology teaches students right from counselling to the evolution and how sociology has played a major role, a Bachelor of Science (BSc) teaches students about the clinical and research aspects of Psychology which they can use in the field of science and medicine. In basic terms, General/Basic Psychology is a course where one learns about the facets of the mind, various theories which shape the course of personality, learning, cognition and so on and use the knowledge in our day to day lifestyles.

Eligibility Criteria for Psychology Course

Candidates are required to check the below space to know about the eligibility criteria for Psychology courses. 

Psychology UG courses Eligibility Criteria

• Aspirants must have appeared or passed 10+2 exam or equivalent education from the state/national education board in India.

• Candidates must have obtained a minimum 50 per cent aggregate in the Class 12 Board exam.

• Aspirants from all streams i.e. Arts, Science or Commerce are eligible for admission to Psychology courses.

• Different colleges/Institutes for psychology courses may have their own set of eligibility criteria.

BA Psychology Syllabus

To know better about the difference between the two courses, here is the syllabus for BA Psychology.

First Year
Introduction to Psychology (Theory + Tutorial)	Biopsychology
Environmental Science	English Communication
Statistical Methods for Psychological Research	Psychology of Individual Differences
Second Year
Development of Psychological Thought	Psychological Research
Social Psychology	Understanding Psychological Disorders
Statistical Methods for Psychological Research-II	Applied Social Psychology
Ability Enhancement Elective Course (1 & 2)	General Electives (1 & 2)
Third Year
Understanding and Dealing With Psychological Disorders	Organizational Behaviour
Developmental Psychology	Counselling Psychology
Discipline-Specific Elective (DSE) x 4

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What is Applied Psychology?

Applied Psychology is the use of psychological principles, concepts and theories which are used in our everyday lifestyle. It ranges from social work to counselling to advising people. Applied psychologists help people manage or resolve their emotional distress, disorders and illnesses. In simple terms, applied psychology helps peoples cope with their life using scientific research. Applied psychology applies principles, theories, concepts, strategies, approaches in areas such as family, health, social perception, school, colleges, clinics, etc.

Applied Psychology Syllabus

The syllabus for Applied Psychology is as follows:

Semester – I
Psychology and Its Applications I	Research Methodology & Statistics I
Practicum based on Papers I & II	Concurrent – Qualifying Language
Semester – II
Psychology and Applications II	Research Methodology & Statistics II
Practicum based on Paper IV	Concurrent – Credit Language
Semester – III
Applied Social Psychology I	Practicum based on paper VII
Concurrent – Interdisciplinary
Semester – IV
Applied Social Psychology II	Communication Skills
Practicum Based on Paper X	Concurrent – Discipline Centred I
Semester – V
Counselling Psychology	Clinical Psychology I
Practicum based on Paper XII
Semester – VI
Optional (a-f)	Project/Internship
Concurrent – Discipline Centred II

Differences between General Psychology and Applied Psychology

Candidates can check the table below to know about difference between General Psychology and Applied Psychology.

	General Psychology	Applied Psychology
Duration of UG Course	3-Years	3-Years
Eligibility Criteria	The candidate should have done their class 12 from a recognised board from any discipline and should have secured a minimum of 55% in aggregate.	The candidate should have done their class 12 from a recognised board from any discipline and should have secured a minimum of 55% in aggregate.
Admission Process	Entrance Exam and Merit-Based.	Entrance Exam and Merit-Based.
Focus	All fields	Specialised Field

Career Scopes after Psychology

Given below in the table is the list of career scope of Psychology course.

Basic Psychology	Applied Psychology
Social Psychologist	Social Worker
Counselling Psychologist	Social Psychologist
Forensic Psychologist	Clinical Psychologist
Career Counsellor	Health Psychologist
Developmental Psychologist	Rehabilitation Specialist

Top Colleges Offering Psychology

Candidates can check the table below to know about top colleges offering Psychology course.

Basic Psychology	Applied Psychology
Lady Shri Ram College for Women	The Maharaja Sayajirao University
IGNOU	LPU
SGT University	Ramanujan College
Amity University	University of Madras
Ambedkar University Delhi	Dibrugarh University
>> Check More Colleges for BA Psychology	>> Check More Colleges for BA Applied Psychology

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