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Developmental psychologists study human development—the physiological, cognitive and social development that takes place throughout every stage of our lives. They study both the biological influences (such as genetics) and environmental aspects (such as parenting techniques) that shape who we are. Because of the large breadth of this career field, most developmental psychologists choose to specialize in a specific life stage. They may study development during infancy, childhood or adolescence, or changes that occur during adulthood or old age. They might also focus on developmental disabilities and their effects. Developmental psychologists perform the following duties: - Evaluate motor skills progression/regression
- Study the development of moral reasoning and ethics among individuals and groups
- Study the acquisition of language skills and other forms of communication
- Research social patterns, behavior and personality development
- Assess individual problem solving patterns
- Evaluate developmental disabilities
 Developmental Psychologist Work Environment Developmental psychologists are employed in a variety of workplace environments, depending on their specialty. Universities, research facilities, schools, elderly assisted living homes, teen outreach programs, homeless youth programs, hospitals, psychiatric institutions and private practices all depend on the skills of developmental psychologists. Developmental Psychologist Training Developmental psychologists are scientists as well as psychologists. Undergraduate students are encouraged to take strong course loads in biology and the sciences as well as psychology, in order to thoroughly prepare them for a master's or PhD program in developmental psychology. Master's in developmental psychology programs are limited, but master's programs in psychology abound. Both programs generally take two years to complete, and provide internships and fieldwork opportunities to allow students to apply their skills outside of the classroom. A master's degree is not a prerequisite for a doctorate program in developmental psychology. The majority of developmental psychologists earn their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in developmental psychology. The main difference between these two doctorate programs is that the PsyD degree focuses more on clinical training and less on research. Both degrees generally take four to six years to complete. Students in doctorate programs are often placed in internships or supervised clinical practices that coincide with their specializations, such as teaching assistantships, hospital internships or research opportunities. Developmental psychologists who wish to set up private practices must become certified within their state of residence. Further information can be found through the American Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. Roughly four out of 10 psychologists were self-employed in 2004. Learn More About Psychology Careers in this Side-by-Side Comparison Chart  |
 
Did You Know?- Developmental psychologists wrestle with the concept of "nature vs. nurture," which studies whether some qualities or behaviors are innate and coded into a person's genes, or if our environment and experiences control who we are as individuals. This theory becomes particularly fascinating and significant when applied to psychopaths, serial killers and other deviants.
- The study of human sexual development and how gender is acquired are also hot topics for developmental psychologists.
Salary Data According to a 2008 reports from Payscale.com, the starting salary for developmental psychologists is roughly $55,459. However, salaries vary widely depending on the job, employer, education level and the psychologist's experience within the field. Self-employed individuals make an average salary of $111,494, while a professional working at a college or university earns $55,698 on average. A non-profit employee earns about $66,000 per year. Sources: princetonreview.com, payscale.com |
