Psychologists employ empirical methods to infer causal and correlational relationships between psychosocial variables.In addition, or in opposition, to employing empirical and deductive methods, some—especially clinical and counseling psychologists—at times rely upon symbolic interpretation and other inductive techniques.

Psychologists of diverse orientations also consider the unconscious mind.

The women's movement in the sixties broadened the definition of emotional trauma to include physically and sexually abused women and children.

Now, because of the discoveries made in the nineties - known as the decade of the brain - psychological trauma has further broadened its definition.

It is an academic discipline and a social science which seeks to understand individuals and groups by establishing general principles and researching specific cases.

In this field, a professional practitioner or researcher is called a psychologist and can be classified as a social, behavioral, or cognitive scientist.