What is a psychologist? What are the duties of a psychologist? When asked about the duties of a teacher or police officer your answer will most likely be accurate or at least slightly accurate, but when asked the same question about the duties of a psychologist, people tend to have a clouded or sometimes blatantly inaccurate view . (C. Super and D. Super 1). The study of psychology refers to the observation of human and animal behavior; the goal is to use observations to explain the causes or reasons why an animal or human chooses a certain course of action (Belkin and Witting 2). Psychology is considered a relatively new scientific discipline. The first traces of psychology come from the father of science, Wilhelm Wundt, dating back to 1879 in Leipzig, Germany, where Wundt founded the first laboratory with the purpose of studying psychology (Belkin and Witting 5). Many “hard” or natural scientists, such as anthropologists and chemists, discredit psychology as a science because one hundred percent accuracy or certainty is rare. One of the most common controversies in the field of psychology is determining whether behavior is the direct result of inherited characteristics or environmental influences (Belkin and Witting 3). However, psychology has evolved for over a century and has various applications and specialties. A common application of psychology is the criminal field, often in the search for serial offenders. The development of psychology, the use of research conducted and statistics formed, and the application to the legal system, form the field known as forensic psychology. To understand the history of forensic psychology, you need to use a much broader scope because forensic psychology is an applica...... middle of paper ......psychology.org/becoming-a-forensic-psychologist/ >. This website contains an in-depth overview of the duties of forensic psychologists and their needs, as well as the training requirements for the field. Super, Charles M. and Donald E. Super. Career Opportunities in Psychology. Chicago, IL: VGM Career Books, 2001. Print. This source is written by experienced psychologists who understand the criteria for success and stress related to careers that involve the use of psychology. Webb, David. “Forensic Psychology: A Free, Comprehensive Guide.” All about forensic psychology. Np, nd Web. 30 September 2013. . The source contains collected information on the history and detailed definitions of forensic psychology. It also states and clarifies common misconceptions about science and its applications.