1. Is mainstreaming children with special needs always a good thing?

No, it isn’t. Mainstreaming can only work properly where teachers are well trained to deal with the diverse students in their classrooms. If the classroom setting is underfunded or the teacher ineffectively trained, then the special needs child gets set up as a target for hostility and teasing. Almost every educational intervention requires appropriate implementation dollars if it is going to have the desired impact on the child.

Psychology offers a solid preparation in people skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking. These are skills that almost any employer finds desirable in their new employees. Psychology can teach you to ask questions, challenge your assumptions, and exercise skepticism so you won’t be likely to accept faulty cause-effect claims. People who have had psychology training tend to make very good co-workers, partners, and friends.

No. Jury tampering is an illegal act. Psychologists who have special training in forensic work can assist the courts in a variety of ways. Advising attorneys about how to select the jury that will offer the client the greatest protection against inappropriate judgment is not only a desirable, but well-paying aspect of forensic psychology.

Yes, it does. Numerous reports suggest that sports psychologists can do amazing things helping athletes--both professional and nonprofessional--get better command of their game. They can identify the self-defeating rituals athletes use to get magic advantage over others. They can offer good cognitive strategies to promote serious strategies for winning with aplomb and grace. And sometimes they can end up with free Olympics tickets!