🧠 Psychology is the comprehensive scientific study that seeks to generate foundational knowledge about the mind and behavior, focusing on creating and testing universal theories about cognitive processes, development, and social interaction.
🧠 Applied Psychology, by contrast, takes this theoretical knowledge—derived from basic fields like Cognitive and Developmental Psychology—and uses it directly to solve practical, real-world problems and improve human functioning in specific settings, manifesting in disciplines such as Clinical Psychology (treating mental health) and Industrial-Organizational Psychology (optimizing workplace performance).
✨ The core difference is the shift from pure understanding (theory) to practical intervention (action).