Unlike the majority of psychologists, psychiatrists __________.

• A. focus exclusively on research rather than clinical practice
• B. primarily use behavioral therapy as their main treatment approach
• C. are medical doctors who can prescribe medication for psychological disorders
• D. cannot diagnose mental health conditions

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the distinction between psychologists and psychiatrists. Psychologists typically have a doctoral degree in psychology and focus on therapy and research related to behavior and mental processes.
2. Step 2: Recognize that psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who have completed medical school and specialized training in psychiatry, which allows them to understand the biological aspects of mental health.
3. Step 3: Note that because psychiatrists are medical doctors, they have the legal authority to prescribe medications, which is a key difference from most psychologists.
4. Step 4: Consider the treatment approaches: psychologists often use various forms of psychotherapy (like cognitive-behavioral therapy), while psychiatrists may combine psychotherapy with pharmacological treatments.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the defining feature of psychiatrists compared to psychologists is their medical training and ability to prescribe medication for psychological disorders.