THE PROFILE OF FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY IN GERMANY - TAKING STOCK OF THE LAST 10 YEARS

Based on a more precise psychological conceptualization of family rela tions it is argued that, on the one hand, the basic and practical aspe cts of family psychology are firmly rooted in scientific psychology, a nd, on the other hand, family psychology's systemic-interactive and co ntextualistic approach has much to offer to the discipline of psycholo gy as a whole. In particular, family psychology is based on non-interv entive and interventive research. Over the last ten years, basic psych ological research on family relations has strongly gained momentum in German-speaking countries. The Same is true for the development of new family-diagnostic instruments. In contrast, process-and outcome-orien ted evaluation studies on family intervention are still underrepresent ed. All in all, the knowledge base of family psychology seems to be st rong enough to suggest the institutionalization of family psychology a s a psychological specialty of its own.