PRACTICES AND NEEDS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAINING - A SURVEY OF 28 COUNTRIES

In 1988, the Executive Committee of the International Union of Psychol ogical Science resolved to survey training practices in member countri es. Of the 47 member countries, 28 responded by completing a questionn aire, and several added other material. The training programs describe d in this report demand a minimum of four years' study of psychology, although most require additional academic work or practical training u nder supervision, or both. Respondents agreed fairly well on the acade mic topics of a training program, and on desirable characteristics of practical training. The names given to qualifications varied considera bly; this may cause some international confusions. Psychological train ing takes place at both undergraduate and graduate levels. In five of the European countries which responded, in the U.S.A., Egypt, Pakistan , and the Philippines, all psychological training is at graduate level . In most other responding countries, a combination of undergraduate a nd graduate study is required. Psychology's professional status appear s uncertain. Although training is primarily supported by government fi nance, by no means all countries have instituted either accreditation of training programs (externally to the training institutions), or cer tification, licensing, or registration of persons who wish to practice psychology. Psychology may, in a number of countries, be regarded as a purely academic discipline, or as a useful adjunct to such professio nal fields as education and medicine. Yet, in a number of countries, e ven where resources are very limited, psychology appears to have shown its social utility as well as its educational value. Restrictions and demands on the training and practice of psychology arise from both cu ltural-historical and economic forces. The report argues that training needs to recognise personal individual differences, cultural diversit y, and socioeconomic differences, so that the psychology of a region n ot only incorporates international scholarship but also accurately ref lects the human characteristics and needs of that region, and responds adequately to them.