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.