International
Psychology
Authors:
Editing Consultants:
Mercedes A. McCormick, PhD
Michael J. Stevens, PhD, DHC
Pace University, New York, NY, USA
Illinois State University, Normal, IL, USA
Matthew R. Constable
Richard S. Velayo, PhD
Pace University, New York, NY, USA
Pace University, New York, NY, USA
What Is International Psychology?

“An emerging branch of psychology
that focuses on the worldwide
enterprise of psychology in terms of
communication and networking,
cross-cultural comparison,
scholarship, practice, and pedagogy.”
(Gielen & Verderame, 2007)
What Is International Psychology?

Concerned with:
• The emergence and practice of psychology in
different parts of the world.

Advocates:
• Committed involvement in worldwide and
regional policymaking organizations, such as:






International Union of Psychology Science (IUPsyS)
International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP)
International Association of Cross-Cultural Psychology
(IACCP)
International Council of Psychologists (ICP)
European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations
(EFPA)
Sociedad Interamericana de Psycologia (SIP)
Theories and Perspectives:








Critical Psychology
Liberation Psychology
Post-Modernism
Social Constructivism
Social Identity Theory
Social Reduction Theory
Symbolic Interactionism
Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory
History of International Psychology:
From its beginning in the late 19th century,
modern scientific psychology has had an
international dimension…


The First International Congress of Physiological
Psychology in 1889, in Paris, included more than 200
participants from 20 different countries.
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920), the father of scientific
psychology, supervised 190 doctoral students from at
least 10 countries.
History of International Psychology:
Continued…



Began in Europe
Remained a predominately Western
enterprise until well after World War II
During the 1930s, many prominent
psychologists from Germany and Austria
emigrated to the U.S.


Psychology in the U.S. eventually assumed
worldwide leadership.
An increased global awareness among many
U.S. psychologists remains important in fully
representing the world of psychology.
History of International Psychology:
Continued…
During the last 3 to 4 decades,
psychology has expanded worldwide
and assumed a global presence
 Global estimate of active
psychologists has surpassed one
million:




300,000 Psychologists in Europe
200,000 in Latin America
277,000 in the U.S.
(Stevens & Gielen, 2007)
History of International Psychology:
Continued…
 Psychology has also gained ground in East and
Southeast Asia, and is becoming increasingly visible
in some Muslim countries.


Psychology continues to be frequently considered as
an unnecessary luxury in the poorer regions of the
world.
In general, psychology as a discipline has prospered
in well-to-do and individualistic countries and
cultures.
What Is the
American Psychological Association?




The American Psychological Association
(APA) is a scientific and professional
organization that represents psychology in
the U.S.
As of 2008, the APA has 54 divisions.
With 148,000 members, APA is the largest
association of psychologists worldwide.
Based in Washington, DC.
Visit the APA at:
www.apa.org
What Is Division 52?


Division 52 of the American Psychological
Association (APA), is the
Division of International Psychology
Brief History:



Founded in 1997
Creation was the result of many years of planning
and work by a small group of people dedicated to
fostering an international outlook within the APA
Currently has over 1,000 members
What Is Division 52?
Continued…

Division 52’s purpose:
• To further the development and
advancement of international relations
among psychologists in the areas of:




Sharing knowledge
Encouraging exchanges
Encouraging intercultural research and
development in clinical practice
To promote the general objectives of the
APA
What Is Division 52?
Continued…

Division 52 represents:
• The interest of all psychologists who:




Foster international connections among
psychologists
Are engaged in multicultural research or
practice
Apply psychological principles to the
development of public policy
Are otherwise concerned with individual
group consequences of global events
What Is Division 52?
Continued…

Division 52 encourages:



Member participation in intercultural
research
Discussions of effective assessment and
treatment models in working with particular
cultures
A better understanding of the psychological
problems which predominate in a given
region of the world
What Is Division 52?
Continued…

In other words:
• Div. 52 encourages the development of a more
international perspective in psychology by:



Sponsoring programs to stimulate interest in and share
information about international psychology
Providing networking opportunities for psychologists
from around the world through the Division’s
newsletter, the International Psychology Bulletin
Providing opportunities for students to meet and
interact with other students and psychologists from
around the world
Students in Division 52:


Division 52 is dedicated to providing
opportunities for students to meet and
interact with other students from around
the world.
Students are encouraged to join Division
52, attend social and networking events
at the APA conventions, and become
active in the Division’s Student
Committee.
APA - Division 52
Student Committee:

Mission:



To be a strong, diverse, and productive
team that is dedicated to helping students
become involved with the dynamic
community of international psychologists.
Support and guidance are provided to
coordinate and create opportunities that
further the future careers of students.
The Committee seeks to encourage and
inspire the development of new leaders in
the field of international psychology.
Careers in International
Psychology:

Will provide global opportunities to
become a:
• University teacher
• Researcher on international issues to
promote mental health and well being
• Consultant to global universities,
businesses, and mental health
agencies on issues of curriculum
development, human resources, and
therapeutic interventions
References:






Gielen, U. P. (Ed.). (in press). Conversations with international
psychologists. Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing.
Pawlik, K., & d’Ydewalle, G. (2006). Psychological concepts:
An international historical perspective. Hove, UK:
Psychology Press.
Pawlik, K., & Rosenzweig, M. R. (Eds.). (2000). International
handbook of psychology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Stevens, M. J., & Wedding, D. (Eds.). (2004). Handbook of
international psychology. New York: Brunner-Routledge.
Stevens, M. J., Gielen, U. P. (Eds.). (2007). Toward a global
psychology: Theory, research, intervention, and
pedagogy. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Wedding, D., & Stevens, M. J. (Eds). (2008). Psychology:
IUPsyS global resource (CD-ROM) (9th ed.). Hove, UK:
Psychology Press.
Want to Learn More about Div. 52?


Visit the official APA, International
Psychology website at:
www.internationalpsychology.net
Apply & become a Member of Div. 52
or to the Student Committee at:
www.internationalpsychology.net/membership