Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1988

Publication Title

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice

First Page

589

Last Page

593

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0735-7028.19.6.589

Abstract

The psychological associations in the 50 states and the District of Columbia were surveyed with regard to their membership structure and the status of master's-level members. Most (31) of these associations closely follow the membership criteria established by the American Psychological Association, allowing associate membership for master's-level personnel, whereas 15 associations provide full membership for such personnel. A minority (17) of the state psychology boards provide some form or licensing or certification for master's-level personnel, and 5 more states provide for registration of such personnel. It is argued that the structures of state psychological associations reflect a tension between two views of psychology: as a scientific discipline or as a profession. The scientific emphasis encourages associations to include all individuals interested in a field or scientific endeavor; the professional perspective motivates associations to exclude those ineligible to join a profession of sell-regulated, highly qualified, health service providers.

Rights

Copyright © 1988 American Psychological Association.

This is a post-print version of an article originally published in Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 1988, Volume 19, Issue 6.

. The version of record is available through: American Psychology Association.

"This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in the APA journal. It is not the copy of record."

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