| Abstract: | The beginning of international psychology dates back to the end of the 19th century, with the 1st International Congress held in Paris in 1889, but its first official structure, the International Union of Scientific Psychology, was created only in 1951. A rapid development then followed and today, 68 national societies of psychology involving more than one half billion psychologists throughout the world are currently represented by the Union, which has indeed become the voice of psychology on the international scene. The present structure of international psychology and its various elements are presented and discussed, and the role and function it assumes are described in relation to the development of psychology as a science and a profession. Examples are given of the capacity-building role to which international psychology has given priority and of diverse research projects pursued in collaboration with United Nations agencies, such as the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and World Health Organization. Current issues, such as the unity of psychology and the archiving of primary psychological data, are discussed, and future perspectives and directions are identified. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
