International Psychology

Destined to be the benchmark in international psychology texts, this indispensable volume provides a comprehensive understanding of the discipline of psychology as it has evolved in different regions of the world, in hopes of advancing Western psychology from its individually based, parochial, and ethnocentric paradigm toward one that takes into account the many interlaced contextual variables that affect human behavior. Unmatched in scope and coverage, this text surveys psychology in 27 countries from 9 distinct regions across 6 continents. To achieve this panoramic vista of psychology around the world, eminent psychologists Michael J. Stevens and Danny Wedding bring together leading international experts to write about the psychology of their country. Vital to contemporary psychologists in an increasingly global world, the text includes an overview of each country's psychology, the education and training of psychologists, the scope of psychological practice, and future challenges and prospects. An invaluable reference tool for researchers, practicioners, and students, the Handbook describes the new speciality of international psychology, identifies important international psychology organizations, forecasts the future of psychology worldwide, and offers readers who are accustomed to Western perspectives a glimpse into psychologies that have different historical and cultural roots.

Previous leading commentators on the development of psychology in the Third World have conceived of three major stages: an attempt to assimilate Western psychology, with predictably negative results; the study of indigenous constructs, with more relevant applications; and, finally, transcending stage one and stage two to choose theories and methods on their applied merit alone. Psychology and the Developing World has been assembled to document how close psychology has come to researching that stage. Contributors were carefully selected to provide a unique overview of the latest applications of the discipline as a whole. Their work reveals how psychology is being applied to educational needs, management needs, and health needs. This book shows how development studies and allied disciplines cannot ignore psychology's potential for the Third World.