Challenges Facing the American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association (APA) faces many challenges such as inadequate resources to facilitate research, the proper integration of psychology into other studies, the recruitment and retention of members, and inadequate compensations for services. Consequently, the discipline has experienced slowed development, thus, denying many Americans the benefits presented by an in-depth understanding and application of psychology. However, there are numerous opportunities that the APA can explore in its effort to incorporate psychology study and practice into other disciplines (Aalbers and Thomas 179). The timely and well-researched introduction of psychology into various levels of human interactions will create a better understanding of human behavior and also facilitate the proper application of knowledge and processes to solve everyday issues. Therefore, the APA can explore other options to overcome the challenges it currently faces and still realize its objectives efficiently.
Psychology encompasses various studies that focus on human behavior, including the rationales for certain behaviors, the expected outcomes of the behaviors, and the possible interpretations and interventions available for such behaviors (Robiner et al. 366). Historically, the discipline has remained detached from other subjects of human interest. Additionally, psychology has largely been presented as a distant division of the wider healthcare sector, thus, hindering people’s understanding of its significance in everyday human interactions. Therefore, psychology and psychologists are perceived as independent entities whose activities have no influence on other spheres of life.
The introduction of psychology studies at earlier stages of learning can help in dealing with challenges such as the recruitment and retention of members (Harris 946.). For example, students in their senior high school years or those studying healthcare related courses can begin taking psychology classes to familiarize themselves with the basics of the subject. Also, students taking other courses can study psychology up to a certain level to give them an understanding of how psychology study and application can impact their specific areas of study (Van Vugt and Grabo 485). In education, for instance, the incorporation of psychology studies can help teachers to understand the learning needs of individual students thus offer student-centered teaching to facilitate the learner’s understanding. Indeed, recruiting and retaining psychologists within the APA could become a manageable task if the organization would consider the wide scope of disciplines that could rely on psychology for their advancement (Rollin et al. 195). Psychology can also gain widely from the sharing of resources among individuals and groups aiming at advancing the subject at various levels and for diverse applications depending on the area of interest.
According to Routh, the creation of peer groups within related and interrelated fields of study could also be used to recruit and retain members (10). In healthcare, for example, the establishment of networks among psychologists, counselors, physicians, and other related professions can help to widen the scope covered by psychologists and other practitioners. According to Robiner et al., the interactions could create a basis for the strengthening of the APA as the professionals would need an accredited organization to guide their actions and safeguard their interests (372). Besides, the organization can facilitate the interaction of members and other likely partners to enhance psychology study and build the capacity of other professionals to serve as citizen psychologists. The advancement of the discipline in other areas of study has the capacity to strengthen those subjects and also enrich the minimum level knowledge achieved by members. Currently, the different segments of disciplines such as medicine, education, business, and leadership are dependent upon theories that might have existed for extended durations. However, peer groups and research partnerships can be used as tools to enhance the study and application of psychology in everyday situations thus improving the organization’s value (Rollin et al. 197).
The challenge of inadequate funding can be overcome through various means such as collaborations with governments, individuals, and interest groups. Psychologists work in different capacities and varying setups across the country. The recruitment of professionals in other disciplines such as business and education, in addition to the already existing members, can provide opportunities for the organization to grow not only in numbers but revenues as well. Individuals and interest groups seeking study and research partnerships with the APA can create proper channels to attract funding from interested parties who might want to use the results of research for other purposes. For example, healthcare professionals may be interested in a proposed research topic if they feel that the results would be crucial in treating their patients (Robiner et al. 377). Similarly, professionals can partner with state or the federal governments to carry out research on various topical issues affecting the country. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Educational Research Association (AERA) are some of the likely partners who may willingly sponsor research due to the fact that their services are largely based on the timely acquisition and dissemination of relevant information that can impact the lives of Americans.
Currently, the organization collaborates with psychologists and other healthcare professionals to fund studies and research but only up to a certain extent (Rollin et al. 202). Indeed, it is possible to consider the impacts of the inclusion of other professionals into the organization and the impacts of having a wider pool of professionals working for a common purpose of linking psychology to other disciplines to understand everyday human interactions. However, it would be necessary to consider the outcomes of some collaborations and take the necessary measures to avoid instances that may be detrimental to the organization’s reputation. For example, the APA came under criticism when reports emerged that it had been collaborating with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to facilitate the torturing of suspected wrongdoers (James Rise). Although such a partnership can open up additional funding channels, the allegations may not always create the right impression among some potential partners who may feel that the organization overstepped its mandate as a regulator of psychology practice (Aalbers and Thomas 180).
According to the Aalbers and Thomas, psychologists in the various professions can take the initial steps in ensuring that psychology is recognized as a critical discipline in providing solutions to human situations (184). The challenge of low compensation arises due to the lack of proper measures to highlight the significance of psychology and psychologists in the society. As such, persons seeking the services of psychologists assume that the services offered are only secondary to others. Consequently, it becomes difficult to highlight the role played by psychology and psychologists in the treatment of patients or solving problems. For example, many people assume that a teacher’s role is to instruct the learners or that a physician’s role is to diagnose ailments and give medication (Harris 952). However, it would be necessary to understand that all these professionals apply psychological knowledge up to a given extent for them to carry out their roles. The appreciation of the role of psychology can give a significant boost the discipline and those practicing it. Therefore, the APA should take the central position to ensure that citizens understand what psychology is, what it can do for them, and the instances in which it has been applied to understand and solve situations without their realization. Such steps can create awareness on the essence of the discipline thus boosting the compensation of psychologists. Besides, the APA can create seminars and workshops to raise public awareness on the essence of psychology in advancing human lives and consequently enhance the value of psychologists and the discipline.
Psychologists, through the APA, have the potential to determine the strength of the discipline. Despite the existence of challenges, it is evident that psychology plays a critical role in the understanding of various situations that arise in everyday human interactions. Overcoming the challenges requires psychologists to identify and claim their position as providers of a service that can go a long way in enhancing people’s living standards (Rollin et al. 204). Research has proven that an in-depth understanding of the discipline can transform human communications from the most basic levels such as personal interactions between two people to more advanced levels such as study and practice (Harris 957; Robiner et al. 381).
The APA can influence decisions in many spheres of human life and not only in healthcare. Collaborations with players in other sectors can create opportunities for psychology as a discipline thus improving its overall outlook and the people’s perceptions regarding its operations. As a result, more people would be able to appreciate its role and take up roles as citizen psychologists in addition to incorporating it in the respective professions. Indeed, such steps would help to easily overcome challenges such as inadequate funding and the recruitment and retention of members.
Works Cited
Aalbers, Dan and Thomas Teo. “The American Psychological Association and the Torture Complex: A Phenomenology of the Banality and Workings of Bureaucracy.” Journal Fur Psychologie, vol. 25, no. 1, Jan. 2017, pp. 179-204. Academic Search Complete, ezproxy.angelina.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=122379744&site=ehost-live. Accessed 04 August 2017.
Harris, Abigail M. “Ensuring the Availability and Quality of School Psychology Doctoral Internships.” Psychology in the Schools, vol. 52, no. 10, Dec. 2015, pp. 946-961. Academic Search Complete, doi:10.1002/pits.21879.
Rise, James. “American Psychological Association Bolstered C.I.A. Torture Program, Report Says.” The New York Times, April 30, 2015. www.nytimes.com/2015/05/01/us/report-says-american-psychological-association-collaborated-on-torture-justification.html. Accessed 30 July 2017.
Robiner, William N., et al. “Bowling Alone: The Decline of Social Engagement and Other Challenges for the American Psychological Association and Its Divisions.” Clinical Psychology: Science & Practice, vol. 22, no. 4, Dec. 2015, pp. 366-383. Academic Search Complete, doi:10.1111/cpsp.12124.
Rollin, Stephen A., et al. “Bringing Psychological Science to the Forefront of Educational Policy: Collaborative Efforts of the American Psychological Association’s Coalition for Psychology in the Schools and Education.” Psychology in the Schools, vol. 45, no. 3, Mar. 2008, pp. 194-205. Academic Search Complete, ezproxy.angelina.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=31135948&site=ehost-live.
Routh, Donald. “Children, adolescents and clinical psychology organizations: Division 12’s ’empty nest.'” The Clinical Psychologist, vol. 65, no. 10, 2012, pp. 10-14.
Van Vugt, Mark, and Allen E. Grabo. “The Many Faces of Leadership.” Current Directions in Psychological Science, vol 24, no. 6, 2015, pp. 484-489. SAGE Publications, journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0963721415601971. Accessed 30 July 2017.
