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Article
Strengthening the Scientific Foundations of Professional Psychology: Time for the Next Steps
Professional Psychology: Research and Practice
  • Timothy Melchert, Marquette University
Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Format of Original
10 p.
Publication Date
2-1-2007
Publisher
American Psychological Association
Disciplines
Abstract

The field of professional psychology has been tremendously successful, although it has also been characterized by many competing preparadigmatic theoretical orientations, which have led to a great deal of contention as well as conflicting views regarding psychological development, functioning, and behavior change. There is now widespread agreement regarding scientific explanations of many psychological processes, however, and, consequently, it is time to update the basic conceptual frameworks used for professional psychology education and practice. Replacing the traditional reliance on an array of theoretical orientations with a science-based biopsychosocial framework would resolve many of the contradictions and conflicts that characterized the preparadigmatic era and would also provide a common perspective for unifying psychologists around a shared approach to practice, research, and training.

Comments

Accepted version. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, Vol. 38, No. 1 (February 2007): 34-43. DOI. © 2007 American Psychological Association. Used with permission.

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

Citation Information
Timothy Melchert. "Strengthening the Scientific Foundations of Professional Psychology: Time for the Next Steps" Professional Psychology: Research and Practice (2007) ISSN: 0735-7028
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/timothy-melchert/32/