Specialty Designation An Industrial/Organizational Perspective

• Published in: Canadian psychology = Psychologie canadienne Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 95 - 98
• Main Author: KLINE, THERESA J.B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa Canadian Psychological Association 01.01.1994; Educational Publishing Foundation
• Subjects: Human; Perspectives; Professional Specialization; Professional Standards; Psychologists; Psychology; Speciality designation
• ISSN: 0708-5591; 1878-7304
• DOI: 10.1037/0708-5591.35.1.95

After adopting the principles set forth in the SIOP doctoral training guidelines, Section 9 of CPA (Industrial/Organizational) put forward "Guidelines for Graduate Training and Education in Industrial and Organizational Psychology in Canada" (Berwald & Rowe, 1989). This document reflects the Canadian context with regard to Canadian legislation, the characteristics of Canadian industry and the situation at Canadian universities. In addition to adopting in general the areas of competency in the SIOP guidelines, the Canadian document adds one other (program evaluation), divides the areas of competency into "core", "complementary" and "secondary" areas, as well as describing the educational/training strategies that might be used to develop the competency areas. The "core" areas are those that are considered necessary and must be thoroughly covered in graduate programs (Ethical/Legal/Professional Contexts, Organizational Theory, Work Motivation, Statistical Methods/Data Analysis, Research Methods, Personnel Selection/Placement/Classification, Performance Appraisal/Feedback, Measurement of Individual Differences, Organizational Development, Job/Task Analysis, Criterion Development). The "complementary" areas are those considered very important and should be the subject of some training in I/O programs (Individual Assessment, Training, Attitude Theory, Career Development, Human Performance/Human Factors/Ergonomics). The "secondary" areas are considered important and should be given basic coverage in the program (Small Group Theory/Process, Decision Theory, Program Evaluation, Consumer Behaviour, Fields of Psychology, History/Systems). It was noted by the I/O Section of CPA that not all of these areas needed to be covered in specific graduate courses. They provide several educational strategies that I/O programs might use in order to accomplish the competency requirements of students. These educational strategies include graduate course work, advanced undergraduate courses, independent study/research, supervised experience, on - the - job training and professional workshops. Each of these strategies are rated as being highly recommended, recommended and accepted for each of the competency areas. It is apparent that Section 9 of CPA is preparing for the possibility of program accreditation. Those building I/O psychology programs in Canada would need to be very familiar with the SIOP and CPA, Section 9 documents, in order to be poised to take advantage of the accreditation process when it comes. The issue of individual certification is less clear for I/O psychologists. While one might presume that a degree from an accredited I/O program will be a necessary condition to become a certified "I/O Psychologist", it is likely to not also be a sufficient condition. However, professional certification will be an outgrowth of the "specialty designation" issue. While at the present time provincial legislation exists governing the use of the title "psychologist", it does not actively recognize specialty areas, as noted by Service et al. For I/O psychologists, this poses a particular problem in that most individuals seeking certification are interested in clinical/counselling careers. The body of knowledge and relevant experience are different for each professional area. It would certainly be welcomed if Section 9 of CPA took on the task of providing guidelines for individual certification to the appropriate provincial governing bodies. This would ensure a Canada - wide standardization of the education and training necessary to become a professionally certified I/O Psychologist.