Undergraduate education in psychology: Training the practitioner as well as the scientist

Abstract

Currently, skills training in psychology in Australian universities is restricted to the postgraduate level. The present paper argues that there is a set of skills forming part of the core of professional psychology that could be taught at the undergraduate level to provide a more balanced implementation of the scientist-practitioner model. The skills proposed involve interpersonal processes, testing and assessment, applied research and evaluation, and behavioural analysis. A number of difficulties in introducing skills training of this sort to the undergraduate curriculum are noted.