The beginnings of PSI

Abstract

The emergence of psychology in Ireland – both as an academic discipline employing scientific methodology and as an area of professional application – is briefly outlined. The challenges involved in pioneering the new discipline in the 1960s highlighted the need for a representative body to provide professional support and to advance the interests of psychology and psychologists in the country. Against that background the founders set out to promote a positive professional identity by establishing a single organisation representing all psychologists in the country but catering for specialisations in its sub-groups. The main stages in consultation and planning that led to the founding of The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) in May 1970 are described.

Keywords:

• history of psychology
• national psychological society
• PSI
• Ireland

Notes

1. The author was Chairman of the general meeting of psychologists that decided to establish the Society, of the working party that prepared its constitution, of the second general meeting that reviewed the working party's proposals and finally of the founding meeting at which PSI's constitution was adopted. He went on to serve as an officer of PSI Council for more than a decade.