Attention on Filipino Psychologists

On 31 August 2010, a popular daily ran its main editorial entitled “Psychologists Needed” (http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/editorial/view/20100831-289657/Psychologists-needed). It was a commentary on the need for psychologists in handling critical situations, such as the recent hostage crisis that transpired at the Quirino Grandstand. The following day, Medical Anthropologist Michael Tan and regular columnist of Pinoy Kasi of the same daily ran a follow up entitled “Wanted: Psychologists” (http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20100901-289848/Wanted-psychologists). These two articles cast a national spotlight on my profession, giving psychologists the attention it deserves.

Unfortunately, many Filipinos still misunderstand the field of psychology. Despite the fact that a general psychology course is now a required general education requirement for all tertiary institutions, the field of study and the profession is still generally riddled with stigma and misconceptions.

There are very few institutions in the Philippines that have official positions for psychologists. This explains the fact that approximately 80% of the members of the biggest professional organization for psychologists in the Philippines, the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP, http://pap.org.ph/), are teachers in colleges and universities. Little known to many, among those who hire psychologists is the following: private organizations that have human resources departments; mental health institutions (e.g., centers for mental health, specialized mental hospitals, etc.), and selected large tertiary hospitals. The current scope of organizations that hire psychologists is very limited despite the fact that psychology, given its range of applied fields, is relevant in any environment that involves people.

Psychology is defined as “the study of human behavior and mental processes.” This is certainly a very broad definition; and aptly so because psychology is indeed a very broad field.

In the Philippines, however, this field is still in its infancy. Not more than two years ago, the PAP launched a certification of psychology specialists. Among the areas of specialization recognized are the following:

• Assessment psychology – involves the use of various data-gathering methods and instruments to measure ability, aptitude, achievement, attitudes, motivations, interests, personality, and mental health  
• Clinical psychology – engages in the scientific study of mental health, personality and everyday adjustment 
• Counseling psychology - facilitates personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span with a focus on emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and organizational concerns 
• Developmental psychology - concerns the nature of human development or change (in the cognitive, social, emotional, behavioral, physical aspects) throughout the life span
• Educational psychology – delves with the theory, methodology, and applications of psychology to a broad spectrum of teaching, training, and learning issues 
• Industrial-Organizational psychology - applies psychological theories, research methods, and intervention strategies to people and groups in work and non-work organizations 
• Social psychologists – focuses on the individual’s social cognition, affect, and behavior within a group and how the presence of others (real or imagined) affects that individual 

From this list, we can see that there are many other areas of specialty within the broad spectrum of psychology that is not yet recognized in the Philippines. This is probably due to the fact that there are not enough trained in these areas of specialization to warrant a separate specialty group. With a greater public interest in psychology, a broader understanding of the field can also arise. This will hopefully bring about a more relevant profession to a greater number of people.