Candidates for APA President
Given that there is only so much that an incoming APA president can do during his or her 12-month presidency, state and then discuss the one issue about which you feel passionate and that, therefore, you will pursue with vigor if you are elected.
Enhancing psychology's image to that of a health profession, not only a profession dealing with pathology, is a priority identified by members and one that I see as critical. This includes a vision of psychology as part of everyday life. Developing resilience programs that are disseminated through schools and community organizations is an initiative that will foster that goal. Programs would be developed in collaboration with the Science, Practice, Education and Public Interest directorates. The nature of the dissemination will be key to a favorable view by the public--a view that will enhance and expand the image of psychology.
In your opinion, what are the most important contributions of psychology to the education process?
All the areas of psychology contribute to education. Psychology is important to teacher education, to student learning and to instructional design. The understanding of behavior is important to the understanding of children's behavior as learners and is important for students' development as cultured citizens. Furthermore, the educational enterprise encompasses many settings, such as schools, businesses and community organizations. As psychology becomes more visible to education's full compass, its image as a discipline and as a profession relevant to all of society will be enhanced. If psychology does not become more visibly relevant to education, it will remain more narrowly perceived.
