Psychological Associations

Abstract

The American Psychological Association (APA) is a scientific and professional organization of psychologists in America. APA has several divisions that are discussed in the paper.American Counseling Association (ACA) is a non-profit organization situated in the United States. It is dedicated to the development and promotion of the profession and those consultants who practice it. American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is an organization that is setup to promote education and ensure professional development. ASCA provides professional development, publications in different areas and other relevant resources with respect to research as well as advocacy to different schools worldwide. The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) is an international group of more than 6,000 industrial-organizational psychologists whose members investigated and applied understanding of human behavior in the workplace. The American Psychological Association (APA) has created the Division 41, American Psychology-Law Society, which has Forensic Psychology as a discipline and profession. It is responsible for the problems related to human behavior and that arise in the legal justice system.

American Psychological Association (APA)

The American Psychological Association (APA) is a scientific and professional organization of psychologists in America. It was founded in July 1892 at Clark University; its first president was Granville Stanley Hall. It is regarded as one of the most influential professional association of psychologists in the world including experts from the U.S. and Canada and associate members from other countries (APA, 2012). APA has about 150 thousand members in the world and the organization's budget is about $ 70 million. Currently, the association has 54 units with respect to science and practice and 58 regional offices in the U.S. and Canada.

Mission and Purpose

The mission of the organization is to benefit the society by advancing in the field of psychology and advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge. They strive to promote psychology as a science, profession and as means of improving the well-being, mental health and education of people (APA, 2012)

Purpose

The American Psychological Association (APA) is a recognized unifying organization for holders of academic degrees in psychology usually master's or doctoral degree from an accredited University. The Categories of membership in the adopted amendments of 1980 include three categories: younger members (associates), ordinary members (members) and senior members (fellows). Junior members generally have a master's degree, a senior member must have at least five years of experience after receiving the doctorate degree and the candidate has to provide sufficient evidence of prominent or outstanding achievements in their field so that their status is proposed respectively by the department and approved by the APA Council of Representatives (Council of Representatives). Senior and ordinary members have the right to vote and participate in administrative activities, while younger members receive these benefits after five years of continuous membership.

Benefits

APA publishes scientific journals and monthly information newsletters. Central administration organizes an annual meeting which attracts swarm of more than 15 thousand members and involves many functions: e.g., it held the annual election of officers of the APA and its departments, elected APA representation in ...