question_answer

How to differentiate between pseudo-psychologist from a real psychologist?

Answer:

Ans.     The answer can be found by asking questions like:

— Professional training

— Educational background

— Institutional affiliation

— His/her experience in a particular specified field.

(a) Training as a research and internalization of certain professional value is critical.

Knowledge of tools used by psychologists, their methods and theories are required to develop psychological expertise.

For example, a professional psychologist addresses the problem in a scientific level. They take their problems to the laboratory or field settings to solve various problems. He/She tries to find the answer in mathematical probability. Only then he/she arrives to psychological principles or laws.

(b) Some psychologists carry out research to propound or investigate theoretical formulations while others and concerned with our daily life activities and behaviour. We need scientists to develop theories and others to find solutions to human problems. Both are real psychologists.

(c) Conditions and competencies are necessary besides research skills for a psychologist.

(d) Basic skills or competencies which psychologists have identified for becoming an effective psychologists are:

(i) General skills

(ii) Observational skills

(iii) Specific skills