THE PUBLIC'S PERCEPTION OF PSYCHOLOGY: ATTITUDES OF FOUR SELECTED GROUP

A survey questionnaire designed to assess knowledge and attitudes towards psychology was completed by 227 respondents including psychologists, business people, scientists and shoppers. Overall, respondents indicated favorable attitudes towards psychology, although competing perceptions about what psychology is and to what aims psychology should strive was found among the groups. Psychologists and scientists were more attuned to the scientific aspects of the profession whereas business people and the shoppers focused on the professions' therapeutic side. Criticisms were marshalled primarily against psychology's unscientific and dehumanizing nature. The value systems inherent to the professional groups seem related to their perceptions of psychology. Business people apply standards to psychologists which relate to financial interests while scientists were more likely to judge psychology by standards relating to control and predictability. The problems of reconciling the scientific and humanistic aims of the profession were discussed. Suggestions as to how psychologists may improve their image were made and directions for future research were considered.