PSYCHOLOGY IN THE POST-INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY: AN ASSESSMENT OF PROMISES AND PERFORMANC

This dissertation examines parallel developments occurring both within psychology and society at large in an attempt to better comprehend the possible implications which selected social trends may have upon the future evolution of the discipline. Through the use of a distinct framework, i.e., the "post-industrial society," evidence is compiled which indicates the presence of certain ongoing social developments: an emphasis upon human services, particularly those in the areas of health, education, research, and government; the spread of a professional class qualified to render these services; and an increasing reliance upon the production and application of theoretical knowledge upon which to base technological and social innovation. That these trends have exerted influence on the psychological community as well is suggested by the emergence of similar developments regarding the discipline's participation in the shaping of society. For example, new areas devoted to the advancement of behavioral knowledge and the amelioration of social problems have surfaced, along with new roles for the profession. Applied research activities, centered upon program monitoring, evaluation of social policy, and social experimentation, have proliferated. Thus, in order to better understand these developments within psychology and the possible course of their future development, this dissertation attempts to: (1) document the changes in American society which already have had or which promise to have an impact upon the discipline; (2) enumerate the major trends within psychology itself which have restructured the character of the discipline during this same time period; and (3) evaluate the extent to which these developments have kept pace with the post-industrial opportunities awarded psychology and identify areas where future involvement by the discipline is warranted.;Using data from a number of archival sources, information is presented which lends support to both the existence of post-industrial trends propitious to psychology's own development and concurrent changes within the discipline itself. Regarding the employment and utilization patterns of doctoral psychologists, evidence suggests that increasing migration into the nonacademic employment sector has occurred, although with differing degrees among the various subfields. These trends have become even more accentuated in the population of recent doctorates in psychology. In conjunction with this expanding employment has emerged a broadening of the types of work activities in which psychologists have become involved and changing patterns of interest toward more social problem-oriented issues. At the same time, however, the nature of the academic sector has remained relatively unchanged; graduate and postdoctoral training programs with social problem emphases, although increasing in number, have not kept pace in many subfields with shifting employment and interests. In addition, contrary to post-industrial trends, federal funding obligations for psychological research have experienced severe allocation decreases, except in the areas devoted towards the translation of psychological knowledge into applied activities and social program improvement.;Based on these findings, recommendations are offered concerning areas where psychology must direct increased attention in order to ensure desirable future outcomes. For example, graduate training programs in both the "service-oriented" and "research-oriented" subfields must adopt educational strategies compatible with the future employment market and disciplinary demands. Improved monitoring activities related to the employment, work activities, and educational practices of psychologists need to be instituted and supported. The need for these changes, given the intrinsic linkage of psychology with more marcrolevel social trends, is urgent.