Newsletter
WRITING FOR MEDIA
Last April 23, 2012, the PAP in partnership with Ateneo CORD sponsored a learning session entitled Writing for Media. The featured resource person was Roby Alampay, Editor of Interaksyon http://www.interaksyon.com/, TV5's news and information portal. In the learning session, 33 participants were oriented on the difference between academic papers and media articles and how to shape articles based on their news values. The session was in keeping with PAP's partnership with Interaksyon that aims to raise awareness for psychology and make Filipino psychologists more accessible to the public.
I/O PSYCHOLOGY DIVISION 2012 SUMMER OUTREACH
The PAP-Industrial/Organizational Psychology Division conducted simultaneous multi-stakeholder strategic planning sessions (titled PAIRALAN - Pagpapairal ng Planong Pampaaralan: From Intended to Implemented) with the Ateneo Center for Educational Devt (ACED) last April 21-22, 2012. Seventeen IO Division members and colleagues volunteered to facilitate the sessions with the 10 QC public high schools that included Balara HS, Camp Crame HS, E. Rodriguez HS and Quirino HS among others. Facilitators were: Sally Caballero, Maria Vida Caparas, George Lu, Golda Crisostomo, Eugene Hontiveros, Doris dela Cruz, Susan Mostajo, Silfa Napicol, Emerico Rasing, Marivic Sanchez, Rodrigo Tomas, Agnes Montalbo, Joan Marasigan, Joy Calleja, Josephine Perez, Kay Dulay, and Raul Rodriguez.
Through the sessions, the principal, teachers, parents and barangay officials of each school were able to clarify their mission and vision, identify priority areas and goals based on an assessment of the school, and craft doable action plans that we hope to have considerable impact on the students.
Aside from facilitating the simultaneous sessions, the facilitators likewise gave important feedback on the program and will work with ACED to ensure that this will be improved for the succeeding runs (especially when we partner with them again in November).
This project was spearheaded by the Outreach Section of the IO Division headed by Sally Caballero and Marivic Sanchez.
PAP 2011 ACCOMPLISHMENT AND ACTIVITIES REPORT
In preparation for the implementation of the “Philippine Psychology Act of 2009” or RA 10029, the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) initiated activities to disseminate information about the law. The theme of last year’s PAP Annual Convention was “RA10029: Promoting Excellence in the Practice of Psychology”. PAP believes that RA10029 is a big step towards professionalizing and promoting excellence in the practice of Psychology in the Philippines.
As more and more psychologists become aware of the law, they become more engaged in the activities of PAP. This involvement is also reflected in the increase in membership. Last year, there were 1392 Affiliate members, 780 Associate members, and 155 Fellow members.
Academic and Scholarly Activities
The 48th Annual Convention with the theme “RA10029: Promoting Excellence in the Practice of Psychology” was held in Iloilo City August 17 to 19, 2011. The keynote address was given by Dr. Maria Lourdes A. Carandang, one of the most esteemed practicing psychologists in the country. The plenary speakers included Dr. Allan B.I. Bernardo who talked about the history of law and Dr. Aurora Odette C. Mendoza who gave an overview of RA10029. Practicing psychologists Dr. Ma.Teresa Gustilo-Villasor, Dr. Natividad A. Dayan and Dr. Imelda Villar discussed the Psychology Law and Ethics in the practice of psychology. Interesting discussion about the Psychology Act among members followed. The 2011 convention in Iloilo was the biggest PAP convention so far with 933 participants and almost 200 paper presentations.
As in the past, workshops are an integral part of the PAP’s annual convention, giving the members ample opportunities for continuing professional education. More and more workshops are initiated by PAP during the convention to address the needs of members particularly the Certified Psychologists to gain as many credit points as possible. Each division organized and sponsored a workshop: Actively Searching for the Filipino Gifted (Assessment and Developmental Psychology), Best Practices in Clinical Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Personality Pathology in DSM-V: Indentifying Personality Traits and Diagnosing Personality Disorders (Assessment and Clinical Psychology), Topics in Custody Evaluation and Dispute Resolution in High Conflict Marital Nullity (Assessment and Clinical Psychology), Quality Relationships – The Key to Success and Satisfaction: Practicing Choice Theory and Reality Therapy (Counseling and Developmental Psychology), Autism, Asperger and Child Development: Issues and Intervention Strategies from a Psychological Perspective (Assessment and Developmental Psychology), Using Contemporary Theories in Educational Psychology Research (Educational Psychology), Managing Impacts of Organizational Change on Human Resources (Industrial Psychology), and Introducing and Integrating LGBT Psychology in our Classmates and Curricula (Social Psychology).
Two workshops outside of the convention were also done. In May 2011, the Developmental Psychology division initiated a one-day workshop entitled, “How to Spot and Manage Depression, Anxiety, Oppositional behavior among Children and Adolescents” by Dr. Josie Banaglorioso with Dr. Paz Manaligod as the workshop organizer. In October 2011, a two-day workshop of the Educational Psychology Division was headed by its chair, Dr. Felicidad T. Villavicencio with Dr. Jerome A. Ouano and Dr. Elmer D. Dela Rosa as its speakers. This workshop was designed to promote an understanding of the use of statistics as a tool in quantitative research in the fields of psychology and education. This seeks to develop decisiveness among educational psychologists and teachers in the use of statistical tools with a solid anchorage on the paradigms and theories as well as the empirical considerations of quantitative research.
For the first time in three years, the oath-taking of newly certified psychologists was held during the closing ceremony of the annual convention. More than 100 psychologists took their oath as specialist psychologists in the different specializations: Assessment, Counseling, Clinical, Developmental, Educational, Industrial-Organizational, and Social.
The Public Interest Committee under the External Relations Officer also came out with two public statements in 2011. In May 2011, PAP came out with a statement about Dr. Maria Lourdes A. Carandang. The statement of support for Dr. Carandang is PAP’s response to an issue then that put Dr. Carandang’s work in public scrutiny. To quote the statement, “the Psychological Association of the Philippines acknowledges that Dr. Maria Lourdes A. Carandang is one psychologist who has adhered to the highest professional standards throughout her career that has spanned three decades. She has served the psychology community in many important ways over many years, and has been an advocate of continuing professional development of psychologists in the country. Aside from her contributions to the Psychological Association of the Philippines, she has also rendered service to various institutions …”
In October 2011, PAP issued another statement on Non-Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression. The public statement (http://www.pap.org.ph/?ctr=page&action=resources) ends with:
In order to eliminate stigma, prejudice, discrimination and violence against LGBT, the PAP resolves to support efforts to:
• oppose all public and private discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression;
• repeal discriminatory laws and policies, and support the passage of legislation at the local and national levels that protect the rights and promote the welfare of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions;
• eliminate all forms of prejudice and discrimination against LGBTs in teaching, research, psychological interventions, assessment and other psychological programs;
• encourage psychological research that addresses the needs and concerns of LGBT Filipinos and their families and communities;
• disseminate and apply accurate and evidence-based information about sexual orientation and gender identity and expression to design interventions that foster mental health and wellbeing of LGBT Filipinos.
In 2011, PAP awarded three travel grants to members who attended the Conference of the Asian Association of Social Psychology in Kunming China in July 2011. Two grants of US$600 each were given to those who attended the Asian Summer School, and one grant of US$500 was given to a paper presenter during the main conference.
Institutional or Organizational Development Activities
In April 2011, the Psychological Association of the Philippines had a two-day Strategic Planning workshop facilitated by industrial psychologist Dr. Regina Hechanova, current PAP Vice-President. The workshop goals included revisiting the current strategic plan of PAP in light of current trends/issues, identifying the appropriate structure of PAP given future directions/plans, clarifying responsibilities of the officers, board members, committee heads, PAP staff, identifying action plans for remainder of the year, and agreeing on monitoring mechanisms. One of the workshop outputs was an organizational chart indicating the current structure of PAP based on the By-laws and the current practice of the organization.
[attached org chart]
We also did responsibility mapping during the workshop where tasks and functions of each officer, committee head and staff were identified. A consolidated responsibility map allowed us to see overlap in functions and identify positions with too many functions. At the end of the workshop we were able to identify which are the current standing committees and which are special committees.
One of the recommendations in that workshop was to review this consolidated responsibility map vis-à-vis the by-laws and see the need for a possible change in the constitution of PAP. A follow-up operational planning meeting was held last November 2011. In the November meeting, the responsibility mapping activity was completed for all identified committees. Plan of activities for the year 2012 was mapped out including activities for the 50th anniversary of PAP, developing PAP’s Manual of Operations, and convention plans.
Public Interest, Awards and RA10029 were identified as special committees which can be changed to standing committees later. The Specialty Division committee was formed to take charge of the activities of the various specialty divisions. One of the most important accomplishments of PAP as an organization in 2011 was the active involvement of PAP specialty divisions in initiating workshops and meetings for their members. The main functions of the specialty divisions include initiating workshops for their members, conducting research and an outreach program for the public (non-PAP members).
A standard PowerPoint template on the overview of the Psychology Act including some frequently asked questions (FAQs) was developed by the Committee on RA10029 headed by Dr. Aurora Odette C. Mendoza. The PAP continued to assist the Professional Regulatory Commission for whatever needs were asked in relation to the creation of the PRB.
One of the major decisions we had in 2011 was the hiring of an Executive Director staring February 2011. The ED position was previously a part-time position from February to November 2011. After 6 months, the ED position and the ED herself were evaluated to look into future directions. After a thorough review, the PAP EXECOM recommended to the Board of Directors that the ED be made a full time position.
Another important accomplishment of PAP in 2011 is the improvement of the website, the funds of which came partly from a grant from the American Psychological Association. The current website is user-friendly, comprehensive and informative for members. Important documents such as RA10029, PAP Code of Ethics, application forms for both membership and certifications are all uploaded in the website. PAP continues to communicate to its members both through the website and the yahoogroups.
Financial Standing
The revenues of PAP come from membership fees, certification application fees, annual convention net income, junior affiliates’ convention net income, workshop earnings, interest income of existing accounts, and donations. The expenses, on the other hand, are administrative expenses and division and committee expenses. As of December 31, 2011, the standing balance of the regular checking account of the organization is P1,992,082.59 (unaudited) which has increased to about P800,000.00 compared to 2010. The dollar account amounts to $12,193.76. The PAP also maintains three accounts for specific purposes P95,867.39 and $12,492.03 (for the Asian Association of Social Psychology funds meant to give financial support to Filipino psychologists who wish to participate in the AASP conventions) and P107,510.42 (FG David account to fund research relevant to the work of Dr. David).
Prepared by:
Maria Caridad H. Tarroja
PAP President
DEVELOPING PSYCHOLOGY AT A NATIONAL LEVEL: THE IUPsyS CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP
30 September – 1 October 2010
Psychological Association of the Philippines President Dr. Maria Caridad Tarroja, Vice President Dr. Mira Ofreneo, and Board Member Mr. Jay Yacat joined eight other officers and members of national psychology organizations from three other Southeast Asian countries (Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia) and three East Asian nations (India, China and Pakistan) in a one and a half day capacity building workshop on Developing Psychology at a National Level. This workshop was organized by the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS).
Status of National Psychology Organizations in Southeast Asia
Prof. Pam Maras
Chair of the National Capacity Building Work Group
IUPsyS
Prof. Maras led the participants in surfacing issues that national psychology organizations in Southeast Asia grapple with. Membership is a priority issue (attracting and engaging members, member benefits). Other identified challenges pertain to organizational development: funding, staffing, capacity building and continuing education. Important key issues include:
- Lack of services to public
- Culture sensitive applicability of acquired skills and knowledge
- Education of the public about value and application of psychology
- Relationship with other disciplines
- Need for collaboration among psychological organisations
However, despite these challenges, all organizations rely on the commitment and hard work of their existing members. Another important resource is the leadership and guidance of their more senior and well-established members.
An important observation is that the organizations are at different stages in their development (with some organizations existing for almost fifty years while others are in the process of formalizing its structures).
The importance of regulation and licensing of psychologists was a focal point in the discussions. Among the participating nations, only the Philippines has successfully passed a regulatory law. While Prof. Maras underscored the importance of having such a law, she strongly encouraged national organizations to critically reflect on their possible roles in the implementation. She warned that it might be taxing for organizations’ resources to be involved in the actual implementation of the regulation.
In summary, Prof. Maras identified possible roles and functions for national psychology organizations:
- Maintain the significance of psychology as a science
- Use psychological science for public good
- Public understanding and engagement of psychology
- Influence government on national and international policy
- Promote and support psychology and psychologists
- Membership services and organization
- Education and quality assurance
- Publication and research
ASEAN Regional Union of Psychological Societies (ARUPS) and National Psychology Organizations
Dr. Allan B.I. Bernardo
President, ARUPS
ARUPS is a union of national associations in Southeast Asia. Dr. Bernardo provided the history, aims and activities of ARUPS. He asked the participants to think about how ARUPS can address the development needs of their respective national associations. He led the discussion of four issues: promoting communication and cooperation between member countries; training, qualifications and status; research, application and practice; research, application and practice; and dissemination of psychological knowledge.
Cooperation and communication
- Regularly updated website to support national associations (bulletin boards, forum)
- Faculty exchanges or study tour
- Documenting lessons learned or good practices by member associations in similar issues (eg., dealing with the government)
- Regional associations reaching out to emerging national associations (e.g., informing national associations on international standards)
- Reaching out to non-psychology professional associations (e.g., psychiatry, guidance and counselling, psychotherapy)
- Identification of possible contact persons from associations from other regions
- Appoint a liaison officer among national presidents
- Internet-based communication
- Include department, colleges, university
Training, qualification and status
- Develop or come up with a set of competencies expected for undergraduate psychology students, psychology practitioners, researchers, educators (competency vs educational attainment model)
- Recognize exemplary programs of psychology
- Support the efforts to educate the public (general public, government and other professions) about the functions of psychologists
- Disseminate success of psychologists in the public sphere (policy level)
- Support efforts for national regulation and recognition of psychologists
Research, Application and Practice
- Come up with a network/directory of researchers and practitioners to facilitate possible collaborative work
- Encourage international publishers to accept manuscripts in the local language and have local language editors
- Support efforts to develop a research culture among national associations (e.g., encourage country members to explore locally relevant research topics, develop local measures)
- Encourage international bodies to give a voice to and value locally-relevant research
Dissemination of Psychological Knowledge
- Support capacity-building efforts by national associations to come up with peer-reviewed journal (e.g., have international experts to come in; provide writing workshops)
- Engage publishers to support other means to disseminate evidence-based psychological knowledge
The Way Forward for National Associations
Elizabeth Nair, PhD
Dr. Nair asked the participants to think about the following: a) quality of psychology programs; b) challenges faced by practitioners; c) attracting international academics; and d) influence of psychology on public policy.
It was found that there are no existing accreditation systems among participating nations to ensure the quality of psychology programs (both undergraduate and graduate programs). This could be another area that ARUPS may focus on. Meanwhile, all participants see the importance of a regulatory system to ensure the quality of psychological practice.
The participants also admit that at present, except in Malaysia, there are no active steps in attracting outstanding international academics to teach or do research but recognize the potential of doing so in the development of the discipline.
Last, the participants also agree that there is a need to strengthen the influence of psychology in public discourse and public policy in their respective countries.
The status of global psychology
Sath Cooper, PhD
Dr. Cooper outlined several characteristics of contemporary global psychology which render non-Western psychologies at a disadvantage. These include:
- Euro-American knowledge base, seminal research, standardized testing instrumentation
- Boulder Model, feminization of psychology (psychology as becoming de-valued)
- Peer-reviewed publications (skewed patterns), Citation: Impact factor
- Influential textbooks, source materials
- Policy impact, societal recognition, threat/fear factor
- International visibility
However, he acknowledged that changing geo-political conditions highlight the need for non-Western psychologies to assert themselves in the world stage.
- Conflict and crisis
- Globalization and poverty
- Economics of poverty and health
- Development imperatives, resources priorities
- Majority world representations
- Human, socio-economic issues
- Advances in brain and neuro-sciences
He also enumerated several features of national psychologies, especially in Southeast Asia, that may help in contributing to a truly global psychology: cultural diversity; indigenous experience; use of electronic communication; and sharing a time zone. Thus, it is important that national associations not only focus on strengthening its respective organizations but also reach out to other associations in the region in order to become a force in shaping the direction of a global psychology.