Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T06:54:38.919Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Surveying Psychologists' Public Image with Drawings of a “Typical” Psychologist

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 May 2015

Steve G. Hartwig
Steve G. Hartwig*
Affiliation:
University of South Australia
*
Steve G. Hartwig who is now at Family and Youth Services (FAYS), Elizabeth District Centre, PO Box 21, Elizabeth SA 5112. Email address: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Psychologists have traditionally surveyed their public image using structured survey methods, such as specific questions and rating scales. In an attempt to assess Australian psychology's public image using a less conventional survey approach, a representative sample of adults were asked to draw pictures of what they considered a “typical” psychologist to look like. A basic content analysis of respondents' drawings (N = 119) suggested that psychologists were predominantly perceived as male, and middle-aged or older. Further perceptions to emerge are presented and discussed, along with both methodological and professional implications of the findings.

Type
Short Papers
Information
South Pacific Journal of Psychology , Volume 14 , 2003 , pp. 69 - 75
Copyright
Copyright © University of Papua New Guinea and Massey University, New Zealand/Aotearoa 2003

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (1997). 1996 Census of Population and Housing: Selected Family and Labour Force Characteristics for Statistical Local Areas. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics.Google Scholar
Barrow, R. (2000). Determining stereotypical images of psychologists: the Draw A Psychologist Checklist. College Student Journal, 34, 123–133.Google Scholar
Dooley, D. (1995). Social Research Methods. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.Google Scholar
Ehrle, R.A., & Johnson, B.G. (1961). Psychologists and cartoonists. American Psychologist, 16, 693–695.10.1037/h0041339CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hartwig, S.G., & Delin, C. (in press). How unpopular are we? Reassessing psychologists' public image with different measures of favourability. Australian Psychologist.Google Scholar
Hopson, K., & Cunningham, J.D. (1995). Community perceptions of psychologists and other health professionals. Australian Psychologist, 30, 213–217.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rosenzweig, M.R. (1999). Continuity and change in the development of psychology around the world. American Psychologist, 54, 575–589.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sharpley, C.F. (1986). Public perceptions of four mental health professionals: A survey of knowledge and attitudes to psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and counsellors. Australian Psychologist, 21, 57–67.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wood, W., Jones, M., & Benjamin, L.T. (1986). Surveying psychology's public image. American Psychologist, 41, 947–953.CrossRefGoogle Scholar