Definition and Assessment of Competences in the Context of the European Diploma in Psychology
Abstract
Abstract. The European Diploma in Psychology defines a common European standard for the competences required to practice as a psychologist. This paper describes how that standard was developed and defined, and why it was considered important to bring together the traditional input-based specification of professional competence, in terms of curriculum and training course content, with a more outcome-oriented approach that focuses on the competences that a professional psychologist needs to demonstrate in practice. The paper addresses three specific questions. What are the competences that a psychologist should possess? Are these competences the same for all areas of practice within professional psychology? How can these competences be assessed?
References
(1995). The development of occupational standards in applied psychology. The Psychologist, 8, 33– 37.
(1996a). Occupational standards and competence-based qualifications for professional applied psychologists in the UK. European Psychologist, 3, 157– 165.
(1996b). The involvement of Higher Education in the delivery of S/NVQs: A stimulus paper for a series of NCVQ workshops . London: National Council for Vocational Qualifications.
(2002). A common framework for the training of psychologists in Europe. European Psychologist, 7, 180– 191.
(2001). EuroPsyT - a framework for education and training for psychologists in Europe . Available from EFPPA, Brussels.
Eds. (1999). An occupational information system for the 21st century: The development of O*NET . Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
(1999). Competences, assessment, and development . Unpublished document.
(2002). What makes a competent psychologist?. European Psychologist, 7, 192– 202.
(1991). Arbeidsanalyse ten behoeve van (her)ontwerp van functies: Een handelingstheoretische invalshoek [Work analysis for a (re)design of functions: A pragmatic-theoretical approach]. In J.A. Algera (Ed.), Analyse van arbeid vanuit verschillende perspectieven [An analysis of work from different perspectives] (pp. 179-243). Amsterdam/Lisse: Swets Zeitlinger.
