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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: Hartwig.Steve@saugov.sa.gov.au
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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

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