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Abstract

To determine what they prefer when they select a psychologist, we surveyed a sample of 105 administrators in the Philadelphia area. Most respondents held doctorates in clinical, counseling, or school psychology. Preferences for functions, areas of knowledge, and characteristics suggested discrepancies with APA standards for training. There was only moderate support for a scientific, quantitative orientation. Factor analyses identified six functions, six areas of knowledge, and two characteristics. Treated as composites, the intercorrelations suggested a further reduction into a practitioner-oriented and a scientist-oriented pattern. Over-all, respondents rated highest the personal characteristics of a practitioner (rather than scientist), knowledge of human development and of psychodiagnostics, and the appraisal function. When 10 selected agency characteristics were analyzed by composite scores, sponsorship of setting and typical age range of clientele accounted for the most differences. Implications for the professional identity of the major specializations, for education, and for practice were discussed.

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What Do Employers Want: Functions,Knowledge Areas,and Characteristics Desired of Professional Psychologists

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