The Psychologically Literate Citizen

Abstract

This book covers two timely and interconnected concepts in psychology pedagogy: psychological literacy and the psychologically literate citizen. Psychological literacy encapsulates the common graduate attributes or capabilities that students should acquire while undertaking a major in psychology, as exemplified by guidelines and lists of student learning outcomes delineated by many national psychology organizations. Although psychology educators internationally have been working toward assisting students to acquire these attributes for at least the past fifty years, only recently have educators explicitly delineated attributes and learning outcomes, and sought to develop appropriate learning, teaching and assessment strategies, including whole-program approaches. Psychological literacy thus becomes the most important outcome of undergraduate education. Psychologically literate citizens use their psychological literacy to problem-solve in an ethical and socially responsible manner in a way that directly benefits their communities. These two key concepts receive further theoretical development in this volume, and a rich variety of international perspectives is given. In addition, practical guidance is given for both the classroom psychology educator as well as the curriculum developer and reviewer. We need to create a paradigm shift in psychology education, utilizing these concepts of psychological literacy and the psychologically literate citizen.