Abstract

SALAZAR MORA, Zaida; MAROTOVARGAS, Adriana  and  ESTEBAN PRADO-CALDERON, Jorge. Challenges in psychology instruction at the university of costa rica in face of possible future scenarios. Reflexiones [online]. 2015, vol.94, n.2, pp.50-63. ISSN 1659-2859.

Nowadays, the advance of the neoliberal model brings challenges that Public Universities must face. It is necessary to discuss about future scenarios of our society, and the role that Psychology professionals should play. This paper shows the main findings from the interviews to four experience psychologists who have diverse theoretical perspectives about the possible scenarios, challenges and competences that the discipline must address. The findings highlight the potential impact of communication technologies on future society, as well as the discipline's challenges in instructing professionals with social awareness, critical thinking and the skills to develop community intervention modalities. It also evidences the importance of developing the ability to work in interdisciplinary teams which has been neglected in the training programs. Finally, it debates on the role that Public Universities must play in attaining the Costa Rican Psychology that promotes the transformation required by society in order to achieve an adequate approach to mental health and wellness.

Keywords : Psychology; competences; higher education; Public University; technological change; interdisciplinarity; community psychology; critical thinking; social awareness; mental health.

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