Psychology Survey

Abstract

used to gather information about New Zealand educational psycholo-gists ’ characteristics, training, roles, activities, preferences, research interests and the challenges they experienced in their work. The results of this survey were considered in relation to the social and cul-tural context of educational psychology practice in New Zealand and were compared with the findings from ISPS surveys in other countries. The composition of the New Zealand educational psychology commu-nity resembled that found in previous surveys of school psychologists in other countries in terms of gender and level of qualifications. The educational psychologists indicated, as in most countries surveyed previously, that the greatest proportion of their work involved consul-tation with students, teachers and families. One point of difference between results of the New Zealand survey and previous ISPS stud-ies was the predominance of contextual information over standardized measures in assessment. key words: activities; challenges; International School Psychology; New Zealand; responsibilities; roles; survey New Zealand, bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, is made up of three main islands, the North Island, South Island and Stewart Island. While geographically New Zealand is similar in size to Italy, it has a population of just four million, almost two million of whom live in the Auckland area. Educational psychology services have been offered in New Zealand for the past 60 years since the first Psychological Service of the New Zealand Government Department of Education was established. Today over 200 educational psychologist