The Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology: 1953-1988
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to document the history of the Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology from its beginning in 1953 to its thirty-fifth anniversary in 1988. Significant events and trends which have shaped the development of professional psychology and licensing in Tennessee were identified by means of a questionnaire which was sent to all of the living past and present members of the Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology. Six personal interviews were conducted with past Board members, two from each of the Grand Divisions of Tennessee. In analyzing the data from the questionnaire and interviews, the functioning of the Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology prior to 1975 was compared with the functioning of the Board after 1975. Although some issues have recurred throughout the history of the Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology, important trends were identified which differentiate the pre-1975 and post-1975 periods of the operation of the Board. Consistent with the national trend of the greater involvement of state psychology licensing boards in disciplinary and regulatory activities, the study demonstrated that the Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology has been increasingly involved in these functions. The study identified the variety of Board activities, the amount of time alloted to various activities, stress related to Board membership, and the variety of roles and functions required of members of the Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology. The past and present Board members were polled on a variety of issues including dual level licensure, sufficiency of licensing and regulatory functions of the Board, continuing education and setting the pass point for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. The results of the study are discussed in terms of their ramifications for the future of psychology licensing and regulation in Tennessee.
Subject Area
Psychology|Science history|Public administration
Recommended Citation
Thomas L Pettigrew,
"The Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology: 1953-1988"
(1989).
ETD Collection for Tennessee State University.
Paper AAI9017228.
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AAI9017228