A qualification in international psychology equips one to be able to observe things from a perspective of cross-cultural comparison and knowledge. Considerations taken in this field of psychology include an understanding of the various lines of communication through which messages are encoded, transferred, received, decoded and interpreted. Among the various factors considered are schools of thought, belief systems and national ideals.
Overview
International or global psychology considers the various practices of psychological concepts in different parts of the world. This field of psychology supports contributions in policy making by various organizations affecting the world. This specialty of psychology focuses on studying differing behaviors and modes of mental processing in a global context. The main aim of this area of study is to gauge various psychological observable facts in a cross-cultural subtext to discover generalities, patterns and cultural differentiations. This field of psychology encompasses the relations, languages, social practices and traditions in terms of their effect on human functions.
Types of Degrees
At the undergraduate level a basic conceptual understanding of the many psychological principles and theories must be achieved to further study international psychology.
At master’s level with a specialization in international psychology one would be required to learn the various research methodologies required to gauge practices, mannerisms, ethical obligations and over-all cultural outlook in different cultures.
At the Ph.D. level one can earn a specialized qualification in international psychology which requires submission of a dissertation along with a supervised internship.
In order to qualify in this field of psychology a student must have solid fundamental knowledge of the services provided to national and international populations and the social norms of various cultures. A global perspective of various organizations must be understood. Students must comprehend the psychology within various systems of politics around the world, and grasp core concepts of multicultural counseling and international women’s studies.
Career Options
International psychologists perform in organizations with respect to their international affairs. They can function for various regulatory bodies, both international and national. As part of a government body they can help various officials understand individuals from differing origins with regard to how they think, act or perceive, in order to allow for better communication for the sake of mutual benefit. In positions in international organizations they can apply customized policies to better suit a certain region or nation. As researchers they attempt to discover new ways of understanding, appreciating and communicating at a cross-cultural level. As humanitarians this level of qualification can help promote and advocate various issues in relation to education, victims of war and poverty.
Salary Prospects
The annual salary for international psychologists is recorded on average to be $71,000 to $79,000. Since the world is shrinking with new-age lines of communication resulting from advancements in information technology, such as the Internet, there is a need to reduce any cultural barriers in communication; which is why those who have specialized in this field will be in high demand.