Polish Psychology in the Period of Political Transformation (1989-2003)

Abstract

Abstract. In a referendum held in July, 2003, 79% of the Polish people, citizens of an independent country, opted for joining the European Union. This nation, which on the turn of the first millennium chose a pro-European course of development, once again confirmed its authentically European identity. It is, in fact, an identity never lost, despite the decrees of history and all ominous events of the second half of the twentieth century. Psychologists and students of psychology also have their share in this majority “yes” for the European Union. Poland is a relatively large country with numerous universities and colleges. At 15 of them, students have the possibility of completing psychology as their major faculty with a 5-year schedule of varied courses and subsequently graduating with the degree of MA. Much has changed in our country since the memorable year of 1989 and these transformations obviously also apply to Polish universities, including the community of psychologists who will soon join, with no further limitations, the European community of psychologists. While educating future psychologists, we will be aware of the fact that we are now no longer cultivating them for Poland alone but for Europe as a whole. We, therefore, regard it as worthwhile to delineate for our European colleagues a general overview of Polish academic psychology, and especially of the most recent developments that have taken place during the major socio-political transformation begun in 1989.