The Integration of Social and Clinical Psychology Training Programs

Abstract

We propose that the development of an integrated approach to clinical social psychology might be a fruitful direction for graduate training programs. We argue that conceptually such an approach would foster better understanding by clinical students of the varied social psychological processes involved in psychopathology and treatment, and that it would enhance social students' understanding of the therapeutic processes and the observational skills integral to clinical practice. Finally, some potential benefits of and reasons for making explicit the conceptual and programmatic links between clinical and social training programs are presented.