Remembering the Future

Abstract

'Glasnost' in the Soviet Union has brought about a new awareness of the controversial status of school psychology in the USSR. This article presents an overview of the current state of Soviet psychology in terms of specialty training, practical functioning, professional affiliations and communication. The origin of the present crisis in Soviet psychology can be traced to historical factors related to educational and school psychology. This crisis, as viewed by Soviet psychologists, along with proposals for remedies of past abuses, is described. Prevailing models of development, organizational structure, interaction with school personnel, methods of psychological assessment, professional training and other problems of modern Soviet school psychology are also discussed. The future development of school psychology in the USSR is examined against the background of the overall socio-economic restructuring of Soviet society.