Week 2.1

Question 1

What is psychological literacy

Answer 1

• being insightful and reflective about one’s own and others’ behaviours and mental processes
• having the general capacity to apply psychological knowledge to real world problems
• being aware of the role of the profession of psychology
• being aware of the ethical and legal application of psychological skills and knowledge

Question 2

Psychological literacy used for

Answer 2

using in personal lives for personal use, work use to benefit other people

Question 3

Structural mix in psychology

Answer 3

Three structural forces (or powerful stakeholders) that hold power in the health care system

Question 4

Stakeholders in psychology (3)

Answer 4

1) Political (current government) support - driven by electorate and economic management (and their statutory bodies - AHPRA, PBA, APAC)
2) Professional bodies (APS) who hold the skill/expertise in the area
3) Private enterprise - includes public and private universities and health bodies (who employs psychologists)

Question 5

What is needed to understand current status of psychology

Answer 5

To understand the current status of psychology in Australia, need to understand the role each of these stakeholders play and how much power (over time) they have in this contested field

Question 6

Issue with education and psychology

Answer 6

Have we reduced the number of mental health problems? Have we reduced stigma? – if the answer is no, why are we trying to overeducate people (6 or more years at uni and time is increasing)

Question 7

Is there an institutional balance in psychology?

Answer 7

Historically, psychologists were primarily employed by Government bodies or by private enterprise that mainly received government funding. Currently, a radical shift to private enterprise (both as private practitioners and for mental health provisions - out-sourced private enterprise (hospitals, clinics, etc.)); These stakeholders influence what psychology is going to look like

Question 8

Key events in 1945 - Chiffley Labour

Answer 8

Proposed welfare model (free universal coverage), blocked by liberal applications and powerful lobby group (Medical doctors association)

Question 9

Role of psychology in 1945 - Chiffley Labour

Answer 9

Few psychologists, vast majority employed in public health

Question 10

Key events in 1949 - Menzies Liberal

Answer 10

Two tiered health system - primary Market model (user pays, private health insurance, free health care for most disadvantaged (strict means test). By 1972, 17% of Australians no longer had private health insurance

Question 11

Role of psychology in 1949 - Menzies Liberal

Answer 11

Few psychologists, vast majority employed in public health

Question 12

Key events in 1972 - Whitlam Labour

Answer 12

Attempted to introduce Medibank (universal health care) which was to be funded by general taxation. Blocked by Liberal controlled senate but finally passed - 1974 double dissolution.

Question 13

Role of psychology in 1972 - Whitlam Labour

Answer 13

Registration of psychologists, growth in numbers of professional, expansion primarily in public mental health

Question 14

Key events in 1976 - Fraser Liberal

Answer 14

Created Medibank II, a mixed system: Welfare model funded by special tax levy but citizens could opt out by purchasing private health insurance. Medibank II also offered private health insurance.

Question 15

Role of psychologists in 1976 - Fraser Liberal

Answer 15

Private psychologists began to grow, limited by medical doctors only referring to psychiatrists