This article is adapted from "Guatemala National Tour" prepared by Aguilar, 2007, which appeared in Wedding, D., & Stevens, M. J. (Eds). (2009). Psychology: IUPsyS Global Resource (Edition 2009) [CD-ROM]. International Journal of Psychology, 44 (Suppl. 1).

History

Psychology began in universities in Guatemala in 1948. There are seven universities now that provide professional training in psychology. Political turmoil has damaged psychology as a profession and individual psychologists. Many psychologists left the country between the years 1960 and 1985. Psychologists work on clinical, educational, social, and organizational areas. The Guatemalan Psychological Association was recently founded, in May 1996. There are now 2,500 psychologists graduated from the universities in the country, and more than 3,500 students of psychology.

Information about the history of psychology in Guatemala can be seen in: Aguilar, G., & Recinos, L. A. (1996). Historia y estado actual de la psicologia en Guatemala. Revista Latinamericana de Psicologia, 28, 197-232.

Research is poor in the country. Psychology is seen more as an applied science and application is its dominant focus. Research in Guatemala can be seen in: Aguilar, G. (Ed.). (1996). Psicologia en Guatemala [Special issue]. Revista Latinoamericana de Psicologia, 28, Nr. 2.

Psychologists get a degree called "Licenciatura". This degree is obtainable afer five years of study in psychology, plus a research dissertation, two general examinations, and five hundred hours of practice (in the clinical, educational, social or the organizational areas). It is the Humanides that gives legal permission to work. Postgraduate studies are available only in few universities. Teaching takes place in universities. Practice takes place in hospitals, universities, clinical center, industry, organizations, and social security offices. The special government regulations/requirements for training professional, applied Psychologists are the Licentura (Lic.) and accreditation in el Colegio de Humanidades. These regulations/requirements apply to all psychologists. Guatemalan psychologists do not have a formal code of ethics.

The special government regulations/ requirements for training professional, applied psychologists are the Licenciatura degree (Lic.) and accreditation in the Colegio de Humanidades. These regulations/requirements apply to all psychologists.