Applied Psychology in Hungary 1999-2000 [antikvár]

PREFACE In 1999 another psychology joumal was launched under the heading: "Applied Psychology". It has targeted three goals, which had not been dealt with by the existing two professional psychology journals. The long-standing "Hungárián Psychology Journal" is the official publication of the Hungárián Psychology Association. The other journal, "Psychology", is published under the aegis of the Psychological Research Institute of the Hungárián Academy. Both publish results of research with an international outlook and have contributed a great deal to motivating psychology in Hungary to work in accordance with international standards both in theory and methodology by the timely introduction of modern international professional trends. According to our goals, these will appear in the first volumes of this journal, but over and above this, it aims to enhance professional relationships in a practical way. On the one hand, by publishing articles of professional literature from abroad, and articles introducing international organisations and conferences and, on the other, hand by giving an overview of Hungárián applied psychology, research and psychology preparatory courses. The science of psychology makes international professional exchange possible; in fact, it makes it a requirement. Hungárián scholars their are of this branch of science - with a unique language as mother tongue and under unfavourable historical circumstances - deeply aware of this need for professional exchange. Everyone endeavours to become a part of the international professional bloodstream to his/her best abilities with individual achievements, organisation-level participation and, in the past 15 years, by organising numerous international conferences. These progressive traditions and initiatives are supplemented by the aim of the Applied Psychology journal to publish one, and in later years more special editions in English language. Many may pose the question: why are we making these efforts in the applied fields of psychology and not in basic research? Applied fields tend to be tied to the cultural characteristics of a society, to its institutions and its labour markét and, will reflect régiónál attributes rather than international features. We can give three types of answers to these queries. First of all, we must acknowledge that applying the results of basic research and research conducted in and for the applied field will dismantle all inflexible distinctions between theoretical and applied fields of psychology. In the process of editing the journal we have not forgottén the well-known bon mot of Lewin: "nothing is more practical than a good theory" and our journal Applied Psychology endeavours to facilitate the international flow of information within the field of psychology. The second type of ans wer emphasizes that as a consequence of the abovementioned factors, applied psychological fields have their own characteristic problems and values in international communication. The régiónál and local banter of applied psychology emphasises the need for a more organised support for co-operation and exchange. According to the broadest sense of the expression, cultural characteristics provide a plus in international exchange. A simple study conducted in different settings