Psychology in Italy. The identity of a science and of a profession.

Psychology has a long existence but a relatively short history, and this is true, especially if one looks at its development as a profession in Italy. 1989 was an important year for psychology. It was under ACT No. 56 of 18 February 1989 that the profession of psychologist was established in Italy. It took nearly ten years for psychologists to have their own Code of Ethics (1998) and to be organised in Professional Orders, one for each of the 20 geographical regions/provinces into which Italy is divided. I focus on the development of psychology in Italy, not only as a scientific discipline, but especially as a profession that requires specific university and post-graduate training, built on specific knowledge, competencies and methods, sustained by an evidence-based approach, and specialised instruments. The chapter starts by providing a brief history of the development of psychology, its organization into a professional order and its primary activities, and then focuses on the university degree and post-graduate training that constitute the curriculum for becoming a psychologist in Italy. I discuss the challenges and limitations confronting psychology as a science in Italy. Research is at the basis of any scientific discipline, and it is important to encourage governments, institutions and organisations to invest more in continuing developing research in every area of psychology.