Using Accountability Mechanisms More Intentionally: A Framework and Its Implications for Training Professional Psychologists

Accountability plays an essential though underexplored role in ensuring quality psychology training. This article considers the accountability of not only training programs but also the people who are involved as faculty, supervisors, and trainees. It discusses the essential processes and purposes of accountability and then suggests a framework that might guide more intentional use of accountability mechanisms. The article then gives examples of how that knowledge might be used to improve psychology training. For example, it makes the distinction between process and outcome accountability and suggests ways in which the latter might be given more prominence.