A critical history of CPA's various code of ethics for psychologists (1939–1986).

Abstract

Codes of ethics are historical products of the professionalization process; the form and content of codes of ethics develop within the specific historical context of the professionalization process of the occupational group for which they are written. During the 1950s and 1960s, the CPA's decisions regarding adoption of a code of ethics were centred on two major professionalization needs; namely, to secure a market niche for 'psychologists' as this was defined by CPA and to sustain this image as the basis for continuing funding for related psychological research. Different historical factors resulted in the decision by CPA, in the 1970s, to produce a made-in-Canada code of ethics. These were a) the need of CPA to produce a document of professional self-regulation that recognized problems faced by psychological practitioners employed within various organizational structures, and (b) organizational problems of the CPA related to disciplinary unity and achievement of a national leadership role. The results of this critical historical analysis confirm the importance of codes of professional ethics as strategies of professionalization as hypothesized byjohanne Louw in 1990. A CRITICAL APPROACH TO WRITING A HISTORY OF CODES OF ETHICSProfessional groups typically view their codes of ethics primarily as regulatory devices to protect the public from incompetent and unethical practices by certified members of the profession. However, some authors in philosophy, psychology, sociology and history (e.g., Bucher and

The ethical imperative: Special considerations in the trauma counseling process.

“…The American Psychological Association developed a committee to address this issue and a code of ethics was drawn up and adopted by the association in 1952 (Dunbar, 1998). Similarly, Canadians recognized that a code of ethics was required for Canadian practitioners to receive continued funding for research, and for the development and recognition of psychology as a profession (Dunbar, 1998).…”

“…The need for a code of ethics for psychologists arose in conjunction with World War II as numerous war veterans were accessing psychological services after returning home from duty (Fisher, 2009). The American Psychological Association developed a committee to address this issue and a code of ethics was drawn up and adopted by the association in 1952 (Dunbar, 1998). Similarly, Canadians recognized that a code of ethics was required for Canadian practitioners to receive continued funding for research, and for the development and recognition of psychology as a profession (Dunbar, 1998).…”

Individual Moralities and Institutional Ethics: Implications for theCanadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

“…Similarly, Malloy and Hadjistavropoulous () undertook a philosophical value analysis of the Canadian Code and concluded that the rank ordering of the ethical principles was generally consistent with prominent theoretical and philosophical hierarchies of ethical values, thus granting the Code's rank ordering of ethical principles theoretical support in addition to the empirical support provided by Seitz and O'Neill (). Dunbar () lauded the Code for its unifying and professionalizing effect on the discipline of psychology within Canada via seven key strategies, including marketing psychology as a discipline, establishing exclusive rights and influencing public policy. O'Neill () praised the structure of the Code in lending itself to seemingly incompatible philosophies of ethical decision making and its consequent utility in teaching the distinction between them.…”

Empirical Validation and Professional Codes of Ethics: Description or Prescription?

“…While it may be the case that codes of ethics are not enforceable in terms of disciplinary action, at least in the Canadian context, a number of theorists have argued that codes of ethics play a central role in the professionalization of groups and the development of their political power (see Dunbar, 1998 for a listing). Dunbar (1998), for example, argued that the development of the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists has reflected a number of professionalization strategies for the psychology profession in Canada.…”

“…Dunbar (1998), for example, argued that the development of the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists has reflected a number of professionalization strategies for the psychology profession in Canada. Dunbar notes that in the early post-war phase of the professionalization of Canadian psychology, "the emerging social identity of psychologists as professionals having a dual identity as scientists and practitioners helped to distinguish them from all other pretenders to the title" (1998, p. 183).…”