Evolution or Revolt? Role of the Change Agent in Psychology

Psychology and the status quo.

“…Is psychology promoting human welfare, as suggested by both the American (American Psychological Association [APA], 1981) and Canadian (Canadian Psychological Association, 1986) codes of ethics for psychologists, or is it perhaps hindering the betterment of social conditions by guarding the interests of the status quo? Despite a recent marked increase in the volume of literature dealing with the intrusion of sociopolitical factors into psychology, these questions remain largely unaddressed (Albee, 1986; Billig, 1979, 1982; Braginsky, 1985; Braginsky & Braginsky, 1974; Buss, 1975, Butcher, 1983; Chorover, 1985; Deese, 1985; Fox, 1985; Gergen, 1973, 1985; Guareschi, 1982; Halleck, 1971; Henriques, Hollway, Urwin, Venn, & Walkerdine, 1984; Howard, 1985; Ibanez Gracia, 1983; Ingleby, 1972, 1974, 1981; Jacoby, 1975; Jones, 1986; Larsen, 1986; Nahem, 1981; Roffe, 1986; Samelson, 1986; Sampson, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983; Sarason, 1981a, 1981b; Sullivan, 1984). In view of the importance attributed to psychology’s position in a wide variety of social and human affairs, an inquiry into its ideological functions is warranted (Kipnis, 1987; Koch & Leary, 1985; Sarason, 1986).…”