The dark side of our moon: The latrogenic aspects of professional psychology

Abstract

Traditional theory, research, and practice in professional psychology not only might contradict the discipline's ideals of protecting human rights and promoting human welfare but also might produce iatrogenic effects. The harm caused by professionals' interventions can stem from ideological sources and from the quality of the human relationship between scientist‐healer and citizen. Research practices in community settings concretely illustrate professional psychologists' iatrogenic behavior. A competency‐based approach to problems in living and the promise of an altered social role for psychologists can prevent iatrogenic effects and can substantially contribute to more autonomous coping by citizens and their communities. But fundamental strains in the socialization of professional psychologists impede the development of a democratic approach. Consequently, a shift in consciousness and behavior requires support from psychologists' institutional structures.

Take Care to Do No Harm: Harmful Interventions for Youth Problem Behavior.

“…Progress toward this understanding could begin in graduate school by building coverage of iatrogenic effects into the graduate school curriculum (Walsh, 1988). Basic treatment and ethics courses could introduce the concept of iatrogenic effects and 1 According to the ethics code (Introduction and Applicability; American Psychological Association, 2002, p. 1061), the term reasonable is defined as "the prevailing professional judgment of psychologists engaged in similar activities in similar circumstances, given the knowledge the psychologist had or should have had at the time."…”

“…Progress toward this understanding could begin in graduate school by building coverage of iatrogenic effects into the graduate school curriculum (Walsh, 1988). Basic treatment and ethics courses could introduce the concept of iatrogenic effects and present an overview of their occurrence.…”

“…The use of valid and reliable qualitative methods of outcome evaluation would bridge the gap between intervention providers on one end and participants or clients on the other, increasing an otherwise limited informational exchange. Additionally, obtaining this feedback would communicate appreciation for participants' opinions and well-being and emphasize that participants' reactions to, and subjective experience of, the intervention are valued (Walsh, 1988).…”

Do Research Reports in Mainstream Feminist Psychology Journals Reflect Feminist Values?

“…As society's psychological experts, we have not nurtured a social role of shared power with citizens (Tyler, Pargament, & Gatz, 1983). One consequence has been blindness to the potential for iatrogenics, that is, harmful effects caused by psychological "malresearch" (Walsh, 1988). Therefore, a crucial challenge to feminist psychologists is to share power when doing research and writing about it.…”

Empowerment in mainstream psychology: Legitimacy, obstacles, and possibilities.

“…While the importance of collaboration and democracy may be publicly upheld by psychologists, an in-depth examination of psychological theories and practices reveals that these values are not always at the forefront of their priorities (Sampson, 1991;Walsh, 1988). Proponents of empowerment in psychology endeavour to make collaboration and democratic participation one of the first items of their scientific and social agenda (Rappaport, 1986(Rappaport, , 1990).…”