Canadian psychology in a global context.

This article explores the impact that Canadian psychology has had around the world. Canadian discoveries and theories have led to paradigmatic shifts in several different areas of psychology; our ethics codes have influenced guideline and code development in other countries; articles written by Canadian psychologists have a very high impact relative to articles written by colleagues in other G8 countries; and our applied practitioners have contributed services to underprivileged parts of the world. Special emphasis is placed on how the unique character of Canadian society has played an important role in shaping Canadian psychology. The article concludes by reviewing the disadvantages of fragmentation within the discipline and the importance of integrating basic science with psychological application. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

La psychologie canadienne dans un contexte global.

This article explores the impact that Canadian psychology has had around the world. Canadian discoveries and theories have led to paradigmatic shifts in several different areas of psychology; our ethics codes have influenced guideline and code development in other countries; articles written by Canadian psychologists have a very high impact relative to articles written by colleagues in other G8 countries; and our applied practitioners have contributed services to underprivileged parts of the world. Special emphasis is placed on how the unique character of Canadian society has played an important role in shaping Canadian psychology. The article concludes by reviewing the disadvantages of fragmentation within the discipline and the importance of integrating basic science with psychological application. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A 10-year longitudinal study of scientists and practitioner interests in psychology: Assessing the Boulder model.

How stable are the practice and research interests of psychologists, and what does that stability indicate about the discipline of psychology? This article examines scientist and practitioner interests over a 10-year period, showing that scientist and practitioner interests have temporal stability and that 1989 interests can predict 1999 behaviors. It also suggests that what is really taught in doctoral programs is not always reflected in what programs claim to teach. Some of the disagreement about training might be more productive if the accreditation process allowed programs to be more honest with respect to their educational goals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

John G. Adair: Profile of a CPA President.

This articlepresents a profile of John Adair, president of Canadian Pyschological Association. Of primary importance to Adair is that CPA continue attending to splits within the discipline and to be increasingly responsive to all of the needs and interests of the membership. He says, "Applied and experimental psychologists, as well as anglo- and francophones, must see something in CPA for them." He urges that CPA have "a balanced commitment to all interests within the discipline and within the country. To have any kind of potency, we must be a truly national organization." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

We must study forensic eyewitnesses to know about them.

Although the quality and quantity of research on eyewitness identification is impressive, it has one basic flaw: Almost none of the research has been conducted with forensic eyewitnesses, that is, with witnesses of actual crime enmeshed in the criminal justice system. Most psychologists assume this flaw is of little consequence, and they readily apply the results of eyewitness research to forensic contexts. This article challenges that assumption as inappropriate for an empirically based discipline. To determine our knowledge base concerning forensic eyewitnesses, these witnesses must be an integral part of our research efforts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Professional ethics in rural and northern Canadian psychology.

Although the literature in rural, northern, and remote (R&N) psychology and professional ethics for this setting is limited, it is clear that this area of psychological practice presents a specific context which must be considered for ethical decision-making. Existing literature suggests that overlapping relationships, community pressure, generalist practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional development concerns are aspects of R&N practice that may be more prevalent. When they are, they pose risks by complicating professional practice and the resolution of related ethical issues. This article highlights the ways that demographic and practice characteristics may instigate ethical issues in R&N professional practice. We briefly review these considerations in relation to the literature, professional ethics, the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists (Code), and case examples from our own practices. More specifically, we discuss how the Code provides guidance in applying the ethical principles to decision-making in R&N communities. Further, we suggest practical applications for ethical decision-making acumen inherent in the Code. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personal Reflections on 60 Years of Psychology: Many Roads to Truth.

The author selects from her 60 years of personal experiences examples of conflicting views within the profession of psychology on the means of discovering and creating knowledge and truth. She presents vignettes of differences that occur within professional education, research, the regulation of the profession, and beliefs about diversity. Aspirational ethics, as in the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists, is inspiring and unifying in using moral principles to bring together apparently divergent people and divergent views to serve our common humanity. Diversity can enrich. CPA's motto of "Advancing Psychology for All" is a commitment to place the welfare of society individually and collectively above self-interest. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction to special issue.

The purpose of this Special Issue of Canadian Psychology is to celebrate the significant role the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists has played since its first adoption by the Canadian Psychological Association in 1986, 25 years ago. Twelve articles, two in French, are included. The articles describe the process of the Code's continuing evolution, its applicability in the different legal framework of Quebec, investigations into the Code, and its application to old and new ethical issues related to research, teaching, and practice (e.g., the development of research ethics in Canada, the use of vignettes in ethics teaching, mandatory self-disclosure by students, rural psychology, the use of technology, and humanitarian work). The final article provides a series of commentaries by psychologists from other countries regarding the Code and its international impact. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

A public health perspective on "The ethics of asking and not asking about abuse."

Comments on the article by K. Becker-Blease and J. Freyd (see record 2006-03947-003), which provides a thought-provoking and important perspective regarding the ethics of researchers asking or not asking adults about abuse they experienced as children. Many of these authors' concerns with research on abuse during childhood apply equally to abuse and violence experienced at all life stages. Focusing on intimate partner violence (IPV), we wish to amplify upon and respond to their observations from the perspective of public health scientists involved in large-scale telephone survey research on violence (including family violence, IPV, sexual violence, and suicide). We strongly agree with Becker-Blease and Freyd that decisions not to ask about abuse play directly into the social forces that perpetuate IPV and other forms of violence as pervasive and pernicious social and public health problems. From a public health perspective, the question is not whether to ask but how to ask about participants' experiences with violence and abuse. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The code of ethics of the Canadian Psychological Association and the Canadian Medical Association: Ethical orientation and functional grammar analysis.

The Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists has been the subject of several recent investigations. This work has focused, for example, on the validity of its hierarchical organization of ethical principles. In the present research, we subjected the code to both a content and a functional grammar analysis. Our content analysis was aimed at determining the theoretical ethical orientation (deontological, teleological or caring) of each statement in the document, while the functional grammar analysis provided information about implicit messages embedded within the code. We contrasted the results of our analysis with those of previous work on the code of ethics adopted by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). We concluded that, compared to CMA's code, the Canadian Psychological Association's document has greater educational value, is less authoritarian, provides a clear rationale for ethical behavior, and is more empowering to the decision-maker. We argue that the results of our functional grammar and content analyses have implications for future attempts to improve ethics codes for psychology and other professions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Conceptions and misconceptions about the context of paradoxical therapy.

Increasingly, therapists and researchers have begun to explore a relatively new set of psychotherapy techniques that are known collectively as paradoxical therapy. Although the outcome research has been generally supportive of the clinical efficacy of paradoxical therapy, critics have voiced concerns about this therapeutic approach and have described it as being dishonest and unethical. Many of these concerns appear to be based on mistaken notions about the context of paradoxical therapy. This article is designed to clarify some issues surrounding the paradigm, ethics, and practice of paradoxical therapy and to rectify some misconceptions that might otherwise interfere with the development of this promising therapeutic orientation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Canadian counselling psychologists' contributions to applied psychology.

The goal of this paper is to draw attention to the contributions of Canadian counselling psychologists in three key areas central to the discipline: (a) multiculturalism, social justice, and advocacy; (b) health, wellness, and prevention, and (c) career psychology. Accordingly, we have situated our discussion within a historical framework of the discipline followed by a discussion of the Canadian context, definitions, and specific contributions. Finally, we offer a summary of the strengths and current challenges faced by Canadian counselling psychologists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Canadian Code of Ethics and the regulation of psychology.

Addresses the question of whether and how the Canadian Code of Ethics has been used as a regulatory document in Canada. After a discussion of the philosophy of codes of ethics and the principles associated with the regulation of professions, the various responses of Canadian regulatory bodies to the Canadian Psychological Association Code of Ethics is reviewed. Some of the strengths and limitations of the Canadian Code of Ethics as a regulatory document are discussed, as is the relationship between the Canadian Code of Ethics and other regulatory standards and regulations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The spacing effect: A case study in the failure to apply the results of psychological research.

The spacing effect would appear to have considerable potential for improving classroom learning, yet there is no evidence of its widespread application. I consider nine possible impediments to the implementation of research findings in the classroom in an effort to determine which, if any, apply to the spacing effect. I conclude that the apparent absence of systematic application may be due, in part, to the ahistorical character of research on the spacing effect and certain gaps in our understanding of both the spacing effect and classroom practice. However, because none of these concerns seems especially discouraging, and in view of what we do know about the spacing effect, classroom application is recommended. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relational identity theory: A systematic approach for transforming the emotional dimension of conflict.

Emotions are a vital dimension in conflicts among nation-states and communities affiliated by common ethnic, economic, or political interests. Yet the individuals most responsible for managing such conflicts—heads of state, CEOs, intellectual or religious leaders—are often blind to the psychological forces affecting their interests. During 20 years of international research, consulting, and teaching, I have developed a program for teaching thought leaders how to apply psychological principles to achieve their aims while also reducing negative outcomes such as violence, social upheaval, and economic displacement. In this article, I present relational identity theory (RIT), a theoretical and intellectual framework I have originated to help people understand and deal with key emotional dimensions of conflict management. I argue that national and communal bonds are essentially tribal in nature, and I describe how a tribe's unaddressed relational identity concerns make it susceptible to what I term the tribes effect, a rigidification of its relational identity. I provide strategies based on RIT for mitigating the tribes effect and thus enhancing global security. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Canadian counselling psychology coming of age: An overview of the special section.

This paper provides a brief overview of each of the papers published in this special section on Canadian Counselling Psychology and details how the special section articles further the development of the discipline by highlighting Canadian authored scholarship, mapping out the history and current state of the discipline, and considering how the unique Canadian context shaped the literature reviewed. Specifically, this introduction outlines how the articles to follow cover the following topics: (a) the history of Canadian counselling psychology; (b) professional issues and identity; (c) counselling, training, and supervision; (d) research and scientific issues; and (e) counselling psychologists' contribution to applied psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Editorial.

With this volume, the 47-year old Canadian Journal of Psychology takes a new name and makes a renewed commitment. In retitling the journal the Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, the intention is to reflect more clearly what has always been the major goal of the journal--to publish the best new research in experimental psychology, both Canadian and international, in both French and English. I am honoured to become the tenth editor of the major journal for experimental psychology in Canada. CJP has served the field very well; my primary goal is to ensure that CJEP continues to do so. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Editorial: The Forest Primeval.

Canadian psychologists have been deplorably remiss in the matter of public education about their discipline. We must from now on be less short-sighted and give more effective expression to our sense of social responsibility. We must do everything possible to give both the general public and those who make policy decisions a more accurate understanding of contemporary clinical psychology, the branch of applied psychology that receives most public attention. We must make them aware of the other branches of applied psychology, unconnected with the health sciences, whose existence is barely appreciated. We must draw attention to the many areas of social concern in which new areas of applied psychology could fruitfully grow up. And some of our knottiest problems stem from misapprehensions regarding the nature and functions of non-applied psychology, of fundamental research on psychological processes. We hope that more accurate conceptions of the nature and potential role of Canadian psychology will gradually establish themselves. We must certainly give a high priority to the problems of public education over the next few years. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)