Specialty designation in psychology: Developing a Canadian model.

The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) and the Council of Provincial Associations of Psychologists created a task force in 1986 to study the issue of specialty designation in Canada. As part of fulfilling its mandate, the task force surveyed 41 CPA sections and 237 Canadian psychologists and reviewed the status and history of specialty designation in the US, UK, and Australia. Based on that data, the task force concluded that it was timely for Canadian psychology to implement a specialty designation system that would be voluntary and certify minimal competence. The rationale for the development of a Canadian specialty designation system is presented. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Foreword: "The Science Council and Psychology in Canada."

In 1966, the Science Secretariat, part of the Privy Council Office, commissioned the Canadian Psychological Association to undertake a study of psychology in Canada. The study was executed for the Association by Drs. M. H. Appley and Jean Rickwood and their report was published, in early 1968, as "Science Secretariat Special Study No. 3, Psychology in Canada, by Appley and Rickwood". In November 1968, the Science Council established a Committee, composed of 3 members of Council and 5 psychologists and 1 psychiatrist, to review Special Study No. 3 and to draft recommendations for consideration by Science Council. As a result of its discussions the Council believed that it should have an additional report commissioned to provide a deeper analysis of clinical psychology than was required by the terms of reference of the original (1966) study. Soon after the receipt by Science Council of Dr. Davidson's report in February 1970, a request was received from the editors of The Canadian Psychologist for permission to publish Dr. Davidson's work. The Science Council has complied with this request in the hope that publication of this document will contribute to a lively and effective discussion of the future of psychology within the psychological community. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Letter to the Editor.

What follows is an open letter to the President and Directors, Canadian Psychological Association. This letter addresses the 1972 Survey of Psychologists in the United States and Canada, a survey which emanates from the APA and which has the cooperation of the Canadian Psychological Association. The author of this letter, Susan K. London, Ph.D. believes the willingness of the Board of Directors of CPA to commit Canadian psychologists--without any sort of approval from the CPA membership, which is within your legal rights, but which is nonetheless very disturbing morally--to this sort of thing demonstrates a naiveté if not downright disingenuousness. It is more than time for Canadian psychologists to recognize one of their blindspots. The ordinary Canadian psychologist is usually quite sensitive to political implications--except when it comes to psychology and the United States! When that subject comes up, the usual camouflage is invoked: professionalism, value-free science, the need to rationalize procedures, etc. The most common one, perhaps, is the notion that APA and American psychologists (in the United States and in Canada) only wish to be of help. The camouflage rather reminds me of the squid that emits quantities of ink in the face of danger. It is therefore an indication that the CPA Board of Directors are aware of danger, are in fact acting in full knowledge of that danger. The contradiction is blatant. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Archivist suggests...

The CPA Archivist, assisted by a Canada Council grant, has recently visited most of the major centres of psychological activity in Canada from Halifax to Victoria. His purpose has been to start an "Oral History of Psychology in Canada" by taping the reminiscences of a sample of Canadian psychologists. In the course of these travels, he has acquired for the CPA Archives several items of interest, and reports them here to encourage other members of CPA to consider whether they too may have similar items they might be willing to contribute. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Functions of APA: An Exchange of Letters.

At the Chicago meeting of the American Psychological Association (APA) Council, Howard Kendler read from a letter of Arthur Melton inviting a group of the members of the Division of Experimental Psychology to meet with him to give careful thought to the APA. In his letter Melton stated that, "the character of APA has taken a sharp turn toward the AMA-type professional society or guild and away from the scientific and professional society that is concerned with the advancement of a body of knowledge and its technological applications." McKeachie responded to the Melton statement on the floor of Council. Because the issues raised are so crucial to the future of APA, Melton expanded his remarks into an open letter to Melton. In the letter Melton discussed APA's contributions to the science of psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A contemporary philosophical reading of the APA Memories of Childhood Abuse report.

Presents a contemporary philosophical reading of the American Psychological Association (APA) Memories of Childhood Abuse report. First, background on the nature of the report is given and then the philosophical approach taken towards the reading itself is discussed. The "philosophical reading" of the report is not an attempt to resolve the debate and the authors therefore do not take sides. Instead, the authors read the document as a disciplinary cultural artifact—a resource about psychology as a theoretical, epistemological, cultural, and political enterprise—rather than simply a statement of contemporary knowledge on memories of child abuse. In the critical reading of the Report, 4 themes are highlighted that characterize the approach of both the clinical and research subgroup, and thus the Report as a whole. These 4 themes are problematic grounding in positivist science, problematic understanding of memory as monism and mechanism, problematic understanding of truth, and a problematic view of a disciplinary community. In the presentation of each theme, the authors speak to the implications of the theme, both for what psychology has been and for what it could become. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Graduate training...in Canada": Comment.

Comments on the original article by Dr. Park O. Davidson (see record 2007-02137-003) on "Graduate training and research funding for clinical psychology in Canada." Davidson has made some excellent recommendations regarding the nature of graduate training and research funding in psychology, and then has negated the effectiveness of such recommendations for social relevancy in community services by ignoring the spectrum of psychological services required and by restricting himself to a rather sterile Eysenckian model. Dr. Davidson's general recommendations regarding graduate training in clinical psychology are sensible and long overdue--less extreme specialization in Ph.D. programs, greater knowledge of problems of applied settings for research, more interdisciplinary training, broader methodology, more effective internship and practicum training, a community psychology program, and more effective bridging research. However when the needed spectrum of services for people is considered, there is an obvious need for psychologists who can share in the assessment and treatment of problems in human functioning beyond the technician level. Manpower needs will never be adequately met until service personnel and University personnel can share in the what, why and how of professional training. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Canadian psychologists for social responsibility.

The report in Canadian Psychology from "Canadian Psychologists for Social Responsibility" (P. R. Johnson, October 1984, pp. 336-337; see record 2007-03848-001) requires comment. First, we are amazed at the arrogance of the assumption that one political position is socially responsible, and all others presumably are irresponsible. Aside from that, the annual report of the section in effect says that evidence is unnecessary as long as in our heart we know we're right. Furthermore, the position attacked in the report is a straw man. Who has denied "that people are afraid of a nuclear holocaust"? Rather than attacking a claim that CPSR's critics have not made, its spokesman could try to deal seriously with the response made to another article emanating from this new section (O. Johnson, 1983). If the denigration of the need for objective evidence, and the ignoring of basic distinctions, are characteristic of CPSR's approach, there seems to be no difference between them and any other political group. In that case, the question naturally arises: Why should this political group constitute a section of CPA? (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of History of Academic Psychology in Canada.

Reviews the book, History of Academic Psychology in Canada edited by Mary J. Wright and C. Roger Myers (1982). The title of this book is to be taken seriously. It is a history of academic psychology in Canada in which history of the academy moves prominently to the fore, often leaving the reader with only tantalizing glimpses of the psychology that gave meaning to the effort. Substantively, it is a history of university departments of psychology in Canada. Each departmental history is written by a person or persons having a long association with the department and a sufficient interest in its history to write it. At its best, this book provides well-written and penetratingly thoughtful accounts of the struggle to build psychology as an academic discipline in Canada. Often obscured in the effort, however, is the psychology itself. What was the psychology advocated by these personalities? What did they contribute to it? The reader will have to turn elsewhere for the answers. Regardless of limitations or faults, however, this book deserves full credit as the first attempt to rescue Canadian psychologists from their "social amnesia." It is an important step toward establishing a national consciousness and identity, which by itself would be sufficient reason for a positive reception. Fortunately, it has many other features that recommend it as well. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Letter to the Editor": Reply.

Responds to the comments by D. E. Berlyne (see record 2007-02140-027) on the original article by P. O. Davidson (see record 2007-02137-003) on "Graduate training and research funding for clinical psychology in Canada." Dr. Berlyne's general point is well taken. The intention of Dr. Davidson was to provoke not to offend and he apparently missed the 'fine line distinction' in the paragraph to which Dr. Berlyne refers. The word 'hobby' need not be considered as pejorative term in the 'hobby-horse' sense. In using this term Davidson was indicating that while studies ABOUT the rat may be a favorite (and valuable) research subject for some researchers he was not prepared to assume that it is the main business of psychology. Davidson agrees completely with Dr. Berlyne that much of this research can be justified as both necessary and valuable but given our limited research resources these days and increasing governmental involvement in directions of research spending, such justification must be given and too often is not. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reconceptualizing Health: A Response to Romanow and Marchildon (2003).

The Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada (CFHCC) is to be congratulated for addressing the tension among various levels of government regarding health-care funding. The CFHCC also took the progressive step of creating the National Health Council, a body charged with ensuring greater accountability in health care. Psychologists have argued for decades that treatment decisions should be guided by a consideration of what works for whom and under what conditions. In our response to Romanow and Marchildon (see record 2003-09748-001), we argue that funding of health services in Canada has failed to heed this recommendation and the scientific evidence in support of the efficacy of psychological interventions for a wide range of health conditions. Despite remarkable advances in healthcare delivery, Canada's health-care system continues to be funded based on an outdated model of disease and illness. Romanow and Marchildon are to be applauded for their broad conceptualization of health and the role of various health professionals in advancing the health of Canadians. Unfortunately, this recognition did not make its way into the report of the CFHCC to the extent needed to make Canada's health system truly progressive. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Feminist psychology in Canada: Early days.

Several of the events that marked the origins of feminist psychology in Canada are discussed in this paper beginning with an account of the "Underground Symposium" which took place in Montreal in 1972. Four other influential events from the early days are described--the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Task Force on the Status of Women in Canadian Psychology, the founding of the CPA Interest Group on Women and Psychology in 1976, the implementation of an Institute on Women and Psychology in 1978, and the establishment of the CPA Status of Women Committee. Parallels with comparable events in the American Psychological Association are identified. The paper concludes with a forecast of the future of the psychology of women as a specialization within the discipline. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

News: August, 2010/February, 2011 meeting of the Council of Representatives of the American Psychological Association report.

The Council of Representatives (COR) of the American Psychological Association (APA) considered numerous agenda items at the August 2010 meeting in San Diego on the Wednesday before the Convention and on Sunday morning. The Council approved the 2011 preliminary revenue and expense budget, including the $60,000.00 allocation to the Archives of the History of American Psychology. The Council approved the initial recognition or continued recognition of behavioral and cognitive psychology, clinical neuropsychology, industrial- organizational psychology, personality assessment, professional geropsychology, psychopharmacology, and sport psychology as specialties or proficiencies in professional psychology. The Council received a report in which the rationale for including psychology as a STEM discipline was presented. A Bylaws amendment regarding allocation of COR seats was approved by the Council and will be submitted to the members in a future ballot. The Council of Representatives (COR) of the American Psychological Association (APA) met in Washington, DC, from Thursday, February 17, 2011, through Sunday, February 20, 2011. A major agenda item was the consideration of the triennial reauthorization of the APA allocation to the Archives of the History of American Psychology (AHAP). A second agenda item is very important for the Society for the History of Psychology. The Membership Board of the APA submitted a New Dues Schedule Proposal that included three sections. The first involved a reduction of $40.00 in the base member dues rate from $287.00 to $247.00, and the second involved rescinding the action of the Council to allow a discount dues rate for members of various other scientific associations. The third part would have eliminated the APA dues reduction for members of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). A more extensive report of the COR’s actions will be published in the April issue of the Monitor on Psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Disciplinarity and methodology in intersectionality theory and research.

Comments on the original article, "Intersectionality and research in psychology," by E. R. Cole (see record 2009-04471-001). Cole’s article, says the current author, makes a welcome and valuable contribution to the field of psychology. Particularly useful are the three questions that she posed, highlighting how these questions are relevant and pressing for all researchers, not just those focused on work with subordinated groups. However, there are two additional points that the current author believes need to be addressed as intersectionality moves from the margins of psychology to the mainstream. First, although Cole (2009) nicely traced the history of intersectionality, from feminists of color and critical race theorists to psychology, what the current author found lacking was a discussion about the implications of translating the theory across disciplines. The current author's second point is a methodological one and is related to the disciplinary origins of intersectionality. The current author was surprised to see Cole (2009) discuss at length the role of statistical interactions in intersectionality research. While the current author fully appreciates that Cole may have been attempting to “speak the language” of the vast majority of psychologists, a crucial point about intersectionality research was lost: that qualitative research is central to this approach. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Graduate training and research funding for clinical psychology in Canada: Review and recommendations.

Graduate training programs for clinical psychologists in Canada have almost uniformly developed around variations of one model - the scientist-practitioner. Training in this model, as it is exemplified in Canadian universities, may not result in appropriate preparation for the manpower needs of the future. Some alternate models are outlined in terms of possible changes in the role of the psychologist working in applied settings. Research and research funding problems in clinical psychology are inextricably related to the same problems for other areas of psychology, and the great need for more "bridging" research between the separate areas of psychology is emphasized. Recommendations on research funding policies are proposed in respect to the research needs of psychology and to the research needs of the community at large. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Report of the executive Officer: 1961.

Psychologists "must continue to speak to college students, and with greater effectiveness than may be true at present." American Council on Education evidence "suggests that psychology, against the index year of 1955, may be losing ground proportionately as an undergraduate major field… . If we fail in creating an adequate perception of psychology among college students, we may mortgage our future beyond redemption." In governmental affairs "psychology's voice… is not as clear nor its message as self-assured as the voices of other scientists and scholars." The factors influencing processes in which the APA Central Office becomes involved are considered briefly. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Committee on the Scientific and Professional Aims of Psychology: Preliminary Report.

"This report concerns some of the issues involved in the increasing diversification of psychology." Focus was "on problems of professionalization in clinical psychology in order: (a) to deal with the problems involving the largest number of psychologists, and (b) to make it possible to speak more specifically about issues." The "training of clinical psychologists for the practice of psychotherapy should be established as a new doctoral program within the university." Interdisciplinary training is encouraged. "Generally we favor awarding a degree other than the PhD at the end of such doctoral training." "None of the present models for training of psychotherapists, whether within clinical psychology, medicine, or social work, are satisfactory means for developing competent practitioners able to meet the needs or expectations of society." Guidelines for legislation are suggested. It was suggested that "perhaps as much as 50% of the [APA Convention] program should be composed of invited talks and papers which would be either integrative in their nature or which would open up new areas in which significant advances are being made." The Committee has proposed suggestions rather than solutions to problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

CPA Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology as a Profession/SCP Prix honorant une contribution hors-pair a la psychologie en tant que profession 1983.

Presents a citation for Dr. Terrence Patrick Hogan, the 1983 recipient of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology as a Profession. Dr. Hogan has established himself as a dedicated, knowledgeable, and extremely competent individual in clinical psychology, family therapy, neuropsychology, industrial- organizational psychology, health psychology, and administration. Terry has served this Association extensively as Chairperson of the Applied Division, as a member of the CPA Board of Directors, as CPA's representative to the Advisory Council of Provincial Associations of Psychologists, and, as President of CPA. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The future of Canadian psychology, 1985.

The Canadian Psychological Association and the editor of Canadian Psychology are to be congratulated on the issue of July 1984 (Vol. 25, No. 3), which was largely devoted to matters pertaining both to the past and to the future of clinical/applied psychological training in Canada, as well as to the prospects of instituting national accreditation of such programmes commencing, perhaps, in 1985. The tenor both of Conway's paper and of those of the other contributors regarding the historical antecedents seems to reflect a rather more buoyant and united stance than might have been expected in the light of the 1971 report, The Future of Canadian Psychology, which the Association prepared for the Science Council of Canada. The equality of rights section of the Charter (Constitution Act, 1982, s. 15) makes reference to "mental and physical disability," which one might suppose would include the significantly retarded, chronically psychotic or institutionalized psychiatric patients, and the increasing numbers of cognitively incapacitated elderly persons. The 1971 report made some contrast between academic "hobby" research and applied psychology: a traditional dichotomy which in some quarters is no longer being viewed as very meaningful. It may be that more research in psychology departments could turn towards the prevention and remediation of those human problems which now engender and characterize the demand for professional services. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)