Canada’s psychology regulatory organizations exist to advance public protection through promotion of competent, safe, and ethical practice of psychology. Their mandates are established by, and proscribed by, legislation. Their focus is establishing and evaluating standards for entry to the profession, establishing standards for ethical and professional practice, and addressing complaints about registrants’ competence and professional conduct. They are not advocates for the profession. They do not pronounce upon social issues outside their mandate.
Addressing important social issues requires an engaged citizenry. Psychologists1 engaging in such issues will sometimes bring their professional perspectives to bear. When speaking as psychologists they are to adhere to professional standards. They are to rely upon an evidence-informed analysis, and take care to acknowledge the limits of the available evidence, whether the issue at hand is directly related to professional practice or is part of the broader social context.
Psychologists will sometimes disagree with others, including with other psychologists, in their analysis of practice-related or broader social issues. Psychologists are encouraged to approach such disagreements in a spirit of intellectual humility, in an effort to appreciate the perspective of the other person, and with respect for the dignity of other persons and peoples. Disagreement, even vigorous disagreement, is not cause for complaint to a regulatory body. Psychologists concerned about the professional conduct of another psychologist are generally expected to first raise that concern directly with that psychologist, in an effort to bring about appropriate resolution, even when doing so would be uncomfortable. Raising a concern about professional conduct is most likely to lead to appropriate resolution, and thus to public protection, if it is done in a spirit of intellectual humility, seeks to understand the perspective of the other psychologist, and conveys respect for the dignity of the other psychologist.
1 In this statement “psychologist” refers to any registrant, including psychological associates as well as provisional and candidate registrants.
7 June, 2024