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The dark side of our moon: The latrogenic aspects of professional psychology
Author(s) -
Walsh Richard T.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6629(198804)16:2<244::aid-jcop2290160214>3.0.co;2-o
Subject(s) - ideology , harm , consciousness , psychology , engineering ethics , socialization , social psychology , political science , law , engineering , politics , neuroscience
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.