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Canadian Psychological Association - Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Nov 03, 2021

Summary

The Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists (CPA, 2017) is based on four overriding principles found in the Universal Declaration of Ethical Principles for Psychologists, expressed in descending order of priority: respect for the dignity of persons and peoples, responsible caring, integrity in relationships, and responsibility to society. The Canadian Code also appeals explicitly to "respect for the dignity of persons" as "the most fundamental and universally found ethical principle across disciplines," noting it "includes the concepts of equal inherent worth, non-discrimination, moral rights, and distributive, social, and natural justice" (CPA, 2017:11).
Within these four principles are sets of specific recommendations for psychologists (the Codes notes that in complex cases the different principles may need to be balanced, and may be insufficient in themselves to guide action). The dignity of persons includes respect and non-discrimination, confidentiality, privacy and consent. Care requires that the practitioner be competent, seek the best for the client, and avoid and rescue harm. It also includes care of animals. The section on integrity speaks to accuracy, honesty, objectivity, openness, disclosure, and avoidance of conflict of interest. Responsibility to society speaks to the psychologist's duty to increase knowledge and support education.

Content

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