Ethics for the Practice of Psychology in Canada (Revised and Expanded Edition)

Ethics for the Practice of Psychology in Canada (Revised and Expanded Edition), by Derek Truscott and Kenneth H. Crook. Edmonton, Alberta: University of Alberta Press. 2013, 236 Pages (ISBN 978-0-88864-652-1, CAN $49.95)

Reviewed by DAVID R. EVANS

DOI: 10.1037/a0035674

Psychologists-whether practitioners, researchers or aca- demics-encounter ethical issues in their work regularly if not daily. Hence, there is a need for a system of ethics to assist them with the myriad ethical issues they encounter. The Canadian Psychological Association Code of Ethics for Psychologists (CPA Code of Ethics) provides such a system of ethics. Over the years of teaching ethics to graduate students, the majority indicated that the CPA Code of Ethics was the most useful approach to solving ethical issues that they encountered, rather than a prescriptive approach that had limitations. I feel this preamble is important in placing the Truscott and Crook book in context. The authors base much of the discussion of the many topics they cover in relation to the principles and ethical prin- ciples of the CPA Code of Ethics. Given its reliance on the CPA Code of Ethics, its readability, and its thoroughness, the book is an excellent textbook or reference book for senior undergrad- uates and entry-level graduate students, as well as for practi- tioners wishing to renew their acquaintance with the range of ethical questions they encounter in their practice.

The opening paragraph of the Introduction quickly makes the case for the importance of a knowledge of ethics to the profession of psychology. After defining ethics, the authors distinguish be- tween descriptive and prescriptive ethics, and then place ethics in comparison to practice standards and the law. Next the authors argue that behaving as an ethical professional goes beyond a set of rules because "ethical standards and expectations evolve and change" (p. xx), and further the rules cannot anticipate every ethical dilemma. In the last part of the Introduction the authors outline the various learning devices they provide to help the reader get the most out of the book. These include discussion questions, reflective journaling, ethical case studies, and recommended read- ing.

The first three chapters focus on ethical systems, professional standards, and legal expectations. An important focus in the first chapter is to place our professional ethics...