Psychology and the Status Quo

There is little doubt that psychology has left its imprint on 20th century society. There shouM also be little doubt that socioeconomic, cultural, and political trends have shaped the methods and content of the discipline to a large extent. However, an alleged immunity to ideological influences within the profession has obstructed an indepth examination of the interaction between social forces and psychology. The penetration of the prevalent ideology in the realm of psychological knowledge often results not only in an uncritical acceptance of the status quo but also in an active endorsement of it. Desiderata for a psychology at the service of social change are considered. Is psychology promoting human welfare, as suggested by both the American (American Psychological Association [APA], 1981) and Canadian (Canadian Psychological Association, 1986) codes of ethics for psychologists, or is it perhaps hindering the betterment of social conditions by guarding the interests of the status quo? Despite a recent marked increase in the volume of literature dealing with the intrusion of sociopolitical factors into psychology, these questions remain largely unaddressed (Albee, 1986; Billig, 1979, 1982; Braginsky, 1985; Braginsky & Braginsky, 1974; Buss, 1975, Butcher, 1983; Chorover, 1985; Deese, 1985; Fox, 1985; Gergen, 1973, 1985; Guareschi, 1982; Halleck, 1971; Henriques, Hollway, Urwin, Venn, & Walkerdine, 1984; Howard, 1985; Ibanez Gracia, 1983; Ingleby, 1972, 1974, 1981; Jacoby, 1975; Jones, 1986; Larsen, 1986; Nahem, 1981; Roffe, 1986; Samelson, 1986; Sampson, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983; Sarason, 1981a, 198 lb; Sullivan, 1984). In view of the importance attributed to psychology's position in a wide variety of social and human affairs, an inquiry into its ideological functions is warranted (Kipnis, 1987; Koch & Leary, 1985; Sarason, 1986). Psychology in Modern Society Psychology and society are involved in a network of mutual influences that contribute to shape each other. Society predisposes science to adopt a specific set of epistemic (i.e., "'values employed by scientists to choose among competing theoretical explanations" [Howard, 1985, p. 257]) and nonepistemic values (i.e., sociocultural and political beliefs) congruent with its predominant ideology (e.g., Wilson, 1977). This process is conducted through direct institutional regulations and in a more indirect fashion through the dicta of the dominant weltanschauung (Sarason, 198 la, 1984). Within the realm of psychology, prevalent moral and cultural beliefs are reflected both at the theoretical and applied levels (Gergen, 1973; Howard,