When a School Psychologist Loses Neutrality: Influence, Alliances, and the Erosion of Professional Ethics
Schools are communities made up of relationships, loyalties, friendships, rivalries, and competing interests. Within such an environment, the role of a school psychologist is uniquely important. A psychologist is expected to remain objective, independent, and guided by professional ethics rather than personal alliances. Problems arise when a psychologist becomes aligned with a particular group within the institution and begins to view reality through the lens of that group's interests. The Experienced Teacher as a Target Many schools have veteran teachers whose careers span decades. They have educated generations of students, earned the trust of families, and built reputations based on years of dedication and achievement. Such individuals often possess a form of informal authority that cannot be granted by titles alone. Their influence comes from experience, credibility, and the respect they have accumulated over time. In some organizational environments, this kind of authority may...