Code of ethics for mediums and trance channelers

Abstract

The research objective of this study was three-fold: identify ethical standards currently used by adult, English-speaking mediums/channelers; based on emergent categories, establish a draft framework for ethical standards for the field of mediumship/channeling; and obtain consensus approval of an aspirational code of ethics for mediums/channelers. The first of two surveys engaged 119 mediums/channelers, 74 % of whom lived in the United States. Roughly two-thirds (66 %) of survey participants reported currently adhering to a specific code of ethics in their work as a medium/trance channeler. Participants were asked to upload any ethical standards followed and/or provide feedback on specific elements they believed needed to be included in a code of ethics for the field. Open-ended responses (137 entries) were qualitatively analyzed and organized into specific elements to be included in a first draft code of ethics. The draft code was shared with the same participants in a follow-up survey and received a 91 % approval rating. The development of this code of ethics is a novel milestone in the professionalization journey of mediums/channelers.