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Ethical Principles of Psychologists

Code of Conduct

Based on Textbook and

http://www.apa.org

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Eight Areas of Concentration

• General standards

• Evaluation, assessment or intervention

• Advertising and other public statements

• Therapy

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Eight Areas Continued

• Privacy and confidentiality

• Teaching, training, supervision, research and publishing

• Forensic activities

• Resolving ethical issues

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Divisions of the Ethics Code

• Introduction

• Preamble

• Six general principles

• Specific ethical standards

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Introduction

• This section discusses the intent, organization, procedural considerations and scope of application

• The ethics code applies to the PROFESSIONAL conduct of psychologists and not to the purely private conduct of individuals

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Introduction….Contd.

• A violation of the code does not necessarily mean that the individual is legally liable, but the individual’s adherence to the ethics code may be admissible as evidence

• When decisions must be made, psychologists must take the prnciples of the code into consideration

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Introduction….Contd.

• Ethics code standard required

By law

Individual must always adhere to the higher standard; If there is a conflict, then steps should be taken to resolve the conflict

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Preamble and General Principles

• These are aspirational goals to be considered by psychologists, not enforceable rules; However, should be taken into consideration both by individuals and ethics bodies when decisions are to be made.

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Ethical Standards

• Written broadly, so as to apply to various situations, not exhaustive

• Tries to cover most situations that psychologists may encounter

• Purpose is to be dynamic; To encourage individuals to be ethical in whatever situations, whether a student, employer, or consultant

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General Principles

• Competence

• Integrity

• Professional and scientific responsibility

• Respect for people’s rights and dignity

• Concern for others’ welfare

• Social responsibility

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Ethical Standards

• General standards

• Evaluation, assessment or intervention

• Advertising and other publications

• Therapy

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Ethical Standards….Contd.

• Privacy and confidentiality

• Teaching, training, supervision, research and publishing

• Forensic activities

• Resolving of ethical issues

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Teaching, Training, Supervision, Research and Publishing

• The risk-benefit ratio

• Deception in psychological research

• Additional responsibilities

• Research with animals

• Reporting of psychological research

• Steps for ethical decision making

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The Risk/Benefit Ratio

• A subjective evaluation of the risks and benefits of a research project is used to determine whether the research should be conducted– Not like a mathematical ratio– Determination of risk– Minimal risk– Obtaining informed consent

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Deception in Psychological Research

• Deception occurs when information is withheld from participants or participants are intentionally misinformed– Deception is a violation of informed consent– Deception is necessary research strategy in

some psychological research– Costs of deception must be weighed– Must debrief participants if deception is used

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Additional Responsibilities to Research Participants

• Researchers are ethically obligated to seek ways to benefit participants even after the research is completed– Sharing and utilizing data– Minimizing invasiveness– Providing participants with information about

the study (debriefing)– Honoring commitments

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Research With Animals

• Care and use of animals in research– Animals are used to gain knowledge that will

benefit humans; For example, by helping to cure diseases

– Researchers are ethically obligated to protect the welfare of research animals and to treat them humanely

– The use of animals in research is widely debated and involves complex issues

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Reporting of Psychological Research

• Investigators communicate their research findings in peer reviewed scientific journals, and the APA code of ethics provides guidelines for this process– Reporting of results

– Plagiarism

– Publication credit

– Duplicate publication of data

– Sharing data

– Professional reviewers

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Steps for Ethical Decision Making

• Find out all the facts of the situation

• Identify relevant ethical issues

• Decide what is at stake for all parties involved

• Identify alternative methods or procedures

• Decide on the action to be taken