Traditionally, the area of philosophy known as ethics has focused on moral issues and evaluations. According to White (1988), ethics is the assessment of what people do. As a result, we label certain behaviors as "good" or "bad," following some socially accepted principles. The term "ethical" has little significance unless it is based on a fundamental knowledge of what is right. Professional organizations' ethics rules aim to lay the groundwork for moral behavior.
However, ethical conundrums are frequently complicated and dependent on the surrounding context, and "the correct thing to do" is not always obvious. Our evaluations of a scenario can be skewed when observed through our lenses, as demonstrated in the situations discussed throughout the book. The most frequent causes of skewed conclusions, poor judgments, and unfortunate behaviors include prejudices, overpowering personal needs, rationalizations, and a lack of education and experience.
According to the American Psychological Association's preamble, psychologists must be dedicated to advancing their professional and scientific knowledge and bettering the circumstances of people, society, and organizations. Additionally, psychologists must work to uphold people's rights and dignity and draw fair conclusions about how people behave.
They are given a shared set of morals and standards by the code of ethics, which helps them do professional work. Additionally, it tries to improve the well-being of the people and groups the psychologist works with. Psychologists must individually abide by the codes of conduct and ethics, act morally while respecting human rights, and inspire moral behavior in their coworkers and pupils.
The ideal objectives that drive psychologists to attain optimal levels of functioning are the Preamble and the General Principles outlined by APA. Although they are not immediately enforced, psychologists must consider them when making judgments to make moral choices.
Psychology practitioners and researchers must adhere to binding norms of behavior known as Ethical Standards. They apply to the actions of psychologists, which involve scientific pursuits while carrying out their academic and professional responsibilities. It covers clinical, educational, research, teaching, and public services, as well as the creation of assessment tools and the execution of assessments.
A code of ethics is a set of guidelines that outlines the values, principles, and standards of conduct that are expected of individuals or organizations specifically within a particular field or profession. It is a document that serves as a reference for making moral and ethical decisions and for ensuring that the actions of individuals or organizations align with their stated values and principles.
A code of ethics classically covers a wide range of topics, including integrity, honesty, responsibility, accountability, fairness, and respect for others. It may also address specific issues that are relevant to the field or profession, such as conflicts of interest, data privacy, and professional conduct.
Th APA and other psychological associations must abide by the ethical code, which directs psychologists' conduct. The code of ethics makes it easier to determine if the psychologist has broken the law, whether their acts call for legal action, whether their contract is upholdable, and what potential repercussions there may be. Certain modifiers are adopted in some Codes of ethics; there are includes when −
Professional judgment on the part of Psychologists is slowed
Eliminating injustice and inequality that occurs in the absence of modifiers.
Ensuring applicability of codes of ethics to various activities and tasks Psychologists perform.
Guarding against the outdated set of rules.
Psychologists must apply the codes of ethics to their job and remember that they are enforceable under many board rules while making decisions. They could also consider other documents and regulations that other psychological associations have enacted and implemented. Psychologists must adhere to strict ethical standards and pledge to uphold moral principles while keeping in mind fundamental human rights. The ethics codes apply to numerous actions, people, circumstances, and forms of communication.
Activities include research, public services, and therapeutic, counseling, and educational settings. Program development and execution, research instrument creation, assessment, organizational consulting, forensic work, and administration.
The ethics rules apply to clients/patients, research participants, people of all ages, people with any mental illness, and people of any gender, linguistic background, or linguistic and cultural background.
The code of ethics applies in various places, including government buildings, military bases, educational facilities, hospitals, clinics, courts, offices, and businesses. It also applies to private research facilities.
Codes of ethics are relevant in various communication situations, such as research, therapy, consulting, and service delivery via mail and electronic channels like the phone, internet, fax, television, radio, and other electronic transmissions.
The following rules and procedures are applied to help APA Ethics Committee to investigate complaints against the conduct of members of the APA.
The APA ethics committee receives complaints from both members and non-members. Due to legal requirements, a complaint could be dismissed even before it reaches the ethics committee. However, the matter is evaluated, launched, and the inquiry starts if it makes it to the ethics committee. The person making the complaint is notified, charged with unethical behavior, and requested to address the committee. It would be considered unethical for them to disobey the committee.
Sanctions : The ethics committee reviews the cases and can recommend either −
Reprimand − It is given when no harm is caused to the individual.
Censure − The ethical committee issues a censure when the actions are likely to cause harm to the person.
Expulsion − A member can be removed from the membership of APA if they cause substantial harm to an individual.
Stipulated Resignation − If the committee finds a violation of ethics by the members, they are given a stipulated resignation.
Notification − The APA ethics committee maintains a record of members who resigned or were given stipulated resignation, violated the ethics, were reprimanded, or were expelled. In addition, ethics officials may notify the other boards and other psychological associations about the violations.
Showcase Procedure − The ethics committee members can take action against a member of any legal case that is running against a member.
Membership in APA assures adherence to the organization's standards, ethical guidelines, and norms. The rationale cannot justify psychologists' immoral behavior; thus, there must be more awareness of general moral standards and ethical regulations. When its members and other practitioners transgress the Ethics of Conduct, APA applies consequences, including expulsion from the organization, license cancellation, or suspension. The Psychological Association, expert organizations, and other mental health agencies are among the organizations that are informed about the action.
The APA codes of ethics have a wide scope and apply to various set-ups, activities, and individuals. It is recommended that the five principles of APA must be consistent with the Maslovian hierarchy of needs. In the present-day scenario, it is recommended that there must be codes applicable universally to mental health, as well as different approaches, to solve ethical issues faced in different countries.
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