The ethical codes
The ethical codes and principles created with APA standards are mainly used by psychologists as their guideline to limit their studies and researches to those approved by the APA. This is to safeguard and maintain the privacy, security, and welfare of humanity regardless of the presumed benefit of any study. The strengths of the ethical codes in Psychology encompass respect for individuals, maintenance of objectivity, and reliability with the findings.
The limitations provided by the ethical codes curtail the implicit aspirations of experimenters or psychologists to probe deeper into some situations to come up with directional hypothesis, regardless of the careless procedures which may be unethical. These limitations have to be observed or psychologist or experimenter would be put into disciplinary actions by violating human and animal rights which are guarded by federal law.
Psychology practitioners or experimenters may use their intrinsic moral values to discern and determine which is right from what is wrong and therefore, avoid executing scientific researches and investigations which might be in conflict with personal, cultural, and multi-cultural values. Personal ethical values such as being trustworthy, reliable, and confidential are some of the qualities that have to be obtained or acquired by an effective, concern, and ethically-oriented psychologist. Counseling psychology provides many programs that may advance one’s knowledge in the field.
Participating in seminars, trainings of different disciples or interest increases one’s understanding and realization of multicultural perspectives. Knowledge of such diversities could lead to abridge the gap between conflicts and this could be attained by starting with oneself through introspection. Final Reflective Paper Good science involves the observance of ethics in carrying out a procedure of any experiment. Science investigates truth and facts, so there is no room for any biased observation and judgment.
However, in their quest for knowledge, scientists should observe ethical principles, especially when human and animal subjects are involved. Thus, scientists should not conduct a study for the sake of the greater good when it disregards, disrespects, and therefore harms animals and human life and values (Myers, 1993). Hence, ethical principles are formulated and are guarded by the federal law for the security and protection of humans and animals that are involved in scientific experiments.
In the field of psychology, the American Psychological Association (APA) provides the ethical codes, conducts, and principles to guide the psychologists in their pursuit for knowledge and validation of their studies (Myers, 1993). Personally, I strongly believe that observance and consideration of ethics is very essential in psychology. My assessment regarding the creation of the ethical codes is that it is very significant not only for protecting people and animals participating in any experiment or study, but also for the psychologists to keep their stance in objectivity and always maintain their sound judgment.
Psychologists should sustain their moral values before carrying out any significant research or experiment (Degrees. info, 2008). In addition, I also want to emphasize that a psychologist should avoid deception as it may cause harmful effects and sense of distrust among participants (Degrees. info, 2008). Psychologists must put into account that one must not execute any form of deception in any experiment they are conducting, unless the strategies of deception they used would be proven as significant and effective, and provided that alternative strategies are not practical and possible (American Psychological Association [APA], 2003).
Moreover, psychologists must always ensure the safety of the participants in their experiments. In addition, the study itself must not produce any harm or long-term emotional after-effects (APA, 2003). In brief, observance of the ethics is essential in psychology. As practitioners, psychologists should share and observe the norms of standardized ethical codes and values. Furthermore, these codes should be observed for their strengths (Myers, 1993). The strengths of these ethical codes in psychology are the promotion of respect for individuals, maintenance of objectivity, and reliability with their principles (Degrees.
info, 2008). The limitations of these codes state “up to what extent shall science or psychology go upon choosing the participants and the environment of the study” (Degrees. info, 2008, n. p. ). This covers the questions: “Will the study justify the unethical characteristic of the procedures? ” and “Will the study serve the greater many yet, harm the participants involved? ” (Degrees. info, 2008, n. p. ). Upon asking these questions, psychologists encounter an ethical dilemma.
This dilemma would then gauge the morality of a practitioner: whether he or she carries out the study while ignoring the unethical and harmful effects for the sake of science and knowledge, or he or she prioritizes his decision of not continuing the experiment using his or her moral values or the dictates of his or her super ego or conscience (Degrees. info, 2008). This highlights the importance of ethical guidelines. The purpose of the ethical codes or guidelines and principles are for the psychologists to determine whether they are on the right track or not.
This ethics guide psychologists to avoid encountering conflicts with ethical dilemmas. Therefore, this proves that it is worth to be followed due to its significance (Myers, 1993). The privilege of studying anything that a practitioner finds interesting has its equal obligation of knowing one’s limitations, but these limitations should not be abused (Myers, 1993). To be considered as an effective and ethically-oriented psychologist, one must be aware of the limitations of scientific methods or procedures and therapeutic works of practice.
In brief, a psychologist’s actions must always be guided by these principles of ethics (Laskyl, 2008). For instance, every practitioners or psychologists must have the value or the practice of confidentiality as one good example of observance of the ethical codes (Laskyl, 2008). Confidentiality refers to the private agreement of a psychologist or a counselor and an individual or group participant that the results or findings of a particular study or experiment must be kept secret and should not be reported verbally, unless the participant willingly requests for it.
If an ethical value of confidentiality interferes with another important role which has to be dealt with by the psychologist and situation demands the psychologist to execute quick action or decision, ethical dilemmas arise (APA, 2003). Ethical codes address relevant ethical dilemmas objectively. For instance, when an experimental group behavior is discussed, the control group would have the same consideration and treatment. Both variables should always be treated equally in order to avoid issues regarding the ethical properties of the research or study (Myers, 1993).
Guidelines and principles of ethical codes purport dealing with ethical dilemmas with meticulous analysis and scrutiny so as to avoid ambiguity in the studies they conduct and come up with a more sound judgment and inferences in their experiments, studies, and therapeutic practices (Kitchener, 2000). The existing ethical codes are grounded on the principles according to the APA standards. In this way, psychologists or experimenters who advocate and follow the standards share the implicit values of an ethical and objective practitioner of psychology (Kitchener, 2000).
What I have learned from previous researches and readings in psychology regarding the study of ethics reaffirms the saying ‘The end does not justify the means’. In this saying, I could confirm from my reasoning and from current issues in psychology that practitioners are not allowed to rationalize the purpose of their studies at the expense of the security and welfare of participants (human or animals) involved in the experiment.
It is important for a psychology practitioner to understand and influence the following: personal beliefs, cultural values, background, social identity, and biases on individual views, theoretical viewpoints and professional activities. I believe it is in this way that a practitioner would incorporate and apply what he or she has learned from his or her studies (Corey, 2001). As a present practitioner of counseling psychology, I plan to apply all the knowledge and experiences to the betterment of the society.
Considering all the ethical principles and guidelines I have intrinsically internalized, I would like to make meets end between the existing cultural diversities of Chinese-American and California-American societies in our place. I aim to help enhance the quality of good psychology and I intend to contribute my best in this practice. Upon dealing with various mentally impaired individuals from my previous therapeutic works, I believe I can work well clients achieve their goal in the therapy by practicing every theoretical and ethical conducts.
Thus, upon my introspection, I became aware that my personal worldview, values, and beliefs are distinct from cultural and personal individual perspectives. Yet, I am flexible and open-minded with the diversities. In addition, I realized that both perspectives deserve respect regardless of its divergent characteristics. I believe I can practice psychology by making sound judgments and unbiased analysis. I will put into account every principle I have learned in psychology to be of service to my country.
As I value ethics in my profession, I will ensure that the safety and welfare of my clients and participants of my studies and experiments. I will consistently apply moral and ethical codes in my practice. I would not undermine the significance of respect for people’s emotions, and I would not abuse the science itself. I will always be responsible for the welfare of others, especially my clients, rather than thinking of unrealistic perceptions and rationalization for my actions. I believe that a true psychologist is aware of one’s actions so I would not engage in defense mechanisms.
I made myself a principle that I would not use science for my own selfish interest, not even for fame and honor. Furthermore, I will make sure I would not engage in any experiment or study which is incongruent to my moral values and contrary to my ethical standards as an individual and as a psychology practitioner. Moreover, being enrolled in a graduate program with the specialization of counseling psychology, I should say that I currently enjoy the continuous knowledge that I am acquiring.
In addition to this, this program allows me to mature and grow spiritually and morally. I have become more concerned for the welfare of others. I can also see that I am living a life with meaning, and I am getting happiness out of helping others. I enjoy counseling psychology since I can have more time to deal with people when I am in the field, and I can feel the real effect of empathizing towards others. I hope to gain more opportunity to help people, give advice, and listen to their problems.
I also would want to eliminate the prevailing cultural barriers between the Chinese and American people in our place. In this way, I can help the children gain more self-confidence and self-esteem and the neighborhood will be a happier and better place to live in. I also look forward to seeing the change in the varying multicultural perspectives. I want to help people understand others who are different from them, and I would like to advise them not to resort to prejudice just because of their differences. I also want to aid in controlling discrimination and racism in our society.
I want to get in touch with the people and know what are their internal beliefs, biases, or prejudices which lead to some corrupted attitude toward people of a different race. Furthermore, I also aim to consider the ethical principles which will guide my future actions (Degrees. info, 2008). To ensure that I have the valid and reasonable judgment and ethical reasoning, I would like to engage in more education and training. I will attend seminars discussing present ethical and psychological issues, and I will contribute to information dissemination by teaching others and sharing my ideas to other practitioners.
I may apply for national certification by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. in order to have a credential and legibility to practice my profession. Also, I plan to assist students, especially college students in choosing the careers that are most suitable for their skills and interests. In this way, I believe, I can help make a difference in the society and contribute to the advancement of knowledge and the standards of living. I hope to contribute the best way I can for creating a utopian or ideal society.
With God’s help and inspiration, I can make all this things possible for a good cause. I would like to live a life of meaning which is congruent with a life of happiness (Degrees. info, 2008). In addition, if I will be given a chance, I will make a book about psychology and share my experience, therapeutic practices, and personal values that contributed to who am I today. The aim of that book would be to influence the readers to derive happiness out of living. I would share that life is loving and giving. People live to love and to learn.
People live not for themselves but for others. I believe that God is love and is the center of all our relationships. The dynamics and everyday activities should be for the purpose of serving and loving God. Therefore, love everything you do which is in God’s will. Currently, I love psychology and everything that I am learning about it. I do not plan to keep all the skills and knowledge for myself and serve my own purpose, but I plan to put everything into application and share it with others so that I will make use of all my God-given talents.
References American Psychological Association. (2003, June 1). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Retrieved September 11, 2008, from http://www. apa. org/ethics/code2002. html#8_07 Corey, M. (2001). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Australia: Brooks/Cole Thomson Learning. Degrees. info. (2008). Becoming a counseling psychologist. Health Care Degree Program and Career Information. Retrieved September 11, 2008, from http://www. degrees. info/online/health-care/counseling-psychologist. html Kitchener, K.
(2000). Foundations of Ethical Practice, Research, and Teaching in Psychology. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers. Laskyl, G. B. , Riva, M. T. , (2008). Confidentiality and privileged communication in group psychotherapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 56 (4), 455-476. Myers, A. (1993). Experimental Psychology. California: Brooks/Cole Publishing Co. Pius XII, P. (1958, April 10). Applied psychology. Papal Encyclicals Online. Retrieved September 11, 2008, from http://www. papalencyclicals. net/Pius12/P12APPSY. HTM
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