Personal Views of Ethics - Research Paper Example

? Signature Assignment Alexandria Borsack PSY5103 July 7, This paper examines the views and opinions about how ethics functionafter attaining some exposure in the field of psychology. It examines the core elements of the APA Code of Ethics and goes on to examine how ethics affects important elements of psychology practice. Keywords: Psychology, Ethics, APA, Society Personal Views of Ethics After studying psychology for several years and getting some real life experience related to ethics, I have a conception of ethics in the practice of the psychologist from five distinct perspectives and facades. First of all, I feel that generally, each psychologist needs to get a good understanding of ethics. One needs to be aware of why each ethical standard exists and the various units of the society that it affects. In my learning, I found out that there is the need to comprehend and be familiar with the motive for each ethical standard and what it seeks to attain. This means I a psychologist needs to get an broad and picturesque view of psychological ethics in practice. However, the extent to which a person must immerse himself into the APA ethics is still something that is not very clear to me and I am yet to understand that fully. Secondly, there is the need for a practicing psychologist at every level to accept ethics fully. I have found that when you get to understand ethics, you need to accept it as authoritative and be willing to abide by it. I think this phase is essential because it enables a person to build a general allegiance to the body of rules in a holistic manner and then begin to make moves to abide by them. On the other hand, I find this to be very subjective and how a person might understand and perceive an ethic might be different from how another would perceive the same ethic. Thirdly, a practicing psychologist or trainee will need to have the tools and competencies necessary to abide by the ethical standards of the profession. This is because these ethics protects a practitioner from most of the legal and social problems that are inherent in the practice. I discovered that it is my responsibility and the responsibility of every practitioner to harness the necessary qualities to be able to apply it. This, in my view can be done by understanding the practical matters that mark the intervention point between practice and the need to observe these ethics. However, the differences in the way these principles are practiced around America might not be consistent due to the fact that it deals with human behavior. Fourthly, I discovered that a psychologist needs to be aware of the problem areas in the practice of psychologist. From my short experience, this does not mean memorizing every little statute in the APA Code of Conduct (which was what I thought). Rather, it is about the ability to identify situations and activities that can lead to potential problems and issues with the practice of a psychologist. This therefore means that one has to beware of the potential conflict areas and then try to understand the possibilities and the implications. Awareness of this scope and area reduces the chance of people erring and falling into traps of ethical issues in an unprepared fashion. However, the dilemmas psychologists would go through in practice would be differ from specialization to specialization. Finally, I learnt the need to understand stakeholders in every situation. In other words, there is the need for a psychologist to understand the various units and specific groups of individuals who will be affected in each ethical dilemma. This consciousness will enable a psychologist to become aware of the extent to which his decisions and actions in each and every matter and situation can impact on the various units of the society. However, some groups of stakeholders cannot be clearly defined. Stakeholders like the unborn cannot be easily identified and given rights in cases like abortion and the like. This leaves some ethical matters that cannot be handled clearly. The APA Code of Conduct I have become familiar with how the ten standards of the APA Code of Ethics work in practice. The overall body of ethics for the guidance of psychologists in their practice (APA 2010 Amendments, 2011), I realized is the the bottomline for the operations of a psychologist. Standard 1 gives the scope and limitation of the APA Ethical standards. In my practical experience, I find that the APA Ethical standards are very strong and powerful. This is because it has evolved over a long period of time in history through lobbying by previous psychologists and advocacy groups. Due to this, it seems to me that the APA ethical standards have the full force of local law and are more stricter than normal laws. This therefore makes it a very powerful set of principles. However, I think that there are times where practical matters might require a psychologist to deviate from these standards. Standard 2 focuses on Competency which requires psychologists to get appropriate education, experience and exposure to ethics. In practice, I find out that this ethical standard sets the framework for the psychology profession to be institutionalized and respected. However, there are questions about whether these APA standards apply to other people who render similar services as psychologists like religious leaders. Standard 3 is about Human Relations, how Psychologists must relate to other people in the society, primarily their co-workers, their clients and people connected to their clients. I learnt that as a professional, a psychologist would need to have a well regulated interaction with other people. However, I find some of these requirements in relation to sexual barriers and the like a little too demanding. Standard 4 is about Privacy and Confidentiality, which primarily relates to clients and their information. I learnt that psychologists have to make a good effort to prevent the misuse of clients' data and information. As professionals, we can only disclose client information to third parties with their consent or when there is a legal obligation to do so. However, in practice, there might be the need to use clients' cases for illustrations and studies. There are conventions that make it illegal for a psychologist to mention the actual name of a client where it is necessary to discuss a client's details with another person. Standard 5 focuses on elements of carrying out trade as a psychologist in a business setting. I learning, I found out that it obligatory not to mislead people and always disclose information to third parties using methods that will ensure that true and accurate information is disclosed. Standard 6 is about record keeping and fees. We are forbidden to charge exorbitant prices. This, I believe is due to the fact that our noble profession is meant to seek the greater good of the larger society. It is therefore necessary for psychologists to work within a price range so that we do not overcharge. Also, there is the need for psychologists to ensure that they work to the highest levels of confidentiality in handling data of their clients. Standard 7 is about proper knowledge and experience in discharging service. Personally, I understand that this code requires that I stay away from jobs and projects that I am not qualified to execute. The only exception is where there is an emergency that I can assist in. However, the very moment a competent psychologist can be approached, I have to refer the victim to that qualified person. Standard 8 is about research and it requires psychologists to undertake research by taking the consent of respondents and also using the right techniques and scientific tools free of bias. We have to desist from plagiarizing and share data on published data. Standard 9 encourages psychologists to use accurate scientific methods to assess clients and use conventional and scientifically acceptable methods to collect and assess data. Standard 10 is about therapy. It states that the formal consent of clients should be sought in therapy. Psychologists should also stay away from sexual relationships with existing or former clients. Also, therapy should not be rendered to former clients that a psychologist had previous sexual relationships with. The standard also states that psychologists must keep proper data on interrupted therapy and forbids us from withholding data for clients that have not paid the required fees. The APA Code states explicitly that it is not an exhaustive list of rules that a psychologist must follow. Also, a psychologist needs to beware that these rules operate side-by-side with the rules of various state and federal legislative instruments. It is therefore worthy to find out all the relevant legal statutes that exist in a given state and abide by them in addition to their tenets. Personal Values as they relate to Professional Ethics I learnt that personal values include the beliefs, values and ideas that an individual psychologist holds dear and observes in all situations. Since the constitution of America makes it clear that individuals are entitled to their free choice in these areas, there is a challenge between the ethical system and personal thoughts and beliefs of psychologists. The essence of the APA Code of Ethics is to create some reference point for further guidance when a person comes into some kind of ethical dilemma. In such a situation, some personal values that are positive and have been accumulated into a psychologist's personality must be invoked and put to use (Kitchner, 1992, p195). These values include amongst other things: 1. Beneficience: Our efforts and desire to help others. We need to use the best and most appropriate techniques and tools available to give the best of care and help to a given individual. 2. Nonmaleficence: We need to ensure that if we cannot improve the condition of a person, we should not do anything to harm the individual's current state like taking advantage of a patient sexually or breaking confidentiality. 3. Justice & Fairness: We always need to evaluate all stakeholder needs and then do our best to honor the interest of each stakeholder group to the best way we can. We should always ensure we are aware of our legal and moral obligation in every matter before we act. 4. Autonomy: Psychologists must always respect people's right to take decisions. We need to admit and accept that we can only help individuals to make informed decisions and not force anyone to move in any direction we feel is right. We therefore have to allow people to do what they plan to do even if we feel it is a mistake from our experience. 5. Integrity: Psychologists need to behave with a high standard of honesty and also build trust with people they come in contact with. We do not have to willfully mislead people in professional relationships. 6. Fidelity: We need to honor the responsibilities we accept. We therefore need to find ways of discharging our obligations and we need to be open for compromises where we cannot meet other people fully. I think that Kitchner's six steps are very relevant and must be strongly incorporated in the personal values we set for ourselves. It is therefore necessary for every studying psychologist to try to incorporate these values in his or her personal life. This is because it builds the bridge between ourselves and the practice in terms of ethics and morality. It stirs up the morality in us and enables us to honor the various codes and legal obligations we have as professionals. In taking decisions, Pope & Vasquez (2007 p81) recommend an 18-step approach that seeks to unify our personal values and the APA Code of Ethics as well as other standards that relate to ethical decision-making. In summary, the psychologist needs to diagnose the matter carefully by identifying the facts of the situation, identify the stakeholders, figure out the effects of decisions on stakeholders, assess areas of competency necessary as well as technical skills necessary to take a good decision. Afterward, a psychologist needs to draw on the relevant ethical and legal standards. The next step is to try to invoke it. At this level, a person needs to watch his personal sentiment, consider effects of judgments on various parties involved. If the effects of a judgment will have far-reaching consequences, a psychologist needs to consider consulting an appropriate authority. From thence, alternative courses could be developed and evaluated in relation to the results and effects on people concerned. It is only then that the decision can be implemented. When this is done, the psychologist should take full responsibility for actions and monitor and control the results. However, to a large extent, what an individual psychologist does at a point of ethical dilemma is more of a personal choice. This means that people would make amoral choices without even realizing it. It would therefore be more appropriate if there was a reporting system whereby issues of ethical problems were presented directly for examination and review to prevent unilateral decisions that would bring problems to psychologists. Multicultural and Diversity Issues I learn that culture and ethics are vital in the practice of a psychologist. This is because we are obliged not to discriminate by the constitution of the land. Secondly, I notice that we have to give the right service that fits the needs of all people in the society. Thus for example, a psychologist will have to know and understand the different needs of a Hassidic Jew and the needs of an African American and find ways of giving each of these individuals the best of services. Failure in this direction is likely to lead to moral issues that can be considered as some form of ethical failure. Pope, K. S. (2007) therefore encourages the psychologist to get a good command over diversity issues. It is therefore necessary for us to learn about the various diversity matters and have the competencies to handle them. Secondly, we need to help the individual to understand the effects of diversity and multiculturalism components of his or her issues. This can be very helpful in the treatment of several classes of clients in practice. We also need to get an overwhelming understanding of our legal and ethical obligations in matters relating to culture and diversity. Finally, we need to use our knowledge of diversity and multiculturalism to help our clients to overcome their problems and challenges through the therapy we deliver. Pope K. S. (2011) goes further to identify that a new trend in the cultural matters related to ethics in psychology practice can be traced to international issues pertaining to the war on terrorism. He suggests that torture and other matters of international concerns like 9/11, Abu Ghraib and the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center presents a different form of cultural challenge that is not fully covered by law. Since it is an emerging situation, there is the need for psychologists who handle such traumatized victims to get in-depth knowledge about new trends and techniques relevant to such international matters like international laws, conventions and other codes of best practices. The differences between multicultural attitudes often comes with the accreditation of the training program a student goes through, task force in charge of supervision as well as colleague assistance that a psychologist receives (Springer et al, 2008). Confidentiality The APA standards make it imperative for psychologists not to misuse information that they have about their clients. Standard 6 relates to record keeping and confidentiality which seem to present data about clients as their own 'property' that a psychologist keeps in trust for the client. This therefore makes it a must for psychologists to take very good care of such data and not release it to third parties where there is no legal obligation to do so. There are also other sections of the APA legislation that makes it a must for psychologists not to misuse the information of clients. Pope K. S. (2007) also states that in relation to ethics on confidentiality, a psychologist will need to understand that ethics is a continuous system thus we need to get more information about legal systems and stay alert for new trends that will come up. However, confidentiality seems to be one of the areas that will for a long time to come, remain strictly in favor of the client. In other words, the restriction not to misuse clients' information will remain very resolute and firm into the foreseeable future. Boundary and Multiple Relationships Pope & Keith-Spiegel (2008) state that for the effective understanding and application of the various ethical codes, they have been placed into identifiable restrictional boundaries. This therefore makes it easier for a psychologist doing self-analysis in an ethical situation to identify where each code begins and ends. However, Pope & Keith-Spiegel (2008) identify clearly that in some situations, when a person adheres strictly to the various boundaries of the practice, she/he may end up being limited. In other cases of controversy, a person might need to cross the boundaries. In some cases, the sexual clauses for instance become so strict that some patients might feel suffer harshly. For example what happens when an attractive client has a specialized case that can be solved by a psychologist who has had previous sexual encounters with such a client? In other situations there are remote causes that can be evaluated, like your client sleeping with your close friend. Behnke (2008) identifies that in a setting where a psychologist has cause to believe that the relationship with another individual might be a multiple relationship and hence unethical, there is the need for the psychologist to plot the relationship on a graph and examine it. In such an exercise, the psychologist will have to grade the nature of the relationship with the client or potential client on the x-axis whilst the effect on the subject matters will be examined on the y-axis. This can lead to the proper and objective evaluation of the relationship to find out whether it is a multiple relationship or not. This can prevent a psychologist from making the wrong decisions and choices in such an ethical situation. Personally, I find this ethical requirement quite onerous. This is because the work of psychologists is strongly tied to the culture. It is not possible for a psychologist to know the social needs of people of all backgrounds in America. This therefore means that the ethical requirements relating to diversity needs to be relaxed so that psychologists can specialize in a given ethic or cultural group in his/her practice. Community work I have learnt that community work is an important element of the profession. It is therefore morally imperative to ensure that the normal operation of the psychologist benefits community and there are times that a psychologist will render free service to the society he lives. I find that communitarian theory in psychological ethics is based on the fact that right actions derive authority from community values, goal, traditions and co-operative virtues (Fisher, 2008, p243). This therefore means that in terms of ethics, a psychologist should ensure that his activities are in line with the values and structures of the social system that the psychologist is operating in. Also, there are different human values that make it difficult for some psychologists to operate ethically in certain situations. Patel & Shikorgo (2006, p45) identify that differences in religious beliefs makes it inherent for psychologists to make bias judgments, leads to apprehensions against patients of other religious backgrounds and stands in the way of rapport with clients. It is therefore ethical for psychologists to find ways of adjusting to every environment they find themselves in. However, the scope of community work has elements that are not clearly laid down by the ethical standards. To what extent should a practicing psychologist seek to give back to the society? This is something that is dependent on an individual's choice as a psychologist. The ethical system cannot do much to force anyone to adhere to any particular standard. This has issues with consistency. Research In my learning, I read a landmark journal which identified that in the 1950s, psychology research was mainly related to learning capacity and retention (Science News, 1972). In this period, most of the respondents of such research were first year students who had to participate to earn marks in their studies. However, in 1970, there was a landmark consensus by the APA that sought to get psychologists to take responsibility for their research, seek consent of participants, tell participants of the objectives of the research. The consensus also barred psychologists from causing stress or giving inhumane treatments to these participants and also keeps their data confidential. Currently, this consensus is part of Standard 8 of the APA Ethical Code. Additionally, the code requires that research is accurate and there is no deception. The scientific method and empirical analysis should be employed in psychological research. Also, research must be devoid of plagiarism. Researchers must disclose data on their findings and interpretation when they are asked for them. I also find that there are also special interest groups that deserve to be given preferential treatment in psychological operations. Such groups include children. It was found in a study by Paulson (2008) that there are some inherent ethical dilemmas relating to children, especially in research and the like. For example, what benefits should a psychologist gives to children when research is conducted on them? Secondly, is it enough to take their parents' consent in participation in research and the like? All these are issues that affect an important segment of the society and must be treated with a high level of ethical behavior. The ethical structures need to be developed to answer all these questions appropriately. Conclusion Ethics form an important aspect of the responsibilities of a psychologist. I have now gotten to get a practical understanding of how these ethics work and they are important in practice. They need to be incorporated into one's personality to ensure that one avoids unnecessary ethical errors. However, some challenges like subjectivity on the part of psychologists, challenges in practice and the lack of power to enforce these ethics in the most extreme form affect their effectiveness in attaining the ends for which they were made. References APA 2010 Amendments (2011) Ethical Principles of Psychologists & Code of Conduct Available online at: http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx Accessed: June 30, 2011 APA Diversity (2011) APA Guidelines for Providers of Psychological Services to Ethnic, Linguistic & Culturally Diverse Populations Available online at: http://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/policy/provider-guidelines.aspx Accessed: June 30, 2011. APA Ethics Rounds (2011) Multiple Relationships in Campus Counselling Centers: A Vignette Available online at: http://www.apa.org/monitor/2008/05/ethics.aspx Accessed: June 30, 2011 APA Guidelines (2011) APA Guidelines for Providers of Psychological Services to Ethnic, Linguistic and Culturally Diverse Populations Available online at: http://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/policy/provider-guidelines.aspx Accessed: June 30, 2011 Behnke, Stephen (2008) “Multiple Relationships in Campus Counseling Centers: A Vignette” Ethics Rounds APA Fisher, C. B. (2008) Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists London: SAGE Publication Kitchener, K S. (1992) 'Professional Psychology' Research and Practice, Vol 23(3), Jun 1992, 190-195. Patel, C. J & Shikorgo, A. E. (2006) “Handling Spirituality/Religion in Professional Training Experience of a Sample of Muslim Psychology Students” Journal of Religion & Health Vol 45 No1 Springer. Paulson, J. T. (2008) “An Exploration of Ethical Issues in Research in Children's Health & Environment” Environmental Health Perspectives Vol 114 No10 Oct. 2006. Pope, K. S. & Keith-Spiegel, P (2008) “A Practical Approach to Boundaries in Psychotherapy: Making Decisions, Bypassing Blunders & Mending Fences” Journal of Clinical Psychology Vol 64 Number 5 pp638 – 652 Wiley Pope, K. S & Vasquez J. T. (2007) “Steps in Ethical Decision-making” in Ethics in Psychotherapy & Counseling: A Practical Guide 3Edn by Vasaquez J. T & Pope K. S. Jossey-Bass Publishers, John-Wiley & Sons. Pope, K. S. (2011) “Psychologists & Detainee Interrogations: The Key Decisions, Opportunities Lost & Lessons Learned” Annual Review of Clinical Psychology Vol 1 Science News (1972) “Revising the Ethics Code for Psychologists” Society for Science & The Public Vol. 101 No 21 May 20 1972 Springer, A, Baker, J & Elman, N. (2008) “The Impact of FERPA/HIPAA Regulations on Addressing Training with Problems of Professional Competence” COH Accreditation Assembly, May 31, 2008. Read More