3-1 Discussion: The Ethics of Classical Research Studies

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The American Psychological Association (APA) Code of Ethics

Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.

- Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart

Figure 3.1 (wycokck.org)

The APA (American Psychological Association) Code of Ethics was first published in 1953 and has been revised a number of times over the years. It is the guide for all practicing psychologists. Most professional organizations for different psychological disciplines—marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and licensed professional counselors—have modeled their ethical codes after the APA model.

The APA Code of Ethics contains five guiding principles and 10 standards. Under each of the 10 standards are a number of sub-standards that speak to particular violations.

The five guiding principles are:

• Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
• Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility
• Principle C: Integrity
• Principle D: Justice
• Principle E: Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity (Koocher & Keith-Spiegel, 2016)

The 10 standards are:

1. Resolving Ethical Issues
2. Competence
3. Human Relations
4. Privacy and Confidentiality
5. Advertising and Other Public Statements
6. Record Keeping and Fees
7. Education and Training
8. Research and Publication
9. Assessment
10. Therapy (Koocher & Keith-Spiegel, 2016)

Think of the core principles as guiding behavior of the professional. Principles are not enforceable. They are desired behaviors and ways of thinking encouraged in any specialty within psychology. This is the ethical core of the APA Code of Ethics. Standards, on the other hand, are enforceable rules. There are consequences for breaking these rules. There is administrative enforcement, which involves complaints to one’s state licensing board. There is also legal enforcement, which can involve a malpractice suit for any number of criminal charges related to the practice of psychology.

We want to study the basics of the principles and the standards. Being familiar with professional expectations is one of the first ways to guarantee ethical behavior.

References

(Koocher & Keith-Spiegel, 2016)

Koocher, G.P. and Keith-Spiegel, P. (2016). Ethics in Psychology and the Mental Health Professions: Standards and Cases. Appendix A. Oxford University Press.