I write to you with concern for a particular situation I am faced with in
collecting data that arose while witnessing the induction process held at a
military training facility. This situation involved the bullying of a recruit by
two members of the staff. I believe this could possibly jeopardize my data
collection and the integrity of my research. I have included two ethically
viable responses where I am in need of your guidance.
The first response is found in Principle A: Beneficence and
Nonmaleficence. As a psychologist, one of my chief concerns is the
welfare of the recruit who was bullied. This principle includes the effects
the bullying may have on a person’s physical and mental health.
According to the APA Code of Conduct, this behavior falls under 3.04 (b)
Avoiding Harm.
Due in part to the fact that psychologists do not engage in any activity
that involves inflicting torture that involves cruel or inhuman degrading
behavior.
In order to safeguard new recruits for this study, I continue to observe and
see if this behavior is common among other staff members or if this is a
general occurrence. Based on my observations, I will determine whether
this is a viable research opportunity and may seek another location to
avoid another situation similar to this.
The second response is found in Principle E: Respect for People’s Rights
and Dignity. Bullying preys on those who are vulnerable. Psychologists do
not condone such practices. New recruits fall into this category. Since they
arrive without any previous knowledge of what they will face, they are in a
sense like sheep. They arrive without knowing what will take place and
are solely dependent on the knowledge of the staff to understand their
new surroundings.
The APA Code of Conduct 3.01 Unfair Discrimination. Psychologists do not
participate in unfair discrimination that may include: age, gender, gender
identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual
orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status.
I will continue to observe the behavior of the two staff members to see if
there is a correlation to one of the above-mentioned discriminatory
factors. I will also observe the behavior of other staff members to see if
they act similarly to the staff members that were witnessed severely
bullying a new recruit or if it was an isolated incident.
Your attention is greatly appreciated in this matter so that I am able to
decide on any further actions concerning my research.
Thank you for your time,
References
American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of
psychologists and code of conduct. Retrieved January 27, 2022,
fromhttps://www.apa.org/ethics/code
