Dr. Ad Visor
Liberty University
1971 University Blvd
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Dear Dr. Visor:
I am grateful for your continuous mentorship and interaction with me as my research advisor.
During my third day observing new United States Army (Army) trainees during basic
training, part of my research for the graduate student research paper on the behavioral
changes in military recruits, I witnessed two Drill Sergeants relentlessly bully a recruit. The
bullying was beyond the intense but ethical communication style I observed the first two days
the Drill Sergeants employed to convey instructions to the trainees and acclimate them to
operating under stress. These actions conflict with the Code of Conduct as set forth by the
American Psychological Association (2017), which I must follow. I provide my findings
below along with my recommendations for ethical ways to address the concerns and continue
the study in a safe manner for all involved.
The bullying I observed included extreme verbal abuse and harassment, degrading insults,
and inappropriate references to the trainee’s perceived ethnicity. I believe one ethically and
responsible way to address this is to report what I witnessed to the attention of the military
liaison I am working with who is also the drill sergeants supervising officer. The bullying
which occurred directly conflicts with ethical standard 3.03 Other Harassment, according to
the American Psychological Association (2017). This standard requires psychologists to
refrain from participating in any of the above acts of harassment and degrading behavior
especially since the trainee’s ethnicity was used against them in a negative way. Although I
did not directly engage in the unethical behavior, my duty is to observe and interact with
those involved and compile data on behavioral changes in the trainees. Allowing the
unethical behavior to continue by those around also makes me indirectly complicit if I use the
data anyway. The research will also be unreliable as behavioral changes may be influenced
by the unethical treatment and not the normal stress of training. As a researcher in
psychology, I must strive to follow all the general principles in the Code of Conduct, but the
general principle that best guides me in this unethical situation is Principle E: Respect for
People’s Rights and Dignity. This principle is important because it echoes the familiar saying
of always treating others the way you want to be treated.
One other alternate course of action following the observed bullying is immediate
intervention to de-escalate the situation to prevent harm to the trainees. This intervention may
work with just my mere closer presence next to those involved which may offer a subtle cue
to the offenders to immediately rethink their actions. If I allow this behavior to continue, I
would be in direct violation of ethical standard 3.04 Avoiding Harm, as listed in the Code of
Conduct (American Psychological Association, 2017). I must not allow myself or anyone
associated with my research to cause harm to another; in this specific situation, the trainee’s
mental health may be affected. If the behavior continued, the trainees may eventually be
subjected to unethical and harsher physical abuse. My research must focus on the benefits to
a person and not causing any suffering. I believe Principle A: Beneficence and
Nonmaleficence is at the top of the list and offers guidance applicable to the situation because
it focuses on putting the interests and safety of others first and actively providing a safe
environment. Sometimes the lack of action is what hurts others. This means actively ignoring
the behavior is comparable to being the one doing the bullying.
The preceding recommendations and reasoning offer both effective and ethical ways to halt
the unethical situation and allow my research to continue in a safe manner for all. The
research will then be based on reliable and useful data that may help advance further
understanding in this subject area. Furthermore, these actions do not advance psychology at
the expense of another person’s well-being. I request your consideration of these observances
and recommendations. I look forward to any additional insight or recommendations you may
offer, considering your esteemed influence and experience in the field. If you have any
questions or concerns, you may reach me at (555) 555-1234.
Sincerely,
//Signed///
Eric L. Hutcheson
References
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of
psychologists and code of
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > conduct (2002, amended effective June 1, 2010, and January 1,
2017).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
http://www.apa.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/ethics/code/index.html
