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
c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical
principles of psychologists and code of
c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c conduct (2002, amended effective June 1, 2010,
and January 1, 2017).
c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c
http://www.apa.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/ethics/code/index.html
