I am writing to you in regards to a dilemma I have encountered while studying
educational challenges. I am currently working with special needs students and I
was confronted by one of them who has severe learning difficulties. This
student has been demanding to be included in the research project with other
members of the class. It is important to note, her parents have already refused
her participation in this research project on her behalf, but the student is
eighteen years old. As I have looked over my APA Code of Conduct, I have
found a few principles that I feel may be at stake. The first one being, Principle
D- Justice in the APA Code of Conduct states, “Psychologists recognize that
fairness and justice entitle all persons to access to and benefit from the
contributions of psychology and to equal quality in the processes, procedures,
and services being conducted by psychologists” (APA, 2017). c According to this
principle, everyone has the right to be included in the benefits of psychology. In
this case, the student wants to be included in the study which shows she
believes this research project will benefit her in some way.
Furthermore, Principle E- respect for people’s rights and dignity is another
principle I find at stake. It states, “Psychologists respect the dignity and worth of
all people, and the rights of individuals to privacy, confidentiality, and self-
determination. Psychologists are aware that special safeguards may be
necessary to protect the rights and welfare of persons or communities whose
vulnerabilities impair autonomous decision making. Psychologists are aware of
and respect cultural, individual, and role differences, including those based on
age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion,
sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status, and consider
these factors when working with members of such groups” (APA, 2017). As well
as in Section 3.01 of the APA Code of Conduct, which states that
“psychologists do not engage in unfair discrimination based on age, gender,
gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual
orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or any basis proscribed by law”
(APA, 2017). For both Principle E and Section 3.01, there is a similarity stated
that disability and a respect for the rights and dignity of all people should be
taken into consideration. This includes this eighteen year old student regardless
of the parents choice in this matter. By not allowing her to participate, I believe
would be completely going against these two principles.
Lastly, another part of the APA Code of Conduct at stake is found in section
3.10 where it talks about informed consent. In regards to informed consent, a
psychologist who is conducting research is to obtain consent of those
participating in the study before the study actually begins (APA, 2017). In this
situation, although the parents have stated they do not wish for their daughter
to be a participant in the study, she is still considered of age to be able to
consent for herself. Taking all of these principles into consideration drawn from
the APA Code of Conduct, we can conclude that the student is of legal age
and should not be discriminated against despite having learning disabilities. I
believe in order to be fair and ethical, this individual has the right to be included
in this study just as others in the class are being included.
Best Regards,
