Are rules made to be broken? Perhaps some are, but in most cases, the rules exist in order to keep people safe. Your therapist may know more about you than your roommate, your spouse, or even your mother. Show Therapy sessions can become very personal. When someone goes to therapy, they often spend time talking with their therapists about traumatic matters or issues that can be very embarrassing. The private bond that exists between a patient and a therapist is sacred. There is a lot of trust being built, and rules need to be put into place in order to ensure that this trust cannot be broken. This is why the APA has a strict code of ethics. Therapy sessions need to be able to get deeply personal in order to get the right results. Patients shouldn't have to worry about whether getting so personal is safe or not. They should simply be able to focus on getting better and working through their issues. Learn How The APA Code Of Ethics Affects You Your Privacy Matters Your privacy truly does matter. When you go to speak to your therapist about the issues that you're experiencing, you want to feel assured that everything that you're talking about will be private. These therapy sessions put you in a very vulnerable state. In fact, some people even open up to their therapists more than they do with their families. If you're concerned about your privacy, then please understand that you are not alone. Many people are concerned about these intrusions on privacy, and this is why there are special APA rules in place. Throughout this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about the APA Code of Ethics. Rules Can be Essential The APA Code of Ethics exists to set proper boundaries and ensure everyone's safety. If you've written a college paper, then you'll know that the APA has rules about lots of other things, as well. They are the go-to source for proper citation of sources, which you might consider one of the ultimate professional boundaries in the academic world. The American Psychological Association (APA) was founded in 1892 by psychology professor G. Stanley Hall and a small group of like-minded early psychologists. The growth of the psychology profession during this period paralleled that of related fields, such as education, biochemistry, and political science. It was a part of a movement towards a more rational society. Professional organizations like the APA would facilitate communication among trained professionals in related fields. It has also experienced some division in its ranks, but today it remains the premier professional organization in the field of psychology and an authority on professional practice among psychologists, counselors, and therapists. The Code Of Ethics During WWII, the field of psychology rapidly became more prominent and widely practiced. Psychologists had the responsibility of evaluating the mental health of young men who were drafted and of treating the mental health of hospitalized soldiers. Because of the increased visibility of the profession, the American Psychological Association felt that an ethics code was needed. The first American Psychological Association Code of Ethics was created in 1953. It was more than 170 pages long, with contributions from over 2000 psychologists. If you want to read it, check out this historic APA Code of Ethics PDF. The first Code of Ethics was largely composed of real-life ethical dilemmas which the psychologists encountered in their practices. Astonishingly, many of these dilemmas are still relevant today, such as a patient's right to privacy, unfair discrimination, and integrity in psychological research. Embedded within the first Code of Ethics was the expectation that it would be revisited and revised, which it has been, numerous times throughout history. The most recent revision of the APA Code of Ethics was created in 2003, with amendments in 2010 and 2017. Although far more concise than the original at only 16 pages, it retains the same structure, addressing the five basic ethical principles of psychologists:
The Five Principles What do the five principles of the APA Code of Ethics look like in day-to-day life? Here's a brief description of what these APA ethical principles are and how they work. 1. Beneficence And Non-maleficence This principle aligns with the Hippocratic oath practiced by medical doctors: "No harm." It's the basic understanding that psychologists will always act in the best interest of their patients. There may be times when a psychologist's interests may conflict with the needs of a patient. For example, if you are seeing a therapist or counselor whose spouse is your business partner, this compromises the counseling relationship. The psychologist may have difficulty putting their interests aside to give you the best possible care. In that situation, the principle of Beneficence and Non-maleficence would indicate that your therapist should refer you to someone else who can help you without personal bias. 2. Fidelity And Responsibility Under this principle, psychologists are obligated to remain loyal to high professional standards. They are responsible for their actions, so they must accept the consequences of mistakes. They also hold each other accountable for meeting these standards. For example, if a psychologist decides that a certain treatment is only going to last for three months, but in that time it has not been effective, they must accept responsibility for that mistake and decide on what to do next. 3. Integrity This principle is pretty straightforward: psychologists must not engage in behavior that is deceptive or dishonest. They also must strive to act on their belief system. For example, if a group of psychologists is conducting experimental research, they must strive to be as honest as possible with their subjects about their goals. They must also not falsify their education and training or certifications. 4. Justice This principle states that everyone is entitled to the advances and contributions that have been made to the field of psychology. That means that you have the right to a psychologist with prior education and training and expertise in the particular area in which you struggle. For example, if you need help with quitting smoking, recovering from a trauma, or repairing your marriage, you should be matched with a psychologist or a therapist skilled in that area. 5. Respect For Rights And Dignity According to this principle, all patients have the right to a recognition of their dignity and worth. For that reason, confidentiality and privacy are very important. This means that a psychologist or therapist cannot divulge the details of what you talk about to a third party unless you explicitly give consent. Let's say that you have had panic attacks. You can trust that your counselor or therapist will not discuss these with your employer, so you don't have to worry about unfair discrimination or treatment in your workplace. Real-Life Dilemmas Here are some situations, historically and in day-to-day life, when the APA Code of Ethics has dramatically come into play. Interrogation And Torture During the "War on Terror" in the early 2000s, prisoners were subjected to controversial interrogation techniques, which included "stress positions," sleep deprivation, and waterboarding (among other things). In 2005, the APA issued a report allowing psychologists to participate in these actions. This report was rescinded in 2013. The APA allows psychologists to participate in torture in certain situations, a stance that appears to be in direct contradiction to the "Beneficence and nonmaleficence" principle. Termination And Abandonment Have you ever felt abandoned by a counselor or therapist? The end of this relationship can be so emotional that there are standards within the Code of Ethics specifically addressing it. Standard 10.09 specifically states that psychotherapists must make arrangements for treatment to continue without interruption if their contractual relationship with a client must end for any reason. Standard 10.12 states that a plan must be in place for the client to receive care should the therapist become unavailable for any reason (sickness, disability, etc.). Confidentiality By far, the most frequent ethical dilemma encountered by psychologists is that of confidentiality. Therapists often find themselves in a position where their obligation to keep confidential information conflicts with the safety of others. What about a client who is engaging in risky sexual behavior even though they have been diagnosed with an STD like herpes or even HIV? Such agonizing real-life dilemmas can make it difficult to make decisions, and there are times when confidentiality is compromised to avoid greater harm to the client or others. But rest assured that your private information will be kept completely confidential unless there is a serious risk of harm. Learn How The APA Code Of Ethics Affects You How To Cite The APA Code Of Ethics If you are writing a paper about a particular psychological case and need to refer to the APA Code of Ethics, you will need to know how to cite it correctly. Here are some step-by-step directions on how to cite the APA Code of Ethics in APA format:
Here is an example of an APA Code of Ethics citation: American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. Washington, DC: Author. When writing about ethics in psychotherapy and related fields, there are other codes you may want to refer to as well. Now that you know how to cite the APA Code of Ethics in APA format, it's easy to cite other ethics codes properly, as well. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics citation in APA looks like this: National Association of Social Workers. (approved 1996, revised 1999). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.Washington, DC: Author. The American Counseling Association also has a code of ethics that can be used in academic research. An ACA Code of Ethics APA citation is similar to an APA or an NASW Code of Ethics APA citation. American Counseling Association (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author. Ethical standards and codes among counselors, therapists, and psychologists are commonly cited and invoked among professionals because they keep everyone safe and ensure that they get the best possible care. So remember that when you seek help from a mental health professional. Counselor Reviews "He's not only provided me support but insight and encouragement to let me know I'm on a good path to self-improvement and discovery. Furthermore, Mark has provided me valuable insight on my romantic relationship, specifically with learning more about the relationship dynamics and how to build a stronger, healthier relationship." "I put off finding a therapist for a long time. I dreaded my first conversation with Neil and all the awkward, clunky explanations I'd have to give about my depression and anxiety. All of the things that felt like dirty little secrets that caused me so much pain. But I was so pleasantly surprised by the way Neil accurately picked up on what I was saying and gave me more insight into how my brain was working. It made my issue feel so much less of a personal problem and more of a universal problem we could examine together. He always gives me a thoughtful response within a day or two any time I send a message. I actually think we've made more progress in between sessions just by being able to communicate things that are coming up in real-time. Neil is intelligent and kind. I really appreciate his communication style and highly recommend him." Frequently Asked Questions Why Is The APA Code of Ethics Important? The Ethics Code used by the American Psychological Association is important because it is designed to keep you safe in many ways. For example, practitioners should never harm or be dishonest towards you, and should always look for the best solutions for your needs. Additionally, they follow a privacy policy and are bound by confidentiality to keep your personal information safe and not use it for their personal advantage. Who Does The APA Ethics Code Apply To? The ethical principles of psychologists and Code of Conduct/ ethical standards provided by the American Psychological Association apply to psychologists, in either a capacity where they are practicing and providing treatment, as well as in a research capacity. Who Is Responsible For Ethical Behavior? The ethical principles of psychologists and Code of Conduct make them responsible for following the rules of conduct, which can help ensure that they are competent, trustworthy and respect people’s rights, which can include privacy, as well as prevent unfair discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status or background. What Are The 5 General Principles of the APA Ethics Code? The Ethics Code of the American Psychological Association can be broken down into five main general principles: Principle A: Benevolence Principle B: Fidelity Principle C: Integrity Principle D: Justice Principle E: Respect All of these APA ethical principles and ethical standards work to help build trust between the practitioner and the client by keeping confidential information between both of you, and to ensure that you receive proper care and respect. How Do You Define Integrity? Just like in the ordinary sense of the word, integrity, when referring to the APA Ethics Code, means that all professionals must be honest and should never deceive their clients. While it can involve treatment, integrity can also mean that psychologists can’t falsify their education and training credentials or claim experience in something that they don’t have. What Are The 4 Basic APA Guidelines For Research Ethics? Similar to the general principles mentioned earlier, there are additional guidelines for ethical ways of conducting psychological research (they are meant to assist those who are performing psychological research and also help with resolving ethical issues in this area). APA has a resolving ethical issues section which guides psychologist to work on different ethical issues. There are different sections of which two out of them make a good description of how to resolve conflicts between the ethics code of psychologists as well as the different kinds of governing bodies, regulations, or laws and also including ethics and organizational demands which relate to someone working as a psychologist. These ethical principles of psychologists and the Code of conduct of those who are researching include:
Regarding the first ethics code here, psychologists must sort out who will get credit for what part of their publications, if there are multiple authors. While it doesn’t eliminate them entirely, this rule can prevent disputes if a plan is made and contributors discuss openly. The second one means that psychologists must avoid relationships that could negatively affect their performance and could exploit or affect others. For example, a psychologist who is teaching a class of students shouldn’t include them as research subjects (multiple roles), unless they make it voluntary and the students willingly participate. The third rule involving informed consent means that people who choose to participate in research studies understand the possible risks and consequences and what the purpose of the research is for. However, Informed consent can also refer to the benefits of the research as well as any incentives for participating. Like the general principles, the fourth rule is essentially the same and applies to research as well, but there are some specifics that are relevant to the area of psychology research. For example, a psychologist isn’t allowed to find the contact information of an entire support group and reach out them for participate in a research study; however, the psychologist may talk to the individual holding a support group meeting, and from there, that person can discuss it with their group and their clients can decide if they would like to participate or not. Why Do Psychologists Need A Code of Ethics? Just like medical doctors, although many people would assume that a psychologist would be professional by default, it’s not always the case (i.e. malpractice), and the ethics code created by the American Psychological Association makes them accountable for their actions. If they don’t abide by these ethical standards, the psychologist risks the consequences of the APA ethics committee. What Is An Example of An Ethical Issue? Some of the most common ethical issues involve confidentiality. While in most cases confidential information will be preserved, there are some situations where this ethics code will need to be broken. One of these situations involves the safety of yourself and others. If you mention that you intend to harm yourself or others, or have already done so, a psychologist should intervene and report these ethical concerns in order to stop something from happening or prevent further damage. This means releasing confidential information, but it’s for safety reasons. What Is The Professional Code of Ethics? A professional code of ethics can be viewed as a set of principles that is designed for professionals to assist them differentiate between what's right and wrong which will help them make appropriate decisions. An ethical code provides an accurate definition of the values and mission of an organization and clearly expounds on how different issues and ethical standards are meant to be approached by professionals within the organization. For employees, a code of ethics is a set of guidelines that must be strictly followed in decision-making within the workspace. It assists employees to uphold their integrity, remains honest and behaving towards one another in a socially acceptable way. A code of ethics is used in different professions. It's used in businesses, used by lawyers, physicians, and financial advisers. In succinct, a professional code of ethics is the ultimate guide to professionalism.
The Code of Ethics, as a set of principles, works with respect to professional activities such as counseling, teaching, consulting, research, and psychotherapy. The American Psychological Association's ethical code offers standardized guidance to professionals in psychology as a field. This equips them with adequate knowledge on how to handle some problems pertaining to morality and ethics. The American Psychological Association's Code of Ethics provides values or principles that every psychologist is expected to uphold. Ethical compliance is duly observed as in some cases, there are ethical standards outlined by the American Psychological Association which have enforceable expectations. Furthermore, the American Psychological Association makes the publication of the Code of Conduct 1 and ethical principles of psychologists which clearly explains the principles and enforceable standards that guide Psychologists in their decision-making. The first publication of the ethics code was made by the American Psychological Association in 1953. Talking of the current version of the Code of Ethics, it was developed in 2002 and underwent an amendment in 2010 and 2016. This current version introduced a clear distinction between standards and ethical principles of psychologists. There are ethical standards and ethical principles of psychologists that make up the American Psychological Association. These ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct are meant to guide them and provide them with inspiration irrespective of the nature of their work — in psychological research, in mental health, or in business. The ethical standards stand as expectations of conduct that can result in legal or professional issues when ethical violations are involved. The Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct of the American Psychological Association is made up of an introduction, preamble, aspirational ethical principles (five), and enforceable ethical standards (ten), which are meant to serve as a guide to psychologists in making ethical decisions in psychological research, practice, and education. The ethical standards and ethical principles are written, revised, and enforced (against ethical violations) by the American Psychological Association.
Going back in the line of history, the first version of the ethical principles of psychologists and Code of Ethics of the American Psychological Association was published in 1953 by the APA. The influx of psychologists taking more professional and public roles post during WW11 led to the publication of these ethical principles and ethical standards. An ethics committee was set up during this time to look into and review psychologists' submissions of different situations (ethical dilemma) they encountered in the field of psychology. The ethics committee looked into the situation and organized them into themes that were included in the first document (the length was 170 pages). Aspirational principles and enforceable standards were logically differentiated. There have been nine revisions after the first publication and the most recent one was made in 2002 which later was amended in 2010.
The emergence of the phrase "Code of Ethics" can be traced back to the written record around the year "1794". This was a time when a pamphlet was published by Thomas Percival (an English physician). This pamphlet, "Medical Jurisprudence, or a Code of Ethics and Institutes Adopted to the Professions of Physic and Surgery", contains details on duties and behavioral patterns that ought to be observed and exhibited by professionals in the medical field (those working in charities and hospitals). Incredibly, this ethics code by Percival turned to become the foundation of the American Medical Association's (AMA) ethics code which was written in 1847. Over the years, there have been different professional organizations that use ethics code to clearly express ethical principles, values, and establish ethical standards suitable and honorable for their respective fields. Some of these professional organizations include the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the American Library Association, the National Association of Realtors, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Society of Professional Journalists, American Psychological Association, and American Counseling Association. The ethics codes or codes of conduct are developed internally by private companies such as Apple, Twitter, McDonald, Starbucks, and Walmart. These ethics codes serve as a guide to their employees with respect to the specific way they are expected to act and make decisions. For most companies, their core values and mission statements are expounded in their ethics codes. Ethics and law can be placed side by side. This is because a violation of ethics codes (unethical conduct) could have serious legal implications. Ethics and law are given special recognition based on the fact that sometimes there may be improper conduct. Improper conduct, under ethics and law, may be an ethical violation of agreed rules and principles of an organization. For instance, a medical practitioner may be fined or have their license withdrawn if found guilty of violating ethics codes (unethical conduct). This makes both ethics and law important.
These professional activities include psychological services and the provision of counseling. Despite the similarities that exist between APA Ethics Codes and the ACA Ethics Code, there are some differences that distinguish both.
Conclusion The Code of Ethics exists for a reason, and you can go to therapy with full confidence that your private information is safe. Your mental health matters — and you're going to be able to overcome any issues that you might be going through. Take the time to talk with a therapist today and start feeling better about life while working toward your ideal future. What are the five general principles of the APA ethics code?Here are five principles from the American Psychological Association (APA) to help psychologists and researchers follow an ethical path.. Be upfront about intellectual property. ... . Be aware of your influence and role. ... . Observe informed-consent rules. ... . Uphold confidentiality and privacy rights. ... . Know and use ethical resources.. What are the 4 major ethical principles of the APA?The five general principles of the American Psychological Association (APA) Code of Conduct state that all psychologists must strive to conduct themselves with beneficence and nonmaleficence, fidelity and responsibility, integrity, justice and respect for people's rights and dignity.
How many principles are in the APA Code of Ethics?The American Psychological Association's (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (hereinafter referred to as the Ethics Code) consists of an Introduction, a Preamble, five General Principles (A-E) and specific Ethical Standards.
What are the 7 basic principles of code of ethics in research?In this article, which has become a seminal piece in the field, the authors propose seven requirements that a clinical research study needs to fulfill in order to be considered ethical: social or scientific value, scientific validity, fair subject selection, favorable risk-benefit ratio, independent review, informed ...
|
