APA Ethical Codes

To ensure that a researcher’s enthusiasm for knowledge and understanding doesn’t let them get carried away, clear guidelines for ethical behaviour in research, a Code of Ethics, have been established by governments, institutions and various professional societies such as the American Psychological Association(APA), the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI).

The American Sociological Association Code of Ethics was set as a guideline for sociologists. The code includes an Introduction, five principles, and the Specific Ethnical Standards. This code is not only used in the United States, but worldwide. They are standardized internationally to guarantee that the discipline on the whole remains as scientifically honest as possible. More importantly this code exists to prevent harm or abuse to the research subject by the scholar.

Stanley Milgram and Philip G. Zimbardo both address instances in which the hierarchy between authorities and subjects is clearly defined in an experimental setting. In Stanley Milgram’s article, “The Perils of Obedience,” the experimenter researched the effect of authority on obedience. The experiment involved a teacher and a learner, in which the learner would receive shocks if he/she failed to memorize a series of words (Milgram 78). However, the learner was an actor that did not truly receive shocks (Milgram 78). Moreover, the author concludes that individuals obey out of fear or a desire to please others even when performing against their own better judgement. Comparatively, the article “The Stanford Prison Experiment,” was both written and conducted by Philip G. Zimbardo. Initiating a mock arrest, Zimbardo attempted to produce, but not enforce, elements of imprisonment among volunteers to study the relationship between authority and prisoners (Zimbardo 106). Similar to the first experiment, the study proved that any person possesses notions of sadism that require tense situations to reveal these feelings. Although Zimbardo displays the power of situations more logically than Milgram, both authors effectively acknowledge the relationship between authorization and obedience by focusing on the test subjects that were selected for the experiments.

Counseling with adolescents can be a rewarding practice but, also full of ethical dilemas that must be navigated. A counselor working with adolescents needs to understand the unique circumstances that apply when working with adolescents with regards to consent, confidentiality and other issues. Adolescent counseling requires additional training including extensive knowledge of developmental stages and the issues that pertain to those stage for adolescents and their behaviors. Best practices with adolescents requires knowledge of laws both state and federal, and exceptions to those laws that pertain to minors and their treatment. Knowing your professional codes of conduct and codes of ethics are also important to help you navigate the dilemas

Individuals who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) are often discriminated against due to their sexual orientation. Hence the reason why the APA council provided guidelines for psychologist to follow when dealing with an LGB client. The guidelines includes some aspirational principles to supplement the APA ethics code, it also offers a frame work that psychologist should follow when working with LGB clients. These guidelines are intended to educate psychologist and provide recommendations about professional conduct when dealing with an LGB client. Prejudices and judgmental attitudes on the part of the psychologist sometimes contributes to the negative attitudes towards their LBG clients and reinforcing the view that their sexual orientation is problematic. Standard 3.01 on unfair discrimination based on sexual orientation is prohibited and psychologist needs to respects peoples rights and dignity as described in Principle E (Respect for People's Rights and Dignity).

Mixed interpretations can lead to uncertainty about the ethical issues of this study. Even though Milgram had a perceivable answer when ethics was questioned; the most vital assignment of the scientists is presumable to accommodate the well-being of the members and guarantee that educated asset has been acquired. In any case, current standards for the moral treatment of members obviously place Milgram's studies beyond the field of

Psychological research has been growing and developing new ways of studying human behavior, collecting knowledge and expanding our understanding of our nature. For instance, studies involving human subjects presented risks for violation of ethical research guidelines, by pushing the limits of human experience (Kim, 2012). Throughout history, there have been numerous studies that elevated this concern, such as the Milgram Experiment of 1963. One of the major ethical raised was that it lacked informed consent from the participants and eventually raised the issue of protecting human subjects. This paper examines the ethical compliance in psychological research and emphasizes the importance of ethics and professionalism by analyzing different

For the purpose of this paper, I will analyze an ethics-based issue and make reference to ethical codes/standards and legislation. I will explain how I would respond to the ethical dilemma by using an ethical decision making model. Martin, Shepard and Lehr (2015) outline the Canadian Counseling and Psychological Association ethical decision-making process in their ethics-based issues and cases. I have chosen to address this scenario according to the six steps in the decision-making process.

Ethics is defined by Cooperal Schindler (2008) as the norms or standard of behaviour that guide moral choices about our behaviour and relationship with others. While Mark Saunder (2009) refer to it as the appropriateness of researcher’s behaviour during research in relation to the right of those who become the subjects of their work or affected by

Fisher, C. B. (2013). Decoding the ethics code – A practical for psychologist (Third Edition). United States: Sage. Retrieve

In the current assignment, we are asked to choose an ethical dilemma faced by psychological researchers and determine which ethical principles and codes from the American Psychological Association (APA) are involved and resolve the situation (2010). More often than not, student researchers are unfamiliar with situations faced by practicing psychologists, therefore hypothetical vignettes are given to students to evaluate and resolve an issue using ethical choices. In my opinion, vignettes are an excellent resource for students to practice and become familiar with the standards set out by the APA. All research in any scientific realm must meet specific and generalized criteria in order for the findings to be deemed appropriate. Students of psychology,

Ethics is suggestive of what is morally right from wrong. This principle applies to many areas professionally and to human beings as they draw on such thoughts. On the other hand, there is more at risk for a professional to act in their best interest by being aware of regulations, limitations, confidentiality, and ethical principles. Subsequently, a violation in the before mentioned can lead to harm, distress, and lawsuits. In the field of psychology, ethics applies not only to human participants but also to animals. Like a manual that provides instructions an individual that are conducting research has various resources to resort to. In psychology, the APA Ethics Code, which includes 15 substandards is often referenced. For the purposes of this discussion, this writer will be discussing APA Ethics Code Standard 8, substandards 8.05, 8.06, and 8.07 and how these apply to a research study of this writer’s interest and in research.

Looking beyond the Nuremberg Code and applying it to modern medical research ethics, there are many challenges that it poses. Many have argued that the Code tries to provide for all unforeseen events, which restricts the researcher by requiring him to anticipate every situation, demanding the

It is therefore important for researchers to learn how to interpret, assess, and apply research rules and how to make decisions and act in diverse situations. Most cultures have legal rules that govern behavior, but ethical norms have a tendency to be more informal than laws. “Although most societies use laws to enforce widely accepted moral standards and ethical and legal rules use similar concepts, it is important to remember that ethics and law are not the same. An action may be legal but unethical or illegal but ethical” (Resnik, 2011). This is one reason why social scientist researchers have begun to address the particular ethical issues that arise in their work.

Code of ethics serves as the moral compass that directs and guides the integrity, values, and beliefs of an organization. A code of ethics clarifies to employees what the company stands for and its expectations for employee conduct (Daft, 2013). A well-written code is a true commitment to responsible business practices in that it outlines specific procedures to handle ethical failures. Within the research enterprise, the code of ethics ensures that research projects involving human subjects are carried out without causing harm to the subjects involved. Research ethics also ensure researchers conduct research in an ethical manner. This paper will focus on the regulations and guidelines that govern ethics in research, a study where