Apa code of ethics psychology

Personal Value System Ethical Conflicts

Susan Prather

PSY-570 Ethical Practice in Psychology

Dr. Andrea Felch

October 8, 2017

APA Code of Ethics Prinicples

There are five principles of the American Psychological Association (APA). Each was written to be a guideline for psychology professionals to follow to ensure decisions and advise given have the clients’ best interest in mind.

Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence – Psychology professionals make every effort to only benefit those they work with, and to do no harm. Psychologist take extra precaution to safeguard associates and others their work may effect, and resolve conflicts that occur in ways that minimize harm to those involved (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility – Psychology professionals establish and maintain trusting relationships with coworkers, stay aware of their professional responsibilities to their communities and society as a whole, and minimize conflicts of interest by upholding professional standards consulting other professionals when necessary (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Principle C: Integrity – Psychology professionals only report and promote accurate findings and support those colleagues in which do the same in their teachings and practice. Psychology professionals make efforts to keep promises and when techniques are used in which causes mistrust, a psychology professional must work to mend that trust, and do no harm (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Principle D: Justice – Psychology professionals understand that all persons, no matter what; are entitled to fairness and justice and should benefit from all psychology has to offer. Psychology professionals use and exercise reasonable judgment and are careful not to allow their potential biases to interfere with their work, and to only work within the boundaries of their competence (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Principle E: Respect for People's Rights and Dignity – Psychology professionals respect the dignity and worth of all people, no matter of culture, occupation, sexual orientation, race, gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, or any other factor, nor do they knowingly participate in activities that do (American Psychological Association, 2017).

In the case vignette, Dr. Qualm is facing ethical conflicts with the following principals. Principle A – psychology professionals have a responsibility to do no harm and to not their biases interfere with their profession. If Dr. Qualm does testify, Mr. Beastly may not be sentenced to death; and if he does not testify; he may be sentenced to death. Dr. Qualm is also facing an ethical conflict with Principle B could be affected by him not testifying, since he is an expert in the field.

Another ethical conflict in regard to Dr. Qualm is Principal D- will justice really be served if he does not testify on behalf of the defendant? It is a mental health professional’s obligation to make sure that his decision are just to all those involved; including ones that he does not agree with. The last Principal tenet that Dr. Qualm has an ethical conflict with is Principal E. By not testifying, Dr. Qualm is not respecting the rights and dignity of an individual that deserves it just like any other individual.

APA Code of Ethics Standards

In addition to the Code of Ethical Principals, there are ten standards the APA believes psychological professionals should practice.

Standard 1: Resolving Ethical Issues – Professionals should maintain a professional decorum when there is an ethical issue with another colleague, including discrimination and retaliation towards colleagues that file a complaint (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Standard 2: Competence – Psychological professionals unless emergency, should refer clients to other professionals in which is more capable and competent. Only in cases of emergency, should a psychology professional treat a client outside of their necessary training (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Standard 3: Human Relations – Professionals should follow when it comes to multiple relationships, discrimination, harassment including sexual harassment, and other rights that should be bestowed to clients (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Standard 4: Privacy and Confidentiality – Psychological professionals are to secure private and confidential information and keep information out of the hands of anyone that could do the client harm, keeping the clients’ best interest in mind (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Standard 5: Advertising and Other Public Statements – Psychology professionals are responsible for any advertising statements done on their behalf, be them true or false. Descriptions of seminars and workshops need to be accurate (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Standard 6: Record Keeping and Fees – Psychology professionals are to maintain their client files, must not misrepresent their fees, if they agree to bartering with a client, standard 6 stipulates in which ways bartering is appropriate (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Standard 7: Education and Training – Courses and teachings should be accurate and students and or supervisees are not required to give personal information in coursework (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Standard 8: Research and Publication – Provide true and accurate information to their institution if required to seek permission to conduct research, signed consent, as well as an understanding when it comes to deception in research (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Standard 9: Assessments – Appropriate use of assessments, when and how to release scores from assessments, as well as making sure obsolete assessments are not used (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Standard 10: Therapy – A standard that explains to professionals when it is not appropriate to engage in a therapeutic relationship with clients, explaining professionals not having sexual relations with clients and making sure to get signed consent when necessary (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Standard three addresses the issues of human relations. If Dr. Qualm does not testify for the defense, he is, in essence, discriminating against the defendant because of his socioeconomic status, and the ideological foundation for his trial. Although the case does not designate the race of either Dr. Qualm or Herman Beastly, Mr. Beastly is accused of raping and murdering a young female; and therefore, his social (and sexual) orientation is also on trial while incarcerated awaiting the outcome throughout the trial.

References

American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. Retrieved October 9, 2017, from APA Web site: http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/