PSYC-6002 Discussion: Ethical Considerations

PSYC-6002 Discussion: Ethical Considerations

Ethical concerns can be complex, particularly in the various careers that psychology graduates pursue. This week, you received an introduction to professional ethics. This discussion allows you to contemplate what ethical principles signify in psychology and how they might affect you as a professional.

To prepare for this Discussion:

1. Explore the information on ethics provided on the APA websites listed in this week’s Learning Resources.
2. Examine the General Principles of the APA Ethical Standards from the resource titled “Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct” found in the Learning Resources.
3. Choose one of these principles and think about its relevance to your program or specialization.
4. Take a moment to envision what success means to you, especially in completing this program, and consider how you can apply what you learn to promote positive social change.

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With these thoughts in mind:

By Day 3:

Post a concise explanation of the principle you selected from the General Principles of the APA Ethical Standards, summarizing it in your own words. Describe how this principle could be applied in your area of specialization and why it’s important.

Be sure to support your posts and responses with specific references to this week’s Learning Resources.

By Day 5:

Respond to two of your colleagues and continue the discussion through Day 7. Choose one of the ethical principles discussed by your peers and share your thoughts on how it relates to promoting positive social change. Describe an act of positive social change that you anticipate resulting from your psychology specialization or program.

Return to this Discussion periodically to read responses to your initial post and reply as desired. Reflect on what you’ve learned and any insights gained from your colleagues’ comments.

One of the ethical principles of practicing psychologists found on the American Psychological Association (APA) website is the first principle, “beneficence and nonmaleficence” (APA, 2010). This principle emphasizes the importance of psychologists ensuring that their work benefits those they serve and causes no harm (APA, 2010). Understanding the impact of treatments is crucial, especially as I work towards becoming a behavior analyst.

According to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (2014), “effective treatment procedures have been validated as having both long-term and short-term benefits to clients and society.” As a future professional in psychology, particularly as a behavior analyst, using ethical treatment protocols is vital. Unethical practices do not create positive change; they can be detrimental to clients, their families, and the field as a whole.

Currently, I work in the field as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), and I strive to adhere to the treatment procedures set forth by the behavior analyst. This adherence ensures the client’s safety and promotes their well-being.

References

American Psychological Association. (2010). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. American Psychological Association.

http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx

Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2014). Compliance code for behavior analysts. BACB.

https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/BACB-Compliance-Code-english_190318.pdf PSYC-6002 Discussion: Ethical Considerations.