Ethics Ch's 1-3 Flashcards
An aspirational code is
Fisher, Celia B.. Decoding the Ethics Code (p. 5).
composed of statements of broadly worded ideals and principles that do not attempt to define with any precision right and wrong behaviors.
An educational code
combines ethical principles with more explicit interpretations that can help individual professionals make informed decisions in morally ambiguous contexts.
An enforceable code
includes a set of standards that specifically describe behaviors required and proscribed by the profession and is designed to serve as a basis for adjudicating grievances (Frankel, 1996).
APA was founded in […] by […]
The first ethics code was formally enacted in […]
The process chosen to establish ethics code was […].
WW1: […]
WW2: […]
APA was founded in 1892 by G. Stanley Hall
The first ethics code was formally enacted in 1953
The process chosen to establish ethics code was critical incident method.
WW1: 1914-1918
WW2: 1939-1945
Ethical Absolutism, Ethical Relativism, and Ethical Contextualism
The first, termed “ethical absolutism,” adopts the universal perspective of the deontic position and rejects the influence of culture on the identification and resolution of ethical problems in a manner that can lead to a one-size-fits-all form of ethical problem solving.
In sharp contrast, “ethical relativism,” often associated with some forms of utilitarianism and communitarianism, denies the existence of universal or common moral values characterizing the whole of human relationships, proposing instead that how ethical problems are identified and resolved is unique to each particular culture or community.
Ethical contextualism, variously known as cross-cultural ethics or moral realism, blends the two approaches and assumes that moral principles such as beneficence, integrity, social justice, and respect for people’s rights and dignity are or should be universally valued across diverse contexts and cultures, but the expression of an ethical problem and the right actions to resolve it can be unique to the cultural context.
ETHICS THEORIES:
Deontology or Kantian Ethics
What is a categorical imperative?
Deontology has been described as “absolutist,” “universal,” and “impersonal” (Kant, 1785/1959). It prioritizes absolute obligations over consequences. In this moral framework, ethical decision making is the rational act of applying universal principles to all situations irrespective of specific relationships, contexts, or consequences.
Categorical Imperative: an unconditional moral obligation which is binding in all circumstances and is not dependent on a person’s inclination or purpose.
Principle E
Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity.
Principle E calls for psychologists to “respect the dignity and worth of all people, and the rights of individuals to privacy, confidentiality, and self-determination.”
Principle B
Fidelity and Responsibility.
Psychologists establish relationships of trust with those w/ whom they work. They are aware of their professional and scientific responsibilities to society and to the specific communities in which they work.
Psychologists recognize their responsibility to obtain and maintain high standards of competence in their own work and to be concerned about the ethical compliance of their colleagues.
Principle C
Integrity.
Maintaining integrity in psychological activities requires honest communication; truth telling; promise keeping; and accuracy in the science, teaching, and practice of psychology.
Principle D
Justice.
Principle D calls for psychologists to strive to provide all people with fair, equitable, and appropriate access to treatment and the benefits of scientific knowledge. Psychologists endeavor to be aware of and guard against their own biases and the prejudices of others that may condone or lead to unjust practices.
The Ethics Code includes six general standard sections that apply to all psychological activities: Name 1-6.
There are four additional sections reflecting specialized activities of psychologists: Name 1-4
Fisher, Celia B.. Decoding the Ethics Code (pp. 7-8). SAGE Publications. Kindle Edition.
(1) Resolving Ethical Issues,
(2) Competence,
(3) Human Relations,
(4) Privacy and Confidentiality,
(5) Advertising and Other Public Statements, and
(6) Record Keeping and Fees.
These standards are worded broadly to apply to the spectrum of scientific and professional work performed by psychologists.
(1) Education and Training,
(2) Research and Publication,
(3) Assessment, and
(4) Therapy.
The moral values from which the APA Ethical Standards stem are articulated in […]. These principles are aspirational, intended to inspire psychologists toward the highest ethical ideals of the profession. Unlike the Ethical Standards, […]. These principles articulate the moral vision of psychology’s common community of purpose.
The moral values from which the APA Ethical Standards stem are articulated in five General Principles. These principles are aspirational, intended to inspire psychologists toward the highest ethical ideals of the profession. Unlike the Ethical Standards, they do not represent specific or enforceable behavioral rules of conduct. These principles articulate the moral vision of psychology’s common community of purpose.
Utilitarianism or Consequentialism
What is an act vs. rule utilitarian?
Utilitarian theory prioritizes the consequences (or utility) of an act over the application of universal principles (Mill, 1861/1957).
From this perspective, an ethical decision is situation specific and must be governed by a risk–benefit calculus that determines which act will produce the greatest possible balance of good over bad consequences.
An “act utilitarian” makes an ethical decision by evaluating the consequences of an act for a given situation.
A “rule utilitarian” makes an ethical decision by evaluating whether following a general rule in all similar situations would create the greater good.
Like deontology, utilitarianism is impersonal: It does not take into account interpersonal and relational features of ethical responsibility.
What are the 5 principles?
Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility
Principle C: Integrity
Principle D: Justice
Principle E: Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity
What does Principle A mean?
Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
Principle A reflects psychologists’ dual obligation to strive to do good and avoid doing harm
promoting the welfare of others; treating people and animals humanely; increasing scientific and professional knowledge of behavior and people’s understanding of themselves; and improving the condition of individuals, organizations, and society
