Impact of the APA's Ethical Standards and Codes

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Evaluate the impact of the APA's ethical standards and codes on professional practice in the field of psychology.

NOTE: According to the American Psychological Association's (APA's) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, principles are not enforceable rules, and are said to only be considered by psychologists in arriving at an ethical course of action..." See: http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx

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Standards & Codes - Found on PAGE 3: http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx

Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence.

"Psychologists strive to benefit those with whom they work and take care to do no harm. In their professional actions, psychologists seek to safeguard the welfare and rights of those with whom they interact professionally and other affected persons, and the welfare of animal subjects of research. When conflicts occur among psychologists' obligations or concerns, they attempt to resolve these conflicts in a responsible fashion that avoids or minimizes harm. Because psychologists' scientific and professional judgments and actions may affect the lives of others, they are alert to and guard against personal, financial, social, organizational, or political factors that might lead to misuse of their influence. Psychologists strive to be aware of the possible effect of their own physical and mental health on their ability to help those with whom they work."

Firstly, beneficence is "the doing of good; active goodness or kindness; charity." Maleficence is the doing of evil or harm, thus Nonmaleficence is the opposite, or simply *not* doing harm. The impact of this standard on professional practice in the field of psychology is that psychologists must work to do good (no harm) unto oneself or those in treatment.

PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD:

* Jeffrey Barnett, Psy.D. (n.d.) emphasizes that, "without necessary attention to our own care we will not adequately be able to help others and prevent harm to them."
http://www.e-psychologist.org/index.iml?mdl=exam/show_article.mdl&Material_ID=24

* Dr. Stevens Atkins says, "Our roles may affect others so be alert to and guard against personal/financial factors that might lead to misuse of influence..."
http://drstevenatkins.com/nhpa_supv.pdf

* Virginia Gutman of Gallaudet University says, "When deaf clients are improperly diagnosed, inappropriately treated, or refused needed treatment, [Beneficence & Nonmaleficence] principles are violated.
See: http://jdsde.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/10/2/171.pdf

* Lefaivre, et al reference, "researchers should provide information that may positively impact quality of life or reduce harm. Moreover, researchers are obligated to provide any information to a participant's parents or ...