Ethics
The study
of what is right and wrong in human behaviour.
Ethics is
based on the foundations of the moral behavior of man, but a substantial
portion of the moral codes are based on religious beliefs, social customs,
norms and traditions.
Indian
ethical ideals and principles are found in the Vedas and in other teachings of
the Indian religions.
Ethics
stands on morality. Morality means conscious living within the frame of certain
principles of conduct laid down by those regarded as authorities. So in general
morality as an institution of life consists in the awareness of an important
distinction between what is and what ought to be.
Source of Morality
Vedas (Srutis) and the Smrtis (Dharmasastras
of Manu) taken together, have been regarded as the source of morality.
The Indian
term for morality and ethics is ‘dharma’. Dharma comes from ‘dhr’, which means
to hold together. And thus the function of dharma is to hold the human society
together for its stability and growth.
Dharma in
the Vedas refers to the highest truth, power and as duty par-excellence.
Dharma is
also generally understood as the duties of humans according to one’s own
Savadharma (सत्व+रजस+तमस) and stage of life (Varnasrama Dharma).
Dharma as
morality means all the duties one ought to perform and all the virtues one
ought to practice to attain moksa, nirvaan or liberation.
Ethical Standards of
Psychological Tests
To prevent
the misuse of psychological tests, the distribution and use of psychological
tests constitutes a major area in Ethical Standards of Psychologists.
1. Only be used
by Qualified Psychologist – Administration of test, nature of test, purpose of
the test, scoring, interpretation of scores, test conditions, conditions that
may affect the test performance, conclusions, recommendations, [Considering
demographics and other relevant information about the individual].
2. Purchase,
Use and Procure of Psychological Tests – The restriction on the distribution of
tests have a dual objective:
(i) security
of test materials and
(ii) prevention of misuse.
3. Confidentiality
of test scores/data.
4. Communicating
Test Results (Self, Parents or Care givers, Teachers, Employer, Administrator).
Great care must be taken in regard to sharing the IQ scores.
5. Protection
of Privacy of subject.
6. Informed
Consent (Self and Parents/Care givers in case of minor).
APA Ethical Standards
Preamble - Psychologists are committed to increasing scientific and
professional knowledge of behavior and people’s understanding of themselves and
others and to the use of such knowledge to improve the condition of
individuals, organizations, and society. Psychologists respect and protect
civil and human rights and the central importance of freedom of inquiry and
expression in research, teaching, and publication. They strive to help the
public in developing informed judgments and choices concerning human behavior.
In doing so, they perform many roles, such as researcher, educator,
diagnostician, therapist, supervisor, consultant, administrator, social
interventionist, and expert witness. This Ethics Code provides a common set of
principles and standards upon which psychologists build their professional and
scientific work. This Ethics Code is intended to provide specific standards to
cover most situations encountered by psychologists. It has as its goals the
welfare and protection of the individuals and groups with whom psychologists
work and the education of members, students, and the public regarding ethical
standards of the discipline. The development of a dynamic set of ethical
standards for psychologists’ work-related conduct requires a personal
commitment and lifelong effort to act ethically; to encourage ethical behavior
by students, supervisees, employees, and colleagues; and to consult with others
concerning ethical problems.
General Principals
1. Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
2. Fidelity and Responsibility
3. Integrity
4. Justice
5. Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity
Ethical Standards
1. Resolving Ethical
Issues
(i) Misuse of Psychologists’ Work
(ii) Conflicts Between Ethics and
Organizational Demands
(iii) Reporting Ethical Violations
(iv) Cooperating with Ethics Committees
2. Competence
(i) Boundaries of Competence
(ii) Providing Services in Emergencies
(iii) Maintaining Competence
(iv) Bases for Scientific and Professional
Judgments
(v) Delegation of Work to Others
(vi) Personal Problems and Conflicts
3. Human Relations
(i) Unfair Discrimination
(ii) Sexual and other Harassment
(iii) Avoiding Harm
(iv) Conflict of Interest
(v) Third-Party Requests for Services
(vi) Exploitative Relationships
(vii) Cooperation with Other Professionals
(viii) Informed Consent
4. Privacy and
Confidentiality
(i) Maintaining Confidentiality
(ii) Discussing the Limits of Confidentiality
(iii) Recording
(iv) Minimizing Intrusions on Privacy
(v) Disclosures
(vi) Consultations
5. Advertising and Other
Public Statements
(i) Avoidance of False or Deceptive
Statements
(ii) Media Presentations
(iii) Testimonials
(iv) In-Person Solicitation
6. Record Keeping and
Fees
(i) Documentation of Professional and
Scientific Work and Maintenance of Records
(ii) Maintenance, Dissemination, and Disposal
of Confidential Records of Professional and Scientific Work
(iii) Withholding Records for Nonpayment
(iv) Fees and Financial Arrangements
(v) Barter with Clients/Patients
7. Education and
Training
(i) Design and Descriptions of Education and
Training Programs
(ii) Accuracy in Teaching
(iii) Student Disclosure of Personal Information
(iv) Sexual Relationships with Students and
Supervisees
8. Research and
Publication
(i) Institutional Approval
(ii) Informed Consent to Research
(iii) Informed Consent for Recording Voices and
Images in Research
(iv) Client/Patient, Student, and Subordinate
Research Participants
(v) Offering Inducements for Research
Participation
(vi) Deception in Research
(vii) Debriefing
(viii) Humane Care and Use of Animals in Research
(ix) Reporting Research Results
(x) Plagiarism
(xi) Duplicate Publication of Data
(xii) Sharing Research Data for Verification
9. Assessment
(i) Bases for Assessments
(ii) Use of Assessments
(iii) Informed Consent in Assessments
(iv) Release of Test Data
(v) Test Construction
(vi) Interpreting Assessment Results
(vii) Assessment by Unqualified Persons
(viii) Obsolete Tests and Outdated Test Results
(ix) Test Scoring and Interpretation Services
(x) Explaining Assessment Results
(xi) Maintaining Test Security
10. Therapy
(i) Informed Consent to Therapy
(ii) Therapy Involving Couples or Families
(iii) Group Therapy
(iv) Providing Therapy to Those Served by
Others
(v) Sexual Intimacies with Current or Former
Therapy Clients/Patients
(vi) Sexual Intimacies with Relatives or
Significant Others of Current Therapy Clients/Patients
(vii) Interruption of Therapy
(viii) Terminating Therapy
References:
Anastasi, A. (1976).
Psychological testing-Macmillan.
Freeman, F. S. (1965). Theory and
Practice of Psychological Testing. Mohan Primlain: New Delhi.
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