ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (APA)

• World’s largest association of psychologists.

• Membership of more than 137,000• Founded in 1892• Headquarters at Washington D.C, United

States of America.• Aims at advancement in creation,

communication and application of psychological knowledge.

MEANING OF ETHICS• Philosophical term.• Greek word “ethos" meaning character.• Rules of conduct recognized as

appropriate to a particular profession or way of life.

• According to Collins Dictionary(1979), “ethical means accordance with principle of conduct that are considered correct especially those for a given profession.”

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

• Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence• Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility• Principle C: Integrity• Principle D: Justice• Principle E: Respect for People’s Right and

Dignity

ETHICAL STANDARD• Resolving Ethical issues• Competence• Human Relations• Privacy and Confidentiality• Advertising and Other Public Statements• Record Keeping and Fees• Education and Training• Research and Publication• Assessment• Therapy

RESOLVING ETHICAL ISSUES

• Misuse of psychologist’s work• Conflicts between ethics, law and legal

authorities• Conflicts between ethics and

organization demand• Informal resolution of ethical violation• Improper complaints

COMPETENCE

• Boundaries of competence• Providing services in emergencies• Maintaining competence• Bases for scientific and professional

judgments• Delegation of work to others• Personal problems and conflicts

HUMAN RELATIONS

• Unfair discrimination• Sexual and other harassment• Avoiding harm• Multiple relationships• Third -party request for services• Cooperation with other professional• Informed consent

PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY• Maintaining confidentiality• Discussing limits of confidentiality• Recording• Disclosures• Consultations• Use of information for didactic or other

purpose

ADVERTISING AND OTHER PUBLIC STATEMENTS

• Avoidance of false and deceptive statements

• Statements by others• Media presentations

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• Design of education and training programs

• Description of education and training programs

• Accuracy in teaching• Student disclosure of personal

information

RECORD KEEPING AND FEES

• Documentation of professional and scientific work and maintenance

of records • Withholding records for payments• Fees and financial arrangements• Barter with clients

RESEARCH AND PUBLICATION

• Institutional approval• Informed consent to research• Informed consent for recording and

images• Deception

GUIDELINES FOR ETHICAL CONDUCT IN THE CARE AND USE OF ANIMALS

• Guidelines developed by APA for use by psychologists working with non-human animal subjects.

• Informed by section 8.09. • Acquisition ,care ,use ,housing, disposition

of animals in research must be according to the guidelines.

BASIC GUIDELINES

1. Justification of the research 2. Personnel3. Care and housing of laboratory animals4. Acquisition of laboratory animals5. Experimental procedures6. Field research7. Educational use of non-human animals

JUSTIFICATION OF RESEARCH

• Clear scientific purpose• Purpose should be of scientific potential

significance• Aware of literature, use alternatives ,minimize

number and choosing best species.• Institutional animal care & use committee

(IACUC)• Monitoring the research

PERSONNEL

• Familiar with guidelines• Conform to the Animal Welfare Act and

applicable federal regulations• Information about behavioral

characteristics• Explicit instructions

CARE AND HOUSING OF LABORATORY ANIMALS

• No specific guidelines for psychological well-being

• Housing facilities should meet current guidelines

• Procedures to be reviewed by ISCUC and reviews from corresponding committee

• Responsibility of psychologist and lab keeper under supervision by IACUC

ACQUISITION OF LABORATORY ANIMALS

• Lawfully acquired and consulted for information regarding regulation

• Responsibility of transporters• Trapped in a humane manner• Proper use of endangered , threatened

or imported animals

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES• Observational and non-invasive forms are acceptable• Use of behavioral procedures , minimal level of

aversion and testing painful stimulation on themselves

• Euthanizing before consciousness is acceptable• More than momentary and slight aversive stimulation

only in extreme situations• Justification from IACUC for prolonged aversion,

tissue damage , metabolic disturbances• Avoiding muscle relaxants or paralytics without

anesthesia

• Using aseptic techniques during surgery -under trained person -under anesthesia till the end -postoperative monitoring -avoiding multiple surgery• Should not be released in wild• Euthanasia with legislation of health,

environment , aesthetic concern of IACUC

FIELD RESEARCH

• Materially altering behavior and damage to ecosystem

• Minimum disturbance to the population and areas

• Avoiding such research on endangered species

EDUCATIONAL USE

• Used for educational purposes only after review by an IACUC or committee appropriate to the institution.

• Consideration should be given to the possibility of using non-animal alternatives.