Explain the differences between the ethical standards for clients being treated by psychologists in counseling sessions and the standards for conducting psychological research with human participants.

Section 8 include guidelines for psychologists when conducting research while section 10 includes guidelines for psychologists to follow during therapy sessions. Informed consent is present within each standard, however clients participating in research are consenting to participate in the research and are informed about the research being conducted while clients receiving therapy are agreeing to receive the treatment involved including the responsibility to pay as well as the therapist’s role in therapy. Participants are consenting to participate in the full extent of the research and not withdrawal, whereas counseling sessions are aimed to help the individual find healing leading to fewer counseling sessions. Although the purpose of conducting the research may include a variety of reasons, research is done to gain more knowledge while therapy is done to implement strategies that aims to improve the health and well-being of the client.

Consider your future career in the field of psychology and describe the parts of the Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.you expect to relate directly to your future career.

In my future career as a Guidance Counselor, there are several sections that are directly related to this career. These include Section2: Competence, Section 3: Human Relations, Section 4: Privacy and Confidentiality, Section 6: Record Keeping and Fees, Section 7: Education and Training, and Section 9: Assessments (American Psychological Association, 2010). While most of the sections in some way relate to my future career, these are the most closely related. It is essential to provide services and conduct duties that are within the scope of my competence. This is based on a number of factors including my education, training, and experience. Human Relations principles are essential to follow as it is important to refrain from harassing others including sexual harassment, discrimination, while avoiding harm to others and maintaining professional relationships. Keeping records and information private including storing and disposing information as well as maintaining confidentiality is also critical. Ongoing education and training is significant in the role of Guidance Counselor. This includes continuously striving to gain knowledge that will assist in helping students succeed while growing personally and professionally. As a Guidance Counselor, there may be times when the use of assessments will be necessary. I must ensure that the assessments used are appropriately and directly relates to the purpose for which it is being used.

Select and provide the number for one ethical requirement that applies specifically to psychological research and briefly summarize the standard. Explain why this requirement may not apply to a therapy situation.

Section 8.04 discusses individuals participating in research. When research is being conducted, it is essential that appropriate steps are taken to ensure participants participating in the research do not encounter any adverse effects and refrain from withdrawing (American Psychological Association, 2010). If the research is required as part of a course, alternative options must be offered. Although in therapy sessions, the psychologist aims to ensure no harm or adverse effects are done to the patient, the goal of conducting the research is to gain more knowledge. Attempting to keep participants from withdrawing is to aim at completing the entire experiment and receive the most data that will contribute additional information when evaluating the results. This would be different in a therapy situation as the goal of therapy is to enhance the individual’s health and well-being, eventually leading to reduced or no longer needing therapy. Therapy may be mandated and therefore there may not be an alternative option. For example, if therapy is court ordered, there may be no alternative options.

References

American Psychological Association. (2010). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct: Including 2010 amendments (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx