which ethical principle protects human subjects from harm

#Which ethical principle protects human subjects from harm code#
#Which ethical principle protects human subjects from harm professional#

#Which ethical principle protects human subjects from harm code#

The actions that APA may take for violations of the Ethics Code include actions such as reprimand, censure, termination of APA membership, and referral of the matter to other bodies. The procedures for filing, investigating, and resolving complaints of unethical conduct are described in the current Rules and Procedures of the APA Ethics Committee.

#Which ethical principle protects human subjects from harm professional#

If neither law nor the Ethics Code resolves an issue, psychologists should consider other professional Footnote 1 and the dictates of their own conscience, as well as seek consultation with others within the field when this is practical. If the Ethics Code standard appears to conflict with the requirements of law, then psychologists make known their commitment to the Ethics Code and take steps to resolve the conflict in a responsible manner. If the Ethics Code establishes a higher standard of conduct than is required by law, psychologists must meet the higher ethical standard. In the process of making decisions regarding their professional behavior, psychologists must consider this Ethics Code, in addition to applicable laws and psychology board regulations. However, compliance with or violation of the Ethics Code may be admissible as evidence in some legal proceedings, depending on the circumstances.

These results are based on legal rather than ethical rules. Whether or not a psychologist has violated the Ethics Code does not by itself determine whether he or she is legally liable in a court action, whether a contract is enforceable, or whether other legal consequences occur. The Ethics Code is intended to provide standards of professional conduct that can be applied by the APA and by other bodies that choose to adopt them. These work-related activities can be distinguished from the purely private conduct of a psychologist, which ordinarily is not within the purview of the Ethics Code. It includes the clinical or counseling practice of psychology, research, teaching, supervision of trainees, development of assessment instruments, conducting assessments, educational counseling, organizational consulting, social intervention, administration, and other activities as well.

This Ethics Code applies only to psychologists' work-related activities, that is, activities that are part of the psychologists' scientific and professional functions or that are psychological in nature. Psychologists and students, whether or not they are APA members, should be aware that the Ethics Code may be applied to them by state psychology boards, courts, or other public bodies. Membership in the APA commits members to adhere to the APA Ethics Code and to the rules and procedures used to implement it.

The fact that a given conduct is not specifically addressed by the Ethics Code does not mean that it is necessarily either ethical or unethical. The Ethical Standards are not exhaustive. Most of the Ethical Standards are written broadly, in order to apply to psychologists in varied roles, although the application of an Ethical Standard may vary depending on the context. The Ethical Standards set forth enforceable rules for conduct as psychologists. Although the Preamble and General Principles are not themselves enforceable rules, they should be considered by psychologists in arriving at an ethical course of action and may be considered by ethics bodies in interpreting the Ethical Standards. The Preamble and General Principles are aspirational goals to guide psychologists toward the highest ideals of psychology. The Introduction discusses the intent, organization, procedural considerations, and scope of application of the Ethics Code. The American Psychological Association's (APA's) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (hereinafter referred to as the Ethics Code) consists of an Introduction, a Preamble, six General Principles (A - F), and specific Ethical Standards. Copyright © 1992 American Psychological Association.