The relationship between personal values, moral principles, professional codes and standards in ethical decision-making is complex. Personal values are the beliefs and principles that guide an individual’s behavior and decisions. These values are normally unique in different individuals. Culture, life experiences, personal upbringing and other different aspects of life can influence the differences in personal opinions. Moral principles are the standards of the right and wrong set by society. Professional codes and standards are the rules of conduct set by professional organizations that govern the behavior of their members. All three of these decision-making areas must be considered when making an ethical decision. Psychologists must adhere to the guidelines specified by the ethics code regardless of their values and morals. However, some psychologists might have different views from the ones specified by APA and may even proceed to implement their alternative views during their private time.
The Haeny (2014) article examines the ethical issues involved in psychologists taking a public stance on a controversial issue. Although psychologists are not restricted on how they should behave outside the work environment, they should be conscious of how they react regarding taking a public stance on a controversial issue. Taking a public stance by a psychologist could negatively affect professional relationships and contribute to a conflict between personal and professional commitments, as it could harm the public and their clients. Taking a public stance on a controversial issue could potentially harm clients if it causes them to question the psychologist’s objectivity or impartiality (Haeny, 2014). Additionally, if a psychologist’s public stance is based on personal beliefs rather than scientific evidence, it could misinform the public and harm their understanding of psychology. As a result, psychologists must remain neutral and unbiased to avoid professional conflict. Taking a personal stance could attract a lot of criticism to psychologists from colleagues and the public alike. However, this decision can be important as it can serve as an opportunity for psychologists to voice some crucial issues and make a big difference in their field and society.
Some of the General Principles of the APA Ethics Code that can apply in this issue include Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence. This principle specifies that psychologists should prioritize the needs of their clients and avoid causing harm. The principle states that psychologists should “strive to benefit those with whom they work and take care to do no harm”. However, psychologists are cautioned to be conscious of individuals who might take advantage of their professional status. The other applicable principle, in this case, is principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility requires psychologists to be trustworthy and responsible and to avoid actions that could harm the public or the profession. These principles guide when and how psychologists should take a public stance on a controversial issue. The principle of integrity stipulates psychologists should be honest and avoid intentional misinterpretation of information. Psychologists should be mindful of the information they alter in public as it leaves a lasting impact on the community in the field of psychology.
The standards in Section 5 on advertising and other public statements also relate to this issue. The standards in this section guide the ethical considerations for psychologists when engaging in activities such as media presentations, giving testimonials, and in-person solicitations. For example, Standard 5.01 requires psychologists to avoid making false or deceptive statements. In contrast, Standard 5.02 requires psychologists to ensure that stateaments made by others about their professional services are also accurate and not misleading. Standard 5.04 requires psychologists to ensure that their media presentations are based on scientific evidence and not exaggerated or misleading (American Psychological Association,2017)).
When considering taking a public stance on a controversial issue, there are several steps that a psychologist should take. Psychologists should consider how their behavior might affect current and future professional relationships. Psychologists should avoid utterances that might harm the clients they work with. The other step psychologists should take to avoid using their credentials to pass misleading public utterances supporting a belief that facts and research have not been backed. Psychologists should also consider multiple relationships before taking a public stance to influence others.
Moreover, psychologists should ensure they are familiar with and understand the applicable professional codes and standards, such as those in the APA Ethics Code. Psychologists should also consider conflicts of interest before taking a public stand (American Psychological Association, 2017). They ought to avoid professional relationships when there is a possibility for impairment in objectivity or if the relationship could be harmful or exploitative (Fisher, 2022). Finally, psychologists should ensure that their public stance properly reflects their professional role and responsibilities and is consistent with their professional values.
I strongly believe that a psychologist should avoid speaking publicly on a controversial issue even when their personal views do not align with the field’s consensus. Even though psychologists have the right to free speech and personal beliefs, they are also responsible for prioritizing the well-being of their clients and the public. If a psychologist’s personal views conflict with scientific evidence or professional standards, their public stance could harm the profession’s reputation and misinform the public. Therefore, psychologists must carefully consider the potential impact of their public statements and ensure they are consistent with professional ethics and standards.
References
American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct (2002, amended effective June 1, 2010, and January 1, 2017). http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.html
Fisher, C. B. (2022). Decoding the ethics code: A practical guide for psychologists. Sage Publications.
Haeny, A. M. (2014). Ethical considerations for psychologists taking a public stance on controversial issues: The Balance between personal and professional life. Ethics & Behavior, 24(4), 265–278. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508422.2013.860030
write