Science and ethical behavior.

Major sections are Impact of Science (Evolution and Ethics, Psychoanalysis and Ethics) and Ethical Implications of Psychology (Freedom of Choice, The Process of Choice, Control of Behavior). "The paper might be thought of as a highly tentative effort to identify some of the parameters of an important human problem by examining the point of intersection of the trajectories of professional and scientific psychology." 3 conceptions related to science and troublesome to ethical theories are specified. "… psychological knowledge should result in more ethical behavior: (a) by clarifying the process of decision making; (b) by divesting repressed responses already in the individual's repertory of their anxiety-producing potential, thus making them useful in problem solving; and (c) by adding to the response repertory of the individual a number of alternative ways of behaving." 21 refs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Preparing school psychologists: Perspectives on program design and training goals.

Describes the miniseries found within the current issue of Professional School Psychology: "Preparing School Psychologists: Perspectives on Program Design and Training Goals." Each of the four articles chosen presents a thoughtful and informative analysis of issues related to the miniseries topic. The first article argues for training school psychologists as "data-based problem solvers." The second paper examines the training of ethical principles and behavior in school psychology. The third article explores both the demographics and professional attitudes that are expected to be the major influences upon future training practices in school psychology. The final article of the miniseries presents a rationale for developing training efforts based on the research and principles of behavioral psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

N + 1 ways not to run a railroad.

Although "attacking what I consider to be a series of simplistic fallacies in thinking about social control, it is my intention to encourage a responsible realistic discussion of the issues." One fallacy is that it is possible to establish a completely unchanging social order, a "total state" which once established will continue running in unchanging form. "A second fallacy in thinking about social control in the 'total state' is that the major problems are those of political loyalty." A third fallacy is "the tacit assumption that the problem of social control is solely one of the control of individual behavior." The determinism versus free-will controversy is irresolvable. Complete determinism "can never be proven or disproven for one reason: our knowledge is and must always be finite." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Privacy and behavioral research.

There is a "conflict of… scientific research with the right… of private personality." Traditional methods of behavioral research may, on occasion, involve a violation of the individual claim to private personality. 2 central ethical issues are the degree of individual consent that exists and the degree of confidentiality that is maintained. Whenever possible, "both consent and anonymity should be sought in behavioral research." 7 principles are suggested for inclusion in a general code of ethics for behavioral research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Professional education in industrial psychology: A statement of policy.

"The industrial psychologist should be a broadly trained psychologist… . Education in industrial psychology should provide grounding in psychological theory… . The curriculum should provide knowledge of the problem areas of industrial psychology… . Education in industrial psychology should include knowledge in other areas important in business and industry… . The student should become familiar with a very wide variety of research tools, methods, and procedures… . The education of an industrial psychologist should be realistic… . The education of industrial psychologists should include discussion of the ethical problems likely to arise in industry." The stated principles "should be interpreted in a flexible rather than a rigid fashion." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Some problems of defining ethical behavior.

Several issues are raised including: the definition of professional versus commercial standards, restriction on the scope of the professional relationship, the maintenance of test security, the question of to whom to release test scores, test publication and advertising practices, and the problem of client welfare. "Unless we clean house by a tough minded tightening of standards and a more effective campaign against questionable practices engaged in by a few psychologists, all psychologists will suffer by implication in the eyes of the general public." 3 cornerstones of ethical behavior are: high standards of personal competence, painstaking avoidance of misrepresentations, and primary concern for the integrity and welfare of the persons with whom the psychologist works. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Moral issues in psychotherapy.

"The first moral obligation of the psychotherapist is to be competent. The more skillful he becomes, the better he fulfills his main ethical responsibility." 4 typical examples of moral issues which arise frequently in the practice of psychotherapy are specified. "One of the falsehoods with which some therapists console themselves is that their form of treatment is purely technical, so they need take no stand on moral issues… . The illusion that our art transcends morality has kept us from forthright study of the ethical and religious disciplines. We psychologists would take a dim view of any experts in philosopy and religion who might hang out a shingle to practice psychotherapy. We would deplore their lack of training in our discipline. My thesis is that scholars in religions and ethics have a right to take an equally dim view of most psychotherapists." The "meaning and contribution of psychotherapy will be enlarged as its practitioners add to their growing technical competence a broader and deeper realization of life's persistent ethical problems." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Where lies social responsibility?

L. Krasner's article, "Behavior Control and Social Responsibility" (see record 1963-00116-001) bypassed several points of view which might clarify some of the issues discussed, and at the same time tone down what seems to be an exaggerated claim for urgency in dealing with problems of social responsibility. In the matter of considering moral and ethical issues, it is important to proceed with calmness and careful consideration rather than to become overly excited about finding the "right" solution. Even the "psychologist-researcher" is human and when he turns his hand to such things as communicating to the lay public he may fall into the pattern of the "sensationalists and popularizers," though obviously not so crudely. First among three basic questions and answers presented by Krasner is that concerning whether or not human behavior is controllable. His answer is to the effect that there is overwhelming experimental evidence that human behavior is controllable. Such a statement seems exaggerated in the face of other evidence from both experimental and clinical impressions. Krasner states that there is a "subtle but important" difference between the "psychology of behavior control" and the science of psychology. There are several objections to some of Krasner's implications that the behavioral scientist is not or at least is less bound by an ethical and moral system. There seem to be no logical grounds for distinguishing in principle between an ethics for behavioral scientists and an ethics for behavior controllers. The atomic scientists produced a bomb as scientists employed by their government while at war. They did their job effectively. As informed private citizens they held some moral reservations as to the consequences of their scientific endeavors. The behavioral scientist and the behavior controller can also perform their professional tasks dispassionately and efficiently, but as people they might well look to the ethical and moral issues involved. They can choose to take appropriate ethical and moral action as private citizens who have the advantages of specialized knowledge. The behavioral scientist and the behavior controller are not to be compartmentalized into a patchwork of separate roles, rather they are to see themselves as integrated individuals functioning in various ways which on occasion may bring about a conflict in ethical and moral values. Then they should be enabled to resolve the conflicts for themselves on a rational basis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Concerning professional ethics.

The ethical problem "is often too narrowly defined… . Whom or what should a profession serve? The nation? Its own economic interests? The public? The will of God? Humanity? Creative evolution? Or what?… How shall one draw the line between 'objective documentation' and a simple violation of confidences? Are certain methods appropriate to the very elite of psychology but in journalism appropriate only to those who are considered to be the scandal mongering fringe? This issue illustrates the perennial ethical problem of the relation between means and ends. Are certain methods meritorious when pursued by progressives, but unspeakably vile when used by conservatives? Or vice-versa?… The greatest power in the world is the power of rational decision. Atomic physics deals with the release of great forces, but answers to ethical questions may be the decisive ones for the future of humanity." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychotherapy or massage parlor technology? Comments on the Zeiss, Rosen, and Zeiss treatment procedure.

Argues that there are numerous ethical, moral, philosophical, and social psychological issues involved in modern sex therapy. Psychologists have accorded sex therapy a warm reception into the field, but present ethical guidelines are insufficient to protect clients from psychological damage in the form of massive intrusions on privacy and reoriented moral and religious values. Further, the more explicit procedures seem to carry a message to society that "anything goes." The procedure employed by A. M. Zeiss et al (see record 1978-01520-001) is used as a reference point for discussing these issues. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Responding to therapists' sexual abuse of adult incest survivors: Ethical and legal considerations.

Adult survivors of incest are high-risk candidates for subsequent sexual abuse by their therapists. As with incest, therapists' sexual abuse of their patients has become known as "the problem with no name." In addition, many of the ways in which the profession of psychology and the judicial system respond to patients' allegations of sexual abuse by their therapists often parallel the responses family members and authority figures made to the original allegations of incest. This article discusses some of the complex interactions among therapeutic dynamics and ethical and legal issues associated with this professional dilemma, and outlines ways in which the profession might begin to address this dilemma. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Value orientations: An ethical dilemma.

"The psychologist as a scientist limits himself to what is; his choice of field of inquiry in his quest for truth involves values which are purely personal. But as a practitioner, the psychologist must be concerned with what should be… . The point of view of this article is that the involvement of the psychologist's own values in the applied field creates an ethical dilemma… . As we present the controversy over values, we will assemble them into four main orientations: naturalism, culturalism, humanism, and theism." Each of these orientations is discussed. A "start in untieing the ethical knot" has been made "by suggesting that value orientations be removed from under the proverbial bushel and, once out in the open, be dealt with as objectively as possible." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

And Esau was an hairy man.

Attention is focussed on "certain aspects of the professional behavior of industrial psychologists… . It is within the realm of possibility for legitimate PhDs in the profession of psychology to exhibit various shades of professional behavior under various levels of motivation. Both inside and outside the profession of psychology, alarms have arisen about the potential misuse of behavioral sciences in the control of human behavior." Attributes of professional and nonprofessional occupations are distinguished. What can be done to preserve our present status as professionals and also insure true professional behavior on the part of industrial psychologists? Realistic ethical codes will only guide the way. "Industrial psychology cannot operate under the rules of the open market. Either we develop acceptable rules of professional service to society or society will define the conditions of psychological practice by legal restrictions. The choice is up to us as to who will shape the future of industrial psychology. Smooth men or hairy ones." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Standards of ethical behavior for psychologists: Report of the committee on ethical standards of psychologists.

Most dissatisfaction with the present code involves its "cumbersome length" and the codifying of professional courtesies rather than the "hard core of ethical issues." 7 criteria adopted by the committee in its efforts at revision of the code are specified. "Containing only 18 major principles, the proposed revision retains the essence of the original code tentatively adopted in 1953." The proposed revision is presented with a preamble. Principles are titled as follows: General, Competence, Moral and Legal Standards, Misrepresentation, Public Statements, Confidentiality, Client Welfare, Client Relationship, Impersonal Services, Advertising, Interprofessional Relationship, Remuneration, Technique Security, Test Interpretation, Test Publication, Harmful After-effects, Publication Credit, Organizational Material. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The incompleteness of social-psychological theory: Examples from small group, cognitive consistency, and attribution research.

Examined interaction in 28 groups in natural settings using the nonparticipant observation method. Results indicate interpersonal blindness in relationships which hindered problem solving on important issues. A "typical world" (Pattern A) was hypothesized in which individuals expressed minimal emotion, openness, and risk taking, in contrast to an "atypical interpsersonal world" (Pattern B) in which "feelings are expressed and risks are taken; in which helping others to own, to be open, and to experiment occurs; and in which the norms of conformity and antagonism become less potent while the norms of individuality and trust become more potent." The values behind Pattern A, their origin and method of change, are discussed. The incompleteness of cognitive balance, attribution, and social evaluation theories in regard to Pattern B is emphasized. It is concluded that "in the social psychology of interpersonal relations the infrequent, deviant behavior may be the competent or 'healthy' behavior." (49 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Committee on the Scientific and Professional Aims of Psychology: Preliminary Report.

"This report concerns some of the issues involved in the increasing diversification of psychology." Focus was "on problems of professionalization in clinical psychology in order: (a) to deal with the problems involving the largest number of psychologists, and (b) to make it possible to speak more specifically about issues." The "training of clinical psychologists for the practice of psychotherapy should be established as a new doctoral program within the university." Interdisciplinary training is encouraged. "Generally we favor awarding a degree other than the PhD at the end of such doctoral training." "None of the present models for training of psychotherapists, whether within clinical psychology, medicine, or social work, are satisfactory means for developing competent practitioners able to meet the needs or expectations of society." Guidelines for legislation are suggested. It was suggested that "perhaps as much as 50% of the [APA Convention] program should be composed of invited talks and papers which would be either integrative in their nature or which would open up new areas in which significant advances are being made." The Committee has proposed suggestions rather than solutions to problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Health care rationing: the public's debate

OBJECTIVE: To elicit the views of a large nationally representative sample of adults on priorities for health services. DESIGN: An interview survey based on a random sample of people aged 16 and over in Great Britain taken by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. SUBJECTS: The response rate to the survey was 75%, and the total number of adults interviewed was 2005. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A priority ranking exercise of health services supplemented with attitude questions about priorities, who should set priorities, and budget allocation. RESULTS: The results of the main priority ranking exercise of 12 health services showed that the highest priority (rank 1) was accorded to "treatments for children with life threatening illness," the next highest priority (rank 2) was accorded to "special care and pain relief for people who are dying." The lowest priorities (11 and 12) were given to "treatment for infertility" and "treatment for people aged 75 and over with life threatening illness." Most respondents thought that surveys like this one should be used in the planning of health services. CONCLUSIONS: The public prioritise treatments specifically for younger rather than older people. There is some public support for people with self inflicted conditions (for example, through tobacco smoking) receiving lower priority for care, which raises ethical issues.     

Confidentiality, ethics, and informed consent.

Comments on the article Protecting confidentiality rights: The need for an ethical practice model by Mary Alice Fisher (see record 2007-19520-001). In Fisher's excellent and much-needed article, she rightly implied that when discussing ethical dilemmas, psychologists may find themselves saying "consult an attorney" almost as often as they find themselves saying, "consult a fellow psychologist." Fisher's article was meant to turn the ship so to speak, by providing psychologists with a foundation for thinking clearly about confidentiality issues--a foundation that does not use legal arguments as primary building blocks. The above being said, we offer comments about four issues that we hope will add to the fine ideas expressed by Fisher. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The misbehavior of organisms.

"In our attempt to extend a behavioristically oriented approach to the engineering control of animal behavior by operant conditioning techniques, we have fought a running battle with the seditious notion of instinct." Several instances of persistent nonreinforced behavior which interfere with learning "represent a clear and utter failure of conditioning theory." Persistent "behaviors to which… animals drift are clear-cut examples of instinctive behaviors… . It seems obvious that these animals are trapped by strong instinctive behaviors, and clearly we have here a demonstration of the prepotency of such behavior patterns over those which have been conditioned." In recent years "ethological facts and attitudes… have done more to advance our practical control of animal behavior than recent reports from American 'learning labs." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)