Ethical principles

MORAL AND ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF THE RESEARCHING PSYCHOLOGIST

1.The researcher must be competent, which implies:

a) good theoretical preparation

b) deep knowledge of psychodiagnostic methods and the rules of their use

c) availability of sufficient experience in the practical use of relevant methodologies

Each psychodiagnostic methodology is based on a psychological theory, so a broad and deep analysis, and conclusions about the phenomenon under study can be made only by mastering the relevant theory well. However, only an excellent knowledge of the theory is not enough; one must also have a deep knowledge of the methodologies, the process of their use, the rules of data analysis, and interpretation. In addition, it is necessary to have sufficient experience in the practical use of the relevant methodology, skills, and abilities in order to analyze and interpret the results. Otherwise, the researcher may make serious mistakes while conducting the research, analyzing the results, interpreting, and drawing conclusions. No psychologist can be competent in the use of all the tests, therefore, when using any test, one must be fully prepared in advance. Researcher must have information about the validity, reliability, and limitations of the applied method. In order to use some tests, psychologist even has to have a special license (E.g. the California Psychological Questionnaire).

2. Before starting the actual research, researcher must accurately assess its ethical acceptability, that is, how much the research plan corresponds to the principles of conducting research. When choosing the methodology, researcher must be objective, not preferring any method, but choose them based on the interests of the research. The applied methodology must correspond to the set goals of the research.

3. Before starting the research, researcher must inform the participants about all the aspects of the research that might affect their willingness to participate. The participant must have a certain idea about the goals, process, and nuances of testing. It is necessary to warn him that in the course of the research he may unwittingly give such information about himself, his thoughts, and feelings which he himself does not realize. The researcher should answer the experimenter’s questions about the research as comprehensively as possible.

4. It is not allowed to expose a person to psychological examination against his will or without his knowledge, except for special cases, judicial, medical practice according to the law. Research with children can be carried out only with the consent of parents or their substitutes. Moreover, the latter must have moral and legal responsibility towards children. The researcher must respect the experimenter's right to reduce or discontinue participation in the study at any time.

5. Research should begin with the establishment of a clear and fair agreement between the sniffer and the subject, which divides the responsibilities of the parties. The researcher must take into consideration all the promises and agreements included in that agreement.

6. Researcher must treat the participants with respect, take care of their dignity and well-being. The psychologist must refrain from "placing labels," showing prejudice towards the researched. He is also responsible for the moral attitude of his colleagues, assistants, and students towards the experimenters.

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF THE PRACTICAL PSYCHOLOGIST'S ACTIVITY

Ethical principles of the practical psychologist’s activity

In a number of developed countries, there are moral codes of psychologists that regulate their professional activities. Violation of the requirements and standards (criteria) constituting those codes may lead to the deprivation of the psychologist's qualification, diploma, and psychological services.

The problem of applied psychology is not only the lack of separation of psychologists and the lack of a single formed list of principles that regulate professional activity, but also the fact that in our country there are still no carefully developed procedures and protocols to issue a license (authorization document) in order to carry out private psychological activity, as well as the form and the content of the state control in this area are not defined. the form and content of the state control in the field. The mandatory content of the psychologist's moral codes are a number of the most important requirements and principles of a universal nature, the observance of which is the guarantee of the effective activity of a practical psychologist.

PRINCIPLES

1. Respect for basic human rights and dignity

Recognizing the uniqueness, inimitability and absolute value and importance of each person is one of the important conditions of psychological activity. Psychologist respects everyone's right to personal life, privacy, self-determination, and autonomy, as well as he takes care to resolve situations in which legal, professional or other duties come into conflict with the realization of these rights.

2. Care for the well-being and well-being of the visitor

Do not harm, similar to the basic principle of medical practice, this provision should become the main one, regulating every action of the psychologist and his professional relationships.

3. Competence (Authority)

Psychologist must strive to maintain high standards of authority at work, while accepting the certain limitations of his professional authority. Thus, psychologist can perform only those services and use only those methods to which the appropriate professional qualification applies, with documents on education, certificates of trainings in specific applied branches of psychology. Where accepted professional standards have not yet been developed, psychologist must act very carefully and use all the possible measures to protect the welfare of those with whom he works.

4. Honesty

Psychologist in his professional activity must be honest with the people with whom he has professional relationships. When communicating information about his qualifications, services, and salary, he has no right to make false, untruthful statements and mislead visitors.

5. Prohibition of dual relationships

When carrying out practical activities, psychologist must maintain the purity of professional relations from any other relations and demands (personal, friendly, sexual). In this regard, it is not appropriate to conduct psychological counseling with relatives, friends, and employees as in such relationships unprofessional stereotypes inevitably invade the work and significantly affect its effectiveness.

6. Responsibility

By maintaining high professional standards, explaining his professional role and responsibilities, psychologist takes full responsibility for his behavior.

The ethical and professional principles of organizing the activity of a practical psychologist presented above are universal in nature and determine the level and quality of the work of a professional psychologist.

PRINCIPLES AND ETHICAL NORMS OF THE PSYCHOLOGIST'S PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

Psychologist's professional ethics is realized by the moral requirements specific to his activity, with the norms of behavior both in the relations with colleagues and the scientific association, experimenters, experts, and patients applying for psychological help.

Along with universal moral principles and norms important for the scientists of all categories and ranks (scientific honesty and correctness, refraining from appropriating other people's ideas and research results during the collection of experimental data, refusing to make hasty conclusions based on unverified data, maintaining one's own scientific views in any scientific environment, any science arguing with authorities, etc.), while conducting research, psychologist should not use such methods, techniques, and procedures that will humiliate the dignity and interests of the experimenters. He must strictly observe the non-disclosure and confidentiality guarantees of the information provided by the experimenters. Additionally, he must inform the experimenters about the objectives of the research. In case the experimenter is not aware of the purpose of the scientific experiment in order to avoid knowingly or unconsciously, distorting the information provided by the experimenter, then this should be done after the end of the scientific experiment.

If participation in the research involves the intrusion of the psychologist into the sphere of personal interests or intimate feelings, then the experimenter can be given an opportunity, if needed, to refuse further participation in the research at any time. Giving recommendations based on the obtained results does not release the psychologist from the moral responsibility of the consequences of introducing them into public practice.

Ethical norms of the psychologist

1. The activity of the psychologist is aimed at the realization of humanistic and social goals such as well-being, health, high quality of life, full development of individuals, and groups in various formations of individual and social life. Since the psychologist is not the only specialist whose activity is aimed at the realization of these goals, the exchange of experience and cooperation with other specialists is desirable, and in some cases necessary, without any predisposition towards the latter's competence and knowledge.

2. Psychology as a profession is governed by principles common to all professional ethics: respect for the person, protection of human rights, sense of responsibility, sincerity and honesty towards the visitor (beneficiary), prudence in using tools and measures, professional competence, persistence in achieving the goal of the intervention or intervention and stability in its scientific basis.

3. Psychologists should not participate or contribute to the development of methods against the independence of the individual, his physical and psychological integrity. In addition to being a crime, facilitating the direct development or implementation of torture or mockery is also the most serious violation of the professional ethics of a psychologist. Neither as researchers nor as assistants or collaborators should psychologists participate in torture or other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment, regardless of who is the experimenter, what accusations or suspicions are brought against the person, and what information can be obtained by such means under conditions such as military conflict, civil war, revolutions, acts of terrorism or any other circumstances.

4. At a minimum, psychologists must inform their professional associations of violations of human rights, mockery, cruelty, inhumane or degrading conditions of detention, regardless of who the victim is, as well as any such cases that become known in their professional practice.

5. Psychologists must respect the religious and moral beliefs of their clients and take them into account when making inquiries necessary for professional intervention.

6. When providing help, psychologist should not make a discrimination based on origin, age, race, social affiliation, gender, faith, ideology, nationality, and any other distinguishing indicators.

7. Psychologist should not use the power and superiority provided by his profession over the visitor in order to obtain profit or any advantage, privilege for himself or for a third person.

8. Especially in the case of written documents, psychologist must be extremely careful, restrained and critical of his concepts and conclusions, taking into consideration that they can be perceived as derogatory and discriminatory, for example, normal, abnormal, adapted, non-adapted, intelligent, and mentally retarded.

9. Psychologists should not use manipulative procedures in order to attract certain visitors to them, nor should they act in such a way as to have a monopoly in their field. Psychologists working in public organizations should not take this advantage to expand their private practice.

10. Psychologist should not allow the use of his name or signature for the illegal use of psychological methods by persons who do not have the necessary qualifications and training. Psychologists should inform about all the cases of violation of other people's rights that have become known to them. Useless and lies-based actions should not be covered by the qualification of the psychologist.

11. In case, the personal interests of the visitor are in conflict with the interests of the institution, the psychologist must perform his functions as impartially as possible. Applying for help to a given institution implies the importance of the visitor's interests, respect, and attention to him by a psychologist, who in appropriate circumstances can act as his protector towards the institution's administration (directorate). About professional competence and relations with other professionals.
 
12. The rights and responsibilities of a specialized psychologist are based on the principle of professional independence and autonomy, regardless of the service position held in any organization and professionals with a higher degree, administration.

13. The professional status of a psychologist is based on his abilities and qualifications, which are necessary for the performance of his duties. Psychologist must be professionally trained and have specialization in the use of methods, tools, and measures used in the given field. A part of his job is to keep his professional knowledge and skills up to date.

14. Psychologist should not apply methods and procedures that have not been sufficiently tested within the framework of modern science without a preconceived attitude toward the various theories and schools that exist. In the case of testing, psychological methods that have not yet received a scientific evaluation, the visitor should be informed about this in advance.

15. All the psychological data, such as research results, as well as intervention and treatment data, should be available only to specialized psychologists, whose duties are not to disclose them to incompetent persons. Psychologists must take certain steps to keep the relevant documents.

16. When psychological research or intervention requires close collaboration with professionals from other fields, psychologist should ensure that appropriate interaction is directed to the welfare of the psychologist and the client.

17. Both when applying and presenting to society, psychological methods should not be mixed with methods that do not correspond to the scientific foundations of psychology.

18. Without refusing scientific criticism when necessary, psychologists should not discriminate against colleagues and representatives of other professions who use the same or other scientific methods, and should treat with respect those schools and directions that are scientifically and professionally competent.

19. Psychologist's work is based on the right and duty to respect (and use such treatment) other professionals, especially in those areas that are closely related to psychology.

About the intervention

20. Psychologist must refrain from influence or intervention if he is convinced that his help will be used to the detriment or contrary to the legitimate interests of individuals, groups, organizations, or communities.

21.By influencing individuals, groups, organizations or communities, psychologist must provide them with the necessary information about the main problems to be solved, the goals set and the methods used. In the case of minors and legally incompetent persons, parents or guardians must be informed. In any case, it is necessary to avoid manipulating individuals and strive for the development and autonomy of the specific case.

22. Psychologist should try to finish the intervention and not to prolong it with the methods of concealing or lying information, both in the case of achieving the set goal, and in the case of the latter's impossibility after using available methods and means for a long time. In the latter case, individuals, groups, organizations, or communities should be informed about what other psychologists or representatives of other scientific fields can continue to influence.

23. Visitor's freedom should not be restricted either in terms of the completion of the intervention, nor in consulting with another psychologist or other specialist. Visitor's ability to make a decision based on sufficient information should be encouraged. Psychologist can refuse to continue the intervention if it is performed at the same time as another type of intervention performed by another specialist.

24.Psychologists should not use the power of their status to demand special working conditions or pay that exceeds what is normally accepted.

25. Psychologist should not allow himself to be drawn into a professionally uncertain situation where his role and functions are irrelevant or ambiguous.

26.Psychologists should not interfere with the actions taken by other professionals.

27.In case, the services of a psychologist are required for advertising or commercial organizations, he must cooperate with the aim of ensuring the truth of the information and protecting the interests of individuals.

28. Psychologist should be careful not to create unreasonable expectations, which he will be professionally unable to fulfill in the future.

About research and education

29. All psychologists, in whatever field of psychology they are working, should strive to contribute to the progress of science in general, and psychology in particular, by conducting research and adhering to scientific approaches in their activities, as well as by passing their knowledge to students and other professionals.

30. When conducting research, psychologist must strictly refrain from such actions that may cause permanent, irreversible or unnecessary harm to the experimenter. Participants in any research project must express their unequivocal consent to the conduct of the experiment; in the case of minors or legally incapacitated persons, such consent must be obtained from parents or guardians.

31. If the psychological examination is accompanied by any temporary harm or discomfort, such as electric shock or sensory isolation, the experimenter must first ensure that all participants in the experiment are acting completely independently without any form of extraneous pressure; no one should be allowed to participate in the experiment until the experimenter is satisfied that the experimenters have been informed in advance of the harm and have given their consent. Even if consent is given before the experiment, the experimenter can decide at any time to stop his further participation in the program.

32. If the conditions of the scientific experiment require giving false information or lying to the experimenters, the psychologist must make sure that this will not lead to any lasting harm to the participants of the experiment, in any case, the necessity and experimental nature of the lie must be revealed after the end of the experimental program.

33. Psychological research in normal situations, both experimental and observational, should be carried out with respect for the dignity of the individual, for beliefs, intimate situations, modesty, prudence in the study of sexual behavior, as well as in researching the elderly, the sick, the arrested, that is, people who they not only have certain social restrictions, but also experience a serious human drama.

34. In the case of experiments on animals, torture, harm and inconvenience that are not absolutely necessary to achieve the stated research objective, but are justified from the point of view of science and human interests, must be excluded or reduced to the lowest level. When animals are operated on, painkillers should be administered and necessary steps should be taken to prevent complications. Personnel involved in the direct research work with animals should be guided by international standards when dealing with animals and performing euthanasia.