Origins of Ethics and the APA Ethics Code - Essay Example

Origins of Ethics and the APA Ethics Affiliation: Question What was the central purpose for developing the first APA Ethics Code? Was that purpose accomplished? Why or why not? The purpose was to ensure that the members practicing psychology and psychological measures like experiments under APA were informed and guided and hence acted according to the prevalent problems, their daily experiences and even the incidences that frequently occurred under the psychologists. The purpose was accomplished since most of the incidences and problems that arose like unethical behavior during experiments were avoided and completely done away with (Fisher, 2009).

Why were revisions to the code deemed necessary in 2002? How did those revisions affect the ethical principles of the code?There were three major reasons: internet research and other electronic media had increased and this necessitated the change, there was also need to incorporate sensitivity of the different cultural and language-diverse population into the practice and research and finally, with the shift in paternalistic ideas to more autonomous ones as a result of feminism, there was also need to change the code to suit these changes which were affecting all institutions.

The ethical principles became more focused and specific towards the problem and not just generalized as it was before hence being understood and giving more clarity.Question 2Modern society often espouses a complete differentiation between the professional and personal segments of an individual’s life. Is there an ethical separation between the personal and professional activities of the psychologist? Why or why not? What activities of the psychologist are affected by the APA Ethics Code?Yes there is an ethical separation between these two aspects of the activities of the psychology although the separation is not clearly stipulated by the code of ethics but implications of the separation can be deduced.

The ethical separation is guided by the principle of non-maleficence and beneficence and it helps the psychologists to keep away his or personal life from interfering with the professional life since interference means there will be biasness in the practice and the client will not benefit from the psychological services (Introduction and applicability, 2010). The code covers and affects activities such as program design and evaluation, social intervention, administration, educational counseling, supervising trainees among others.

ReferencesFisher, C. (2009). Decoding the ethics code: A practical guide for psychologists. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Introduction and applicability. (2010). In Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct: 2010 amendments. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx#