Ethical aspect in psychology - Essay Example

Ethical aspect in psychologyThe issue of ethical aspect in psychological tests has been discussed for many years as many psychological experiments in the second half of the 20th century tended to go against universal ethical norms. As psychological tests are the essential tool for the researches in different areas related to psychology including education, clinical treatment and even business; that is why it is important that the users of these tests followed ethical guidelines while conducting researches through test and experiments (McGrath).

It is obvious that any type of psychological testing may have further impact on the condition of the participants (both positive and negative are possible), so the researchers should attach much importance to ethical side of the tests and choose/treat participants with care and respect. The very first rule is that people should take part in the test only on a voluntary basis. Second, test administrators should make sure that all the participants are treated with respect; that their dignity and individual privacy are protected.

Currently, psychologists are bound to follow the universally accepted Code of Conduct created by American Psychological Association and preserving key ethical norms. Specialists are to follow the rules of this Code when it comes to ethical issues in their experiments and tests, from confidentiality to the consent of the participant (Danko). This tendency is rather favorable as it is preceded by years and years of unethical and sometimes even inhuman experiments and tests, e.g. little Albert experiment, the bystander effect testing, conformity test as well as Milgram experiment and others.

The violation of ethical norms in such tests varied from the mere deception of the participant to the harmful impact on his/her further mental condition.To my thinking, psychological tests should always be subject to the strict Code of conduct and ethical norms. There should be a stable set of guidelines that should be followed by the test administrators worldwide regardless of country. These are such norms like preserving confidentiality, guarantee of privacy, testing only with the participants’ consent and making the patients completely aware of all the details of the testing.

I think, such practice should spread on all the social and age groups without any exceptions (e.g. prisoners should be equal in rights with other people). Moreover, there can be some peculiar extensions and corrections for certain countries, cultures and ethnic groups made in accordance with the traditions and rules the likely participants observe. Reference list:Danko, Meredith. 10 Famous Psychological Experiments That Could Never Happen Today. Retrieved July 30 from: http://mentalfloss.com/article/52787/10-famous-psychological-experiments-could-never-happen-todayMcGrath, Jennifer.

Ethics in Psychological Testing. Retrieved July 30 from: http://voices.yahoo.com/ethics-psychological-testing-3344130.html