while most may not take the time to read or even glimpse through the Apa Code of Ethics I find worth writing about since it ties into I/O Psychology which is directly related to organizations and their leaders….
The APA Code of Ethics
It’s not that ethics has changed as much as it is how we approach ethics that has changed. There has been a foundation of principles to follow as a leader but in this day there is so much more to apply ethics to for a leader. With American Psychology Association (APA) Code of Ethics being revision in 2010 so much was added to help guide and serve our leaders with a code to live by not only in their work but to adopt these ethics as a person in aspects of life.
The APA updated version of 2010 was created to add and revise the wordage to better help leaders commit to fulfilling these principles and standards. Northouse describes Ethical leadership with the principles of respecting others, serving others, having justice, building their community and being honest (2016). These are very similar to APA Code of Ethics of the five principles they hold to an ethical leader in the field of psychology. These principles are Beneficence and nonmaleficence, fidelity and responsibility, integrity, justice and respect for people’s rights and dignity. These are not rules to live by and to be punished by but meant for leaders in the field to aspire to commit these principles and the standards that inspire and guide leaders to create a more ethical environment (APA, 2010).
The ethical code has also reached a more board audience than the earlier clinical side of psychology realizing that many professionals deal with ethical issues. This broadening now applies to more I/O fields, students developing in the field and also brought into play with necessary adjustments to apply ethics to the new technology era. As mentioned in lecture the APA was “aimed to achieve rules of conduct for its members that exceeded legal obligations” (Penn State University, n.d.).
When first learning about APA Code of Ethics I was pleasantly surprised on how much it covered and how many situations were actually ethical dilemmas. Before I saw issues with main topics such as theft and harassment but now see that many different situations can bring harm to others or the situation and it is our duty to back up with high ethical understanding when approaching these situations. I imagine I will be reading the APA Code of Ethics frequently trying to adapt and commit to every principle and standard to the fullest in my leadership role. If we all strive to commit to this ethic code not only will we be more ethical leaders we will have more ethical organizations and societies. As Lowman states ethical issues will cause controversy and ignite debate but knowledgeable ethical leaders will be able to see the complexity and be able to have consideration in discussion of ethics in I/O psychology (2006). This supports Northouse’s definition of ethics which is based on what leaders do and who they are and how their choices are shaped by their moral development (2016). I pledge my commitment to be inspired and guided by the APA Code of Ethics as a leader.
American Psychological Association. (2010, June 1). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct: Including 2010 amendments. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/
Lowman, R. L. (Ed.). (2006). The ethical practice of psychology in organizations (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association
Northouse, P. (2015). Leadership: Theory and Practice(7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Penn State University (n.d). PSY 533 Lesson 5. Retrieved from Pennsylvania State University World Campus Web site https://psu.instructure
Here is the original post published at Penn State:
U2: Being an Ethical Leader Today
