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Tutorialemma
Starting Member
16 Posts
Gratitude: 2
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 Posted - 05/26/2005 : 17:04:27
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The American Psychological Association ought to consider how future versions of APA's ethical code and ethical casebook material should be revised in light of the ethical implications of deceptive and indirect techniques of persuasion and control used in LGATs, innovative psychotherapies, and other settings.
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| AusieAnna
Starting Member
22 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2005 : 17:07:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Tutorialemma
The American Psychological Association ought to consider how future versions of APA's ethical code and ethical casebook material should be revised in light of the ethical implications of deceptive and indirect techniques of persuasion and control used in LGATs, innovative psychotherapies, and other settings.
Investigation clearly suggests that many individuals are harmed as a result of participation in certain LGATs or "therapies." Although only a minority of participants may be casualties, the harm to the few is serious. Furthermore, since many members of the American Psychological Association support groups that have been criticized, a close examination of their practices is called for in order to ensure fairness and objectivity.
We believe that such an investigation ought to look carefully at the ethical ramifications of the practices in question. If, for example, considerable risk is, in fact, associated with certain LGATs and innovative therapies, ought psychologists be admonished from endorsing or participating in them without first producing convincing evidence that they are sufficiently beneficial to warrant the risk and that adequate, not nominal, safeguards have been taken to minimize the risk. Ethics demands such caution in research and traditional therapy. Why not in nontraditional forms of therapy and therapy-like processes as well?
Psychology must also be more forthright about the use of potent psychological techniques by nonprofessionals. Otherwise, accumulating abuses and successful tort cases within the “psychological services industry" may ultimately lead to regulations that could adversely affect ethical psychologists. In addition to increasing insurance costs, a proliferation of tort cases may also intimidate psychologists by causing them to fear (however unrealistically) that disgruntled clients may think that their experience is similar to a person who got $500,000 in damages from an LGAT. Even baseless suits that can be summarily dismissed are often expensive, time-consuming, and frightening. |
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| harryrayce
Starting Member
12 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2005 : 17:12:48
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| Interestingly, many evangelists have shown a keen interest in developing an ethical code to govern their behavior, mainly because they want to be able to distinguish themselves from the fanatics and phonies who thrive on the Christian fringe (cf. Cultic Studies Journal, Spring/Summer 1986). Ethical psychologists ought also pay more attention to distinguishing themselves from the fanatics and phonies who thrive on the fringe of the "psychological services industry." |
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| AusieAnna
Starting Member
22 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2005 : 17:17:50
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quote:
Originally posted by harryrayce
Interestingly, many evangelists have shown a keen interest in developing an ethical code to govern their behavior, mainly because they want to be able to distinguish themselves from the fanatics and phonies who thrive on the Christian fringe (cf. Cultic Studies Journal, Spring/Summer 1986). Ethical psychologists ought also pay more attention to distinguishing themselves from the fanatics and phonies who thrive on the fringe of the "psychological services industry."
Because of the sometimes grave consequences of unethical application of deceptive and indirect techniques of persuasion and control, psychologists ought to direct more attention to educating the public about such techniques.
This area offers a unique opportunity for those interested in prevention. All too often the harms from which we seek to protect young people (e.g., drugs, teenage pregnancy, delinquency) are actively pursued by the young persons we hope to help.
Young people, however, do not seek to be manipulated and deceived. They may long for an easy way to fulfill painful needs. But, except perhaps in certain pathological cases, they do not want to be the objects of "mind games." Therefore, preventive efforts aimed at teaching them how "mind games" work may have much potential.
Preventive efforts ought also be directed toward adults. Psychologists and cooperating free-lance writers ought to write more articles and books on how to identify and resist deceptive and indirect techniques of persuasion and control. |
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| harryrayce
Starting Member
12 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2005 : 17:22:21
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Because the increasing quantity of litigation related to adverse consequences of deceptive and indirect techniques of persuasion and control poses a potential threat to consumers and ethical psychologists, the American Psychological Association ought to consider advocating stricter regulations regarding nonprofessionally run programs that seek to change behavior through the systematic application of deceptive and indirect techniques of persuasion and control.
Psychology obviously cannot exercise a monopoly over the use of psychological techniques, no more than physicians can exercise a monopoly over the intake of food. Nevertheless, we are obligated to speak out about abuses. And we are obligated to at least study the possibility of advocating regulations when purportedly non-psychological programs systematically use specialized psychological techniques in ways that make ethical psychologists blanch. |
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Professional Ethics and Education
