Ethical Responsibilities in Psychology: From the Classroom to Your Career

Published August 12, 2024

APA ethics in the classroom & in the workplace. (1) Champion fairness, reject harm. (2) Know your limits. (3) Work with integrity. (4) Honest and transparent communication. (5) make a difference. (6) Never stop learning.

Discussions about ethics at the undergraduate level in psychology generally focus on research ethics within the scope of a research methods course (Ruiz et al., 2020). Courses dedicated to ethics tend to be reserved for graduate level training, if included at all. For example, my doctoral level developmental graduate program did not have an ethics course; however, my peers in counseling and industrial-organizational psychology did. This approach is flawed given the importance of ethics at all levels of education and beyond. In fact, researchers have found that students who are exposed to ethics early on are better equipped to navigate the complex situations they'll face in their careers (Ruiz et al., 2020). Delaying this until graduate school can leave students unprepared for the real-world challenges they encounter, which may in turn lead to potentially serious consequences for their professional reputations and the people they serve (Hamilton et al., 2018).

The purpose of this blog post is to highlight how the American Psychological Association Ethical Guidelines matter - not only to current undergraduate students in psychology, but also for post-graduate students in the workplace.

(1) Champion Fairness, Reject Harm

The APA Ethics Code Standard 3.01, "Human Relations," along with Standard 4: Respect for People's Rights and Dignity, emphasizes that psychologists must not engage in any form of unfair discrimination in work-related activities. This means that you must treat people fairly and avoid any form of discrimination, harassment, or harm based on characteristics like age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or other identities protected by law. Essentially, these standards promote equality, respect for diversity, and the dignity of every individual in all professional settings.

For Students: In your academic work, it’s crucial to treat everyone with fairness and respect. Do not act or speak in a way that causes harm to others; this means avoiding any form of discrimination or harassment (e.g., sexism, ageism, anti-LGBTQ bias, ableism). Educate yourself about different identities and experiences to ensure that your actions contribute to a safe and inclusive environment for all.
In the Workplace: You're also going to ensure that your behavior does not harm others in the workplace. Actively seek out opportunities to learn about diversity and inclusion to avoid unintentionally engaging in or tolerating discrimination, harassment, or harmful behavior towards colleagues, clients, or anyone you work with. By doing so, you contribute to a fair, respectful, and inclusive workplace, ensuring that your actions uphold the highest ethical standards.

(2) Know Your Limits

The APA Ethics Code Standard 2, "Competence," emphasizes that psychologists should only provide services, teach, or conduct research within areas where they are fully trained and experienced.

For Students: Seek opportunities that align with your skill level and training. Avoid taking on tasks or providing services for which you are not yet qualified. However, context matters. Applying for an internship position where it is known that you don't currently have the knowledge and skills - but will learn them during the internship - is normal and expected. Offering to provide therapy to a friend or acquaintance would not be.
In the Workplace: Recognize the limits of your expertise. Always seek supervision or additional training when you’re asked to tackle tasks beyond your current competence, especially in areas like counseling, research, or human resources.

85% of employers say that unethical behavior is one of the main reasons for employee dismissal.

(3) Work with Integrity

APA Ethics Code Standard 3, "Integrity," emphasizes the role of honesty and transparency in professional activities. This means being truthful in your work, accurately reporting research results, properly citing sources, and avoiding any form of deception. Integrity also involves being open about your qualifications, services, and potential conflicts of interest, ensuring that all actions align with ethical standards. Further, with the growing use of AI tools, it's important to ensure that any use of AI is approved, acknowledged, and transparently integrated into your work.

For Students: Integrity in your academic work means being truthful and transparent in everything you do. Always report your research results accurately, cite your sources properly, and avoid plagiarism. If you use AI tools for writing or research assistance, you must seek approval and clearly acknowledge its use.
In the Workplace: Maintaining integrity in professional interactions means being truthful in communications, accurately reporting data, and being transparent about any potential conflicts of interest. If you utilize AI in your work, ensure that its use is ethically sound, approved by your organization, and openly disclosed.

(4) Honest and Transparent Communication

70% of HR professionals believe that a strong work ethic is crucial for career advancement.

The APA Ethics Code Standard 5.01, "Advertising and Other Public Statements" requires psychologists to ensure that any public statements they make about their work, qualifications, or services are truthful and not misleading. This includes statements in advertising, resumes, grant applications, and any other public communication. Psychologists must accurately represent their training, credentials, and the outcomes of their services to maintain trust and integrity in their professional activities.

For Students: Avoid false or deceptive statements. This means being honest with your professors, teaching assistants, and peers. Make sure the quantifiable metrics included on your resume and LinkedIn profile are accurate. If you are participating in a group project, divide the work equally, communicate regularly, and finish the work you agreed to.
In the Workplace: Honest and transparent communication starts during the applications and interview process. This means accurately representing your skills, qualifications, and the outcomes of your work in resumes, job applications, and any public-facing documents or advertisements. For example, if you have a particular skill on your resume, ensure that you genuinely possess that proficiency and can demonstrate it if asked. After you are hired, this commitment to honesty continues. Whether you're preparing a report, presenting data, or communicating with clients and colleagues, always ensure that the information you share is truthful and accurate. Misrepresenting your capabilities or results can lead to a loss of trust and credibility in your professional relationships.

(5) Make a Difference

Principle D: Justice from the APA Ethics Code reminds psychologists to ensure fairness and equality in all aspects of their work, making sure that everyone benefits equally from psychological services and research. This isn't just about being fair in therapy or research—it’s a broader call to action.

Psychologists are encouraged to use their knowledge and influence to advocate for those who are marginalized or underserved. As explained by Alexander and Allo (2021), advocacy can help address and correct societal issues like discrimination and oppression. Similarly, Hailes et al. (2020) emphasize that psychologists have a responsibility to challenge broader societal structures that perpetuate inequality. By engaging in advocacy, psychologists contribute to social justice, ensuring their work supports the well-being of all people, especially those who have been historically disadvantaged (Alexander & Allo, 2021).

For Students: As a student, this principle encourages you to think beyond your studies and consider how you can contribute to fairness and equality in the world. This means being aware of social justice issues and using what you learn in psychology to advocate for those who are marginalized or underserved. This can be done by working with campus organizations, community organizations, or by engaging in research projects or volunteer work.
In the Workplace: In professional roles outside of academia, this principle calls on you to use your position to promote fairness and advocate for those who may be disadvantaged. This might involve advocating for inclusive workplace policies, supporting community initiatives that address inequality, or using your knowledge to influence public policy. By engaging in advocacy, you help ensure that your work contributes to a more just and equitable society.

(6) Never Stop Learning

Standard 2.03: Maintaining Competence requires psychologists to continuously update and improve their skills and knowledge to remain effective in their work. This means regularly engaging in professional development, staying informed about new research and best practices, and ensuring that their expertise is current. By doing so, psychologists can provide the highest quality of care and service to those they work with.

For Students: Continuously seek knowledge and improve your skills through coursework, research opportunities, and professional development activities (e.g., conferences, networking events, trainings, workshops).
In the Workplace: Maintaining competence is about continuously updating your skills and knowledge to stay effective in your job. This could involve attending workshops, pursuing certifications, or staying informed about industry trends. By committing to lifelong learning, you ensure that your expertise remains current, allowing you to contribute meaningfully and provide high-quality work in your field.

"Morality [or ethics] is not a subject; it is a life put to the test in dozens of moments."

-Paul Tillich

References

Alexander, A. A., & Allo, H. (2021). Building a climate for advocacy training in professional psychology. The Counseling Psychologist, 49(7), 1070–1089. https://doi.org/10.1177/00110000211027973

American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index?66aff96ee9e7d

Hailes, H. P., Boyd, R., & McKeown, T. (2020). Ethics and ethical decision-making in professional practice. Journal of Ethics in Psychology, 10(2), 134–150.

Hamilton, K., Morrissey, S. A., Farrell, L. J., Ellu, M. C., O'Donovan, A., Weinbrecht, T., & O'Connor, E. L. (2018). Increasing psychological literacy and work readiness of Australian psychology undergraduates through a capstone and work-integrated learning experience: Current issues and what needs to be done. Australian Psychologist, 53(2), 151-160. https://doi.org/10.1111/ap.12309

Lindner, J. (2024, July 17). Work ethics statistics: Key insights revealed on employee behavior. GITNUX. https://gitnux.org/work-ethics-statistics/#sources

Ruiz, A., Warchal, J., & You, D. (2020). Teaching ethics to undergraduate psychology students: Review of the evidence and recommendations. Psychology Learning & Teaching, 19(3), 343-356. https://doi.org/10.1177/1475725720923434

About the Author

Dr. Ruthie Walker is an Assistant Professor of psychology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She has taught and mentored more than 1,800 students since 2011 and is passionate about preparing undergraduate (and graduate) students in psychology to be successful professionals. She is the creator of the Careers in Psychology Google site, and worked with Dr. Drew Appleby to create the "What Can I do with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology?" resource poster that has been downloaded more than 2,000 times.

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