Ethics deals with the moral problems and human judgment in evaluating human actions (Koocher& Keith-Spiegel 2008). They provide guidelines upon which one is supposed to work or operate. It involves the potential and rules of distinguishing between right and wrong. The ability to differentiate what is right to do and what you should not do forms the basis of operation in any field. The ethics that exist in any area of study are critical in establishing the system of service. In everything that we do we are bound by some code upon which we are supposed to operate.
We are bound to follow these rules that apply in this particular area that we find ourselves. Like any field, for instance, law, teaching, theology and nursing, the importance of adhering to the code of ethics in the psychology field cannot be downplayed. Therefore, when studying the disciplines that majorly concentrate on standards of conduct and operation, one is set to learn about various requirements and expectations of different fields and the set rules that are supposed to be observed.
The role and importance of personal ethics in the area of psychology is very significant in many ways. It can affect the application and use of the principles of psychology to social, personal, spiritual and organizational concerns as well. The ethics in psychology are the methods, principles or procedures that guide the professional in deciding on what actions to take in different scenarios or situations and how to analyze various issues or problems in daily life circumstances or conditions. The area that involves non-human is also crucial. Ethics also can apply to those who have a particular interest in working with animals where ethical principles and knowledge is equally important (Francis 2009).
The philosophies and ideologies of psychology can also affect or influence one’s health, personal growth and development. Personal ethics, hence, play a significant role when applying these principles at any level. In psychology, all practitioners and professionals in this field are supposed to follow a particular code of conduct. The code of conduct also applies to whatever area or action the professionals are engaged. Such areas may include forensic activities, policy development, research, and counseling. All these codes of conduct are meant to uphold integrity and honesty in the operations of this particular area.
When working in this field, professionals need to develop continually and implement moral decision making and ethical judgment and continue in developing and growing one’s understanding of principles of integrity in this particular field. All these ethics are applied at every level from a personal level to the organizational levels. The decision one makes in any action in the area of psychology has to affect them personally. By being able to distinguish the difference between the right and wrong, the end results will be an impact on the professional as a person. Because, ethics deal with matters of integrity, and honesty, the spiritual aspect of the individual will have to be affected too. In executing the right action in every situation or circumstance, the person will be putting their spirituality to the test.
Therefore, the application of psychological principles to one’s personal, spiritual, social; and organizational issues will have a definite impact on the result of their actions. The personal ethics that a person in any field possesses will have a significant impact on his life in general. When applying the ethical principles regarding organizational issues, then it means that your profession’s integrity is upheld. Somebody cannot support any endeavors or policies that are aimed at improving and defending the interests of the society of which they are entitled to without applying the same to his workplace. The approach to ethical principles requires that within any social, organizational or personal set up, everybody should be allowed to exercise their rights and make their decisions.
Ethics normally have a significant in psychological knowledge and principles. An individual’s use of the personal code of ethics often determines how they will use the values in other areas such as for personal development as well as in their health development. The personal ethics that an individual possesses also includes the person’s spiritual, social and organizational behaviors. Therefore, when a person is assessing different circumstances or making some decisions in front of others, their acts are according to their instinctive beliefs and values that they possess, and the understanding of ethics are bound to change one’s behavior with time. The ethics that a person has should be used in a manner that will benefit others in strengthening the abilities of their psychological knowledge rather that judging them because of their ignorance. The ethics that we apply to our daily lives should positively impact our psychological knowledge to improve our personal growth, health, and development.
Studying psychology is an excellent way to learn about other people as well as learn more about myself. It provides a channel by which I can be abler to learn how other people think, analyze different situations and how they make judgments or decisions. On the other hand, it can enable me to make a difference in many people’s lives by offering my services. Ethical principles are imperative in this field and by applying them in my line of work it will give me rewarding satisfaction.
The ethics that I have developed over the years will be of great importance because I will be able to offer the best practice while applying integrity and honesty to my clients. My ethical principles, therefore, have played a significant role in settling for a degree in psychology. We should all uphold high standards of ethics in any field that we work in. Our personal as well as social growth and development greatly depends on the way we apply our knowledge and honesty in whatever we do. For that reason, ethics is a primary aspect of our lives, and we should use the best practices of offering our services.
References
Francis, R. (2009). Ethics for Psychologists. Chichester: Blackwell Publishing.
Koocher, G. & Keith-Spiegel, P. (2008). Ethics in Psychology and the Mental Health Professions. New York: Oxford University Press.
