Emerging Themes and Ethics

Main Points

Psychology has several themes that occur throughout the course and that align with Course Goals. 

A question about thinking and behavior can be addressed from multiple perspectives. 

Learning Objectives

This section will help you meet the course goals. At completion of this learning module, you will be able to:

• Goal 1: Fundamental Content
  

  • Identify the 7 main themes

  • Compare the main perspectives in psychology 

  • Identify key factors in the history of psychology. 

• Goal 2: Science and Analytical Thinking

  • Understand the role of science in psychology

  • Understand what is meant when we say "psychology adapts as new information develops"

• Goal 3: Application

  • Describe examples of the themes

• Goal 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility

  • Recognize that psychology follows ethics codes and plays a role in promoting beneficence, integrity, and justice. 

    Outline for Ethics and Themes 

    Bolded terms are key terms that we will define. 

    • The Themes of Psychology - these are integrative themes, mean that we will see them throughout the course and throughout the field of psychology.  

      • Theme 1 - Psychological science relies on empirical evidence and adapts as new data develop. 

      • Theme 2 - Psychology explains general principles that govern behavior while recognizing individual differences. 

      • Theme 3 - Psychological, biological, social, and cultural factors influence behavior and mental processes. 

        • Perspectives in Psychology

          • Psychological 

            • Psychodynamic

            • Humanistic

            • Behavioral

            • Cognitive

          • Biological

            • Biological perspective

            • Evolutionary 

          • Sociocultural 

          • The Nature/Nurture Question 

      • Theme 4 - Psychology values diversity, promotes equity, and fosters inclusion in pursuit of a more just society.

      • Theme 5 - Our perceptions and biases filter our experiences of the world through an imperfect personal lens. 

      • Theme 6 - Applying psychological principles can change our lives, organizations, and communities in positive ways. 

      • Theme 7 - Ethical principles guide psychology research and practice.

    • Main Points

      Psychologists follow an ethical code in studying and applying psychology. 

      Ethics in psychology are similar to ethics in other professions.

      ---

      Learning Objectives

      This section will help you meet the course goals. At completion of this learning module, you will be able to:

      • Goal 1: Fundamental Content

        • Describe the 5 Principles of the APA Ethics Code

      • Goal 2: Science and Analytical Thinking

        • Describe how ethics plays a role in the scientific study of psychology 

      • Goal 3: Application

        • Describe how we can use these ethical principles in every day life. 

      • Goal 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility

        • Recognize that psychology follows ethics codes and plays a role in promoting beneficence, integrity, and justice. 

        • Outline for Ethics in Psychology  

          • What are the 5 ethical principles that psychologists aspire to follow? Why are they important? How have we seen them in every day life?

            • Beneficence and Nonmaleficence 

            • Fidelity and Responsibility

            • Integrity

            • Justice

            • Respect for People's Dignity

          • How can we use these guiding principles to make judgments?

          • How are psychology's ethical principles similar to other codes of ethics?

A Summary of the American Psychological Association's 5 General Principles 

Principle A - Benefience and Nonmaleficience -

This principle establishes the idea that psychologists aim to benefit others in their work rather than do no harm. 

Principle B - Fidelity and Responsibility 

This principle emphasizes the importance of establishing trust and maintaining professional relationships. Psychologists can establish trust by being reliable and honest and adhering to professional codes.

Principle C - Integrity

Psychologists aim to be accurate, honest, transparent, and truthful in their work. They avoid fraud and deceit. If they discover their work is misrepresented or they made a mistake, then they seek to correct it. 

Principle D - Justice 

Psychologists practice fairness, everyone should benefit from psychology. They recognize that biases could potentially influence their work (and aim to correct them), and they aim to help everyone. 

Principle E - Respect for People's Rights and Dignity 

 Psychologists respect for peoples dignity, autonomy, confidentiality, and privacy. For instance, autonomy refers to individuals being allowed to make their own decisions. This includes allowing individuals to provide informed consent for treatment, to participate in research, and other related activities. Additionally, psychologists strive to maintain confidentiality for those with whom they work (as much as the law allows). This means that psychologists don't share private information with others. 

Scientific Inquiry

Main Point

Psychology is a science.  This section focuses on different approaches for studying psychological phenomena (perspectives or "schools of thought"), and why science is needed (biases and problems with intuition). 

Learning Objectives

This section will help you meet the course goals. At completion of this learning module, you will be able to:

• Goal 1: Fundamental Content

  • Describe the different schools of thought

  • Differentiate the schools of thought from each other

  • Describe how philosophy's ideas influence current psychological trends

• Goal 2: Science and Analytical Thinking

  • Recognize common myths in psychology

  • Identify problems with intuition

  • Draw conclusions about the accuracy of intuition 

• Goal 3: Application

  • Identify how problems with intuition are seen in daily life.

  • Discuss how experimenter biases may be seen in daily life.

• Goal 4: Ethics, Culture, and Social Responsibility

  • Recognize how culture can shape different psychological experiences 

  • Describe how psychological science (and not intuition) can help inform public policy