Introduction
Ethical behavior is the requirement for the civilized communities or groups of people. In this case one should be aware of the fact that different approaches fit the initial task of having a clear idea about what it is like to feel and do like the code of ethics demands. This issue is really striking for contemporary fast-growing world. People struggle for their place under the sun. They do everything to keep up. However, it is rather significant just to pay attention to the norms and rules of ethical points.
This paper is devoted to illustrate a comparative analysis between two well-known kinds of ethical guiding among human beings, i.e. APA and ACA ethics guidelines. One should not mix them in the course of researching. The question is that these two demonstrate different approaches as well as methods for identifying ethical treatment or manner in behavior. On the other hand, making people more ethical and conscientious about their personal feelings and their purity is normal for a civilized society. It also illustrates how individuals differ in their characters and abilities to go well in groups.
Therapist and counselors are contradicted in this study in order to delineate all pros and cons in how they used to provide treatment. Both groups are shaped with the feature of professional attitude toward their work and specialization, in particular. APA and ACA also promote a united vision on how to move forward a good therapy to make people well physically and mentally at once. These points are highlighted during the process of APA and ACA ethics guidelines comparison.
Methodology
This study is developed by means of comparative analysis as per APA and ACA ethics guidelines. The scope of the research is patterned with particular points on the main features about each set of ethical guidelines. The audience for the research is wide due to the social character of the main ideas stated in it.
Results
The research shows that the APA ethical guidelines are directed for human beings and animals. This division is considered with highly intensified activities of different social organizations that struggle against cruel and unfair attitudes toward people and animals, as straightforward representatives of the wild. Hence, the main guidelines for human research in its APA ethical characterization are:
- Informed Consent;
- Deception;
- Coercion;
- Anonymity;
- Risk;
- Debriefing Procedure (BX Science, 2008, p. 1).
In this respect one should be aware that people participating in different researches should state on their consent to participate, first of all. It should be of one’s own free will. The research should have some features on hidden sense in its main aims. This is why deception should not bear extremely hurtable character for participants. No coercion should be used, because it will not get distinct and true results afterwards. In accordance with APA ethics every participant should be guaranteed being anonymous as for personal results. People taking part in the research should not be at risk of mental or physical threats. At last, participants should know of the main purpose and results of the research.
The whole observation of APA ethics touches upon expressly therapeutic aims that need to find out some explanations on a deeper level of a human’s consciousness. However, the points depicted above make up rather viable argument to think that APA ethics follows way of reason. However, ACA ethics differs, first of all, in its counseling character. Thus, one needs to take a look at the features describing ACA’s ethics code, namely:
- Clarification of nature of ethical responsibilities;
- Support of the mission;
- Establishing principles that inform best practice;
- Assisting members in constructing a course of action;
- Serving as the ground for processing ethical complaints and inquiries (Ponton & Duba, 2009, p. 119).
In this characterization ACA serves for better practices both in the work place and in personal life. This code of ethics encompasses the life span of an ACA member. Counseling in order to drive persons to prospects of professionalism is ethical when saying about conventional agreements between individuals. It is mostly like a reflection of “interior character to exterior expectations” (Ponton & Duba, 2009, p. 119). ACA ethics is more directed toward pointing out some definite attributes of being a professional concerned with a person. It is a challenge that is based initially on solely two hallmarks, namely: informed agreement and voluntary consent (Ponton & Duba, 2009). It is easy for ACA experts to provide surveys or researches.
Discussion
The results showed that APA and ACA ethics guidelines are directed to making improvements on a physical as well as mental well-being of a participant. However, APA ethical guidelines serve to make more emphasis on an individual’s psyche in terms of therapeutic measurements. On the other hand, ACA ethical guidelines state on an individual’s ability to succeed in profession throughout the life span. All in all, both standards (APA and ACA) are useful in practicing different innovative approaches defining human potential.
Reference
Richard F. Ponton, R. F. & Duba, J. D. (2009, Winter). ‘The ACA Code of Ethics: Articulating Counseling’s Professional Covenant’. Journal of Counseling & Development 87: 117-121.
BX Science. (2008). ‘APA Ethical Guidelines for Human Research’. Web.