What should guide psychologists in making ethical decisions?

The guidance for psychologists in making ethical decisions draws primarily from established guidelines and ethical reasoning. The American Psychological Association (APA) Ethical Principles provide a robust framework that emphasizes the importance of professionalism, respect, competence, integrity, and responsibility. These principles help practitioners navigate complex situations by laying out the moral and ethical standards that govern the field of psychology.

Using the APA guidelines, psychologists can critically assess their decisions by considering the potential implications for their clients, society, and the profession at large. Ethical reasoning involves a careful analysis of the situation, potential outcomes, and adherence to regulatory standards and ethical codes, ensuring that the psychologist's actions are aligned with professional expectations and values.

While personal experience, intuition, common sense, and client desires may play a role in decision-making, relying solely on those factors could lead to inconsistencies or biases that do not honor the ethical standards of the profession. Therefore, the APA Ethical Principles combined with ethical reasoning serve as the most reliable compass for psychologists when confronted with ethical dilemmas.