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Paper Guidelines Controversial Issues in Psychology : This paper…
Paper Guidelines
Controversial Issues in Psychology: This paper will be your chance to become more familiar with a particular topic in the field of abnormal psychology that continues to be a topic of controversy and ongoing discussion. A list of controversies is provided above, however you may also select a topic of your choice after consulting with and receiving permission from the instructor.
Expected components to the paper:
A detailed description of two opposing arguments in regards to the topic. Give a summary of the argument, what are the two different sides / perspectives, if applicable-what are the positives / benefits of either perspective
Major ethical considerations as it relates to your topic. Example: how does one particular side fail to meet the ethical codes of the APA (I have added the American Psychological Association general ethical principles below to guide you)
How might each side of the debate address respond to these ethical principles
What are your own conclusions regarding your level of agreement with one side or the other and why? (answering because “it seems right” is not enough, you must ground your answer with facts, research, and ethical guidelines.
Additional Guidelines:
You must use at least 2 peer-reviewed journal articles for your paper. I highly recommend you use Google Scholar https://scholar.google.com/ to find articles for your paper.
It is expected that you use citations appropriately in your paper and you have a reference page. You can use the free online citation resource guide (see hyperlink: http://www.easybib.com/reference/guide/apa/journal and you may also see me in my office hours for guidance. I have provided an example of how I expect to see citations and references below. I expect at least three citations (this includes the APA citation which I have shown below) but you will likely require more to write a comprehensive paer.
YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE QUOTES. YOU MUST USE YOUR OWN WORDS.
Expected Structure of Paper:
Intro Paragraph – introducing the topic and what you will be discussing
Body paragraph – providing research on one side / perspective
Body paragraph – providing research on the other side / perspective
Body paragraph – discussion on how the APA ethical principles apply to the topic
Conclusion paragraph – summarize the issue and provide your own opinion regarding the topic
Some current debates / controversies in the field of Abnormal Psychology
Are repressed and recovered memories valid phenomena?
Is Dissociative Identity Disorder a valid diagnosis?
Is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder a mental illness?
Is EMDR a useful treatment or is it a “bogus” treatment? (Are the eye movements a necessary part of the therapy?)
Can sex offenders be “rehabilitated”?
Proliferation of ADHD medication for children: Argument for / against its increased use
Online therapy versus in-person therapy: Risks and benefits
Harm reduction model versus abstinence model for alcohol and / or drug use
Does dissociative identity disorder (used to be called multiple personality disorder) actually exist?: Evidence for its existence versus evidence against
Psychiatric testing is legally mandated for only two surgeries: Sex / gender reassignment surgery and Bariatric surgery. Are you for or against psychological / psychiatric testing for these two medical procedures?
Should we still use psychosurgery given its experimental nature and potential major side effects?
The bereavement debate: In the previous DSM (the DSM IV) you would not be diagnosed with clinical depression if your symptoms were due to the recent loss of someone close to you (called
bereavement). This has changed in the DSM V so that now, if your depressive symptoms are due to recent loss, you may be diagnosed with major depression.
Is it ok or not ok for psychologist to have prescription privileges- currently other than medical doctors / staff-only certain psychologists in the military are allowed to prescribe medication. The vast majority of psychologists are not allowed to prescribe medication
Are the potential benefits of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) worth the risks?
APA General Ethical Principles
Their intent is to guide and inspire psychologists toward the very highest ethical ideals of the profession.
Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
Psychologists strive to benefit those with whom they work and take care to do no harm. In their professional actions, psychologists seek to safeguard the welfare and rights of those with whom they interact professionally and other affected persons, and the welfare of animal subjects of research. When conflicts occur among psychologists’ obligations or concerns, they attempt to resolve these conflicts in a responsible fashion that avoids or minimizes harm. Because psychologists’ scientific and professional judgments and actions may affect the lives of others, they are alert to and guard against personal, financial, social, organizational, or political factors that might lead to misuse of their influence. Psychologists strive to be aware of the possible effect of their own physical and mental health on their ability to help those with whom they work.
Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility
Psychologists establish relationships of trust with those with whom they work. They are aware of their professional and scientific responsibilities to society and to the specific communities in which they work. Psychologists uphold professional standards of conduct, clarify their professional roles and obligations, accept appropriate responsibility for their behavior, and seek to manage conflicts of interest that could lead to exploitation or harm. Psychologists consult with, refer to, or cooperate with other professionals and institutions to the extent needed to serve the best interests of those with whom they work. They are concerned about the ethical compliance of their colleagues’ scientific and professional conduct. Psychologists strive to contribute a portion of their professional time for little or no compensation or personal advantage.
Principle C: Integrity
Psychologists seek to promote accuracy, honesty, and truthfulness in the science, teaching, and practice of psychology. In these activities psychologists do not steal, cheat or engage in fraud, subterfuge, or intentional misrepresentation of fact. Psychologists strive to keep their promises and to avoid unwise or unclear commitments. In situations in which deception may be ethically justifiable to maximize benefits and minimize harm, psychologists have a serious obligation to consider the need for, the possible consequences of, and their responsibility to correct any resulting mistrust or other harmful effects that arise from the use of such techniques.
Principle D: Justice
Psychologists recognize that fairness and justice entitle all persons to access to and benefit from the contributions of psychology and to equal quality in the processes, procedures, and services being conducted by psychologists. Psychologists exercise reasonable judgment and take precautions to ensure that their potential biases, the boundaries of their competence, and the limitations of their expertise do not lead to or condone unjust practices.
Principle E: Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity
Psychologists respect the dignity and worth of all people, and the rights of individuals to privacy, confidentiality,
and self-determination. Psychologists are aware that special safeguards may be necessary to protect the rights and welfare of persons or communities whose vulnerabilities impair autonomous decision making. Psychologists are aware of and respect cultural, individual, and role differences, including those based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status, and consider these factors when working with members of such groups. Psychologists try to eliminate the effect on their work of biases based on those factors, and they do not knowingly participate in or condone activities of others based upon such prejudices.
Example of in-paper citations
I do believe that is appropriate to cautiously use anxiety assessment instruments with Native American patients. I believe this because there is some research indicating that these anxiety assessments have some clinical utility (Gray, McCullagh, & Petros, 2016). I believe that choosing not to utilize these instruments would represent a denial of service which could ultimately result in patient symptoms becoming worse due to lack of treatment.
According to the American Psychological Association (2002) there are several ethical principles that guide the field of psychology in the United States. I believe that the ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence are most applicable to this debate.
Example of references (to be typed in reference page)
American Psychological Association. (2002). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. American Psychologist, 57, 1060-1073.
Gray, J. S., McCullagh, J. A., & Petros, T. (2016). Assessment of anxiety among Northern Plains Indians. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 86(2), 186-193.
