Ethical and political aspects of applied psychology

Abstract

The discussion of professional ethics should distinguish ethics from techniques in counseling. The political connotation of "democratic" and "authoritarian" methods is inappropriately applied to counseling methods, where the client can always take or leave the advice. Emotional dependence need not denote subordination. The counselor must have some status as a specialist, and whatever he does (directive or non-directive) may influence the client. Many methods give good results even using diagnostic aids that may not be understood by the client. The code of ethics should concern the desirable outcomes of helping the client achieve his ends rather than restricting the techniques used to achieve the ends. Much more evidence is needed to evaluate various methods of counseling. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1947 American Psychological Association.