Role of Ethical Standards and Codes in Psychology

One may wonder why it is so important to have an ethical code of behavior for psychologists. After all, psychologists are highly trained professionals who would not seem to need a rigid code to dictate how to behave in their professional lives. However, it is critical to keep in mind that, by the very nature of their work, psychologists become involved in the personal lives of their clients. Moreover, clients come to rely upon the advice of their psychologists, and oftentimes even the most legitimate advice can be painful or difficult for the client. Therefore, it can be very hard for clients to tell when a psychologist's behavior is outside of ethical norms. Furthermore, because psychologists are oftentimes helping people establish better interpersonal relationships, it can be very difficult for them to establish the appropriate boundaries. Because of the personal and vulnerable...
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