APS Code of Ethics: Informed Consent

Informed consent is the process of obtaining a person's voluntary agreement to participate in research or therapy
Requires that individuals understand the nature of the research or therapy, including potential risks and benefits
Informed consent must be obtained before initiating research or therapy
Participants must be able to provide informed consent freely, without coercion or deception
Researchers/therapists must ensure that participants understand the information provided and are able to make an informed decision

Confidentiality involves protecting the privacy of participants' personal information
Researchers/therapists must maintain confidentiality and ensure that data is stored securely
Confidentiality agreements may be necessary when working with collaborators or assistants
Breaches of confidentiality can result in serious consequences, including legal and ethical repercussions

Beneficence involves maximizing benefits and minimizing harm to participants
Researchers/therapists must strive to ensure that their work benefits participants and society as a whole
Beneficence involves considering the potential risks and benefits of research or therapy and ensuring that the benefits outweigh the risks
Researchers/therapists must prioritize the well-being of participants and avoid causing unnecessary harm

Non-maleficence involves avoiding harm to participants
Researchers/therapists must prioritize the avoidance of harm and ensure that their actions do not cause unnecessary harm to participants
Non-maleficence involves considering the potential risks of research or therapy and taking steps to minimize harm
Researchers/therapists must be aware of their own biases and ensure that they do not cause harm to participants through negligence or intention

Respect involves valuing the autonomy, dignity, and diversity of participants
Researchers/therapists must recognize the inherent value and worth of participants as individuals
Respect involves being sensitive to cultural, social, and individual differences and avoiding discrimination
Researchers/therapists must ensure that participants are treated with respect and dignity throughout the research or therapeutic process

Propriety involves maintaining professional boundaries and avoiding exploitation
Researchers/therapists must maintain professional relationships with participants and avoid exploiting them for personal gain
Propriety involves being aware of power imbalances and avoiding actions that could be perceived as inappropriate or exploitative
Researchers/therapists must ensure that their actions are guided by a commitment to ethical principles and not personal interests

Integrity involves being honest, transparent, and trustworthy
Researchers/therapists must be truthful in their representations and avoid deceptive practices
Integrity involves being transparent about methods, results, and limitations of research or therapy
Researchers/therapists must ensure that their actions are guided by a commitment to ethical principles and not personal interests

Obtaining voluntary agreement to participate in research or therapy through a process that ensures participants understand the nature, risks, and benefits
Must be obtained before initiating research or therapy, and participants must be able to provide consent freely without coercion or deception
Researchers/therapists must ensure participants understand the information provided and can make an informed decision

Protecting participants' personal information by maintaining confidentiality and storing data securely
Confidentiality agreements may be necessary when working with collaborators or assistants
Breaches of confidentiality can result in serious consequences, including legal and ethical repercussions

Maximizing benefits and minimizing harm to participants by considering potential risks and benefits
Prioritizing the well-being of participants and avoiding unnecessary harm
Ensuring the benefits of research or therapy outweigh the risks

Avoiding harm to participants by considering potential risks and taking steps to minimize harm
Prioritizing the avoidance of harm and ensuring actions do not cause unnecessary harm to participants
Being aware of biases and avoiding harm through negligence or intention

Valuing participants' autonomy, dignity, and diversity
Recognizing the inherent value and worth of participants as individuals
Being sensitive to cultural, social, and individual differences and avoiding discrimination

Maintaining professional boundaries and avoiding exploitation
Avoiding actions that could be perceived as inappropriate or exploitative
Being aware of power imbalances and ensuring actions are guided by ethical principles, not personal interests

Being honest, transparent, and trustworthy in representations and avoiding deceptive practices
Being transparent about methods, results, and limitations of research or therapy
Ensuring actions are guided by ethical principles, not personal interests