Ethical principle: Respect

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Professional Psychology: Debating Chamber · Psychology Journals · Psychologists

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The Golden Rule — do unto others as you would have them do unto you — is the basis of respect and we should treat everyone with respect, regardless of who they are and what they have done

Respect reflects notions such as civility, courtesy, decency, dignity, autonomy, tolerance and acceptance and prevents humiliation, manipulation and exploitation.

Civility, courtesy and decency

A respectful person is an attentive listener, although patience with innappropriate behaviour is limited (for respect works both ways).

Dignity and autonomy

People need to make informed decisions about their own lives and they need the information to do so. Allow individuals, including maturing children, access to all the necessary information.

Tolerance and acceptance

Accept and value individual differences and beliefs without prejudice. Judge others only on their character, abilities and conduct.

Applying the principle of respect for others, these standards were generated by the BPS(2006):

Standard of general respect

Standard of privacy and confidentiality

Standard of informed consent

Standard of self-determination

We might add to this a:

Standard of information provision

References

BPS(2006). Code of ethics and conduct.