Ethical Practice in Operational Psychology (PDF)

The field of operational psychology, and consequently its standards of practice, are evolving and expanding at a rapid pace. Now, more than ever, psychologists' expertise is employed on a day-to-day basis by members of the military and national intelligence communities. As psychologists' duties expand in these arenas, some definition of their roles and how these roles relate to professional ethical standards is necessary. Ethical Practice in Operational Psychology: Military and National Intelligence Applications offers guidance for those psychologists who are providing support to operational commanders; serving as consultants to interrogations of enemy combatants, suspected terrorists, or other criminals; or consulting on hostage negotiations among other things. This book integrates the requirements of the existing APA Ethics Code and the more recent Report of the American Psychological Association's Presidential Task Force on Psychological Ethics and National Security, with the limited professional literature in this field. The editors have assembled some of the best operational psychologists in the field today to share their expertise and experience. The authors provide realistic case examples, practical guidance, and recommendations regarding the unique ethical issues that surround operational psychologists, shedding some much needed light on how and why military and intelligence practices differ from traditional psychological practice. This timely volume provides a strong ethical foundation upon which to advance this area of practice.