Die akkommodering van die VIGS-verskynsel in die etiese kode vir sielkundiges

• Main Author: Nel, Renche
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: AIDS (Disease) - Moral and ethical aspects - South Africa; Psychiatric ethics; Counseling - Moral and ethical aspects
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10129

M.A. (Counselling Psychology) === The Psychological Association of South Africa (PASA) is, at present, in a transition phase in that the profession is striving to unite under one single controlling body. As a consequence, the Association is seeking to establish a set of inclusive, scientific, academic and ethical standards that will be recognised by all psychologists. with this purpose in mind, the Association is currently revising its ethical code. Since the Association commits itself to both the prevention and treatment of AIDS, part of its agenda is to include the handling of the disease in this code. The purpose of this study is to make a contribution to the revision of the ethical code by exploring the ethics surrounding the handling of the AIDS-dilemma by psychologists, and to make recommendations in this regard. AIDS should therefore be handled responsibly in the ethical code in such a way that it is acceptable to all practicing psychologists in South Africa. The nature of the study is a qualitative exploratory analytical study that relies on rational cognitive processes. Literature concerning ethics in psychology was explored together with the way in which it is translated in the ethical code. Ethical dilemmas that result from the handling of the AIDS-phenomenon are identified and grouped together by describing both real and hypothetical ethical problems. A critical rational analysis of the ethical code then follows. Finally, logically argued proposals are made in order that identified shortcomings be eliminated.