Issues with the use of Internet and Electronic Media Essay

Abstract This study aims to tackle the growing issue relating to the widely use of internet and electronic media in the society.   Also, this research will also examine the impact of these technologies in the point of view of human ethical standards as well as how it affects the professional practice in psychology.   Ã‚   Table of Contents i. Abstract†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦2    Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 4 The American Psychological Association, Principles and Standards†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 4 American Psychological Association Standard Ethical Principles of   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Psychologists and Code of Conduct†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 4 Ethical Committees of the American Psychological Association, main implementor of Rules and Procedures†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 8 Common Standards for Advertising, Avoidance of False or Deceptive   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Statements Media Presentation and Keeping Confidential Information†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 9 The Value of Maintenance, Dissemination and also proper Disposal of   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Records†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 9 The Standards of Conducting Research the Importance of Consent in Research†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 10 Ethical Principles of Psychology and its Code of Conduct that Relates to Informing Consent†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 10 The Importance of Training and Supervision for People to embraced the   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     right Ethical Standards of Life†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 11 The Importance of Ethical Community in the Ethical Practice and the Methods of Ethical Decision Making†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 13 Ethical Community impact on the Ethical Practices and Rightful decision Making†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 13 The Positive Effect of Internet and Electronic Media in the field of Psychology†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 14 The Internet and What Lies ahead in the Field of Psychology†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 14 Psychological Experiments that can be conducted on the Internet †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 15 General Issues†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 15 Cross-cultural experimentation and Individual differences†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 15    The Concept of Humanistic Psychology†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 16    Summary†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 16    Recommendation†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 17    References†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 18 Introduction In today’s information world where technological practices brought about by internet and other high-tech media, we can always say that there come a time that we forget about our responsibilities of protecting our ethical standards and values.   One of the main reasons is that people are starting to rely only in the information that is being feed to them.   One profession that also being affected by this growing change is the psychological profession, where the common standards, practices and acceptable principles are changing due to the many information that both media and the internet has provided. In this study, it will focus not only on the effect it brings to our lives but also hoe this can be of help, if only we apply the right ethical standards and principles of psychology.   Facts and figures will also be presented to this study in order for the readers to be convinced that not everything that comes from the internet and electronic media are non-relevant information, and in contrast this study will try to prove that with these technologies and information it provides, it can create a highly effective person with the right ethical standards and most especially without affecting the best practices and principles that the psychological profession applied. The American Psychological Association, Principles and Standards American Psychological Association Standard Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct APA or the American Psychological Association has been the organization for years now that continually helps and maintain standards and policies that helps human to understand and appreciate way of life.   The organization has provided numerous rules and principles that help in forming the ideal conduct of a person regardless of status in life.   In this research since the issue is about how information are now being exploited or used by many, whether for personal or even corporate advantage with the use of internet and electronic media.   It has created a monster in the field of information campaign, many parties where overused, like possessed are copied without proper consent or sometimes unethical way of presenting information are formed in order to catch attention of readers or viewers.   These are just some of the obvious reasons, why this topic or issue is very important. American Psychological Association also has become the main organization that has establish the right principles and practices to be perform in order to provide assistance in helping people to become not only ethically upright but also practice high degree of respect to his well-being.   Some of the major principles that it applies are: Fidelity and Responsibility, Integrity, Justice and most especially Respect for people’s rights and dignity.   These are the major principles that the organization wants us to perform, observe and adhere in our daily lives.   If we relate this to internet and electronic media, it is really obvious that there are issues and problems it really generates. Take for instance; like for the internet, almost anybody can use it without any restriction, meaning it can be used by anyone, anywhere and everywhere.   Students, if they will not be allowed to use their computers to do â€Å"chat† or play â€Å"network games† at home, they could still have the chance to do it when they are outside their homes and how much more if they are outside their school.   These are just some of the major impact of internet alone.   The problem here is that for these young generations, their attitude becomes affected and that affects the major principles that were mentioned earlier.   (Bersoff, D, 2003, pp. 6-10). Here the complete lists of APA ethical principles: Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility Principle C: Integrity Principle D: Justice Principle E: Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity But again these can also be a question on how children are raised by their parents, because there are instances that some children are being given too much liberty or freedom and in effect they will do whatever they can.   One very common and good example is that, a parent may always entrusted their children that they will do their work in school and in doing this they would even encourage their children to work with somebody outside in order to practice their inter-personal relationship.   But, in doing these, parents must also consider that there might be some problems if too much freedom is given and that should be the one that needs to be addressed. Just to present the possible trend that may actually happened in the future based from the 1999 National Institute on Media and the Family, the effect of non-proper monitoring in children for television and the use of internet really affects their studies and even affected up to their personal well-being.   In their study about 51% from a range of children ages 2-17, says that parents observed that children are affected by violence they see on video games. But, more alarming is that 57% of children are more affected by violence that they see on television and movies.   That is also why parents percentage of concerns also goes high between 77% to 81% that they are also not taking any chances of finding ways how their children in the same age group not to be exposed on violent and sexual content television shows and movies that has become the main ingredients in the industry these days just to attract viewers and movie goers.   (Gentile, D.A. & Walsh, D.A., 1999).   (See Table 1)    Always Often Sometimes Rarely Never How often families have a TV on during meals 18% 22% 26% 18% 16% How often families have a TV on even if no one is watching it * 27% 27% 27% 19% How often children watch educational TV 8% 39% 39% 11% 3% How often children see parents read * 65% 25% 7% 3% How often children have TV on while doing homework 4% 12% 14% 22% 48% How often children copy characters they have seen on TV * 15% 35% 32% 18% How often parents monitor how their children use the Internet 52% 15% 12% 8% 13% How often parents talk to their children about the music they listen to * 48% 34% 12% 6% Not given as a possible option Table 1. Common Television Pattern of Children But this may not anymore true since there are many changes and directives and policies that were implemented that shows that children are now aware of the impact of it in their lives as well as in their families.   Like, in a more recent and reliable studies presented in the next table, particularly when it comes to smoking and healthy life style of children as to how media affects to it, it shows that children are now careful and would always think of how they can prioritize their lives by looking at their bright future.   (See Figure 1 and 2). Figure 1. Sub-section: Smoking/ Media and Risky Behavior Figure 2. Sub-section: Alcohol Use/ Media and Risky Behavior In the two figures above, it only shows that there is some remarkable improvement that is happening in the past decade and this should continue in order to really make sure that children concern against the media is being addressed.   But in the two figure, the alcohol use for both 9th and 10th grade are just two of the major concerns, because it shows here that they might be more prone to be affected and enticed by media since the graph shows that there are no much remarkable developments in the curve that was presented. But, among the major principles that were emphasized, respect has been the principle that greatly affected in this study.   Under this principle one major characteristic of ethical practice is confidentiality.   In the internet there are major issues that can also be relating to it.   Take for instance information in the internet or even in the electronic media are sometimes exploited and being used for personal and competitive advantage and not anymore preserving it.   (Media and Risky Behavior, 2007). Ethical Committees of the American Psychological Association, main implementor of Rules and Procedures In the APA organization, a committee is given the over-all power in the proper implementation of the rules and procedures, which has been always for the best caring of the organization.   These said rules and procedures are yearly being reviewed and being paneled in order to see if it still appropriate and can address the different issues that human may encounter. (Bersoff, D, 2003, pp. 26-35).   Common Standards for Advertising, Avoidance of False or Deceptive Statements Most of us these days would consider internet and electronic media as one of the easiest source of information.   Information that sometimes without knowing can really affect our ethical standards, like the way we used these information in our daily lives.   With the way they advertised products as well as how it also inculcate the minds of everyone that would really â€Å"make believe† their audience about the many advantages of their product, sometimes it could also labeled us as a person as to how our ethical standards is measured.   (Fisher, C, 2003, pp. 103-105) One of the major issues here is about providing false and deceptive statements or information.   This is one major issue that needs to be address since there are many unreliable information that may come from either in the internet or electronic media.   This information sometimes reflects and builds our own personality and values.   Values that also affects our ethical standards in life. Media Presentation and Keeping Confidential Information As media becomes one of the major cornerstones of information delivery to everyone and as the confidentiality of it is always being tackled, there are some very good example as to how confidential information is really important to some businesses and industries.   This also helps us understand that keeping confidential information is really not only part of our human ethical practice but also has become a major part of the business process of many industries around the world. (Fisher, C, 2003, pp. 109-111). In keeping this confidential information, there are many good examples of information that really needs to be kept in properly and safe.   One of which is HIPAA information or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, it is actually enacted by the US Congress in 1996, that these information should be kept confidential at all times.   It is said to be one of the most confidential information that needs to be kept by all Government Health Services in the United States.   The main reason is that this information may also cause a lot of damage to the credibility of a person if used. (Fisher, C, 2003, p. 116). Other example of confidential information that has been classified are education and forensic records which are also highly confidential, like the latter is usually being used for police investigation and being presented as evidence in the court.   (Fisher, C, 2003, pp. 117-118) The Value of Maintenance, Dissemination and also proper Disposal of Records In order to address this concerns regarding confidentiality there should be proper and well defined process of maintenance, dissemination as well as disposal of information.   In this way information will not be used for bad purpose or at least problems may be minimized.   With the process put in place, people will be aware of how they can manage information and designated check points can be created in order to make sure that it really follows the right procedures. (Fisher, C, 2003, pp. 119-120) The Standards of Conducting Research the Importance of Consent in Research One of the better processes that should start for internet or electronic media is to practice and adhere to one of the best standard in conducting research is that it should first ask for consent in using the information.   Because only by asking for consent on the information would make it more binding, lawful and most especially ethical to the owner of the information as well as for the people who would get the information.   This also immediately eliminates the notion of non-conformance to confidentiality issues, which really a big effect on the principle of respect to the dignity of other people. (Fisher, C, 2003, pp. 146-155). Ethical Principles of Psychology and its Code of Conduct that Relates to Informing Consent At this point, it will provide more relevant information as to how important consent and how it is being performed properly by one person who is getting the information.   Just like for example a professional psychologist who would ask for information to his patient must need to ask for consent to their patients and most of the time, there is a waiver form that is signed by the patients that says every information that may come along during the procedure is confidential.   The following are the detailed step that needs to be done in these procedures of asking for consent: Must provide a clear explanation Must seek the individual’s assent or approval Needs to consider persons’ preferences and best interest, and Obtain appropriate permission from legal authorities. In these steps, it only shows that asking for consent is not a simple way to do and individuals must always respect these processes because this is where issues comes along.   Issues that your confidential information might be used wrongfully.   (Pope, K., 2008). The Importance of Training and Supervision for People to embraced the right Ethical Standards of Life It is true that not all are well trained or at least well informed on the right ethical standards that they have to do either in business or in school.   Many just considers that everything is given the freedom to do whatever they prefer doing without really focusing on the effect it might bring to the public.   Internet and electronic media has been two of the common target to these issues. But the issues is not always on its people or practice that they embraced in their lives but there are many cases that industries and even schools are the ones that has the problem and even parents as well.   These people in authority must provide adequate trainings and supervision in order to solidify the process.   This also would help not only in the proper implementation if the right ethical standards but also would be necessary in the continuing development of policies and processes that may be impactful in the development of human ethical standards.   (Nagy, T., 2000, pp. 129-135) This has proved a lot worthy to parents in some of the major states and cities in the US, where with the proper monitoring made by parents, children slowly becomes aware of what they do and what they see.   This also shows that time management and choosing the right program and activities that they must do is essential and they should be there to guide and explain their child about the impact on them.   (See Table 2 to 4). Bay Area Percent       Very Positive   8.5% Somewhat Positive 42.1% Somewhat Negative 25.1% Very Negative   4.7% Too Young to Say 13.8%          Table 2. Parents Ratings on Effect of Media: 2006 @ Bay Area Alameda and Contra Costa Counties Percent       Very Positive   9.6% Somewhat Positive 43.8% Somewhat Negative 22.1% Very Negative   5.8% Too Young to Say 13.7% Table 3. Parents Ratings on Effect of Media: 2006 @ Alameda and Contra Costa Countries San Mateo County Percent       Very Positive   7.5% Somewhat Positive 42.6% Somewhat Negative 23.3% Very Negative   3.3% Too Young to Say 16.2% Table 4. Parents Ratings on Effect of Media: 2006 @ San Mateo County Santa Clara County Percent       Very Positive   8.9% Somewhat Positive 40.6% Somewhat Negative 24.2% Very Negative   4.5% Too Young to Say 15.5% Table 5. Parents Ratings on Effect of Media: 2006 @ Sta. Clara County Definition: Percentage of parents who rated the effects of media, including television, movies, music, and the like, at each level. Data Source: A survey of Bay Area parents commissioned by the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health. Polling conducted by the Survey Policy and Research Institute at San Jose State University. August 2006. Full results available at http://www.kidsdata.org/parentpoll/    In this table that were presented above, it only shows that media may not always give negative impact to children or people, most especially if the families, communities and organization works together in helping children or other people adhere to right ethical standards and processes.   Supervision and training can also make a big difference in order to achieve positive impact of electronic media.   (Parent Ratings on Effect of Media: 2006, 2006). III. The Importance of Ethical Community in the Ethical Practice and the Methods of Ethical Decision Making    Ethical Community impact on the Ethical Practices and Rightful decision Making In the previous topics, the main focus was mainly on the standard principles of ethical standards in the APA perspective and how it affects the issues that arise on internet and electronic media.   Now, the main focus is on how people be regarded to perform the right ethical standards having to respect the ethical community they belong.   Associations and organizations has always been the back bone of any entities in the world.   These organizations are also said to be the main community that needs to make sure that people are properly following the right policies of ethical standards. Penalties are even one part of the implementation that also needs to be force if needed.   That is also why people make the right decision based on these communities and not just their own personal judgment.   Communities makes ethical standards easily be followed because with it, people could easily set himself or herself that by doing such actions, they could either be penalized or be recognized for their actions and with that, they become more responsible and respectful to others.   (Sales, B.D. & Folkman, S., pp. 65-109). The Positive Effect of Internet and Electronic Media in the field of Psychology The Internet and What Lies ahead in the Field of Psychology It is true that the growing demand for information is really picking up, like in the field of psychiatry and psychological profession.   With the importance of having these processes to be accessible to anybody in order for them to apply the best practice fast and efficient, internet has becomes the only solution for it.   Internet has provided the best layered presentation of information that people can get almost anywhere in the world.   With its vast presence everywhere, internet has provided its own need for the people and that is not only to gain information but also to be prepared for much more to come, where more conveniently is given to them. Some of the advantages it provides in the field of Psychology in particular are that, it becomes an avenue of interchange amongst professional psychologist where exchanging of information and providing feedbacks happened.  Ã‚   It also has become a major development for this kind of profession to be able to provide these information conveniently and fast to its clients, not anymore doing it in a more traditional and tedious way.   (Huang, MP & Alessi NE, 1996). Psychological Experiments that can be conducted on the Internet In order to really see the effect of internet to an individual, there are proven effective experimentation that can be applied, and this includes: general issue and issues affecting cultural differences of people. General Issues In the general issues, there are sub-categories that have been included: decision making on the lab and on the internet and the other one is the validity of the web based psychological search.   In the first sub-category that was selected in this study, which is decision making on the lab as against in the internet, it shows that better and more effective decisions can be made in the lab since the information can easily be decided due to its minimal number of information that can be analyzed.   While in the internet, it has been proven difficult since the information are too much and sometimes individuals may find it difficult to evaluate the information and with that failure to get the more fruitful information is most of the time experienced. Cross-cultural experimentation and Individual differences Since internet is visited by everybody, regardless of their age or even gender and most especially the choice of information if always been the case for internet.   This has become a major trend that sometimes interpretation and understanding also becomes an issue.   Standards are sometimes affected by this approach.   Depending on the person who has adopted the approach that he or she has research, that will be the basis of his or her findings.   This also sometimes affects the personality also of the person which follows their ethical standards as well.   (Birnbaun, M, 2000). The Concept of Humanistic Psychology In order to really understand the issue and how we can clearly think of a better way how to address it, there are reliable set of values that we can apply in humanistic psychology that not only provides direction but also simple guidelines as to how internet and electronic media really affects human ethical well being.   The following core values are: (1) a belief in the worth of persons and dedication to the development of human potential, (2) an understanding of life as a process, change is inevitable, (3) an appreciation of the spiritual and intuitive, (4) a commitment to ecological integrity, and lastly, (5) a recognition of the profound problems affecting our world and a responsibility to hope and constructive change. This only says that the belief of a person that he can do the right thing and be recognized is very important.   Many people still do not apply this simple and yet very effective ways on how to motivate one self as well as well as others is very important and this can effectively be used in addressing the issues that brought about by internet and electronic media against human ethical standards.   (Humanistic Psychological Overview, 2008). VII. Summary In this study, with the information that were presented and the facts that were provided, it only shows that the issues that brought about by internet and electronic media does not always resulted to negative.   This was proven on the facts and figures that were presented in this paper. This study only shows and carefully explains that ethical standards of an individual may only be driven by as to how the person rely on his judgment as well as how committees and person in authorities perform their duties in order to make sure if the right practice and principles of ethical standards is followed.   Parents also seen to be a major part in the proper development of an individual because with their guidance and supervision not only with the committees, it helps children in particular to be more responsible in using internet and electronic media only to times that they really needed it and not for any other reasons. VIII. Recommendations In this study since it was very clear that being obliged to do what is right is really necessary to everyone and following the right principles and guidelines are also needed in order to achieve and apply the best and highly effective ethical standards that not only address issues regarding internet and electronic media but also not affecting the values being set by the psychological profession.   In this study it has recommended that all organizations must start to adhere the right ethical principles at all times in order for their people to be well guided accordingly on the right practices that they need to do at work. Secondly, parents and guardians must also be active in monitoring and supervising their children at home, because it will also help in solidifying the process in the minds of the children and that would also help them thinks the effect in their own personal way of life, most especially their values.   Lastly, is to educate oneself that nothing good will give if lack of respect will be applied and that will only promote negative attitude which affects ethical standards and behavior. References Bersoff, D. (2003). Ethical Conflicts in Psychology 3e. American Psychological Association, USA, pages 6-50. Birnbaun, M. (2000). Psychological Experiment on the Internet. Retrieved July 5, 2008, from http://psych.fullerton.edu/mbirnbaum/web/IntroWeb.htm Fisher, C. (2003). Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists 1e. Sage Publications, Inc., California USA, pages 103-155. Gentile, D.A. & Walsh, D.A. (1999). National Survey of Family Media Habits, Knowledge and Attributes. Retrieved July 4, 2008, from http://www.mediafamily.org/research/report_mqexecsum.shtml Huang, MP & Alessi NE. (1996). The Internet and the Future of Psychiatry. Retrieved July 5, 2008, from http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/153/7/861?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=Internet+and+eLECTRONIC+mEDIA+ISSUES&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT Humanistic Psychological Overview. (2008). Association for Humanistic Psychology. Retrieved July 5, 2008, from http://www.ahpweb.org/aboutahp/whatis.html Media and Risky Behavior. (2008). The Future of Children Site. Retrieved July 4, 2008, from http://www.futureofchildren.org/information2850/information_show.htm?doc_id=676348 Nagy, T. (2005). Ethics in Plain English: An Illustrative Casebook for Psychologists 2e. American Psychological Association, USA, pages 129-135. Parents Rating on Effects of Media: 2006. (2008). Kidsdata.org. 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