Ethical Dilemmas at Willowbrook Mental Institution

The APA assignment presents knowledge about common practice and biblical support to the research applications of the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. The lesson teaches the fact that psychologist are required to conduct research that is based on truth and without fallibility. The comparison of APA requirements versus Bible expectations shows equal

The Willowbrook State School for children with mental retardation became notorious for and a prime example of a conflict between research and ethics when the details of a research project and the treatment of the residents. Willowbrook initially opened as a new hospital serving WWII veterans however this changed when in 1951, “the hospital was established as the Willowbrook State School for people suffering from mental disabilities” (Starogannis & Hill, 2008, p. 87). Willowbrook continued to serve as a fronted rehabilitation facility for the mentally

The American Counseling Association and the American Mental Health Counselors Association Codes of Ethics both provide guidance and direction in making ethical decisions for their members (ACA, 2005) (AMHCA, 2010). Both the ACA and the AMHCA Codes of Ethics cover a wide range of moral and ethical situations that could present themselves to mental health professionals. Both of these codes of ethics have significant impacts on the counseling profession. The tools provided by these codes of ethics ensure that mental health professionals are able to conform to the regulations set forth. They address common concerns from varying points of view. Understanding these codes of ethics is essential to all mental

The American Counseling Association has also developed a Code of Ethics that all counselors are bound to follow to uphold the integrity of the profession. The Code of Ethics has a specific area devoted solely to research and how procedures should be handled. First and foremost, researchers should follow all federal, state, and local laws pertaining to research with human subjects (ACA, 2005). The Code of Ethics also explains that researchers are responsible for the well being of their subjects and they should take special precautions to avoid harm in any way, including physical,

There are at least 10 significant struggles and/or ethical violations discussed in the book. Read the book, choose three ethical issues or violations, and cover:

State institutions that house individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities have been a prominent part of history in the health professions. In 1967 in the United States, there were more than a quarter of a million state institutions that housed individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities (Waldman, 2017). One state institution that was around during that time period was Willowbrook State School which was located on Staten Island in New York City and was one of the largest run state schools for people with developmental disabilities. Willowbrook at its peak was home to over 6000 residents when its capacity was for just 4000 (Kaser, 2005). Willowbrook was a state institution that is most often described for dehumanizing its patients. Willowbrook housed both children and

Autonomy. Hai’s mental state is altered with the manifestations of delusions and hallucinations making him incapable of deciding for himself. His ability to practice his autonomy and refusal of medical treatment is deemed invalid due to his mental illness.

The EAI indicates that ethical guidelines have changed from individual character to organizational ethics (Ethics Awareness Inventory, 2011). The prime focus of this change are client-patient relationships in psychological counseling and clinical practice (Fisher, (2013). Psychological counseling and clinical practice are both constructed on ethical guidelines with the possibility for misuse of power and negligence to discretion (Fisher,

Ethical principles and virtues give mental health professions guidelines to follow to police their behaviors. Do no harm, respect autonomy, be just and pure excellences are some of the principles and virtues. Purse excellence is described in my textbook, Ethics in Psychology and the Mental Health Professions: Standards and Cases, as maintaining competence, doing your best, and taking pride in your work. (Koocher & Keith-Spiegal, 2008)

Willowbrook was designed in 1958 as an idea to build a school for the developmentally disabled. The New York legislature approved more than 5 million dollars to purchase 375 acres of land in the Northern part of Staten Island. Thirty building were erected completely surrounded by woods. When it was finished in 1941 the World War II was ending and veterans were just returning home. Veterans Administration took over the building to care for their wounded. The temporary name was Halloran General Hospital. It wasn’t until 1951 that Willowbrook opened its doors as “Willowbrook State School for people with disabilities.” Within the first 4 years Willowbrook surpassed its capacity of 2,950 by housing about 3,600 residents. Parents during that time were pressured by society, doctors, and even the court system to place their children who did not meet society’s standards of “normal.” By 1965 Willowbrook housed over 6,000 residents. This institution had the highest population in all of New Your State of disabled people along with the highest population of African Americans and Puerto Ricans. More than 200,000 people with disabilities nation wide were dumped into different institutions. The first legislative social reform gave families no other choices. The Federal Government did not provide any assistance to help keep their children stay home. Willowbrook became a dumping ground for the developmentally disabled where they were subjected to deplorable conditions, abuse and even

The APA code of ethics general principles intent is to guide and inspire psychologist toward the highest ethical standards of the profession. The five basic principles are beneficence and nonmaleficence, fidelity and responsibility, integrity, justice, and respect for people’s rights and dignity.

Although professional standards were promoted throughout the 20th century in a wide range of settings (Centore & Milacci, 2008), it has only within the last quarter century or so that the counseling profession established a formal entity called the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in 1981 for this purpose (Adams, 2006). A year later, the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates (NBCC) was established in 1982 to provide accreditation standards for counselor education as well as a method of assessing educational knowledge (Adams, 2006). In this regard, Juhnke (2009) reports that, "The NBCC was established through the American Counseling Association (ACA) in 1982. The reason for NBCC's original existence

James L. Brooks’ film, Broadcast News, follows a team of broadcast journalists working at the Washington station of a broadcasting company. Brooks’ broad characters are distinct in their roles within the broadcast system, portraying the diverse social climate of the broadcast news arena. Brooks’ two main characters, Jane and Tom, represent the mixture of personalities needed to run a news program. Jane and Tom have vastly different positions in the the news corporation, but each are essential to ensuring the program’s success.

Broadcast News depicts a clear picture of why Television and Journalism should have never mixed. Throughout the Film, the characters must juggle their personal lives, while at the same time, keep up their public image on everyday broadcasts. Jane mirrors this point, “It’s style over substance”. Television has ruined Journalistic integrity,

According to the article from Disability Justice on Willowbrook State School the conditions for the residents were terrifying (DisabilityJustice.org, 2016). From 1947 to 1987 it was the largest institution for children with mental disabilities in America. Instead of allowed capacity of 4000, there were around 6200 residents in 1969. It was overcrowded and often referred to as “human warehouse” which resulted in abuse and inhumane attitude towards the residents. As noted in the documentary “Unforgotten: Twenty-Five Years After Willowbrook” relatives visiting their institutionalized family members would