In looking at this particular case study, there are a few different ethical issues surrounding the online advertising and testimonial page that the shelter is looking to roll out to the public on their website. Although it is important to grow some business by emphasizing how beneficial the corporation has been to their consumers, the psychology professional must view things differently. Similar to other professions, it is important to emphasize what the shelter has done to help improve their patients’ lives, but in this field it is just as important to maintain and uphold the professional standards and principles described in the Code of Ethics. In saying this, it is important to be cautious with what listed on the website, including online advertising of the shelter. If there are seemingly false testimonials or questionable statements present on the website and available for …show more content…
The first issue is specifically relating to the testimonial page that the shelter wanted to add to the website. This would be in direct violation of Standard 5.05, Testimonials. The Case Study shows that the web developer wanted to add the testimonial page so that local citizens could explain their positive experience with the shelter and any services they had provided. Fisher (2013) states that Standard 5.05 prohibits psychologists from asking “individuals who are vulnerable to undue influence to provide commercial statements testifying to the benefits of the psychologist’s services… [and] specifically prohibits solicitation of testimonials from clients/patients currently in therapy”. Additionally, if the web developer added in statements and testimonials from Angie’s List, that could also lead to the violation of Standard 5.01a, Avoidance of False or