Several areas are identified in the chapter as applicable to the requirements of a psychology professional. These include application of critical thinking, professional writing and communications, and codes of conduct. Specifically in the preamble of the APAs Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (Links to an external site.), it states that instructors are obligated to encourage ethical standards by students. Hence it is important that you illustrate that you understand the importance of these ethical practices in this course.

With this in mind, reflect on your own journey in academics by considering the following sentence starters as you write your journal:

Do you believe you have improved your level of critical thought during your time with University? In what ways?
Do you believe you have improved your level of professional writing standards? What improvements can you identify?
Do you utilize software that can help you edit your writing? If so, what software works best for you?
Do you double-check that you have sufficiently given credit to outside authors? Was there a resource that was most helpful to you?
Do you use your own voice rather than just writing exactly what someone else said with quotes?
When you do this, do you still cite where you learned the information?
How about ethical standards associated with giving advice: Are you more careful now to not give psychological advice, without having additional education, or supported evidence?
What do our reflection resource readings tell us about applying ethics?
There are many additional considerations you may include, but the key to this reflection is to

Demonstrate a broad understanding about the importance of the responsibilities associated with graduating with knowledge in the area of psychology.
Explain the potential applications of such knowledge to your future goals. (as a mental health counselor)
Discuss implications associated with ethical writing practices.
Discuss the implications of offering psychological advice to others, with limited knowledge and without credentials.