Issues and Ethics in Behavior Manipulation

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Abstract
It is assumed that psychological techniques are now available for the modification of human behavior. This paper focuses on the implications of this technological advance for clinical psychology. The dilemma consists in the problem of justifying use of subtle influencing techniques in clinical procedures in the face of the popular assumption of the integrity, dignity and rights to freedom of the patient. The first step in the resolution of this dilemma is the recognition that a therapeutic effort by necessity influences the patient's value system as well as his specific symptoms. Control of behavior is wide-spread and historically not a new discovery. It was the purpose of this paper to discuss three features of the psychotherapeutic process which tend to raise ethical as well as scientific problems: (1) the particular methods of control used, (2) the domain of the behavior to be controlled, and (3) the discrepancy between personal values and cultural metavalues. It was noted that methods of psychological control appear more dangerous to the public when they are subtle in their influence and when their methods rest on control by rewards or positive reinforcement, rather than on coercion, or physical force. With regard to the domain of behavior to be controlled it was noted that most therapeutic strategies deal with the private, personal and intimate aspects of a person's life. This choice of material results in more powerful control over a person's behavior than material which is easily accessible to the community. Finally, it is pointed out that there are numerous ways in which a person can behave without violating the metavalues of his culture. The specific changes in personal values may be heavily influenced by the therapist. The paper suggested that the social community as a whole and not just the psychologist needs to establish rules within which psychological behavior modifications can be carried out.

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