What must professionals avoid to maintain ethical standards?

The necessity for professionals to avoid engaging with violators is grounded in maintaining ethical standards within the field of psychology. Professionals have a responsibility to uphold the integrity of their practice, which includes not only adhering to the rules themselves but also ensuring that they do not condone or support unethical behavior by others. Engaging with those who violate ethical standards can potentially compromise a professional's own adherence to these standards, leading to a conflict of interest or even complicity in unethical practices.

In this context, maintaining professionalism and integrity is crucial. Professionals are expected to model ethical behavior not only in their practices but also in their interactions within the broader psychology community. By steering clear of engaging with violators, they can better ensure that they contribute to a culture of compliance and accountability. This stance also helps protect the welfare of clients and the reputation of the profession as a whole.

In contrast, offering competitive services, providing clear communication, and participating in continuing education are all positive practices that can enhance one's professionalism and ethical conduct but do not specifically address the critical focus of avoiding association with unethical practices.