Ethics in Psychology

Ethics in Psychology

Ethics and Professional Issues

l Governing Sources – APA Ethics Code – preamble and general

principles – APA Ethics Code: Ethical Standards – APA Guidelines and Standards – Laws and regulations – Licensing boards and ethical committees

American Psychological Association (APA) Ethics Code

l History

American Psychological Association (APA) Ethics Code

l Purpose: – Primary goal – maintain welfare and

protection of those with whom psychologists work

– To establish standards of professional conduct

– Provide principles and decision rules

Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2002, updated 2010 & 2016)

l The General Principles

Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2002, updated 2010 & 2016)

l Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence Psychologists strive to benefit those with whom they work and take care to do no harm.

l Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility Psychologists establish relationships of trust with those with whom they work and uphold professional standards of conduct.

l Principle C: Integrity: Psychologists seek to promote accuracy, honesty, and truthfulness in the science, teaching, and practice of psychology.

l Principle D: Justice: Psychologists recognize that fairness and justice entitle all persons to access and benefit from the contributions of psychology and to equal quality in the processes, procedures, and services being conducted by psychologists.

l Principle E: Respect for People�s Rights and Dignity Psychologists respect the dignity and worth of all people, and the rights of individuals to privacy, confidentiality, and self- determination.

Ethical Practice:

1. Know the code 2. Know applicable laws and regulations 3. Know rules and regulations of workplace 4. Continuing education 5. Identifying potential problems

1. Know yourself – limitations and competencies 2. Automatic monitoring 3. Know areas to be sensitive to

Ethical Decision Making

l Know the code l Describe the situation l Determine if the matter is an ethical one l Consult the guidelines l Consider, as best as possible, all of the

sources that might influence the kind of decision you will make

l Take into account rights, responsibilities, and welfare of all parties involved

l Consult a trusted colleague l Generate alternative decisions l Think through consequences of each

decision l Make a decision l Consult with other regarding your decision l Review the decision with affected parties with

regard to outcome effects l Implement the decision

Important Definitions

l Confidentiality - a general statement of professional conduct that obliges a professional not to discuss info about a client with anyone except under certain circumstances agreed to by both

l Privacy – a 4th amendment right that relates to disclosure of private information

l Privilege – who is in possession or control of the disclosure of confidential information

l Privileged Communication – the legal protection of one’s records from public disclosure

l Clear and Imminent Danger

l Duty to Warn

Informed Consent

l It is the responsibility of psychologists to inform clients fully

l Should be done: lOrally lIn written format

l It preserves the client�s rights to information and refusal of the participation

Information in Informed Consent

l Therapy l Alternatives l Appointments l Confidentiality l Money l General Information (training, experience,

grievances, etc.)

Legal and ethical issues are often hard to differentiate

l An ethics violation is not equal to legal liability

l Ethics constitute a higher standard l Need to resolve when there is

conflict between the two

The Counselor and the Courts

l Testify Regarding a Client l Expert Witness l Malpractice – lawsuit for

professional misconduct, lack of skill, or illegal or immoral conduct

Malpractice Suits

l faulty diagnosis l improper certification in commitment

proceeding l failure to exercise adequate care when

working with a suicidal client l breech of confidentiality

Malpractice Suits

l providing services for which competence has not been demonstrated, established, or proven

l promise of a cure l taking advantage of the counseling

relationship for personal gains, whether monetary, sexually, or otherwise

Malpractice Suits

l failure to warn another person of imminent danger

l engaging in behavior inappropriate to accepted standards of the profession

Avoiding Charges of Malpractice