Canadian Code of Ethics

Question 1

What are the 4 ethical principles (in order of their weighting)

Answer 1

1. Respect for the dignity of person’s and peoples
2. Responsible caring
3. Integrity in relationships
4. Responsibility to society

Question 2

What is the purpose of the Code?

Answer 2

1. Help guide ethical decision making
2. Serve as umbrella for development of more specific codes
3. Assist in adjudication of complaints against psychologists

Question 3

The responsibility for ethical action depends foremost on the integrity of each psychologist. Acceptance to memberships in the CPA commits members to do 10 things:

Answer 3

1. Adhere to the Code in all activities as a psychologist
2. Apply conscientiously the ethical principles and values of the Code to new/emerging areas
3. Engage in ongoing development a maintenance of ethical knowledge/sensitivity
4. Assess and discuss ethical issues and practices with colleagues and appropriate others on a regular basis
5. Bring to the attention of the CPA ethical issues that require clarification or the development of new
   guidelines
6. Bring concerns about possible unethical actions by a psychologist directly to the psychologist (when the action appears to be primarily a lack of sensitivity, knowledge or experience)
7. Bring concerns about more serious unethical actions to the person(s)/Body(ies) most suited to investigating
8. Consider others’ concerns about one’s own unethical actions or unrecognised biases and attempt to reach an agreement (and take action if needed)
9. Not be vexatious or malicious if bringing/responding to possible unethical actions
10. Cooperate with duly constituted committees of the Association that are concerned with ethics/ethical conduct

Question 4

What does the 2nd ethical princple, Integrity in Relationships, involve?

Answer 4

accuracy and honesty; straightforwardness and openness; maximization of objectivity and minimization of bias; and avoidance of conflicts of interest.

Question 5

Describe the 3rd ethical principle: Responsible Caring

Answer 5

Responsible caring recognises and respects the ability of individuals and groups to make decisions for the themselves and to care for themselves and each other. It does not replaced or undermine such ability, nor does it substitute one individual’s or group’s opinion about what promotes the well-being and best interests of another for that other individual’s or group’s competent decision making

Question 6

Describe the 4th ethical principle: Responsibility to Society

Answer 6

Two of the expectations of psychology as a science and a profession are that it will increase knowledge and that it will conduct its affairs in such a way that it will promote the welfare of all human beings.

Ensuring that psychological knowledge, when used in the development of social structures and policies, will be used for just and beneficial purposes