Ethics Flashcards
The Preamble and General Principles are _________ and ________
Aspirational and NONenforceable
The ethical standards provide _______ and ________ rules
Specific and enforceable
If a given situation/behavior is nor specifically addressed by the ethical standards, then it is…
Either ethical or unethical
Membership in the APA requires…
You must follow the Ethics Code
The Preamble specifies that psychologists are committed to:
1.
2.
3.
- Increasing scientific knowledge, and applying that knowledge to improving the condition of individuals, organizations, and society
- Respect and protect civil and human rights
- Help the public make informed judgments and choices regarding human behavior
What are the 5 General Principles?
- Beneficence and NonMaleficence
- Fidelity and Responsibility
- Integrity
- Justice
- Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity
The General Principles are _______ in nature and, unlike the Ethical Standards, they should not _________
Aspirational
Be used to impose sanctions/they are not enforceable
General Principle A: Beneficence and NonMaleficence
Psychologists should:
- Strive to benefit those they work with
- Take care to do no harm
- Resolve conflict in ways that minimize harm
- Maintain awareness of how they may influence or mislead others
- Maintain awareness of their own mental/physical health and it’s potential impacts on those with whom they work
General Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility
Psychologists should:
- establish relationships of trust
- conduct themselves professionally and appropriately
- accept responsibility for their behavior
- collaborate with other professionals
- be concerned with the ethical behavior of their colleagues
- Provide pro-bono services
General Principle C: Integrity
Psychologists should:
- strive to promote accuracy, honesty, and truthfulness in the science, teaching, and practice of psychology
- do not engage in fraud or deliberately mislead others
- Use deception only when benefits outweigh harm and take steps to repair any potential harm
General Principle D: Justice
Psychologists:
- recognize that fairness and justice entitle all persons to access and benefit from the contributions of psychology
- take steps to address and minimize bias
General Principle E: Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity
Psychologists:
- respect the dignity and worth of all people
- respect the rights to privacy, confidentiality, and self-determination
- are aware of and respect cultural, individual, and role differences and work to address bias related to these factors
The primary goals of the Ethics code are:
1.
2.
- The welfare and protection of the individuals and with whom psychologists work
- Education of members, students, and the public about the ethical standards within the discipline
The Ethics code applies to only to the professional roles of psychologist, with the exception that the APA may take action against a member who ______
Has been convicted of a felony
Provision of pro-bono services is __________ by the Ethics Code
Recommended but not required
Who enforces adherence to the Ethics code?
- The APA enforces adherence to the code for APA members
- An ethics violation may also lead to action from the state licensing board
(Ethical Standard 1: Resolving Ethical Issues)
If psychologists learn of misuse or misrepresentation of their work, they must…
Take reasonable steps to correct or minimize the misuse/misrepresentation
When psychologists face a conflict between their ethical principles and the law and/or organizational demands, they must:
1.
2.
3.
- Clarify the nature of the conflict
- Make known their obligation to the ethics code
- Take reasonable steps to resolve the conflict in keeping with the General Principles and Ethical Standards of the Ethics Code
Before making an attempt to resolve or report an ethical violation, psychologists must make sure that taking such action would not violate ________
the confidentiality rights of involved individuals (e.g., patients/clients)
If a psychologist becomes aware of an ethical violation by another psychologist, they should _______ so long as there is not past/future substantial harm or violation of confidentiality rights
Attempt an “informal resolution” by discussing it directly with them
Under what circumstances is a formal report of an ethical violation appropriate?
- when there is risk of substantial harm in the future, or substantial harm has already occurred
- a report would not violate confidentiality rights
- Informal resolution was attempted but was not successful
Failure to cooperate in an Ethics Investigation is itself considered…
A violation of the ethics code
Psychologists ________ discriminate (e.g., in hiring, promotion, etc.) based upon that person having made or being the subject of an ethics complaint
Can NOT; but they can consider the outcome of a resolved ethics complaint/history of prior confirmed violations
What constitutes “substantial harm” in the context of an ethical violation?
Behaviors such as:
- sexual misconduct
- insurance fraud
- plagiarism
The Ethical Standards indicate that psychologists provide services, teach, and conduct research only in areas and with populations within the boundaries of ________
Their competence
If a psychologist plans to provide services, teach, or conduct research using techniques that are new to them or a population that differs in factors known to be related to implementation/outcome (eg. age, culture, gender, SES), then they must:
Obtain the training, experience, consultation or supervision necessary to ensure competence
In order to ensure competence in forensic settings, psychologists should familiarize themselves with:
The judicial or administrative systems and rules governing their role
Psychologists should provide services outside of their training/competence only:
1) in the case of an emergency
2) until the emergency has ended and/or until appropriate services become available
When psychologists delegate work to others, it is the responsibility of the psychologist to:
1.
2.
3.
- Multiple relationships are avoided (ex. Don’t delegate interpreting to a family member)
- Only delegate responsibilities that can be expected to be completed competently by the individual’s level of education/training, etc.
- Ensure the individual completes those delegated tasks competently.
If psychologists become aware of personal problems that may interfere with their ability to perform work-related duties, they must:
Take “appropriate measures” including:
- seeking professional consultation and assistance
- consider whether they should limit, suspend, or terminate their work related duties
If a psychologist wants to change or add a new specialty (e.g., experimental psychologist wants to become a clinical psychologist), they must:
Meet the same requirements with regards to subject matter and professional skills that apply to doctoral education, training, and experience in the new area
I.e., while you wouldn’t need a whole new PhD you would need to take all the required coursework and gain the same clinical/applied training as required for the new subject area
“Vicarious liability” is a legal term which refers to:
Supervisors are legally responsible for the actions of their supervisees
Employers are legally responsible for the actions of their employees
The Ethics Code defines Sexual Harassment as sexual solicitation, physical advances, verbal or nonverbal conduct that EITHER 1) _________ OR 2) __________
1) is unwelcome, offensive, or creates a hostile workplace environment AND the psychologist KNOWS OR IS TOLD THIS
2) is sufficiently severe or intense to be abusive to a “reasonable person” in that context
Ex. If someone makes multiple comments about another person’s appearance this is not harassment until they are asked to stop and then continue the behavior.
Psychologists should avoid entering into a multiple relationship when:
1) the relationship could be reasonably expected to impair the psychologists objectivity, competence, or effectiveness
2) risks exploitation or harm to either party
Multiple relationships are ethical when:
They would not be reasonably expected to cause impairment or risk harm
When psychologists provide services at the request of a third party (e.g., court-ordered services), they should:
- Clarify….
- Identify….
- Clarify the nature of the service relationships with ALL PARTIES at the OUTSET
- Identify the use of the services and the limits to confidentiality
Psychologists must obtain informed consent before providing services. When working with an individual who is legally incapable of providing informed consent, psychologists must: 1. 2. 3. 4.
- Provide an appropriate explanation of services
- Seek the individuals assent
- Consider the individual’s preferences and best interests
- Obtain appropriate permission from a legally authorized person
_______ are responsible for _______ in the event that psychological services are interrupted unexpectedly (e.g. by the illness or death of the psychologist)
Psychologists
Making reasonable efforts to plan for facilitating transition of services
Gottlieb (1993) recommended considering these 3 factors when determining whether a multiple relationship is ethical/appropriate:
1.
2.
3.
- Power Differential (the greater the power divide, the higher the risk for harm)
- Duration (the longer the relationship the higher the risk for harm)
- Clarity of Termination (did it end cleanly? Is it likely the person will want to re-start services?)
What three conditions must be met for a legal definition of “informed” consent?
1.
2.
3.
- Capacity (individual is able to make rational decisions)
- Comprehension (individual is given adequate information and is able to understand that information)
- Voluntariness (consent is given freely, individual is not coerced)