Ethics Flashcards
In what context(s) is a psychologist obligated to provide services?
clear professional and scientific relationships and roles accepted as standard by the discipline of psychology
What is a psychologist’s obligation if his/her license, etc. to practice psychology is limited, etc. by another authority?
notify the board in writing within 60 days
What are the bases for discrimination that a psychologist must avoid (i.e., what is the board’s definition of diversity)?
psychologists shall not discriminate based on:
- age
- gender
- race
- ethnicity
- culture
- national origin
- disability
- socioeconomic status
- other bases proscribed by law
What are some of the specific ways in which the Maryland ethics code prohibits psychologists from undermining the board’s activities?
- destroy, etc. records or other patient information to limit its use as evidence
- influence individuals to withhold or alter testimony
- hinder individuals from making information available to the board
What are the seven standards in research psychology?
- respect of research subjects and compliance with rules relevant to them
- ethical treatment of research participants by collaborators and subordinates
- research animal care complies with law
- humane treatment of research animals
- clarify to research participants the nature and costs of their participation and the psychologist’s obligations
- obtain host institution approval as appropriate
- report findings accurately
What are the three standards in teaching psychology?
ensure statements about and outlines for courses are accurate and not misleading as regards:
- subject matter
- nature of course experiences
- basis of performance evaluation
What are the seven standards of competence?
- practice is limited to areas of competence gained through education, training, and experience
- special education and training for cultural competence is acquired
- unfair discrimination* is avoided
- interventions and assessment are used appropriate based on evidence
- maintain competence through CE
- consult ongoingly when developing a new service or technique
- maintain appropriate records
- see card with “board’s definition of diversity”
Regarding impairment of competence, what must a psychologist do?
- represent accurately and objectively his/her qualifications
- seek competent professional assistance if his/her competence becomes impaired
Regarding impairment of competence, what may a psychologist not do?
- begin or continue a professional relationship when competence is or could reasonably be expected to be impaired by circumstances or his/her relationship with the person in question
- engage in other relationships that could limit his/her objectivity or create an apparent or actual conflict of interest
What are psychologists required to do regarding public statements?
- represent their qualifications, etc. accurately and objectively
- correct misrepresentation of their qualifications, etc. by others
- identify paid advertising as such
What may psychologists not do regarding public statements?
- misrepresent their affiliations
- claim affiliations that imply competence they do not have
- make statements that
- are false, misleading, etc.
- leave out relevant facts in a misleading way
- create false or unjustified expectations
- solicit testimony from vulnerable others
What are the general requirements of obtaining informed consent?
- uses appropriate, understandable language
- client has capacity to consent
- client receives all information that could affect her/his willingness to participate, including
- limits of confidentiality
- monetary costs or reimbursements
- indicates voluntary nature of participation
- provides opportunity to ask questions
What are the requirements of obtaining informed consent in research?
IC must communicate:
- nature of participation (costs, obligations, etc.)
- purpose and nature of evaluations, etc.
- right to withdraw
If activities are recorded, participant gives permission prior to recording
What are the requirements of obtaining informed consent in clinical practice?
IC must communicate:
- reasonable expectations
- nature and purpose of testing, etc.
- limits of confidentiality
- specifics of fees, billing, payments, etc.
- treatment scheduling
- termination processes and conditions
What are the requirements regarding financial arrangements and fees?
- clear financial arrangements with clients are made in advance
- clients must be warned of use of collection services before such services are engaged
- remunerations for referrals must be disclosed to clients in advance
- psychologists refrain from signing insurance statements indicating they provided services actually delivered by someone else
What are the rules for releasing test results?
- results are released only to patients and clients as appropriate
- test protocols and raw data may not be released to persons not qualified to interpret and use them, except as required by law
On what is selection of test scoring and interpretive programs and services based?
evidence of their validity
What aspects are included in the reporting of assessment results?
- adequate interpretive aids
- notice and discussion of deficiencies, reservations, or qualifications
What aspects are avoided in the reporting of assessment results?
misuse of automated interpretive reports
When offering an assessment procedure or automated interpretation service, what must be included?
a manual fully describing the procedure’s or service’s development, rational, validity and reliability, and norms
How should licensees handle conflicts of interest that arise with respect to clients?
they are disclosed to all relevant parties in a manner consistent with confidentiality requirements
How are periods of anticipated absences addressed?
arrangements are made with another professional as appropriate
What are five prohibitions against exploitations?
- no exploitation of others
- no actions that violate or diminish the rights of others
- no exploitation of trust and dependency of clients and subordinates
- no misuse of influence under personal, social, religious, organizational, financial, or political pressures
- no exploitative non-professional, non-psychological relationships with former clients
How are exploitative non-professional, non-psychological relationships with former clients determined?
based on:
- nature, duration, and intensity of professional services
- length of professional relationship
- length of time since professional relationship
- mental stability of psychologist and former client
- circumstances of termination (esp. termination in service of post-termination relationship)
- likelihood of adverse impact on client
What are the limitations for sexual relations with former clients?
- only after at least 2 years after termination
- not even after 2 years after termination if sexual relationship is exploitative
What is the limitation for sexual relations with significant others of former clients?
only after at least 2 years after termination with client
What are two obligations psychologists have to minors or adults with guardians (who cannot give voluntary, informed consent)?
- to provide services to such persons only with appropriate authorization
- to take special care to protect the interests of such persons
Under what circumstances must a psychologist terminate a relationship and how?
- if the client is not benefiting from the relationship
- if a multiple relationship develops
- if the psychologist’s competency or objectivity becomes impaired
- if the psychologist is threatened by the client
What does appropriate termination entail?
- notification of the client in writing
- assistance with the client obtaining other services
