Ethics bish Flashcards
Why is a code of conduct necessary?
To safeguard
• The welfare of those who use psychological services
• The integrity of the profession
What is the main code of conduct in Australia for psychology?
Australian psychology code of ethics (in aust) (APS).
- To be registered you need to have full qualifications.
- code of ethics available to the public so public know what they should expect from the psychologist
The APS has three overarching general ethical principles. What are these three?
– Respect for the rights and dignity of people and
peoples
– Propriety
– Integrity
A. Respect for the rights and dignity of people and peoples. Explain.
- Psychologists regard people as intrinsically valuable and respect their rights, including the right to autonomy and justice.
- Psychologists engage in conduct which promotes equity and the protection of people’s human rights, legal rights, and moral rights.
- They respect the dignity of all people and peoples.
There are seven standards under the principle A) Respect for the rights and dignity of people and peoples.
What are the THREE WE look at?
- Justice***
- Respect
- Informed Consent ***
- Privacy
- Confidentiality***
- Release of Information to clients
- Collection of client information from associated parties
Explain justice
(subset of A) respect for the rights … etc.
psychologists are:
(all about discrimination this one)
- aware of imitations of using English language assessment tools for those who struggle with lang.
- psychologists are aware that some clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds may not be familiar with concepts e.g. might not understand confidentiality agreement or e.g. if you are in danger yourself, we are required to report it. Seek advice of cultural consultant.
- When assessing clients who are immigrants or former refugees, psychologists take responsibility for overcoming any language or cultural bias in the assessment instruments used. Psychologists are also mindful of the possibility that these clients’ previous experiences may affect their readiness to be assessed.
- When psychologists conduct assessments of cognitive functioning for culturally and linguistically diverse clients, psychologists review the suitability of available assessment tools, and adapt their assessment processes to reflect accurately each client’s capabilities.
Explain troubles with a translator
lost in translation, translator may not take into account cultural differences.
Informed consent
subset of A: respect for the rights.. etc
Psychologists explain clearly to their client:
a) the purpose of the psychological assessment (need to ask doctor who referred patient what the purpose is for).
b) what is involved in the assessment process
c) to whom any client information will be disclosed, particularly the distribution of any reports (need to retain reports for 7 years, unless the client is a child, and you need to retain them until 25. Often have written consent. )
d) how reports will be stored and the duration of storage.
Confidentiality explain?
subset of A: respect for the rights.. etc
you need to store test records appropriately.
CANNOT use those results for a secondary (other) purpose
UNLESS you get another informed consent from client.
Psychological assessment information is used only for the purposes for which it was first collected, and for which consent was obtained from the client being assessed. If assessment results are to be used for a secondary purpose, psychologists obtain consent from the client prior to commencing the assessment.
What is the second overarching principle about?
Propriety?
- Psychologists ensure that they are competent to deliver the psychological services they provide.
- They provide psychological services to benefit, and not to harm.
- Psychologists seek to protect the interests of the people and peoples with whom they work.
- The welfare of clients and the public, and the standing of the profession, take precedence over a psychologist’s self-interest
How many ethical standards are there in propriety principle?
14, we will only look at two:
1) Competence
2) psychological assessments
Competence (subset of B: propriety)
a) determining the need to undertake a psychological assessment e.g. must balance need for iq testing with money/personal needs
b) clarifying whether previous assessment data exist, and if so, whether the existing assessment data can be considered current, or a new assessment is required e.g. tests are always changing, professional development should include ongoing research and updating things.
e.g. developmental stage must be considered.
Is previous data still relevant from childhood if they are
now adult. Understand construct (is this construct stable).
c) choosing appropriate and psychometrically sound assessment procedures and, where necessary, making adaptations to allow for cultural differences;
d) accurately scoring and interpreting the results;
e) considering the assessment data in the context of all available information about the client, rather than interpreting assessment data in isolation;
f) drawing conclusions from the assessment of the client that are based on data obtained from a range of sources;
g) effectively communicating the results by oral or written feedback to the individual client, and/or by a written report to the commissioning party (e.g., to the medical practitioner, insurance company, or human resources agency) e.g. dont just test a client to not give them feedback.
h) making sound recommendations and decisions on the basis of the results, ensuring each component of the assessment is appropriately weighted.
e. g. if you make adaptations need to know what the changes to validity and relibaility are.
Psychological Assessments (subset of B: propriety)
B.13.1. Psychologists use established scientific procedures and observe relevant psychometric standards when they develop and standardise psychological tests and other assessment techniques.
B.13.2. Psychologists specify the purposes and uses of their assessment techniques and clearly indicate the limits of the assessment techniques’ applicability.
B.13.3. Psychologists ensure that they choose, administer and interpret assessment procedures appropriately and accurately.
B.13.4. Psychologists use valid procedures and research findings when scoring and interpreting psychological assessment data.
B.13.5. Psychologists report assessment results appropriately and accurately in language that the recipient can understand.
B.13.6. Psychologists do not compromise the effective use of psychological assessment methods or techniques, nor render them open to misuse, by publishing or otherwise disclosing their contents to persons unauthorised or unqualified to receive such information.
e.g. ethical code tells us that we dont reveal content to others who arent psychologists.
Integrity is the third overarching principle. Explain.
- Psychologists recognise that their knowledge of the discipline of psychology, their professional standing, and the information they gather place them in a position of power and trust.
- They exercise their power appropriately and honour this position of trust.
- Psychologists keep faith with the nature and intentions of their professional relationships.
- Psychologists act with probity and honesty in their conduct.
Integrity subsets?
Nothing specific under this code.
- Reputable behaviour
- Communication
- Conflict of interest e.g. shouldnt really test people you know
- Non-exploitation
- Authorship
- Financial arrangements e.g. discuss costs with clients
- Ethics investigations and concerns
