Ethics PSY3041 Flashcards

To provide sufficient information on the topic of Ethics to get through our exam successfully

1
Q

What is Ethics?

A
  • Ethics is a branch of philosophy dealing with Moral problems & moral judgments
  • Ethics involves the evaluation of human actions as ‘right’ or ‘wrong’
  • Ethics are different to morals in that ethical codes are systematically grouped and specific to professional groups whereas morals are generally built on societal norms
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2
Q

What is the purpose of the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics (2007)?

A

To regulate the professional conduct of psychologists. Specifically:

  • it articulates & promotes ethical principles
  • sets specific standards to guide psychologists & members of the public
  • to provide a clear understanding & expectation of what is considered ethically professional conduct by psychologists
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3
Q

Why are ethics essential to psychological practice?

A
  • Good Ethical Practice equates to good professional practice
  • Intuition alone is not sufficient as we make subjective/bias choices, may generalise or may fall into ethical traps
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4
Q

How can an Ethical Code help psychologists to make appropriate decisions?

A
  • Following a Code removes uncertainty, providing guidance
  • Without a code we can experience confusion, conflicting loyalties, leading to poor judgement or errors in ethical-decision-making
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5
Q

What constitutes an Ethical Dilemma?

A

A dilemma occurs when there is a conflict between 2 completing interests &/or actions

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6
Q

What is the difference between an Ethical Dilemma & a Mixed Dilemma?

A
  • An Ethical dilemma occurs when the conflict is between ethical values or principles
  • A Mixed dilemma occurs when the conflict is between an ethical value & some non-ethical consideration
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7
Q

Give an example of an Ethical Dilemma

A

Euthanasia is an ethical dilemma as it involves conflict between saving lives and the alleviation of suffering

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8
Q

Give an example of a Mixed Dilemma

A

Being asked by your manager to interpret test results when you are not suitably qualified to do so

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9
Q

What are the 4 key components one needs to be familiar with to recognise an Ethical Dilemma?

A
  • Theoretical Perspectives on Ethics
  • Key Ethical Principles
  • Codes of Ethics
  • Potential Ethical Traps
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10
Q

Name the 3 main Theoretical Approaches to Ethics

A
  • Deontological (Duty Based) Approach
  • Consequentialist (Outcome Based) Approach
  • Personality Based (Virtue Ethics) Approach
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11
Q

Name the main points of the Deontology Approach to Ethics

A

Deontology:

  • Focuses on the concepts of Duty & Moral Obligation
  • Involves a commitment to acting in accord with absolute Ethical Standards
  • The Moral Good consists in the Intention of the action, rather than the outcome
  • Exemplified by Kant’s “Categorical Imperative”: treat others as a end in themselves (not a means to an end) & treat others as you wish to be treated
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12
Q

Name the main points of the Consequentialism Approach to Ethics

A

Consequentialism:

  • Focuses on the outcome of the actions NOT the underlying intention
  • The ‘good’ & ‘right’ action is that which promotes the greatest good for the greatest number i.e.
  • is exemplified by utilitarianism:
  • The moral worth is only known once all consequences have played out
  • John Stuart Mills: “the greatest happiness Principle” / Bentham: “The pleasure principle”
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13
Q

Name the main points of the Personality or Character Based Approach to Ethics

A

Personality / Character Based Approach:

  • Universal Virtuous characteristic are: wisdom, creativity, curiosity, fairness, forgiveness, appreciation of beauty & excellence, prudence, integrity, respectfulness, & benevolence.
  • Virtue ethics are hard to apply to uphold specific ethical principles & difficult to teach
  • Exemplified by Virtue Ethics - Aristotle i.e. this view is concerned with the cultivation of the virtuous person
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14
Q

Why are Virtue Ethics said to be hard to uphold & teach?

A

Although virtues and ethical principles overlap, principles are usually more specific and easier to translate into prescribed, observable obligation that can be enacted in a professional context

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15
Q

What is the format of the APS Code of Ethics (2007)?

A

The Ethical Principles in the Code of Ethics stem from both consideration of highly general / first-level principles and highly specific procedural principles and behavioural standards

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16
Q

List the 7 First-Level Principles in the APS Code of Ethics (2007)

A
  • Dignity
  • Equitability
  • Prudence
  • Honesty
  • Openness
  • Goodwill
  • Suffering prevention
    acronym: DEPHOGS
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17
Q

What are the key aspects required to uphold the principle of Dignity?

A
  • Treating each person as an end in themselves
  • viewing people as being worthy of respect and acting accordingly (i.e. must be culturally & contextually appropriate and so on)
  • The Principle of Dignity informs the APS Code of Ethics General Principle A: Respect for the rights & dignity of people & peoples
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18
Q

What are the key aspects required to uphold the principle of Equitability?

A
  • Being Fair & impartial in judgments and relationships
  • Treat others as we would want to be treated under similar circumstances
  • This principle is especially important when there is a power imbalance
  • The Principle of Equitability informs the APS Code of Ethics General Principle A: Respect for the rights & dignity of people & peoples
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19
Q

What are the key aspects required to uphold the principle of Prudence?

A
  • Harm Minimisation is key
  • Although we cannot always help a client, we must not harm them (either by omission or commission)
  • -The Principle of Prudence informs the APS Code of Ethics General Principle B: Propriety
20
Q

What are the key aspects required to uphold the principle of Honesty?

A
  • Behaving in a manner that is straightforward & truthful (not being deceitful or false)
  • We need to balance our honesty with consideration to the vulnerability of our client (without becoming parentalistic)
  • The Principle of Prudence informs the APS Code of Ethics General Principle C: Integrity
21
Q

What are the key aspects required to uphold the principle of Openness?

A
  • Communication in the therapeutic relationship should be sincere and honest
  • Privacy should be upheld (except where legal requirements prevent this)
  • The Principle of Openness informs the APS Code of Ethics General Principle A: Respect for the rights & dignity of people & peoples
22
Q

What are the key aspects required to uphold the principle of Goodwill?

A
  • Act in the interest of Others, not from self-interest
  • Doing more than the bare minimum for clients
  • Goodwill prevents many problems and helps resovle those that do arise
  • The Principle of Prudence informs the APS Code of Ethics General Principles A, B, & C: Respect, Propriety, & Integrity
23
Q

What are the key aspects required to uphold the principle of Suffering Prevention?

A
  • Involves the prevention and alleviation of suffering
  • one does not engage in activities that produce or increase suffering
  • This principle is sometimes at odds with others, such as in the case of euthanasia - suffering prevention versus do no harm (prudence)
24
Q

Which of the 3 main Theoretical Approaches to Ethics are Reflected in the APS Code of Ethics (2007)?

A

The Principles set out in the APS code of Ethics reflect mostly Deontological and Consequentialist views, but do contain shades of virtue ethics.

25
Q

In what way does the APS Code of Ethics reflect the 3 main Theoretical Approaches to Ethics?

A

Psychologists have:

  • specific duties & standards of conduct
  • are required to think about the consequences of their actions &
  • have good conduct
26
Q

What are the 3 General Principles of the APS Code of Ethics (2007)?

A

General Principle
A: Respect for the rights & dignity of people/s
B: Propriety
C: Integrity

27
Q

What are the 7 key factors incorporated in General Principle A: Respect for the rights & dignity of people & peoples?

A
  • Justice
  • Respect
  • Informed Consent
  • Privacy
  • Confidentiality
  • Release of information to clients
  • Collection of client information from associated parties
28
Q

What are the values underpinned in General Principle A: Respect for the rights & dignity of people & peoples?

A

Psychologists regard people as intrinsically valuable & respect their rights, including the right to autonomy & justice.

  • Psychologists engage in conduct which promotes equity & the protection of people’s human rights, legal rights, & moral rights.
  • They respect the dignity of all people & peoples
29
Q

What are the 13 factors incorporated in General Principle B: Propriety?

A
  • Competence
  • Record Keeping
  • Professional Responsibility
  • Provision of psychological services to multiple clients
  • Delegation of professional tasks
  • Use of interpreters
  • Collaborating with others for the benefit of clients
  • Accepting clients from other professionals
  • Suspension of psychological services
  • Termination of psychological Services
  • Conflicting demands
  • Psychological Assessments
  • Research
30
Q

What are the 7 factors incorporated in General Principle C: Integrity?

A
  • Reputable behaviour
  • Communication
  • Conflict of Interest
  • Non-Exploitation
  • Authorship
  • Financial Arrangements
  • Ethical investigations & concerns
31
Q

What are the key values underpinned in General Principle C: Integrity?

A

Psychologists recognise that their knowledge of the discipline of psychology, their professional standing, & the information they gather places them in a position of power & trust.

  • They exercise this power appropriately & honour this position of trust.
  • Psychologists keep faith with the nature & intentions of their professional relationships
  • Psychologists act with probity & honesty in their conduct
32
Q

What might cause a psychologist who has a good knowledge of the APS Code of Ethics and the first-level principles to fail to perceive an Ethical problem?

A

A psychologist might fail to perceive 2 principles in conflict and fall into an ethical trap

33
Q

What are the 4 Ethical traps that interfere with a person’s ability to recognise that an ethical dilemma?

A
  • The Common-sense, Objectivity Trap
  • The Values Trap
  • The Circumstantiality Trap
  • The Who Will Benefit? Trap
34
Q

What are the key elements of the Common-sense, Objectivity Trap?

A

The belief that “commonsense, objective solutions” to dilemmas are easy since psychologists are ethical people using this approach every time they face a dilemma:

  • often the law is guiding our decisions (privacy & confidentiality);
  • objectivity is difficult to come by We bring & impose our own belief system on situations, impacting objectivity
35
Q

What are the key elements of the Values Trap?

A

The Prominence of personal values over professional values & standards: our religious, moral or personal values may conflict with professional code. -e.g. bias against divorce may negatively influence how we work with a client in a Family Violence situation

36
Q

What are the key elements of the Circumstantiality Trap?

A

The Belief that there are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers to ethical dilemmas, that it is all down to circumstance. -Whereas, behaviour is often right or wrong according to professional ethical standards regardless of the circumstances under which it occurred.

37
Q

What are the key elements of the ‘Who will Benefit?’ Trap?

A
  • Results from confusion about Who will Benefit from a specific ethical dilemma
  • Resolving an ethical dilemma often means taking sides among 2 or more conflicting interests
  • The resolution of the dilemma may not always be in the clients best interest
38
Q

What are the 7 Steps employed in the Ethical Decision-Making Model?

A
  1. Identify the ethical standard involved
  2. Determine the ethical trap possibilities
  3. Frame a Preliminary response
  4. Consider the consequences
  5. Prepare an ethical resolution
  6. Get Feedback
  7. Take Action
39
Q

What considerations need to be taken into account in order to identify the ethical standard involved?

A
  • What issues are involved in the scenario?
  • What are the relevant first-level principles?
  • Which are the relevant APS general ethical principles?
  • What are the relevant APS specific ethical standards?
  • Is there a legal responsibility?
  • Consult with a clinical supervisor
40
Q

What considerations need to be taken into account in order to determine the ethical trap possibilities?

A
  • Is there a risk of falling into an Ethical Trap?
  • If so, which one?
  • Ensure there is clarity about the ethical principles & standards involved
  • Must comply with the relevant ethical principles & standards
41
Q

What considerations need to be taken into account in order to Frame a Preliminary Response?

A
  • Once the dilemma is identified the clinician must decide on an appropriate course of action
  • Consideration must be given to:
  • what the law says should be done
  • What the code of ethics say should be done
  • What circumstances (if any) should influence the response
  • A description of what an appropriate ethical response should look like
42
Q

What considerations need to be taken into account in order to Consider the Consequences?

A
  • consider the preliminary response framed in previous step in light of potential:
  • Short term consequences:
  • are there conflicts of interest?
  • What are the consequences for you, & your client?
  • Long Term Consequences:
  • How might this response affect client, others, society, the profession?
43
Q

How does a psychologist facing an ethical dilemma ensure they appropriately Prepare an Ethical Resolution?

A

Turn the preliminary response into a detailed resolution addressing the following:

  • detail the situation & circumstances
  • ethical codes &/or laws involved
  • follow the guidance of the code or law
  • follow the guidance of their clinical supervisor
44
Q

How does a psychologist facing an ethical dilemma ensure they Get Appropriate Feedback?

A

Prior to taking action, discuss the case and proposed resolution in detail with their clinical supervisor
-Give careful consideration to the feedback they received and amend their resolution to abide by this if necessary

45
Q

At what point can a psychologist facing an ethical dilemma Take Action appropriate to the needs of the particular situation?

A

When the psychologist is confident about their decision and has appropriately implemented the previous 6 steps of the Ethical-Decision-Making Model