General Principle B: Propriety

Question 1

What is General Principle B concerned with?

Answer 1

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 & the public, & the standing of the profession, take precedence over a psychologist’s
self-interest.

Question 2

What does the explanatory statement for General Principle B Propriety say about psychologists competence?

Answer 2

Psychologists practise within the limits of their competence & know & understand the legal, professional, ethical &, where applicable,
organisational rules that regulate the psychological services they provide.

Question 3

What does the explanatory statement for General Principle B Propriety say about psychologists professional development?

Answer 3

They undertake continuing professional development and take steps to ensure that they remain competent to practise, & strive to be aware of the possible effect of their own physical and mental health on their ability to practise competently.

Question 4

What does the explanatory statement for General Principle B Propriety say about psychologists responsibility?

Answer 4

Psychologists anticipate the foreseeable
consequences of their professional decisions, provide services that are beneficial to people & do not harm them. Psychologists take responsibility for their professional decisions.

Question 5

What are the 14 Ethical Standards within General Principle B Propriety?

Answer 5

B.1. Competence
B.2. Record Keeping
B.3. Professional Responsibility
B.4. Provision of psychological services at the request of a third party
B.5. Provision of psychological services to multiple clients
B.6. Delegation of professional tasks
B.7. Use of interpreters
B.8. Collaborating with others for the benefit of clients
B.9. Accepting clients of other professionals
B.10. Suspension of psychological Services
B.11. Termination of Psychological Services
B.12. Conflicting Demands
B.13. Psychological Assessments
B.14. Research

Question 6

What does the Ethical Standard B.1 Competence B.1.1. within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 6

B.1.1. Psychologists bring and maintain appropriate skills and learning to their areas of professional practice.

Question 7

What does the Ethical Standard B.1 Competence B.1.2. within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 7

B.1.2. Psychologists only provide psychological services within the boundaries of their professional competence. This includes, but is not restricted to:
(a) working within the limits of their education, training,
supervised experience and appropriate professional
experience;
(b) basing their service on the established knowledge of the discipline and profession of psychology;
(c) adhering to the Code and the Guidelines;
d) complying with the law of the jurisdiction in which they provide psychological services; and
(e) ensuring that their emotional, mental, and physical state does not impair their ability to provide a competent psychological service.

Question 8

What does the Ethical Standard B.1 Competence B.1.3. within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 8

B.1.3. To maintain appropriate levels of professional competence, psychologists seek professional supervision or consultation as required.

Question 9

What does the Ethical Standard B.1 Competence B.1.4. within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 9

B.1.4. Psychologists continuously monitor their professional functioning.
If they become aware of problems that may impair their ability to provide competent psychological services, they take appropriate measures to address the problem by:
(a) obtaining professional advice about whether they should limit, suspend or terminate the provision of psychological services;
(b) taking action in accordance with the psychologists’
registration legislation of the jurisdiction in which they
practise, and the Constitution of the Society; and
(c) refraining, if necessary, from undertaking that psychological service.

Question 10

What does the Ethical Standard B.2. Record Keeping B.2.1. within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 10

B.2.1. Psychologists make and keep adequate records.

Question 11

What does the Ethical Standard B.2. Record Keeping B.2.2. within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 11

B.2.2. Psychologists keep records for a minimum of seven years since last client contact unless legal or their organisational requirements specify otherwise.

Question 12

What does the Ethical Standard B.2. Record Keeping B.2.3. within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 12

B.2.3. In the case of records collected while the client was less than 18 years old, psychologists retain the records at least until the client attains the age of 25 years.

Question 13

What does the Ethical Standard B.2. Record Keeping B.2.4. within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 13

B.2.4. Psychologists, with consideration of the legislation and organisational rules to which they are subject, do not refuse any reasonable request from clients, or former clients, to amend inaccurate information for which they have professional responsibility.

Question 14

What does the Ethical Standard B.3. Professional Responsibility within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 14

B.3. Professional responsibility
Psychologists provide psychological services in a responsible manner.
Having regard to the nature of the psychological services they are providing, psychologists:
(a) act with the care and skill expected of a competent
psychologist;
(b) take responsibility for the reasonably foreseeable
consequences of their conduct;
(c) take reasonable steps to prevent harm occurring as a result of their conduct;
(d) provide a psychological service only for the period when those services are necessary to the client;
(e) are personally responsible for the professional decisions they make;
(f) take reasonable steps to ensure that their services and products are used appropriately and responsibly;
(g) are aware of, and take steps to establish and maintain proper professional boundaries with clients and colleagues; and
(h) regularly review the contractual arrangements with
clients and, where circumstances change, make relevant modifications as necessary with the informed consent of the client.

Question 15

What does the Ethical Standard B.4. Provision of psychological services at the request of a third party within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 15

Psychologists who agree to provide psychological services to an individual, group of people, system, community or organisation at the request of a third party, at the outset explain to all parties concerned:

(a) the nature of the relationship with each of them;
(b) the psychologist’s role (such as, but not limited to, case manager, consultant, counsellor, expert witness, facilitator, forensic assessor, supervisor, teacher/educator, therapist);
(c) the probable uses of the information obtained;
(d) the limits to confidentiality; and
(e) the financial arrangements relating to the provision of the service where relevant.

Question 16

What does the Ethical Standard B.5. Provision of psychological services to multiple clients within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 16

Psychologists who agree to provide psychological services to multiple clients:

(a) explain to each client the limits to confidentiality in advance;
(b) give clients an opportunity to consider the limitations of the situation;
(c) obtain clients’ explicit acceptance of these limitations; and
(d) ensure as far as possible, that no client is coerced to accept these limitations.

Question 17

What does the Ethical Standard B.6. Delegation of professional tasks within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 17

Psychologists who delegate tasks to assistants, employees, junior colleagues or supervisees that involve the provision of psychological services:
(a) take reasonable steps to ensure that delegates are aware of the provisions of this Code relevant to the delegated professional task;
(b) take reasonable steps to ensure that the delegate is not in a multiple relationship that may impair the delegate’s judgement;
(c) take reasonable steps to ensure that the delegate’s conduct does not place clients or other parties to the psychological service at risk of harm, or does not lead to the exploitation of clients or other parties to the psychological service;
(d) take reasonable steps to ensure that the delegates are competent to undertake the tasks assigned to them; and
(e) oversee delegates to ensure that they perform tasks
competently.

Question 18

What does the Ethical Standard B.7. Use of Interpreters within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 18

Psychologists who use interpreters:

(a) take reasonable steps to ensure that the interpreters are competent to work as interpreters in the relevant context;
(b) take reasonable steps to ensure that the interpreter is not in a multiple relationship with the client that may impair the interpreter’s judgement;
(c) take reasonable steps to ensure that the interpreter will keep confidential the existence and content of the psychological service;
(d) take reasonable steps to ensure that the interpreter is aware of any other relevant provisions of this Code; and
(e) obtain informed consent from the client to use the selected interpreter.

Question 19

What does the Ethical Standard B.8. Collaborating with others for the benefits of clients B.8.1. within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 19

B.8.1. To benefit, enhance and promote the interests of clients, and subject to standard A.5. (Confidentiality), psychologists cooperate with other professionals when it is professionally appropriate and necessary in order to provide effective and efficient psychological
services for their clients.

Question 20

What does the Ethical Standard B.8. Collaborating with others for the benefits of clients B.8.2. within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 20

B.8.2. To benefit, enhance and promote the interests of clients, and subject to standard A.5. (Confidentiality), psychologists offer practical assistance to clients who would like a second opinion.

Question 21

What does the Ethical Standard B.9. Accepting clients of other professionals within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 21

If a person seeks a psychological service from a psychologist whilst already receiving a similar service from another professional, then the psychologist will:

(a) consider all the reasonably foreseeable implications of becoming involved;
(b) take into account the welfare of the person; and
(c) act with caution and sensitivity towards all parties concerned.

Question 22

What does the Ethical Standard B.10. Suspension of psychological services B.10.1 within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 22

B.10.1. Psychologists make suitable arrangements for other appropriate professionals to be available to meet the emergency needs of their clients during periods of the psychologists’ foreseeable absence.

Question 23

What does the Ethical Standard B.10. Suspension of psychological services B.10.2 within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 23

B.10.2. Where necessary and with the client’s consent, a psychologist makes specific arrangements for other appropriate professionals to consult with the client during periods of the psychologist’s foreseeable absence.

Question 24

What does the Ethical Standard B.11. Termination of psychological services B.11.1 within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 24

B.11.1. Psychologists terminate their psychological services with a client, if it is reasonably clear that the client is not benefiting from their services.

Question 25

What does the Ethical Standard B.11. Termination of psychological services B.11.2 within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 25

B.11.2. When psychologists terminate a professional relationship with a client, they shall have due regard for the psychological processes inherent in the services being provided, and the psychological well-being of the client.

Question 26

What does the Ethical Standard B.11. Termination of psychological services B.11.3 within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 26

B.11.3. Psychologists make reasonable arrangements for the continuity of service provision when they are no longer able to deliver the psychological service.

Question 27

What does the Ethical Standard B.11. Termination of psychological services B.11.4 within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 27

B.11.4. Psychologists make reasonable arrangements for the continuity of service provision for clients whose financial position does not allow them to continue with the psychological service.

Question 28

What does the Ethical Standard B.11. Termination of psychological services B.11.5 within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 28

B.11.5. When confronted with evidence of a problem or a situation with which they are not competent to deal, or when a client is not benefiting from their psychological services, psychologists:

(a) provide clients with an explanation of the need for the termination;
(b) take reasonable steps to safeguard the client’s ongoing welfare; and
(c) offer to help the client locate alternative sources of assistance.

Question 29

What does the Ethical Standard B.11. Termination of psychological services B.11.6 within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 29

B.11.6. Psychologists whose employment, health or other factors necessitate early termination of relationships with clients:

(a) provide clients with an explanation of the need for the termination;
(b) take all reasonable steps to safeguard clients’ ongoing welfare; and
(c) offer to help clients locate alternative sources of assistance.

Question 30

What does the Ethical Standard B.12. Conflicting Demands B.12.1 within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 30

B.12.1. Where the demands of an organisation require psychologists to violate the general principles, values or standards set out in this Code, psychologists:
(a) clarify the nature of the conflict between the demands and these principles and standards;
(b) inform all parties of their ethical responsibilities as
psychologists;
(c) seek a constructive resolution of the conflict that upholds the principles of the Code; and
(d) consult a senior psychologist.

Question 31

What does the Ethical Standard B.12. Conflicting Demands B.12.2 within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 31

B.12.2. Psychologists who work in a team or other context in which they do not have sole decision-making authority continue to act in a way consistent with this Code, and in the event of any conflict of interest deal with the conflict in a manner set out in B.12.1.

Question 32

What does the Ethical Standard B.13. Psychological assessment B.13.1. within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 32

B.13.1. Psychologists use established scientific procedures and observe relevant psychometric standards when they develop and standardise psychological tests and other assessment techniques.

Question 33

What does the Ethical Standard B.13. Psychological assessment B.13.2. within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 33

B.13.2. Psychologists specify the purposes and uses of their assessment techniques and clearly indicate the limits of the assessment techniques’ applicability

Question 34

What does the Ethical Standard B.13. Psychological assessment B.13.3. within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 34

B.13.3. Psychologists ensure that they choose, administer and interpret assessment procedures appropriately and accurately.

Question 35

What does the Ethical Standard B.13. Psychological assessment B.13.4. within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 35

B.13.4. Psychologists use valid procedures and research findings when scoring and interpreting psychological assessment data.

Question 36

What does the Ethical Standard B.13. Psychological assessment B.13.5. within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 36

B.13.5. Psychologists report assessment results appropriately and accurately in language that the recipient can understand.

Question 37

What does the Ethical Standard B.13. Psychological assessment B.13.6. within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 37

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.

Question 38

What does the Ethical Standard B.14. Research B.14.1 within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 38

B.14.1. Psychologists comply with codes, statements, guidelines and other directives developed either jointly or independently by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the Australian Research Council, or Universities Australia regarding research with humans and animals applicable at the time psychologists conduct their research

Question 39

What does the Ethical Standard B.14. Research B.14.2 within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 39

B.14.2. After research results are published or become publicly available, psychologists make the data on which their conclusions are based available to other competent professionals who seek to verify the
substantive claims through reanalysis, provided that:
(a) the data will be used only for the purpose stated in the approved research proposal; and
(b) the identity of the participants is removed.

Question 40

What does the Ethical Standard B.14. Research B.14.3 within General Principle B Propriety state?

Answer 40

B.14.3. Psychologists accurately report the data they have gathered and the results of their research, and state clearly if any data on which the publication is based have been published previously.