General Principle C: Integrity

Question 1

What is General Principle C: Integrity concerned with?

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

What does the explanatory statement for General Principle C Integrity say about trust?

Answer 2

Psychologists recognise that their position of trust requires them to be honest and objective in their professional dealings. They are committed
to the best interests of their clients, the profession and their colleagues.

Question 3

What does the explanatory statement for General Principle C Integrity say about objectivity?

Answer 3

Psychologists are aware of their own biases, limits to their objectivity, and the importance of maintaining proper boundaries with clients.

Question 4

What does the explanatory statement for General Principle C Integrity say about conflict of interest?

Answer 4

They identify and avoid potential conflicts of interest. They refrain from exploiting clients and associated parties.

Question 5

What are the 7 Ethical Standards within General Principle C Integrity?

Answer 5

C.1. Reputable Behaviour
C.2. Communication
C.3. Conflict of Interest
C.4. Non-Exploitation
C.5. Authorship
C.6. Financial Arrangements
C.7. Ethics investigations and concerns

Question 6

What does the Ethical Standard C.1 Reputable Behaviour C.1.1. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 6

C.1.1. Psychologists avoid engaging in disreputable conduct that reflects on their ability to practise as a psychologist.

Question 7

What does the Ethical Standard C.1 Reputable Behaviour C.1.2. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 7

C.1.2. Psychologists avoid engaging in disreputable conduct that reflects negatively on the profession or discipline of psychology.

Question 8

What does the Ethical Standard C.2 Communication C.2.1. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 8

C.2.1. Psychologists communicate honestly in the context of their psychological work.

Question 9

What does the Ethical Standard C.2 Communication C.2.2. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 9

C.2.2. Psychologists take reasonable steps to correct any misrepresentation made by them or about them in their professional capacity within a reasonable time after becoming aware of the misrepresentation.

Question 10

What does the Ethical Standard C.2 Communication C.2.3. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 10

C.2.3. Statements made by psychologists in announcing or advertising the availability of psychological services, products, or publications, must not contain:
(a) any statement which is false, fraudulent, misleading or deceptive or likely to mislead or deceive;
(b) testimonials or endorsements that are solicited in exchange for remuneration or have the potential to exploit clients;
(c) any statement claiming or implying superiority for the
psychologist over any or all other psychologists;
(d) any statement intended or likely to create false or unjustified expectations of favourable results;
(e) any statement intended or likely to appeal to a client’s fears, anxieties or emotions concerning the possible results of failure to obtain the offered services;
(f) any claim unjustifiably stating or implying that the
psychologist uses exclusive or superior apparatus, methods or materials; and
(g) any statement which is vulgar, sensational or otherwise such as would bring, or tend to bring, the psychologist or the profession of psychology into disrepute.

Question 11

What does the Ethical Standard C.2 Communication C.2.4. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 11

C.2.4. When announcing or advertising the availability of psychological services or at any time when representing themselves as a psychologist, psychologists use accurate post nominals, including the post nominals used to represent their grade of membership
with the Society.

Question 12

What does the Ethical Standard C.2 Communication C.2.5. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 12

C.2.5. Psychologists take reasonable steps to correct any misconceptions held by a client about the psychologist’s professional competencies.

Question 13

What does the Ethical Standard C.3 Conflict of Interest C.3.1. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 13

C.3.1. Psychologists refrain from engaging in multiple relationships that may:
(a) impair their competence, effectiveness, objectivity, or ability to render a psychological service;
(b) harm clients or other parties to a psychological service; or
(c) lead to the exploitation of clients or other parties to a
psychological service.

Question 14

What does the Ethical Standard C.3 Conflict of Interest C.3.2. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 14

C.3.2. Psychologists who are at risk of violating standard C.3.1., consult with a senior psychologist to attempt to find an appropriate resolution that is in the best interests of the parties to the psychological service.

Question 15

What does the Ethical Standard C.3 Conflict of Interest C.3.3. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 15

C.3.3. When entering into a multiple relationship is unavoidable due to over-riding ethical considerations, organisational requirements, or by law, psychologists at the outset of the professional relationship, and thereafter when it is reasonably necessary, adhere to the provisions of standard A.3. (Informed consent).

Question 16

What does the Ethical Standard C.3 Conflict of Interest C.3.4. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 16

C.3.4. Psychologists declare to clients any vested interests they have in the psychological services they deliver, including all relevant funding, licensing and royalty interests.

Question 17

What does the Ethical Standard C.4 Non-Exploitation C.4.1. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 17

C.4.1. Psychologists do not exploit people with whom they have or had a professional relationship.

Question 18

What does the Ethical Standard C.4 Non-Exploitation C.4.2. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 18

C.4.2. Psychologists do not exploit their relationships with their assistants, employees, colleagues or supervisees.

Question 19

What does the Ethical Standard C.4 Non-Exploitation C.4.3. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 19

C.4.3. Psychologists:
(a) do not engage in sexual activity with a client or anybody who is closely related to one of their clients;
(b) do not engage in sexual activity with a former client, or anybody who is closely related to one of their former
clients, within two years after terminating the professional relationship with the former client;
(c) who wish to engage in sexual activity with former clients after a period of two years from the termination of the service, first explore with a senior psychologist the possibility that the former client may be vulnerable and at risk of exploitation, and encourage the former client to seek independent counselling on the matter; and
(d) do not accept as a client a person with whom they have engaged in sexual activity.

Question 20

What does the Ethical Standard C.5 Authorship C.5.1. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 20

C.5.1. Psychologists discuss authorship with research collaborators, research assistants and students as early as feasible and through the research and publication process as is necessary.

Question 21

What does the Ethical Standard C.5 Authorship C.5.2. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 21

C.5.2. Psychologists assign authorship in a manner that reflects the work performed and that the contribution made is a fair reflection of the work people have actually performed or of what they have contributed.

Question 22

What does the Ethical Standard C.5 Authorship C.5.3. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 22

C.5.3. Psychologists usually list the student as principal author on any multiple-authored article that is substantially based on the student’s dissertation or thesis.

Question 23

What does the Ethical Standard C.5 Authorship C.5.4. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 23

C.5.4. Psychologists obtain the consent of people before identifying them as contributors to the published or presented material.

Question 24

What does the Ethical Standard C.6 Financial Arrangements C.6.1. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 24

C.6.1. Psychologists are honest in their financial dealings.

Question 25

What does the Ethical Standard C.6 Financial Arrangements C.6.2. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 25

C.6.2. Psychologists make proper financial arrangements with clients and, where relevant, third party payers. They:

(a) make advance financial arrangements that safeguard the best interests of, and are clearly understood by, all parties to the psychological service; and
(b) avoid financial arrangements which may adversely influence the psychological services provided, whether at the time of provision of those services or subsequently.

Question 26

What does the Ethical Standard C.6 Financial Arrangements C.6.3. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 26

C.6.3. Psychologists do not receive any remuneration, or give any remuneration for referring clients to, or accepting referrals from, other professionals for professional services.

Question 27

What does the Ethical Standard C.7 Ethical Investigations and Concerns C.7.1. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 27

C.7.1. Psychologists cooperate with ethics investigations and proceedings instituted by the Society as well as statutory bodies that are charged by legislation with the responsibility to investigate complaints against psychologists.

Question 28

What does the Ethical Standard C.7 Ethical Investigations and Concerns C.7.2. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 28

C.7.2. Psychologists who reasonably suspect that another psychologist is acting in a manner inconsistent with the ethical principles and standards presented in this Code:

(a) where appropriate, draw the attention of the psychologist whose conduct is in question directly, or indirectly through a senior psychologist, to the actions that are thought to be in breach of the Code and cite the section of the Code which may have been breached;
(b) encourage people directly affected by such behaviour to report the conduct to a relevant regulatory body or the Ethics Committee of the Society; or
(c) report the conduct to a relevant regulatory body or the Ethics Committee of the Society.

Question 29

What does the Ethical Standard C.7 Ethical Investigations and Concerns C.7.3. within General Principle C Integrity state?

Answer 29

C.7.3. Psychologists do not lodge, or endorse the lodging, of trivial, vexatious or unsubstantiated ethical complaints against colleagues.