Module 4: Ethical and Cultural Considerations

Question 1

Morality

Answer 1

Persuasive set of values that we live by often viewed in relation to ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ behaviour.

Question 2

Law

Answer 2

Defines minimum standards of acceptable behaviour

Question 3

Ethics

Answer 3

A set of principles to guide professional behaviour (in psychology - respect to clients, colleagues and the general the general public

Question 4

Why are ethics important in relation to psychological testing and assessment?

Answer 4

1. Psychological practises Act of 1965

2. Registration Regulations 1995 Regulatory Impact statement

Question 5

APS Code of ethics 3 general principles

Answer 5

1. Respect for the rights and dignity of people and peoples
2. Propriety – incorporates principles of beneficence, non-maleficence (including competence) and responsibility to clients, the profession and society
3. Integrity – reflects the need for psychologists to have good character and acknowledges the high level of trust intrinsic to their professional relationships, and the impact of their conduct on the reputation of the profession.

Question 6

APS Guidelines

Answer 6

• Code of ethics: Section B13 Psychological assessment
• Ethical Guidelines: Guidelines for the Use of Psychological Tests
• Ethical Guidelines: Supplement to guidelines for the Use of Psychological tests
• Psych Reg Board: Code of behaviour

Question 7

Competence use of tests encompasses

Answer 7

• Determining need to use a test
• Choosing an appropriate and technically sound instrument
• Organising and conducting session
• Accurate scoring and use of norm tables
• Interpreting the results
• Communicating the results
• Making decisions on basis of results
• Monitoring the continuing effectiveness of test over time
• Appreciating range of professional and ethical issues surrounding the use of tests

Question 8

Ethical responsibilities to the client- what does the client need to understand?

Answer 8

• Why they are attending
• What are they going to be asked to do
• Why are they being asked to do this?
• That they have a right to choose not to do this
• Consequences of choosing to undertake or not undertake the assessment
• Who will get the results
• How might those results be used

Question 9

Feedback to the client

Answer 9

Client has a right to results, interpretations made, and basis for conclusions and recommendations made as result of assessment.

Even if distressing, information must be communicated in a manner appropriate to their level of understanding.

Question 10

Pope (1992) suggests…

Answer 10

• Feedback aids client in making informed choices
• Clients need to know limitations to assessment as well as any reservations the clinicians has regarding results
• Beware of countertransference reactions to client that may lead to distortion of results to either please or punish client
• Ask client to give feedback regarding perceptions to check their understanding.

Question 11

Test Security

Answer 11

• Guidelines specify that psychologists are responsible for the security of the tests that they use.
• Certain classes of tests can only be purchased by qualified individuals.

Question 12

APS Code of Ethics – Respect for the rights and dignity of people and people’s Ethical guidelines for assessment etc., ‘Justice’

Answer 12

• Addresses discriminations
• Recognises the important impact of culture and language in testing and assessment
• Recognises the need for appropriate of testing for individuals

Question 13

What is the referral question? / How might culture impact upon the assessment

Answer 13

• Mode and circumstances of migration
• Language
• Identification with dominant cultural group
• Education
• Age
• Gender
• Racism

Question 14

Understanding the cultural context of the client

Answer 14

1. Selection of tests – translated tests, use of interpreters
2. Interpretation of test results
3. Feedback to client

Question 15

Can tests be culture free?

Answer 15

• There have been many attempts to develop culture free tests
• Effects of language and culture pervasive
• Some tests are more suitable than others
  o Culture fair tests – where there is no systematic distortion of scores resulting from the cultural background of the test taker
  o Cultural differences can lead to bias in the use of psychological tests
   Differences in average scores
   Bias
   Equivalence
  International Test commission has provided a set of guidelines on how tests should be adapted.