module 9; assessment, report writing, and communication of results. Flashcards
explain the different contexts and purposes of psychological assessment and the ethical considerations that relate to these areas
Examples of assessment results possibly being used for a secondary purpose to what was originally intended include:
A researcher accessing completed psychological assessments of clients for a research study and using these in a de-identified way.
When a court subpoenas a file containing assessments to assist in decision-making.
To compare baseline assessment results with post-injury results after a traumatic brain injury.
explain how Principle A, B and C in the APS Code of Ethics apply to all psychological assessment
The general principle, Propriety, incorporates the principles of beneficence, non-maleficence (including competence) and responsibility to clients, the profession and society
B.1.2Psychologists only provide psychological services within the boundaries of their professional competence.
Explain how Principles A, B and C in the APS Code of Ethics apply to all psychological assessment. Explain how the core features of ethical psychological practice are carried out in the psychological assessment of individuals and groups.
B.13.1 Psychologists use established scientific procedures and observe relevant psychometric standards when they develop and standardise psychological tests and other assessment techniques.
5.1 When conducting psychological assessments, it is the ethical responsibility of the psychologist to inform the client of the limits to confidentiality. An important part of clients’ informed consent is written consent for the release of test results, where applicable.
5.2 Psychologists are responsible for safeguarding the confidentiality of psychological assessment data.
a client having prior knowledge of test item content.
9.3 Where test materials are used for teaching or demonstration purposes, students or trainees are made aware of the full, delegated ethical responsibilities they also assume, particularly in relation to the non-disclosure of secure test materials and the confidentiality of results. Trainees are also made aware that they assume responsibility for keeping the tests securely stored while in their use.
A.1.1. Psychologists avoid discriminating unfairly against people on the basis of age, religion, sexuality, ethnicity, gender, disability, or any other basis proscribed by law.
A.1.2. Psychologists demonstrate an understanding of the consequences for people of unfair discrimination and stereotyping related to their age, religion, sexuality, ethnicity, gender, or disability.
This means that when psychologists choose, administer and report the results of psychological assessments and tests, they take into account the role of diversity in individuals, groups or settings (such as a client’s language or cultural background, or a client’s physical or cognitive capacity).
Sometimes diversity can pose limitations on being able to use or interpret existing psychological assessments and tests in their regular or standard way. For example, using English language assessment tools for the psychological assessment of culturally and linguistically diverse clients (8.2 in Guidelines on Assessment) may require some adjustment of the test or may require a more suitable test to be used instead of one that a psychologist usually administers. The Guidelines state, however, that the use of aids or adjustments when administering assessments or tests for clients with physical, intellectual, learning or other disabilities, must be applied without compromising the fundamental purpose of the test (8.4 in Guidelines on Assessment).
explain how the core features of ethical psychological practice are carried out in the psychological assessment of individuals and groups
ensure reports are accurate. big consequences can occur from the decisions that are made, based on these reports.
Ensure permission is received to pass report to anyone else by client. eg scholls often request an assessment on students-need permission to hand report to parents (which is usually given).
Might be tempted to manipulate the scores of assessment so that “the very nearly funded” becomes funded_but must always adhere to the guidelines-there are there for a reason. What if everyone were to “bend the rules”????
Remember to use info gathered (with consent) for only the purpose it was collected. To re-use info for a different purpose, requires consent.
explain the responsibility that psychologists have to ensure some psychological assessments remain valid for the purpose of better understanding individuals and groups and making decisions.
Psychologists have a responsibility to protect the intellectual property of test authors and publishers. Where third parties request original test protocols, the third parties are usually offered a report that does not include the original test protocols:
notes
Many psychological assessment tools are inappropriate for indigenous populations because:
-they are based on language which is unfamiliar/inappropriate
-they might rely on being delivered in a 1-on-1 situation which may be considered rude by some populations
-tasks may be unimportant to the population eg word list memory tasks, whereas shown to perform better on relevant spatial tasks or specific knowledge of country such as plants, animals,rocks etc etc.
-cultural norms may be very different eg man speaking to mother in law ok for westerners, but considered very unusual in some aboriginal cultures etc.
When using an interpreter, they should be ideally experienced in psychological assessments, they should be briefed prior to seeing the client so that any clarifications required can be addressed.
