PA Psych Study Guide - Public Statement Exercises Flashcards
The following announcement appeared in the yellow pages. According to the Code of Ethics of the State Board of Psychology, what, if anything, is wrong with it?
Dr. N.R. Sisstic. Licensed psychologist. Individual and Group Psychotherapy. Specialist in anxiety disorders. Office hours Monday-Friday 9 AM to 8 PM., French, German. “The Best Psychologist in Harrisburg!”
The advertisements of psychologists should not contain “a statement comparing the advertiser’s services with another psychologist’s services, unless the comparison can be factually substantiated”
The following announcement appeared in a telephone directory. According to the Code of Ethics of the State Board of Psychology, what, if anything, is wrong with it?
Dr. Garrett N. Teed. Licensed psychologist. Individual and Group Psychotherapy. Office hours Monday – Friday 9 AM to 8 PM., Spanish. “Over 90% of my patients report that they are satisfied or very satisfied with my services.”
The problem is that there was a promise of a guarantee. However, psychologists should base their public statements of “scientifically acceptable psychological findings and technique with full recognition of the limits and uncertainties of the evidence” (49 Pa. Code §41.61, Principle 4 (a)) and psychologists avoid “misrepresentation through sensationalism, exaggeration or superficiality”
The following announcement appeared in public. According to the Code of Ethics of the State Board of Psychology, what, if anything, is wrong with it?
Dr. Wanda A. Kind. Licensed psychologist. Individual Counseling. Office hours Monday-Friday 9 AM to 8 PM., “Of all the psychologists in Harrisburg, I am uniquely qualified to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.”
False comparison without factual evidence to back it up. (what makes this person uniquely qualified compared to other psychologists?)
The following announcement appeared from a psychologist who was licensed in Maryland, but not in Pennsylvania. According to the Code of Ethics of the State Board of Psychology. What, if anything, is wrong with it?
Dr. Otto State. Licensed psychologist. Individual and Group Psychotherapy. Monday-Friday 9 AM to 8 PM. Office on Linglestown Road, just north of Harrisburg, PA.
If we assume that the advertisement was for services delivered in Pennsylvania and that the holder did not have a temporary license in Pennsylvania, then the advertisement violated 49 Pa. Code §41.61, Principle 2 (c) which requires a license to practice psychology in the state (and other provisions of the licensing law as well).
Let us assume that a hypothetical group practice (called The Psychological Group Practice) consists of a psychologist, social worker, and a certified addictions counselor. Under what conditions may this group be listed under Psychologists in the yellow pages?
“Groups offering psychological services may list themselves under the heading “’psychologists – group, association and corporate practice’ if they are licensed psychologists responsible for the delivery of the service” (49 Pa. Code §41.61, Principle 4 (c)).4
A psychologist placed the following advertisement in a popular magazine. According to the Code of Ethics of the State Board of Psychology. What, if anything, is wrong with it?
Professional Growth Group. According to J. Doe, “A Wonderful Experience!” According to M. Roe, “I felt invigorated!” According to L. Moe, “The best experience of my life!” Call Dr. X. T. Cee, Licensed Psychologist, at 555-1212. $150.
How could this announcement be modified to comply with the Code of Ethics of the State Board of Psychology?
Announcements for growth groups should “give a clear statement of the purpose and nature of the experiences to be provided. The education, training and experience of a psychologist are appropriately specified” (49 Pa. Code §41.61, Principle 4 (e)).
In addition, this advertisement includes testimonials from the participants. According to the APA Ethics Code, testimonials are prohibited from current patients or those who are vulnerable to influence from the psychologist (such as former patients). It is unclear if participants in a growth group would be vulnerable to such influence. If they were vulnerable to influence, then the testimonials would be prohibited by the State Board of Psychology which holds that psychologists must follow the “standards and guidelines” of the American Psychological Association (49 Pa. Code §41.61, Principle 3 (e)).
- Assume that residents in an area of Lancaster County affected by an earthquake received the following letter. According to the Code of Ethics of the State Board of Psychology, what, if anything, is wrong with it?
Dear Resident:
Was your house affected by the earthquake?
Studies have shown that most children living through earthquakes experience post-traumatic stress disorders or other serious emotional conflicts. Sometimes the symptoms may be delayed for months or even years. Often the problems manifest themselves through indirect means such as bossiness, anger, or defiance. I am available to provide professional help. Please contact me at 555-I CAN HELP YOU!!!
Sincerely, Dr. Anne Ova
Psychologists cannot be the psychological equivalent of an “ambulance chaser.” They may not use statements “intended or likely to appeal to a client’s fears, anxieties, or emotions concerning the possible results of failure to obtain the offered services” (49 Pa. Code §41.61, Principle 4 (f) (5)).
- Dr I.N. Ovative has developed a new therapy technique that he calls ReNMDLPT-II (Rapid Early Neuro-Movement Desensitization Learning Procedure Therapy - !! (to distinguish it from RENMDLPT-I, which he also invented)). A recent advertisement in a trade magazine stated that “This procedure is much better than those used by the ABC Psychology Corporation of Lebanon, PA.” According to the Code of Ethics of the State Board of Psychology, what, if anything, is wrong with this announcement?
49 Pa. Code §41.61, Principle 4 (f) (g): comparing services without factual basis for doing so.
- Dr. R.U. Fortie paid for an advertisement (in the form of an informative article on middle age crisis) in the Weekend Section of the newspaper. What, if anything, is wrong with this?
Psychologists need to identify advertisements as such and cannot masquerade them as scientific or professional articles (49 Pa. Code §41.61, Principle 4 (g)).
- Dr. Lillith Crane, research psychologist, has gone on TV on 30 second commercials promoting her new SLEEPEZE pillow (patent pending). She claims that scientific research has proven that her invention has caused a breakthrough in the treatment of sleep disorders. What, if anything, is wrong with this commercial?:
No more sleepless nights. This pillow is guaranteed to end your worries or double your money back. Wake up refreshed! Wide-awake! This is a scientific breakthrough which is
the result of years of experience and research by trained psychologists. Our operators are standing by. Call 1-800-zzz-zzzz. SLEEPEZE is endorsed by the American Society of Psychological Sleep Disorder Professionals (ASPSDP).
When promoting devices or products, psychologists should ensure that the announcements “are presented in a professional, scientifically acceptable and factually informative manner” (49 Pa. Code §41.61, Principle 4 (h)) and advertisements should not be “intended or likely to create false or unjustified expectations of favorable results” (49 Pa. Code §41.61, Principle (f) (5)).
