The Code - 41.61 Code of Ethics Flashcards
The Preamble
What is the preamble to the code of ethics
- Honor human rights
- Commit to growing knowledge of human behavior, identity, and promoting human welfare.
- Protect the welfare of others (person or animal)
- Use skills for good; avoid misuse.
- Commit to competence, objectivity, concern for the best interests of everyone.
P7 - Professional Relationships
Publication Credits
- Major Contributions by multiple authors = joint partnership.
- Minor contributions = acknowledge in footnotes or introduction
- Editing/Compilation = Editor
- Acknowledge and name everyone.
P9 - Research with Human Participants
Minimal Risk
‘‘Minimal risk’’ means that the risks of harm anticipated in the proposed research are not greater, considering probability and magnitude, than those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests.
P10 - Care and Use of Animals in Research
What is the appropriate procedure for terminating an animal’s life
- If you have to end an animal’s life, do it rapidly and painlessly.
What is the sole, basic premise for the Code of Ethics?
To protect the public while maintaining the highest professional standard possible.
What powers the Board?
Code of Ethics and The Professional Psychologist Practice Act
According to the preamble…
While demanding freedom of inquiry and communication, psychologists accept that their responsibility to said freedoms require what elements?
- Competence
- Objectivity (in application of skills)
- Concern (for client’s best interests, colleagues, and society)
P1 - Responsibility
In our commitment to understanding human behavior, , what are our goals?
- To value objectivity and integrity
- Providing best possible services
- Taking responsibility for our work
- Ensuring our work is used ethically
P1 - Responsibility
As psychologists, we accept responsibility for our research topics, methods, analysis, and results. What steps do we take to ensure ethical practice?
- We plan our research to minimize misleading findings
- We discuss the limitation of our data (especially if touches on social policy or might be construed to negatively impact people on the basis of their identities).
- We never suppress disconfirming data
- We always acknowledge alterative hypotheses and explanations for our findings.
- We only take credit for the work we’ve actually done.
P1 - Responsibility
As psychologists, what steps must we take in order to avoid conflicting relationships and conflicts of interest? How do we manage this with research environments?
We have to clarify in advance WITH ALL INVOLVED AND APPROPRIATE PERSONS the expectations for sharing and using research
Minimize all interference in the research milieu.
P1 - Responsibility
What responsibility do we have regarding public/private use of psychological findings by our places of hire?
We have to prevent distortion, misuse, suppression of all psychological findings.
P1 - Responsibility
What governmental bodies hold us accountable? To what standards?
- The Board (and any other professional organizations
- We are held to the highest professional standard.
P1 - Responsibility
As teachers, how do we help others acquire the highest standards of knowledge and skills?
By presenting psychological information objectively, fully, and accurately.
P1 - Responsibility
What principles must we abide by when using computer assessments or computer generated data?
- We are LEGALLY and ETHICALLY responsible for the assessment, generation, and use of data as a public service.
- When we receive the results of a computerized tests, we become responsible for their use.
- When a non-psychologists is given a computerized test, the psychologist will give them an assessment and evaluation according to the current standards of non-computerized assessments.
P2 - Competency
- What is the expectation of competent practice?
- whose guidelines do we follow for competent practice?
- What do we do if we are operating in an area where standards do not exist?
- We always practice within our scope (our training and education) and be mindful of our limitations
- We follow the APA
- If standards do not exist, then we make sure that we are always acting in service of the client.
P2 - Competency
What is our responsibility to ethical violations committed by colleagues (be they licensed or unlicensed)
It is our duty to try to remedy the violation informally (e.g. confront them about it)
and then forward the complaint to the board if it is not resolved.
P2 - Competency
What constitutes independent practice?
An ownership interest by a person who provides direct services to a client in a business which provides psychological services
P2 - Competency
What qualifies a psychologist to independent practice?
Their license.
All unlicensed providers can work under them.
P2 - Competency
Which degrees qualify as approved psychological education?
Degrees obtained from accredited institutions.
The institutions have to be accredited by a regional accrediting association.
P2 - Competency
Who approves the regional accrediting association that accredits the relevant institutions
CORPA
commission of recognition of postsecondary accreditation
P2 - Competency
What degrees from foreign colleges can be represented as qualified psychological education?
Foreign degrees have to be seen as equivalent to degrees earned by the regional/national accredited institutions in the states.
P2 - Competency
while nonpsychological degrees are not prohibited from representation, what is the protocol if they’re generic?
holders have to specific the discipline of each degree earned.
generic degree = Ph.D., Ed.D., M.S., M.A. and M.Ed
P2 - Competency
How do teachers ensure ethical coursework?
they prepare carefully and make sure everything is accurate, current, and scholarly.
P2 - Competency
What must be done to ensure cultural sensitive practice?
Psychologists must obtain any training, counsel, and experience necessary to ensure that they are practicing effective culturally competent care.
P2 - Competency
What must we do if personal problems impact our ability to be effective?
- Refrain from taking on activities in which our personal problems will diminish the quality of our work or could harm a client/colleague/peer/student/participant
P2 - Competency
What can we do if we become aware of personal issues impacting our performance, but we’re already engaged in the activity?
We seek professional assistance to determine if we should do the following:
- suspend
- terminate
- limit
our scope responsibility (practice/scientific)
P3 - Moral and Legal Standards
According to regulations, we have standards like everyone else, but how we portray them might harm our effectiveness or create distrust in the field of psychology. What must we do to circumvent any issues that could arise due to our moral, ethical, and legal standards? What must we be aware of with our colleagues?
- Be aware of prevailing community standards.
- Be mindful of how our conformity or deviation could impact the quality of our work.
- Be aware of how public behavior can impact the ability of colleagues to perform effectively too.
P3 - Moral and Legal Standards
We do not conduct or condone any inhumane or illegal practices. What is included with inhumane/illegal practices?
Unlawful, disciminatory practices.
P3 - Moral and Legal Standards
What actions should we avoid?
Anything that will violate/diminish any civil rights of another person or someone who may be impacted by our actions regardless of professional relationship.
P3 - Moral and Legal Standards
We typically follow the APA and our Board, as well as governmental laws and institutional regulations. What do we do if they’re in conflict?
- Make known our commitment to resolve the issue.
- Make effort to resolve the issue.
- Resolution must always be in the best interest of the public.
P4 - Public Statement
What is the overall goal of public statements, announcements of services, and promotional activities of psychologists
They serve the purpose of providing sufficient information to aid the consumers in making informed judgments and choices.
P4 - Public Statement
What do psychologists represent in their public statements?
- Their Qualifications
- Affiliations and Functions
(They do the same for institutions/organizations they’re associated with)
P4 - Public Statement
What information do psychologists base their statements about products, publications, and services on?
- Psychological findings
- Psychological techniques
- full understanding of limitations and uncertainties of some evidence.
P4 - Public Statement
Who can be in the yellow pages (under psychologists) ?
Psychologists licensed by the state board
If they’re licensed in another state, they have to write to the Board showing their qualifications in compliance with the regulation.
P4 - Public Statement
What are the rules for groups advertising themselves as “Psychologists - Group, Association and Corporate Practice”
They can list themselves as “Psychologists - Group, Association and Corporate Practice” if a licensed psychologist is responsible for the delivery of services.
P4 - Public Statement
If the psychologist is announcing/advertising their services/being listed in a directory, what can they list?
- Name
- Relevant Degree (from accredited institutions)
- Date
- Type and Level of Certification or Licensure
- Diplomate Status
- Professional membership status
- Address
- telephone number
- office hours
- brief listing of type of services offered
- Fee information
- Foreign Languages spoken
- Policy for third-party payments
- Additional relevant info if allowed by the Code of Ethics, Act, and Regulations
P4 - Public Statement
What are the requirements for advertising a personal growth group?
- Statement of purpose
- Nature of experiences provided
- Education and training of psychologist
P4 - Public Statement
What is prohibited in a public statement?
Ultimately the goal is to: Do not falsely advertise yourself and deceive your clients.
- Do not falsely associate yourself with an organization in a way that implies that your membership = special competence or qualifications
- False, misleading, fraudulent statements
- Statements likely to mislead or deceive (due to only partial relevant facts)
- Sensationalism
- Exaggeration
- Superficiality
- Statements that create unjustified expectations of favorable results.
- Promise of unusual, unique or one of a kind techniques
- Preying on client fears and concerns about poor results
- False comparisons between your service and another providers.
P4 - Public Statement
Are psychologists allowed to compensate the press for professional publicity?
No
P4 - Public Statement
What are the rules regarding paid advertisements?
You have to identify ALL sponsorship (unless said sponsorship was clear)
P4 - Public Statement
What are our obligations toward pre-recorded ads?
We have to retain the recordings and check them for accuracy of info and approval.
P4 - Public Statement
What’s our obligation if we are associated with the development or promotion of psychological devices, books, or other products for commercial sale?
All info is presented in a professional, scientifically acceptable and factually informative manner.
P4 - Public Statement
Are we allowed to do face to face, direct solicitation of clients?
No
P4 - Public Statement
Can we participate in commercial announcements or ads for personal gain?
Not when participation is based solely upon their identification as a psychologist.
P4 - Public Statement
What requirements must a teacher follow when advertising and designing a course/workshop?
- All info has to be accurate and describe the subjects covered
- How progress is evaluated
- Nature of course
- All ads/brochures/etc must identify the target audience
- eligibility requirements
- objectives
- materials covered
- fee if applicable
- teacher’s background and qualifications
P4 - Public Statement
What are the requirements for public ads for research participants where clinical services are offered as an inducement (wherein they are paid for their participation)
- Nature of services
- Costs
- other obligations
P4 - Public Statement
What are the rules for personal advice given in public?
- Remember that diagnostic and therapeutic services are to remain in professional relationships.
- Make sure your advice is backed up by the literature and research
P4 - Public Statement
What is the rule for products described or presented in public lectures or demonstrations (or ads)
- their demonstration must follow the same standards as if it were used in a professional relationship.
P5 - Confidentiality
What are the basic expectations around confidentiality?
- We protect the privacy of any person we work with during teaching, practice, or investigation
- We cannot break confidentiality without their consent
- We have to ensure that our employees and associates and others do not break confidentiality either.
P5 - Confidentiality
When do we break confidentiality during a risk assessment?
When it is clear that the client is in imminent dangers to themselves or other people.
When a client is in imminent danger, who can we speak to?
Only to professional workers and public authorities
Regarding breaking confidentiality for risk and safety, what does the Code of Ethics allow the psychologist to do?
Taking measures to prevent harm when a client has expressed intent to cause harm and the intent is clear
What are reasonable measures to protecting the client or a victim when danger is imminent? (2 main points)
You can advise the potential victim of the threat
Consult with other MH professionals (IF THERE IS TIME)
to validate your assessment.
What are the rules for breaking confidentiality in clinical/consultation relationships? (2 main points)
You disguise the clients identity and present only relevant information in germane fashion.
You only discuss these details with peoples clearly concerned with the case.
What are the rules of confidentiality when providing case related info in a classroom?
Make sure the case is well disguised.
What are the rules for confidentiality when engaging in professional communications about the client (e.g. between psychologist and PCP)
You need a release of information/written consent
Who is responsible for providing the client with information regarding the limits of confidentiality?
The psychologist
What is the rule regarding confidential information gained during research?
The client has to give written permission.
Who is responsible for the disposal and protection of confidential records?
The psychologist
what is our goal when working with minors/peoples who cannot give voluntary consent? (2 main points)
Get assent
Protect their best interests
P6 Welfare of the Consumer
What do we do during conflicts of interests (e.g. between client, psychologist, and employing institution)? (3 main points)
The goal is to clarify the nature of all relationships
we clarify our roles as psychologists
we clarify our loyalties and responsibilities (we may ask ourselves “who is the client”).
P6 Welfare of the Consumer
What are the basic points of client welfare we want clients to be aware of when we enter into a professional relationship with us? (4 main points)
We want them to know purpose and nature our practice (qualifications), what is involved in the treatment process and their rights (client’s rights)
- evaluations
- treatment
- education and training procedure
- Freedom of choice with regard to participation
P6 Welfare of the Consumer
What do we do if we become involved in a dual relationship?
We make every effort to avoid them before they happen or terminate as soon as we find out about them
This is do avoid mishandling our power.
P6 Welfare of the Consumer
What are some examples of dual relationships?
- Clients as Friends, Family, Employees (or vice versa)
- Sexual intimacies with clients
- Sexual relationships with trainees you’re supervising
When entering into a professional relationship with a client at the request of a third party, who is responsible for clarifying the nature of the relationship?
The psychologist
What is the psychologist’s obligation to their subordinates
To protect their: freedom of choice privacy/confidentiality right to due process protection from harm
What regulations must all Financial arrangements between psychologist and client follow?
They must follow professional standards and we must make sure they safeguard the best interest of the client.
Client must understand the arrangement in advance of billing.
If a client is unable to afford services after working with a psychologist, what is the psychologist’s duties?
Are psychologists allowed to receive commission, rebate, or other form of payment provided for the referral of clients?
- They are responsible for assisting clients in finding services if the payment of the usual fee is due to hardship.
- No
If the client is not benefiting from therapy, what must a psychologist do?
We have to terminate with the client.
What do we do if we find that our services - via employer - are being used in a way that does not benefit the participants/employees/significant others/clients? (2 main points)
We have to make our observations known to the responsible persons and propose changes/modifications
If that does not work, we termination of the engagement.
P7 - Professional Relationships
What is the basic tenet of professional relationships?
Psychologists must respect the needs and obligations of our colleagues and our clients within and beyond psychology. This includes respecting the obligations of institutions and organizations as well.
P7 - Professional Relationships
What is our obligation to recognizing other professions?
Does the absence of formal relationships impede our ability to secure services for our clients?
- We must recognize the competence of other professions and we must make use of all services to provide clients with the best possible care.
- No, we always have an obligation to obtain the best care for our clients and to do so with professionalism and tact.
P7 - Professional Relationships
What happens if we know a client is receiving similar services from another professional? (There is no clear professional relationship before this)
We do not offer our services to them.
What happens if a client calls us and they’re already receiving similar services from another professional? (2 main points)
the psychologist carefully considers that professional relationship and proceeds with caution and sensitivity to the therapeutic issues as well as the client’s welfare.
The psychologist discusses these issues with the client to minimize the risk of confusion and conflict.
P7- Professional Relationships
What is our responsibility when employing or supervising professionals (or those in training) (6 points)
we safeguard their welfare
we provide developmental opportunities
we provide suitable working conditions
we provide supervision and consultation
we provide timely evaluations
we provide experience opportunities
P7 - Professional Relationships
What is the rule for exploitation
Do not do it, do not condone it
P7 - Professional Relationships
What is the rule for sexual harrassment
Do not do it, do not condone it
P7 - Professional Relationships
Define sexual harassments
Sexual harassment is defined as deliberate or repeated comments, gestures or physical contacts of a sexual nature that are unwanted by the recipient
P7 - Professional Relationships
As employees, we try to respect the values and reputation of our organizations. But what do we do if we feel that the policy and procedures of an organization does not benefit the client?
We attempt to effect change by constructive action within the organization.
If that does not work, we disclose confidential information acquired in our professional roles.
P7 - Professional Relationships
Regarding our research with agencies, institutions, and publication channels, what do we aim to do? (3 Main points)
- We must provide them the same opportunity for informed consent as we do our participants.
- We must make sure they are given adequate information about all research
- We must acknowledge their contribution.
P7 - Professional Relationships
What must we do if we know of another colleague’s ethical violation? What if this fails?
- We attempt to resolve informally (while protecting confidentiality)
- If this fails and the violation threatens client welfare, we report to the board.
P8 - Utilization of Assessments
What are the client’s rights when participating in an assessment
- Explanations to the nature of the assessment
- Purpose
- Results
- Interpretations
P8 - Utilization of Assessments
Must explanations of procedure be in a language participants can understand?
Yes
P8 - Utilization of Assessments
What is the psychologist’s responsibility when presenting assessment results
Avoid misuse of the results
Avoid imparting unnecessary information that can impact test security
Provide a rationale and basis for your decisions especially if it impacts the client and their dependents.
P8 - Utilization of Assessments
What are the rights of a client examined at the request of an employer or treatment provider (ie a sponsoring entity)
They have the same rights unless otherwise stated. But the limitations must be noted in writing and the psychologist must agree to it.
P8 - Utilization of Assessments
Does a sponsoring entity have the right to the assessment results of the client?
No, the psychologist still needs to get consent from the client in order to share the results (or their legal representative)
The psychologist must make sure that the client and their legal representative have enough information to make an informed decision.
P8 - Utilization of Assessments
What has to come along with all tests that are available for operational use?
- They must have a manual (either published and/or readily available)
P8 - Utilization of Assessments
What content must be in a testing manual in order to be meeting ethical standards?
- Developmental history of the test
- Rationale
- Validity
- Reliability
- Purpose of the test
- Administration procedures
- Characteristics of the norming populations
P8 - Utilization of Assessments
Psychologists have to make sure that test results are not misused and their interpretations are not misused by others. What must psychologists do if they have concerns about the results?
- They have to voice their reservations regarding validity or reliability and they must note whether the testing norms are inappropriate for the person taking the test.
P8 - Utilization of Assessments
Psychologists must make every effort to not misuse test reports. What steps do we take in order to avoid misinterpretations and ensure accuracy?
We have to make sure that the test’s program and procedures support our evidence and interpretations.
The public offering of an automated test interpretation is considered what?
A professional-to-professional consultation.
P9 - Research with Human participants
The decision to undertake research rests upon a considered judgment by the individual psychologist about how best to contribute to psychological science and to human welfare. Having made the decision to conduct research, what is the duty of a psychologist?
We must consider where we have to direct our research time and resources, and we must make sure we’re conducting our research in the best interest of our participants.
P9 - Research with Human Participants
If our research begins to compromise our ethical responsibility or violates the human rights of our participants, what is the first step we have to take in resolving this?
- We have to seek ethical advice
- We have to ensure the safeguards to protect the rights of our participants.
P9 - Research with Human Participants
Who and what is the primary researcher responsible for?
They’re responsible for all ethical practices and the safety of the patients.
P9 - Research with Human Participants
Who incurs parallel obligations regarding the safety of research participants (ie who is also responsible for the safety of the research participants)?
Everyone involved in the research project who isn’t a participant (e.g. collaborators, students, assistants, employees, etc.)
P9 - Research with Human Participants
When doesn’t the primary investigator have to establish a clear and fair agreement with research participants regarding the responsibilities and obligations of investigator and participant?
during minimal-risk research
P9 - Research with Human Participants
When must we be clear about the responsibilities and obligations of the investigator and participant?
When there are circumstances in the research that might impact the participants’ willingness to engage with the research.
We have to answer all questions the participant poses to us. We have an obligation to honor our commitments and agreements.
P9 - Research with Human Participants
Where do drug trials take place?
They can only be conducted in:
clinics
hospitals
research facilities
to keep participants safe.
P9 - Research with Human Participants
When is deceit necessary?
- When it is justified by the study’s prospective scientific value.
- When we determined that there are no other procedures that avoid the use of deception.
P9 - Research with Human Participants
If we use deceit in research, when must we inform the participants?
we have to provide a sufficient explanation as soon as possible.
P9 - Research with Human Participants
we have to protect the rights of the participants and respect their right to withdraw. We have to be considerate of this because we might be in positions of authority over the participant. Positions of authority include what?
- The participant is required to participate in the research as part of a class requirement or employment.
- the participant is our employee
- the participant is our client.
P9 - Research with Human Participants
As it is our duty to protect participants from harm, what must we do if risks arise?
We have to inform participants of risks that arise due to research procedures.
P9 - Research with Human Participants
When are risky procedures allowed?
They’re generally not allowed UNLESS the risky procedures actually reduce harm to the participant (ie does not expose them to GREATER harm by not using it)
The research has great benefit to the field of psychology, so we must inform the participant and get their consent.
P9 - Research with Human Participants
Are there procedures for contacting the primary investigator? Why?
Yes and the participant must be informed of this within a reasonable time after their participation
this is to reduce the stress that could’ve arisen or answer any unanswered questions.
P9 - Research with Human Participants
When do we inform the participant of the nature/results of the study?
We do so after the data is collected, and then we answer all questions.
P9 - Research with Human Participants
What happens if scientific or humane values justify withholding info from research participants?
Then we have a special responsibility to monitor the research and ensure that there are no damaging consequences for the participant.
P9 - Research with Human Participants
if research procedures result in undesirable consequences on our research participants, what responsibility do we have?
We have to detect and remove/correct the consequences and reduce long-term effects.
P9 - Research with Human Participants
What is part of the procedure of informed consent (assuming you explained everything else except for record-keeping)
You have to explain the limits of confidentiality.
All info is stored securely and is confidential.
Participants are informed of plans to maintain their confidentiality and of instances where others might have access to their information.
P10 - Care and Use of Animals in research
What is the foundational ethical purpose of using animals in research? What is our responsibility?
- to understand behaviors and contribute to the improvement of human health and welfare
- it is our responsibility to treat animals humanely and their protection falls under us, laws notwithstanding.
P10 - Care and Use of Animals in research
When is it okay to subject an animal to painful procedures?
When there is no alternative and the goal is justified by the research’s scientific, educative, and/or applied value.
P10 - Care and Use of Animals in research
How are surgical procedures performed?
under appropriate anesthesia; techniques to avoid infection and minimize pain are followed during and after surgery
P10 - Care and Use of Animals in research
What obligations are required of psychologists and individuals under their supervision when working with animals?
- we have to ensure proper protocol and procedure to proper care for the animals
- we have to make sure that anyone working under us has explicit instructions of research methods and means of caring for animals.
