Week 9: Professional ethics and ethical decision making

Question 1

Personal ethics

Answer 1

Individual moral beliefs, values, and attitudes concerning what is right and what is wrong

Question 2

Where would one pick up personal values?

Answer 2

• parents (learning theory approach)
• school
• sporting teams
• sociocultural ethics

Question 3

What are professional ethics

Answer 3

Organisational, corporate, and personal standards of behaviour expected of an individual, typically anchored in principles used to determine appropriate and correct choices

Question 4

List the overarching ethical principles

Answer 4

• nonmaleficence
• beneficence
• autonomy
• justice
• fidelity

Question 5

Non-maleficence

Answer 5

• do no harm

- we shouldn’t make decisions that are likely to harm our clients

Question 6

Beneficence

Answer 6

• do good and benefit society

- check in that what you are doing is actually helping the client

Question 7

Autonomy

Answer 7

• do not compromise other’s personal control of their lives

- try not to be overbearing and clarify your role

Question 8

Justice

Answer 8

Act fairly and justly

Question 9

Fidelity

Answer 9

• be faithful to commitments made

- mean what you say and stick to it

Question 10

What are pure ethical dilemmas?

Answer 10

Occur when a conflict arises between multiple ethical principles

Question 11

What are mixed ethical dilemmas?

Answer 11

Occur when third parties have a controlling interest in psychological service provision

Question 12

What is General Principle A?

Answer 12

Respect for the rights and dignity of people and peoples

Question 13

What is general principle b?

Answer 13

Propriety

Question 14

What is general principle C?

Answer 14

Integrity

Question 15

Justice

Answer 15

a) treating clients with fairness

b) discrimination

Question 16

Respect

Answer 16

a) conduct and due regard

b) propriety rights/copyright

Question 17

Informed consent

Answer 17

a) give them as much information as possible and understand the reason behind the study
b) continually throughout sessions

Question 18

Release of information

Answer 18

• you can’t keep info from people (FOI)

- everything you say about a client can be seen by them

Question 19

Competence

Answer 19

Having an awareness of what you are able to work with and are trained for

Question 20

List the principles under Gen Prin A

Answer 20

• justice
• respect
• informed consent
• privacy
• confidentiality
• release of information
• collection of information

Question 21

List the principles under Gen Prin B

Answer 21

• competence
• record keeping
• professional responsibility
• psychological services requested by third party
• psychological services provided to multiple clients
• delegation of professional
• use of interpreters
• collaborating with others for the benefits of clients
• accepting clients of other professionals
• suspension of psychological services
• termination of psychological services
• conflicting demands
• psychological assessments
• research

Question 22

List the principles under Gen Prin C

Answer 22

• reputable behaviour
• communication
• conflict of interest
• non exploitation
• authorship
• financial arrangements
• ethics investigations and concerns

Question 23

What are the ethical decision making steps?

Answer 23

• identify form of dilemma and principles involved
• consult relevant codes and guidelines
• consider all factors potentially influencing your decision
• consult a trusted colleague
• evaluate rights, responsibilities, and vulnerabilities of making each decision
• make the decision
• implement the decision
• document your decision and the decision making process