Week two: Professional Practice and Professional Ethics (HON401)-Competence, Confidentiality, and Consent Flashcards
How to Maintain Competence
Through supervision, courses (CPD), self-reflection, and feedback. Always check your skills, update your knowledge, and grow from others’ advice.
Core Competencies
Knowledge
Ethics & Law
Assessment
Intervention
Communication
Cultural Awareness
Lifespan knowledge
When can you break confidentiality?
There’s a risk of harm
A legal obligation (e.g., court order)
Duty to protect someone
What is informed consent?
Clients must understand and agree to the treatment. They must know the risks, methods, and can withdraw anytime.
How do you keep informed consent active?
Keep checking that the client still understands and agrees as treatment goes on.
What is competence in psychology?
Competence is the ability to perform professional duties effectively, ethically, and legally, using the necessary skills, knowledge, and judgment to provide quality care.
Why is competence critical for psychologists?
Competence ensures that psychologists provide high-quality care and meet ethical and legal standards. Failure to maintain it can lead to misconduct or legal issues.
Why is competence considered dynamic
Competence changes over time as the field evolves with new research, technologies, and societal needs. Psychologists must adapt and learn continuously.
What does ethical and legal competence involve?
Staying up-to-date with ethical guidelines, legal requirements, and regulations in your jurisdiction to ensure safe, lawful practice.
What knowledge is needed for competence in psychology?
Psychologists need to understand psychological theories, research, and basic concepts (like behavior, cognition, memory, and emotion) to provide informed care.
What is confidentiality?
Confidentiality means keeping a client’s personal information private, unless certain legal or ethical exceptions apply.
What are the key components of informed consent?
Voluntary Participation
Understanding
Capacity to Consent
Right to Withdraw
Why is CPD important for maintaining competence?
CPD helps psychologists stay updated on new research, skills, and interventions, and ensures they continue to meet ethical and legal requirements.
How does professional supervision help in maintaining competence?
Supervision provides feedback, support, and guidance, helping psychologists identify areas for improvement and ensuring their practice stays ethical and effective.
What ethical considerations are there in psychological testing?
Psychologists must ensure that tests are used appropriately, interpret results carefully, and protect the privacy and rights of clients.
What is a psychological intervention?
Interventions are evidence-based techniques used to address a client’s mental health issues, tailored to individual needs.
Why is cultural competence important in psychology?
Understanding cultural differences helps psychologists provide effective services to clients from diverse backgrounds and avoid misunderstandings.
What are the legal and ethical responsibilities of psychologists?
Psychologists must comply with ethical codes, adhere to legal standards, maintain confidentiality (within limits), and ensure informed consent.
