APA ethical code of conduct PDF

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Subjecst: ETHICS BS Psychology: 3rd semester Instructor: Mashal Sherin TOPICS # 1 ETHICAL PRINCIPLES What is ethics? “Ethics are moral principles that govern a persons behavior or the conducting of an activity.” Ethics deals with the “rightness” or “wrongness” of human behavior. What a psychologist needs to do? Psychologist may need to make decision in difficult or unclear situations. So, the code of conduct is used by the professionals to address the ethical questions with the principles of this code. What a psychologist needs to know? Psychologist needs to be ethically sounded; be aware of the ethical issues that are arising in any situation. Awareness of ethical issues makes it more likely that ethical practice would be followed. Components of guidelines: APA guideline Principles

Standards

Ethical principles:  

These are based on moral values. They aim to influence and guide professional behavior; these are values that APA expects psychologist to keep in mind during their practice.

Ethical standards:   

Rules written precisely and specifically and are written keeping in view different situations. Enforceable rules applicable for psychologists in their profession. Guidelines to guide psychologists in varied areas and roles, addressing situations most psychologists may encounter in their professional roles.

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES: There are 5 general principles by American psychological association. They are aspirational in nature. Their intention is to guide psychologist towards the highest ethical ideals.

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Principle A: Beneficence And Non maleficence

Psychologist benefit those whom they work with and make sure that they won’t do any harm. Psychologist safeguard the right of the people who are with them in the professional life and other affected people and also animal subjects. If conflicts occur, they solve it in a responsible way to avoid harm. Psychologists also have an account of the possibilities that might lead of the misuse of their influence. Their own mental and physical health may have an impact on the people they work with. 

Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility

Psychologist try to make a trustworthy relationship with people they work. They are aware of their responsibilities towards others. They hold up to their standardized conduct, their role, accept their behaviour of responsibilities and also try to manage their conflicts without harm. Psychologist usually consult other psychologists, refer people to them and cooperate with institutions for best interest. They don’t work for their personal advantage. 

Principle C: Integrity

They try to promote honesty and trustfulness in their professional practice. They don’t cheat or do fraud with others. They always try to keep up with their words and avoid false commitments. In some cases deception may be acceptable if it maximise benefit and avoid harm. Psychologist should try to avoid things that may harm others. 

Principle D: Justice

Psychologist should be fair and just towards everyone and give equal quality of work to them. Psychologist avoid biasness and judgements. They don’t allow their competence and limitations do injustice in their practice. 

Principle E: Respect For People’s Rights and Dignity

Psychologist respect the integrity and worth of people. They protect their rights and privacy. They are well aware of the safeguard of the rights of others. Psychologists are aware of the difference based on culture, religion, individual, language, gender, origin etc that may exist. They try not to bring biases based on these factors. They don’t condone such activities based upon prejudice due to individual differences.

Subjecst: ETHICS BS Psychology: 3rd semester Instructor: Mashal Sherin

APA ETHICAL STANDARDS Ethical Standards: The Ethical Standards sets forth enforceable rules for conduct as psychologists. Most of the Ethical Standards are written broadly, in order to apply to psychologists in varied roles, although the application of an Ethical Standard may vary depending on the context. The Ethical Standards are not exhaustive. The fact that a given conduct is not specifically addressed by the Ethics Code does not mean that it is necessarily either ethical or unethical. Resolving Ethical issues competence human relations privacy and confidentiality advertisement and other public statement Record keeping and fee Education and training Researcha nd publication Assesment therapy

Standard 1 Resolving Ethical Issues: This standard guides a psychologist that if they find out about the misuse of their work then they must work earnestly to eradicate or lessen the misrepresentation. Furthermore, if a psychologist comes to know about any conflict between their ethical code and law or Ethical code and organizational demands then, they must make known their commitment to the Ethical Code, clarify the nature of conflict and should take steps to resolve the conflict in a responsible manner. This standard also guides a psychologist that if they come to know about any ethical violation by other psychologist; they must first do informal resolution of problem. In case, the issue doesn’t gets resolved then it is duty of psychologist to file a complaint against him to any ethical committee or any other superior authority. However, psychologist can not file an improper or bogus complaint against someone. Standard 2 Competence: This standard guides a psychologist to provide services within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised and professional experience. If psychologist provides services in areas that is new to him or involves novel techniques, then

psychologist must undertake training or supervision from person who is competent in those areas or techniques. Psychologist must strive to broaden the array of their competence. In emergency situations, when mental health services are not available, services must be provided by the psychologist so that it is ensured that the services are not denied. However, services must be discontinued as soon as the emergency situation has ended. Continuous efforts must be made to maintain their competence. Psychologist who delegate their work to others or uses the services of others (e.g. interpreters, research assistants etc) should keep in mind that he should not have multiple relationship with that person. Such responsibilities must be assigned to individuals who are competent in carrying out these tasks. In case if a psychologist comes to know about their own personal conflicts that may be hindering their work; they must seek consultation and professional assistance so that no harm is caused to client. Standard 3 Human Relations This standard of the ethics code is designed to guide psychologists in their interactions with others (includes clients and other professionals). Psychologist do not engage in unfair discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status etc. Psychologists do not engage in sexual harassment; this includes both verbal and non-verbal conduct that is sexual in nature that occurs in connection with the psychologist’s activities and they do not knowingly engage in behavior that is harassing or demeaning to persons with whom they interact. They take reasonable steps to avoid harming their clients/patients. Psychologist do not engage in multiple relationships with client or any other person who is closely related to the client. Psychologists cooperate with other professionals in order to serve their clients/patients effectively and appropriately. Psychologist must take informed consent prior doing assessment, therapy, counseling. Informed consent is also mandatory before any video or audio recording. They provide psychological services through organizations. In case, psychologist foresees interruption in psychological services provided to client (e.g due to illness, relocation, retirement etc); he must take reasonable steps to plan for facilitating continuation of services. Standard 4. Privacy & Confidentiality: This standard provides guidelines for maintenance of confidentiality and respecting the privacy of information being provided by client. Psychologists are obliged to take reasonable precautions to keep information of client confidential. However, there are few exceptions to confidentiality. These exceptions include disclosing information in response to court orders, for consultation or when there is presence of risk; risk includes suicidal risk, homicidal risk, and risk of being harmed from others. When consulting with colleagues, psychologists do not disclose confidential information that could reasonably lead to the identification of a client/patient, research participant unless they have obtained the prior consent. Disclose information only to the extent necessary to achieve the purpose of Consultation. Standard 5. Advertising and Other Public Statements: This standard guides a psychologist regarding advertising and making other public statements. According to this, psychologist must refrain from making false public

statements regarding ones’ training, competence, experience, degree, credentials, or experience. Psychologists do not compensate employees of any communication media in return for publicity in a news item. As professionals, they are responsible for ensuring that information advertised on media regarding educational programs are accurate. All public statements made are based on the psychologists professional knowledge. Standard 6. Record keeping and Fees This standard guides a psychologist regarding the maintenance of records of all the scientific and professional work in confidentiality. They create, control and maintain records of data to facilitate provision of services, allow replication of studies, ensure accuracy, and comply with institutional requirements. These records must be kept confidential. In exceptions, coding or other techniques are used to avoid the inclusion of personal identifiers. Psychologists may not withhold records for nonpayment in emergency treatments. Psychologist must not misrepresent fee and should make agreement regarding fee beforehand in a way that is consistent with law. Psychologists accept or give fees based on services provided by them. They should also provide accurate information to payors or any other funding sources. In cases where client cannot pay dues, barter is allowed however it should not result in clients exploitation. Standard 7. Education and Training: This standard is designed to help the psychologist create high quality programs that would train the future psychologist. It guides psychologists who are responsible for designing education training programs to ensure that the programs are designed to provide appropriate knowledge and proper experiences to meet the requirements of course. They have to ensure that the course syllabi are accurate about the subject matter. When engaged in teaching or training, its obligation of psychologist to present accurate information. When professional engages in supervisor/ supervisee relationship, they should not coerce supervisees to disclose personal information about sexual history, history of abuse and neglect, psychological treatment, and relationships with parents/peers etc. The only exceptions to this rule is, if the program/training facility has clearly identified it as requirement at the time of admission or if the information is necessary to provide assistance for students whose personal problems could reasonably be preventing them from performing professional activities competently or are a threat to student. When individual/group therapy is required by a program, allow students the option of selecting practitioners unaffiliated with the program. Standard 8. Research & Publication: This standard guides a psychologist issues regarding research and publication. When institutional approval is required psychologists provide accurate information about their research proposals. They obtain detailed informed consent from the participants that would inform them about the purpose of research, their right to withdraw, possible risks and benefits, limits of confidentiality etc. Informed consent must also be obtained prior to audio or visual recording unless if its naturalistic observations. Psychologists must take measures to protect the research participants(human and animals) from any harm or adverse

consequences. They refrain from offering excessive or inappropriate financial or other inducements to research participants. Psychologist do not conduct the study involving deception unless they have determined that there are no other alternative procedures available. However, later participants must be debriefed regarding the purpose of deception, results, and conclusion of research. Psychologists are held accountable for providing correct findings and taking proper steps to correct any errors in research and publication. They are also required to show original data as their work, share publication credits, and maintain confidentiality of the participants during the review process. Standard 9. Assessment This standard provides guidance regarding assessment related issues. Psychologist’s decisions must be supported by findings from assessments, while reporting the limitations of assessments. Psychologists should base their opinion r recommendation on bases of information gathered from various assessment techniques. They should use valid and reliable assessment tools and should be administered in a language preferred by the client. Informed consent is a requirement which is expected to be acquired by the psychologist that would inform the clients regarding nature of assessment. Psychologist refrains from releasing test data to protect clients information. They are also required to be properly trained in order to administer assessment tools appropriately. They also make efforts to maintain security and integrity of all test materials. Psychologist should not base their assessment on bases of outdated or obsolete tests. Standard 10. Therapy: This standard provides guidance regarding the issues related to therapy. The first and foremost requirement of therapeutic relationship is to obtain informed consent from clients by presenting enough details about the therapy, limits of confidentiality and structure of sessions. Psychologists are instructed to clarify their role as psychologist and inform clients regarding limits of confidentiality when providing services in a group setting. If a psychologist is providing services for a client who is already receiving mental health services, then the psychologist should discuss the risk of confusion and should get detailed information regarding client from other professionals to minimize harm. This guideline prohibits psychologists from engaging in sexual relationships with current therapy clients or with those individuals closely related to the client. They also do not accept former sexual partner as clients. Psychologists should not have sexual intimacies with past clients for at least two years after termination of therapy and even after that time period unless they can provide reasonable evidence that during that period no exploitation/ harm was done to client. Termination of therapy should occur when the client shows improvement or does not benefit from further treatment or is being harmed by the treatment, or if the psychologist is endangered by the client or another person with whom the client is related to. Prior to termination, psychologists should prepare their clients and provide information for follow up sessions....