Ethics for Psychologists Second Edition PDF

Preview

Summary

Ethics for Psychologists Second Edition Ronald D. Francis Monash University Praise for Ethics for Psychologists ‘This book is a wide-ranging and erudite examination of ethical principles that affect psychological practice and research. Francis reviews many of the philo- sophical, legal and political...

Description

Accelerat ing t he world's research.

Ethics for Psychologists Second Edition psi konseling

Related papers

Download a PDF Pack of t he best relat ed papers 

Et hical considerat ions for pract ising psychologist s in Aust ralia Christ opher Boyle

T he et hical considerat ions of counselling psychologist s working wit h t rauma: Is t here a risk of vicario… Amirah Iqbal Inst it ut e of Guidance Counsellors Inst it iúid na gComhairleoirí Treorach GUIDANCE COUNSELLING CORE… Abubakar Ameir Mt uka

Ethics for Psychologists Second Edition Ronald D. Francis Monash University

Praise for Ethics for Psychologists ‘This book is a wide-ranging and erudite examination of ethical principles that affect psychological practice and research. Francis reviews many of the philosophical, legal and political systems related to psychological ethics, as well as the ethical codes produced by various professional associations, and offers practical advice on how ethical dilemmas might be dealt with. Unlike some prescriptive treatments of ethics for psychologists, Francis’s analysis recognizes situations in which the ethically commendable resolution is not at all obvious, or where it could conflict with the psychologist’s obligations as an employee or as a member of society, or even with the law. The step-by-step consideration of how to think one’s way through such challenges is one of the best parts of the book.’ Peter Suedfeld, University of British Columbia ‘Practitioners, academics and students alike will welcome this updated version of a ground-breaking book on a subject that continues to challenge them all. Practitioners at the coal-face will welcome the steady guidance it gives on contentious issues with which they have to contend on a daily basis. Academics will appreciate the confidence with which it takes them into the world of applied philosophy without genuflection to logical positivism that eschews values. Students will warm to the rare presentation of wisdom, wit, and clarity of expression in a textbook on a subject dear to their hearts. The author, the British Psychological Society, and the publisher are to be congratulated on its publication.’ Tony Taylor, Victoria University of Wellington ‘Ronald Francis inspires with a wonderfully humane and practical guide to ethical decision making for psychologists. His principles are grounded within the context of cases and issues that all psychologists meet at sometime during their career. His principles and discussion on ethical decision making are not only useful but also stimulating and thought-provoking.’ Paul Wilson, Bond University ‘Ronald Francis brings both a scholarly and a practitioner’s perspective to this useful work on professional ethics for psychologists. Codes of conduct have evolved as the varied professional roles of psychologists have become better defined. This volume takes us into the issues that all psychologists need to deal with as they relate these codes to their daily activities. Francis engages us with a valuable overview of theory as well as clear case examples. A wise, easy read and a most valuable adjunct to the formal codes of practice, it is an excellent text for courses in professional ethics and a “must-have” for the psychologist’s reference shelf.’ Gordon Stanley, University of Oxford and University of Melbourne

Ethics for Psychologists Second Edition Ronald D. Francis Monash University

This edition first published 2009 by the British Psychological Society and Blackwell Publishing Ltd © 2009 Ronald D. Francis Edition history: Blackwell Publishers (1e, 1999) BPS Blackwell is an imprint of Blackwell Publishing, which was acquired by John Wiley & Sons in February 2007. Blackwell’s publishing program has been merged with Wiley’s global Scientific, Technical, and Medical business to form Wiley-Blackwell. Registered Office John Wiley & Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, United Kingdom Editorial Offices 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5020, USA 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UK The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services, and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell. The right of Ronald D. Francis to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher. Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Francis, Ronald D. (Ronald David), Ethics for psychologists/Ronald D. Francis. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-4051-8878-4 (hardcover: alk. paper) – ISBN 978-1-4051-8877-7 (pbk. : alk.paper) 1. Psychologists–Professional ethics. 2. Psychology–Moral and ethical aspects. 3. Psychology– Research–Moral and ethical aspects. I. Title. BF76.4.F73 2009 174′.915–dc22 2009008323 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Set in 10.5/13pt Minion by SPi Publisher Services, Pondicherry, India Printed in Singapore The British Psychological Society’s free Research Digest e-mail service rounds up the latest research and relates it to your syllabus in a user-friendly way. To subscribe go to www.researchdigest.org.uk or send a blank e-mail to [email protected]. 1

2009

Contents

Foreword Preface Acknowledgements Part I Conceptual Issues in Ethics

vii ix xv 1

1 Background to Ethics 2 Theories and Explanations 3 Ethical Gradualism

3 25 49

Part II Principles and Codes

61

4 Key Principles 5 Codes and Covenants 6 Legal Issues Part III Practical Issues in Ethics 7 Ethical Infrastructures 8 Identifying the Client 9 Research Ethics

63 81 96 111 113 127 148

Part IV Decision-Making Issues

163

10 11 12 13 14 15

165 194 208 225 230 252

Broad Issues of Practice The Quantification of Ethics Decision Making Case Prescriptions Worked Cases Further Cases for Consideration

vi

Contents

Appendix I:

The European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations Meta-Code Appendix II: The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights References Index

262 277 285 301

Foreword

In the 10 years since the first edition of this book, the landscape has changed substantially, both nationally and internationally, and in relation to psychologists’ practice and their research. Internationally a major step was taken when the relevant international psychology organisations (the International Union of Psychological Science, the International Association of Applied Psychology, the International Association of Cross-Cultural Psychology) agreed the Universal Declaration of Ethical Principles for Psychologists which demonstrated that it was possible to transcend cultural differences and to agree universal international ethical principles. This was the result of considerable effort by an international working group led by Professor Janel Gauthier of Canada. Within Europe, substantial work has been undertaken by the European Federation of Psychologists Associations (EFPA) Standing Committee on Ethics which developed the revised European Meta-Code of Ethics, accepted by all EFPA Member Associations in 2005 and now forming the basis of a handbook to aid psychologist practitioners across Europe (Lindsay et al., 2008). Within the UK, the British Psychological Society produced a completely revised Code of Ethics and Conduct in 2006 (BPS, 2006) recognising the importance of a recognition of ‘ethical gradualism’ and of ethical decision making. All of this activity has been carried out on the basis of widespread consultation at every level, and can be truly said to represent a growing awareness of ethical issues and to reflect the importance accorded to this area by major international and national organisations. In the research arena funding bodies and universities have become increasingly mindful of the importance of research ethics and it is now increasingly mandatory for all research to undergo a rigorous ethical approval process in order to assure the well-being of research participants and the research ethical integrity. These developments over the past 10 years

viii

Foreword

show the need for training for psychologists wherever they work in order to ensure that psychologists’ practice and research meets the highest ethical standards, and that psychologists are supported to develop their own competence in ethical decision making. Ronald Francis’ revision of his 1999 book is very welcome and timely. He has added considerable new material to reflect a greater focus on ethical gradualism, made reference to a number of revised and newer codes of ethics and has provided additional worked cases which will bring ethics to life for practitioner psychologists. As in the first edition Francis has successfully combined a clear account of conceptual and theoretical issues with practical issues and case examples, and has produced a handbook which will be an excellent resource for psychologists in training and those already in practice. I am very pleased to see the second edition, and welcome its added value as a teaching and learning resource which I look forward to using in my own teaching and practice. Ingrid Lunt, PhD, CPsychol University of Oxford November 2008

Preface

This book is a second edition of a work originally published in 1999. The overwhelming majority of useful works on ethics for psychologists were to be found in US publications. The several excellent works seemed to have a distinct application to the situation in North America, and rather less to other English-speaking places. Further, those works were rather more compliance-based, and tended toward black-letter law rather than to behaviour by principle. Whatever the truth of that observation, there is always room for another text with another viewpoint – in this case more values and philosophically oriented rather than legally oriented. This work is more likely to appeal to English-speaking countries, and that includes Europe and Australasia and, to a certain extent, to a North American readership looking for another perspective. It is also worth noting that just because a reference was older did not invite exclusion. In updating this work it was evident that some issues had been well canvassed, and work had moved on to other equally important topics. Ethics, as with most of other enterprises, is ongoing: as such it provides answers to questions that were posed when the topic was hot. Rather than lose those arguments and that information the relevant items are included here, thus the references were updated while paying due service to issues that had been canvassed some time before. This work is in four Parts: Conceptual Issues in Ethics; Principles and Codes; Practical Issues in Ethics; and Decision-Making Issues. Within each of these is a subset which expands the material. To the comprehensive Table of Contents has been added an index containing over 300 terms – a useful point to the busy practitioner. This work contains a Decision Tree, and a Decision Diagram. The end of the book contains worked cases with suggested reasoning and courses of action. Theses cases are based on real life instances, with appropriate changes to protect the innocent and guilty alike.

x

Preface

There is also a further set of cases for consideration. In addition to reference to where various codes might be found is the addition of the European Meta-Code of Ethics, and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, both reproduced by kind permission. The writer does hope that this work will be seen as complementary to the works currently available. Included in such works is the book Ethical Conflicts in Psychology by Bersoff – an excellent work for the North American reader. In the Preface to the second edition Bersoff noted that the work was regarded by reviewers as ethnocentric. As a result he included Canadian material, a step in the right direction, and one to be welcomed. One merit of the Bersoff book is that of a variety of contributors from various fields of expertise in ethics. By way of contrast, the present work is that of one author: thus, there is one voice of consistent address. A wide expert coverage might be gained by the publication of an edited work with each chapter by an expert author on that topic. This advantage is offset to some degree by a possible diminution of the continuity of the work. Having a sole author means balancing the loss of some items of highly specific expertise against the unity of presentation. On balance it was felt that at the level at which this book is written that balance is marginally in favour of the latter. Ideally, one would have two such references: one for breadth of expertise; the other for consistency of declaration. Another book of stature are, at least in this writer’s opinion, is that of Koocher and Keith-Spiegel, now in a new edition. This American work, too, will appeal particularly to the North American reader. Other major psychological societies (the British Psychological Society; the Canadian Psychological Association, the Australian Psychological Society, the New Zealand Psychological Society, and the South African Psychological Society, should all have a use for this present work. In addition to those English-speaking countries it is hoped that the scope, and the downplaying of national interests, would also make it appealing to the world’s largest democracy and English speaking country – India. Finally, it is hoped that it will be of value to European countries. Not only because many read English with fluency, but also because of its more philosophical as well as practical approach (it is gratifying to note that the first edition of this book was translated into Italian). Having a cross-national approach, and dividing the book into Parts will, it is hoped, make for a dual use: that of teaching; and as a reference for the busy practitioner. A work in ethics for psychologists mostly tries to do several things: to provide some instruction on the basis of ethics; to outline the principles

Preface

xi

and reasoning behind the identification and resolution of ethical dilemmas; and to provide a ready reference to those beset with an ethical dilemma. In other words, this book is intended as a middle length account that will be of help to those who are undertaking postgraduate units in professional ethics as well as those practitioners who require a guide of immediate practical value. It is hoped that its not being tied to a particular national frame of reference will afford an overview of value in a wider array of places. It is also hoped that it will find favour in those countries which do not have a long-standing and well-developed frame of ethical reference for psychologists. This work has several levels: these include a theoretical background, a discussion of key canons, a guide to many other covenants and codes, a decision tree, and guides to issues not canvassed elsewhere. Among the latter are guides to such matters as preventing violence against the psychologist, and the ethics of aversive conditioning, the concept of gradualism, and the quantification of ethics. Of significant perceived value is an analysis of ‘who is the client?’. This important topic is at the heart of psychology ethics as it defines those towards whom our professional attentions are directed. Among the other material is information on ethical infrastructures, whistleblowing, a teaching material, cases, resource notes, and a reference list. All of this is intended for psychologists who do not have a detailed background in professional ethics but who want a professional account that will assist in showing how to make ethics work in practice. Although this is clearly not a legally oriented text it is useful to draw attention to the many connections between ethical codes and legal principles. Being exhorted to be skilled and knowledgeable is fine, but that needs to be complemented by exhortations to be ethical. In his work in professional ethics the author has seen more careers damaged by bad ethics than by professional ignorance. That sobering thought deserves to be imparted forcefully and often to career aspirants. Codes of ethics originally stemmed from the large professional societies. Of these societies the two oldest, in order, are the American Psychological Association, and the British Psychology Society. The APA was one of the first societies to generate a code of ethics, Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, and now has an extensive code which is well indexed and has appropriate Appendices. The BPS has a Code of Conduct, Ethical Principles and Guidelines and supplementary documents (such as Complaints Procedure and supplementary guidelines (such as those for occupational

xii

Preface

psychology, counselling psychology, clinical psychology, and educational and child psychology). Each of these societies serves it constituent community very well – but each does so by being specific to the country it serves. There is also a MetaCode for those national societies which are members of the European Federation of Psychological Associations (EFPA). This Meta-Code is overarching, and of a high level of generality. It was constructed in a manner that readily permitted the insertion of sub-principles for each contributing national society. There are three basic approaches that might be taken on approaching codes. The first is to use ethical canons (such as equity, accountability, openness, etc.). The second is to address ethical problems under a set of headings, generally about seven or eight (which usually include consulting, research, teaching, etc.), an approach commonly used by codes. The third way is to nominate a set of specific problems which psychologists commonly encounter. The present work, in contrast to most other codes, uses more of the first and some of the second approaches. It illustrates the importance and practical use of ethical canons; it discusses areas of psychology; and lists common problems (with advice) concerning numerous practical issues which confront psychologists. It is often difficult for the busy practitioner to find a way not only through ethical mazes, but also through sometimes cumbersome codes. The desire to be comprehensive is admirable, but can lead to a plethora of guidance in which the relative simplicity of the principles becomes obscured. Comprehensive guides are rarely practical. What such texts do not purport to do is provide advice that it immediate, practical, and readily retrievable. It is one of the aims of this present work to sacrifice some breadth to the end of making the work easily useabl...