EPPP- Ethics Questions and Answers.
When APA Can Take Action Against Psychologist -
\-complaints of unethical conduct
- after a member's "conviction of a felony, expulsion or suspension from an affiliated
state psychological association, or suspension or loss of licensure."
As noted by Fisher (2017), the felony conviction does not have to be related to activities
the member performed in his or her role as a psychologist.
Primary Goals of Ethics Codes -
\"the welfare and protection of the individuals and groups with whom psychologists work
and the education of members, students, and the public regarding ethical standards of
the discipline."
Difference b/w Ethics Standards and Principles -
\Unlike the enforceable Ethical Standards, the General Principles, "should not form the
basis for imposing sanctions."
5 Ethics Standards (names only) -
\- Principle A (Beneficence and Nonmaleficence)
- Principle B (Fidelity and Responsibility)
- Principle C (Integrity)
- Principle D (Justice)
- Principle E (Respect for People's Rights and Dignity)
Principle A -
\Principle A (Beneficence and Nonmaleficence) states that "psychologists strive to
benefit those with whom they work and take care to do no harm."
Principle B -
\Principle B (Fidelity and Responsibility) calls for psychologists to "establish
relationships of trust with those with whom they work ... [and to be] aware of their
professional and scientific responsibilities to society and to the specific communities in
which they work." It also states that "psychologists strive to contribute a portion of their
professional time for little or no compensation or personal advantage."
Principle C -
\Principle C (Integrity) addresses the importance of promoting "accuracy, honesty, and
truthfulness in the science, teaching, and practice of psychology."
,Principle D -
\Principle D (Justice) calls for psychologists to "recognize that fairness and justice entitle
all persons to access to and benefit from the contributions of psychology and to equal
quality in the processes, procedures, and services being conducted by psychologists."
Principle E -
\Principle E (Respect for People's Rights and Dignity) states that psychologists "respect
the dignity and worth of all people, and the rights of individuals to privacy,
confidentiality, and self-determination" and "are aware of and respect cultural,
individual, and role differences, including those based on age, gender, gender identity,
race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language,
and socioeconomic status."
10 Ethical Standards (Names Only) -
\HER CAR TRAP
Human Relations
Education and Training
Research and Publication
Competence
Advertising and Other Public Statements
Resolving Ethical Issues
Therapy
Record Keeping and Fees
Assessment
Privacy and Confidentiality
Standard 1: Resolving Ethical and Legal/Organizational Conflicts -
\Standard 1 (Resolving Ethical Issues) of the Ethics Code addresses conflicts between
ethical and legal or organizational requirements, ethical violations by colleagues,
responding to requests from ethics committees, and avoiding unfair discrimination
against complainants and respondents in an ethics complaint.
Standard 2: Competence -
\Standard 2 (Competence) of APA's Ethics Code addresses working within the
boundaries of one's competence, delegating work to others, and dealing with personal
problems.
Resolving Ethical and Legal/Organizational Conflicts (part of Standard 1) -
\1. Resolving Ethical and Legal/Organizational Conflicts: Conflicts between ethical
requirements and laws, regulations, and organizational demands are addressed in the
Introduction and Standards 1.02 and 1.03 of the APA Ethics Code. For example,
Standard 1.02 states that, when conflicts occur, "psychologists clarify the nature of the
,conflict, make known their commitment to the Ethics Code, and take reasonable steps
to resolve the conflict consistent with the General Principles and Ethical Standards of
the Ethics Code." It also states that, "under no circumstances may this standard be
used to justify or defend violating human rights." This provision requires psychologists to
make a reasonable effort to resolve a conflict in a way that's consistent with ethical
responsibilities but does not require them to abide by ethical responsibilities in all
situations. As noted by Fisher, "when reasonable actions taken by psychologists do not
resolve the conflict, they are permitted to make a conscientious decision to comply with
the legal or regulatory authority under circumstances in which their actions cannot be
used to justify or defend violating human rights" (2017, p. 59).
Ethical Violations by Colleagues (part of Standard 1) -
\2. Ethical Violations by Colleagues: Responding to ethical violations by colleagues is
addressed in Standards 1.04 and 1.05: Standard 1.04 requires psychologists to attempt
to resolve another psychologist's ethical violation informally by bringing the violation to
the psychologist's attention when it seems appropriate to do so. Standard 1.05 requires
psychologists to report an ethical violation to an ethics committee, licensing board, or
other appropriate authority or to take other "action appropriate to the situation" when the
ethical violation has caused or is likely to cause substantial harm, is not appropriate for
informal resolution, or was not adequately resolved informally. It's important to note that
Standards 1.04 and 1.05 apply only when intervening does not violate any
confidentiality rights. For example, if a current client tells you she was sexually harassed
by her previous therapist but doesn't want you to tell anyone, you would maintain
confidentiality and not take any action against the therapist.
Koocher and Keith-Spiegel (2008) have identified several situations that may not be
amenable to informal resolution. For example, informal resolution may not be
appropriate or possible when the psychologist's violation involves addiction to alcohol or
drugs or is related to a serious emotional disturbance or mental illness, when the
violation is due to the psychologist's general incompetence, or when pre-existing bad
feelings between the psychologists would make an informal approach too
confrontational.
Requests from Ethics Committees (part of Standard 1) -
\3. Requests from Ethics Committees: Standard 1.06 requires psychologists to
cooperate with investigations and proceedings of the APA and affiliated psychological
associations to which they belong, and it states that failing to do so constitutes an
ethical violation. However, like Standards 1.04 and 1.05, Standard 1.06 requires
psychologists to consider issues related to confidentiality. For instance, if you're asked
by an ethics committee to provide it with information about a current client who has filed
a complaint against her previous therapist, you'd want to make sure the client has
signed an authorization for release of information before doing so.
Unfair Discrimination (part of Standard 1) -
\4. Unfair Discrimination: Standard 1.08 states that psychologists must not discriminate
against others when making decisions about their employment, advancement, tenure,
, or admissions to academic programs solely because they've filed or are the subjects of
an ethics complaint. However, it also states that this prohibition "does not preclude
taking action based upon the outcome of such proceedings or considering other
appropriate information."
Boundaries of Competence (Part of Standard 2) -
\1. Boundaries of Competence: Standard 2.01 requires psychologists to "provide
services, teach, and conduct research with populations and in areas only within the
boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised
experience, consultation, study, or professional experience." Standard 2.01 also
addresses competence in specific situations: For example, Standard 2.01(b) applies to
situations in which scientific or professional knowledge has established that an
understanding of issues related to gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, or other
characteristic is essential for ensuring that professional services are effective. It states
that, to provide services to individuals with these characteristics, psychologists must
have the necessary knowledge and training; and, if they do not, they should make
appropriate referrals.
Standards 2.01(c), 2.01(d), and 2.02 apply when psychologists want or are asked to
provide services that are outside their current boundaries of competence: Standard
2.01(c) states that, when psychologists want to provide services to new populations or
use new techniques, they "undertake relevant education, training, supervised
experience, consultation, or study." This situation is addressed by Koocher and Keith-
Spiegel (2008), who note that determining whether it's better to refer or treat a client
whose needs are outside a psychologist's level of competence depends on the
circumstances: When there's a substantial difference between the client's needs and
the psychologist's competence and an alternative provider is available, referral is
ordinarily the best choice. But, in other circumstances, seeing the client while obtaining
consultation and/or additional training and education may be an acceptable course of
action.
Standard 2.01(d) applies when psychologists are asked to
Delegating Work to Others (Part of Standard 2) -
\2. Delegating Work to Others: Standard 2.05 states that a psychologist must delegate
responsibilities to employees, supervisees, research assistants, interpreters, and others
only when (a) the person the work is being delegated to does not have a multiple
relationship with the recipient of the services that could impede his or her objectivity and
effectiveness; (b) the person has adequate competence to provide the services
independently or while being supervised as determined by his/her education, training,
and experience; and (c) the psychologist ensures that the person provides the services
competently. For example, it would be unethical for a therapist to recruit a therapy
client's family member to act as an interpreter when the client does not speak the same
language as the therapist because the family member's relationship with the client is
likely to affect his/her objectivity.
With regard to the use of an interpreter, Novotney (2020) notes that not all jurisdictions
require interpreters to be licensed or certified, and she recommends that, whenever
possible, psychologists use the services of professional interpreters who are certified by
When APA Can Take Action Against Psychologist -
\-complaints of unethical conduct
- after a member's "conviction of a felony, expulsion or suspension from an affiliated
state psychological association, or suspension or loss of licensure."
As noted by Fisher (2017), the felony conviction does not have to be related to activities
the member performed in his or her role as a psychologist.
Primary Goals of Ethics Codes -
\"the welfare and protection of the individuals and groups with whom psychologists work
and the education of members, students, and the public regarding ethical standards of
the discipline."
Difference b/w Ethics Standards and Principles -
\Unlike the enforceable Ethical Standards, the General Principles, "should not form the
basis for imposing sanctions."
5 Ethics Standards (names only) -
\- Principle A (Beneficence and Nonmaleficence)
- Principle B (Fidelity and Responsibility)
- Principle C (Integrity)
- Principle D (Justice)
- Principle E (Respect for People's Rights and Dignity)
Principle A -
\Principle A (Beneficence and Nonmaleficence) states that "psychologists strive to
benefit those with whom they work and take care to do no harm."
Principle B -
\Principle B (Fidelity and Responsibility) calls for psychologists to "establish
relationships of trust with those with whom they work ... [and to be] aware of their
professional and scientific responsibilities to society and to the specific communities in
which they work." It also states that "psychologists strive to contribute a portion of their
professional time for little or no compensation or personal advantage."
Principle C -
\Principle C (Integrity) addresses the importance of promoting "accuracy, honesty, and
truthfulness in the science, teaching, and practice of psychology."
,Principle D -
\Principle D (Justice) calls for psychologists to "recognize that fairness and justice entitle
all persons to access to and benefit from the contributions of psychology and to equal
quality in the processes, procedures, and services being conducted by psychologists."
Principle E -
\Principle E (Respect for People's Rights and Dignity) states that psychologists "respect
the dignity and worth of all people, and the rights of individuals to privacy,
confidentiality, and self-determination" and "are aware of and respect cultural,
individual, and role differences, including those based on age, gender, gender identity,
race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language,
and socioeconomic status."
10 Ethical Standards (Names Only) -
\HER CAR TRAP
Human Relations
Education and Training
Research and Publication
Competence
Advertising and Other Public Statements
Resolving Ethical Issues
Therapy
Record Keeping and Fees
Assessment
Privacy and Confidentiality
Standard 1: Resolving Ethical and Legal/Organizational Conflicts -
\Standard 1 (Resolving Ethical Issues) of the Ethics Code addresses conflicts between
ethical and legal or organizational requirements, ethical violations by colleagues,
responding to requests from ethics committees, and avoiding unfair discrimination
against complainants and respondents in an ethics complaint.
Standard 2: Competence -
\Standard 2 (Competence) of APA's Ethics Code addresses working within the
boundaries of one's competence, delegating work to others, and dealing with personal
problems.
Resolving Ethical and Legal/Organizational Conflicts (part of Standard 1) -
\1. Resolving Ethical and Legal/Organizational Conflicts: Conflicts between ethical
requirements and laws, regulations, and organizational demands are addressed in the
Introduction and Standards 1.02 and 1.03 of the APA Ethics Code. For example,
Standard 1.02 states that, when conflicts occur, "psychologists clarify the nature of the
,conflict, make known their commitment to the Ethics Code, and take reasonable steps
to resolve the conflict consistent with the General Principles and Ethical Standards of
the Ethics Code." It also states that, "under no circumstances may this standard be
used to justify or defend violating human rights." This provision requires psychologists to
make a reasonable effort to resolve a conflict in a way that's consistent with ethical
responsibilities but does not require them to abide by ethical responsibilities in all
situations. As noted by Fisher, "when reasonable actions taken by psychologists do not
resolve the conflict, they are permitted to make a conscientious decision to comply with
the legal or regulatory authority under circumstances in which their actions cannot be
used to justify or defend violating human rights" (2017, p. 59).
Ethical Violations by Colleagues (part of Standard 1) -
\2. Ethical Violations by Colleagues: Responding to ethical violations by colleagues is
addressed in Standards 1.04 and 1.05: Standard 1.04 requires psychologists to attempt
to resolve another psychologist's ethical violation informally by bringing the violation to
the psychologist's attention when it seems appropriate to do so. Standard 1.05 requires
psychologists to report an ethical violation to an ethics committee, licensing board, or
other appropriate authority or to take other "action appropriate to the situation" when the
ethical violation has caused or is likely to cause substantial harm, is not appropriate for
informal resolution, or was not adequately resolved informally. It's important to note that
Standards 1.04 and 1.05 apply only when intervening does not violate any
confidentiality rights. For example, if a current client tells you she was sexually harassed
by her previous therapist but doesn't want you to tell anyone, you would maintain
confidentiality and not take any action against the therapist.
Koocher and Keith-Spiegel (2008) have identified several situations that may not be
amenable to informal resolution. For example, informal resolution may not be
appropriate or possible when the psychologist's violation involves addiction to alcohol or
drugs or is related to a serious emotional disturbance or mental illness, when the
violation is due to the psychologist's general incompetence, or when pre-existing bad
feelings between the psychologists would make an informal approach too
confrontational.
Requests from Ethics Committees (part of Standard 1) -
\3. Requests from Ethics Committees: Standard 1.06 requires psychologists to
cooperate with investigations and proceedings of the APA and affiliated psychological
associations to which they belong, and it states that failing to do so constitutes an
ethical violation. However, like Standards 1.04 and 1.05, Standard 1.06 requires
psychologists to consider issues related to confidentiality. For instance, if you're asked
by an ethics committee to provide it with information about a current client who has filed
a complaint against her previous therapist, you'd want to make sure the client has
signed an authorization for release of information before doing so.
Unfair Discrimination (part of Standard 1) -
\4. Unfair Discrimination: Standard 1.08 states that psychologists must not discriminate
against others when making decisions about their employment, advancement, tenure,
, or admissions to academic programs solely because they've filed or are the subjects of
an ethics complaint. However, it also states that this prohibition "does not preclude
taking action based upon the outcome of such proceedings or considering other
appropriate information."
Boundaries of Competence (Part of Standard 2) -
\1. Boundaries of Competence: Standard 2.01 requires psychologists to "provide
services, teach, and conduct research with populations and in areas only within the
boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised
experience, consultation, study, or professional experience." Standard 2.01 also
addresses competence in specific situations: For example, Standard 2.01(b) applies to
situations in which scientific or professional knowledge has established that an
understanding of issues related to gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, or other
characteristic is essential for ensuring that professional services are effective. It states
that, to provide services to individuals with these characteristics, psychologists must
have the necessary knowledge and training; and, if they do not, they should make
appropriate referrals.
Standards 2.01(c), 2.01(d), and 2.02 apply when psychologists want or are asked to
provide services that are outside their current boundaries of competence: Standard
2.01(c) states that, when psychologists want to provide services to new populations or
use new techniques, they "undertake relevant education, training, supervised
experience, consultation, or study." This situation is addressed by Koocher and Keith-
Spiegel (2008), who note that determining whether it's better to refer or treat a client
whose needs are outside a psychologist's level of competence depends on the
circumstances: When there's a substantial difference between the client's needs and
the psychologist's competence and an alternative provider is available, referral is
ordinarily the best choice. But, in other circumstances, seeing the client while obtaining
consultation and/or additional training and education may be an acceptable course of
action.
Standard 2.01(d) applies when psychologists are asked to
Delegating Work to Others (Part of Standard 2) -
\2. Delegating Work to Others: Standard 2.05 states that a psychologist must delegate
responsibilities to employees, supervisees, research assistants, interpreters, and others
only when (a) the person the work is being delegated to does not have a multiple
relationship with the recipient of the services that could impede his or her objectivity and
effectiveness; (b) the person has adequate competence to provide the services
independently or while being supervised as determined by his/her education, training,
and experience; and (c) the psychologist ensures that the person provides the services
competently. For example, it would be unethical for a therapist to recruit a therapy
client's family member to act as an interpreter when the client does not speak the same
language as the therapist because the family member's relationship with the client is
likely to affect his/her objectivity.
With regard to the use of an interpreter, Novotney (2020) notes that not all jurisdictions
require interpreters to be licensed or certified, and she recommends that, whenever
possible, psychologists use the services of professional interpreters who are certified by
