Ethics

Week 1: Ethics in a Changing World

Introduction

What are ethics? Are they just an application of morals or values? Are they similar to or different from the concepts of right and wrong that you learned growing up? Do ethical guidelines apply equally when interacting with people from diverse backgrounds? Why are they important to psychologists? These questions form the basis of understanding the role and value of ethics to practicing psychologists and to the consumers of psychological services. This week, you will consider ethics in a world that is complex, diverse, and ever changing.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this week, you should be able to:

Analyze the role of ethics in the work of psychologists

Explain the importance and challenges of applying ethics to psychological work with diverse populations

Analyze ethical dilemmas in psychological roles and settings

Learning Resources

Please read and view (where applicable) the following Learning Resources before you complete this week's assignments.

Readings

Course Introduction (located under Course Home in the left navigation bar)

Course Text: Pope, K. S., & Vasquez, M. J. T. (2007). Ethics in psychotherapy and counseling: A practical guide (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

o Preface (pp. xiii–xvi) o Chapter 1, "Helping Without Hurting" (pp. 1–15) o Chapter 15, "Culture, Context, and Individual Differences" (pp. 225–240)

Course Text: Ford, G. (2006). Ethical reasoning for mental health professionals. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

o Preface (pp. ix–xiii) o Chapter 1, "Introduction" (pp.1–13)

o Chapter 4, "Models of Ethical Reasoning and Their Effectiveness in Resolving Ethical Conflict" (pp. 55–73 only)

Supplemental Resources

Article: Prilleltensky, I. (1997). Values, assumptions, and practices: Assessing the moral implications of psychological discourse and action. American Psychologist, 52(5), 517–535.Use the PsycARTICLES database, and search using the article's Accession Number: amp-52-5-517

Discussion

Ethics in the Practice of Psychology

Webster's dictionary defines the following terms:

Moral: conforming to the generally accepted standards of goodness or rightness in conduct or character

Ethical: conformity to an elaborated ideal code of moral principles, sometimes specific to the ethics code of a particular profession

Value: the social principle goal or standard held by an individual, class, or society

Virtue: implies morally excellent character traits, connoting integrity and commitment to justice

This course presumes that you have some familiarity with the concepts above, and that as you complete a degree in psychology, which involves application of psychological concepts, you will consider the intended and unintended impact of the work in which psychologists engage.

The various code of ethics developed in psychology are intended to provide guidance in setting a high standard of practice, preserving the integrity of the profession, and protecting members of the public who may be consumers of psychological services. Similarly, ethics codes are meant to guide professionals in making decisions that provide high quality outcomes and resolve problems for those who seek psychological services.

The integrity of the profession relies on a collective understanding of the high standards of care that should be provided within it as well as a setting of limits to assure that services are provided only by those who are sufficiently trained and prepared to provide them. Ethics codes also contain information about protections for consumers. The regulation of psychological services is also guided by laws. Increasingly the American Psychological Association's (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct is being incorporated into state professional practice acts for psychology, effectively making the principles and standards within

the Code the basis of legally binding obligations to protect consumers as well as providing legal recourse if the ethical standards are violated.

Chapter 4 in the Ford text provides an overview of a portion of the history of philosophical ideas that have created a context for the development of modern professional codes of ethics and ethical decision making. There continues to be an ongoing debate about what philosophical ideas are most relevant. It is especially important to promote an understanding of the obligation to promote common good and high principles in the work of psychology.

Over the next six weeks, you will become familiar with the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct and will be asked to consider the ways in which it guides ethical professional behavior and provides a foundation for ethical decision making. It is not unusual for those who work in the field of psychology to encounter ethical issues on a daily basis, especially because there is a tendency to work with populations whose needs for services make them vulnerable in some manner. This course is meant to help you understand the application of professional ethics as they apply to the practice of psychology.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review the lead-in to this Discussion, paying particular attention to the definitions of ethics, values, morals, and virtue and think about the role these play within the field of psychology, as well as how they are applied.

• Review the Preface and Chapters 1 and 15 in the course text, Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling, and think about a psychotherapist's personal responsibility to not only do no harm, but also to maintain a high level of multicultural competence.

• Think about working with diverse populations and consider what possible challenges you might run into and how you would ethically handle them as, or if, they arose.

• Consider why ethics are important and how they are applied in various settings.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 4 an analysis of the role of ethics in the work of psychologists, with particular attention to working with diverse populations of consumers of psychological services. Then explain why ethics are important and what the challenges are of applying them in varied settings with people of different ages and diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Application: Ethical Dilemmas

Ethical and effective practice requires that those who provide psychological services regularly reflect on their practice, and consider what they bring to the situations in which they provide

services. This includes their thoughts and feelings about the situations that they encounter, and how they function in response to consumers' needs. Staying aware of these personal responses helps avoid personal preferences and bias-clouding issues, and facilitates clear thinking when considering how ethical principles and standards apply. Consistent with these expectations, it is important for those providing services to be self-aware as they begin to address the application of ethical principles. The scenarios for discussion in this week's readings allow you to reflect on your personal thoughts and feelings in response to common ethical dilemmas related in psychology.

To prepare for this assignment:

Review Chapter 15 in the course text, Ethics in the course text Psychotherapy and Counseling, paying particular attention to how you feel about each scenario on pages 237–240 and thinking about which morals and values were violated in each one, as well as what steps might be taken to resolve them.

Review the three scenarios provided below, again paying particular attention to how you feel about each one, and thinking about which morals and values were violated.

Review the assigned pages in Chapter 4 of the course text, Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionals, and think about ways that ethical dilemmas can be resolved.

Choose one clinical scenario from the "Scenarios for Discussion" on pages 237–240 in the course text, Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling and one from the three scenarios provided below. Pay particular attention to what the ethical issues are and consider what steps might be taken next to resolve them.

Graduate Assistantship: You are a doctoral student who has been working about 20 hours a week with a small research group (four other students and a professor) as part of your graduate assistantship. During the first two years of your work, you conducted an extensive literature review and wrote parts of a paper that the professor later published in a professional journal. When you presented your summary of your literature review, you suggested that, based on what you had learned, a test that had only been used for adults could be revised in a manner that would allow it to be used with children. This would make a unique contribution to better understanding children's ways of coping with difficulty. You spent two years working on the test, and working closely with the professor, you have drafted test items, piloted it with groups of children, analyzed data, and written summaries of the results. A test publisher has accepted the project and the test has the potential to be very popular and earn a good deal of money. When you see the draft of the new test manual, you note that your professor is listed as sole author of the new test, and your name is listed in the acknowledgements with those of the other four graduate students, two of whom were only involved in data analysis for the project.

How do you feel? Are there values or morals that have been violated? What are your thoughts about your professor? How would you want respond to the professor about this situation?

Why? What are possible steps you might take next? (Pope & Vasquez, 2007)

Urban School Psychologist: You are a school psychologist who practices in a large urban school district. The majority of students with whom you work, come from low income and minority families, but are quite capable of doing well academically. Nonetheless, many perform poorly. Parents often work several jobs and have little time to promote or support their children's education. Teachers' pay is very low and the working conditions at schools are difficult. Consequently, teachers are often overwhelmed and appear to put little effort into teaching. Classroom management is lax and in many classrooms, children do not pay attention or complete their assigned work. In an effort to provide remedial services to help the students catch up to expected grade levels, an administrator makes a plan for assessing the district's low performing students and assigns the school psychologists to administer the testing. She chooses an old version of a test (it was revised three years ago), which did not include minority or low income students in the standardization sample. She explains that using an older test "with middle class norms" will assure that many children will be found to need remedial services. If larger numbers of students are identified, a great deal of money will be given to the district. Ultimately this money will help the low performing schools better serve their students.

How do you feel about this situation? Are there values or morals that may be violated in this plan? What are your thoughts about your role in this plan? How would you and the other school psychologists want to respond to

the administrator about this situation? Why? What are possible next steps you might take? (Pope & Vasquez, 2007)

Industrial / Organizational Consultant: You are an industrial/organizational psychologist. You receive a call from a childhood friend who is now the chief engineer and vice president for a small manufacturing corporation. While you have not seen each other for years, he appears to know a lot about your professional work, and says the organization needs a consultant to help resolve some management-employee relations issues at his business. This is an area of expertise for you, and you agree to provide the services and sign a contract. Your first meeting occurs in your office, and the several executives who meet with you are personable, well-spoken and appear to have many concerns for the welfare of their employees and a commitment to fairness in their work with them. They indicate that if they cannot resolve the issues they will be forced to move the

manufacturing operation to Mexico. However they do not want do so since it would further depress the economy in a struggling community. When you actually visit the manufacturing plant, you realize there are numerous issues that impact workers' safety. In talking with employees you find that although management personnel are generally well-liked, the working conditions at the plant make workers fearful for their safety and they are determined to form a union in order to force management to make needed changes to protect the workers.

How do you feel? Are there morals or values that are violated in the situation? What do you consider doing in this situation? Why? How would what you consider doing impact the decisions of

management? How would what you consider doing impact the decisions of workers?

(Pope & Vasquez, 2007)

The assignment (1–2 pages):

Following each scenario is a list of questions which are meant to guide you to "think like a psychologist" as you begin to use a problem-solving approach to address ethical issues. Each question for the two scenarios that you have chosen should be answered fully in a well-crafted paragraph, with appropriate grammar and sentence structure.

Support your Application Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list only for those resources not included in the Learning Resources for this course.

Submit your assignment to the Dropbox by Week 1, Day 7.

Capstone Project

The Capstone Project will require that you choose an incident that raises an ethical dilemma/issue related to the role, activities, and setting of a psychologist (e.g., therapist, consultant, teacher, supervisor, or other role), one that requires resolution and that would benefit from going through an ethical decision-making process.You may choose a situation that you know about from the media, from the literature, or from your own life experiences. Please do not choose an incident from your text or any other ethics case book.

To successfully complete your Capstone Project, you must:

Describe the incident that you have chosen with enough detail so that someone who has not heard about it will understand it and see that the ethical issue(s) are apparent.

Be sure to describe the role, activities, and setting of the psychologist involved in the incident.

Relate, by citing the specific number, the particular ethical standards to the issue or violation in your example.

Complete each of the ten steps outlined in the Canadian Psychological Code of Ethics for Psychologists ethical decision making process (pages 331–332 in the course text, Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: A Practical Guide) to explain how you might address and resolve the ethical dilemma. Each step (1–10) should be included.

Conclude your project/paper with a brief, written self-reflection, noting what you learned from this assignment and what was most valuable about it.

The Capstone Project should be 7–10 pages in length, double spaced, APA formatted, and use appropriate grammar and spelling.

A brief outline of your Capstone Project is due for Instructor approval by Day 7 of Week 3. Please see the Week 3 Capstone Project area for requirements and submission details.

Although the Capstone Project is not to be submitted until Day 7 of Week 5, you should become familiar with the project requirements and have them in mind as you proceed through the course.

The Capstone Project will be evaluated according to all four indicators in the Application Assignment and Writing Rubric located in the Course Info area. Be sure that the Capstone Project is written using APA format.

Information on scholarly writing may be found in the APA Manual (5th edition), and at the Walden Writing Center Web site. Also see the Walden University Policies and Information, in the Syllabus-II, under "Policies on Academic Honesty."

The Capstone Project is due on Day 7 of Week 5. See the Week 5 Capstone Project area for submission details.

Learning Resources


Readings

Course Text: Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: A Practical Guide

o Appendix A, "American Psychological Association Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct" (pp. 295–326)

Web Sites

APA Divisionshttp://www.apa.org/about/division.html

American Psychological Association Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct http://www.apa.org/ethics/code2002.html

Note: Both course texts include the 2002 APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.


Article: Knapp, S., & Vandecreek, L. (2004). A principle-based analysis of the 2002 American Psychological Association ethics code. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 41(3), 247–254.Use the PsycARTICLES database, and search using the article's Accession Number: pst-41-3-247

Discussion

Ethics in Context

Psychologists perform many roles and work in a variety of settings and the populations that they serve can be quite diverse. Psychologists often are provided with a broad range of knowledge and skills in their graduate training, including those necessary to provide or conduct counseling, assessment, consultation, program planning and evaluation, teaching, and research. Although some psychologists continue to function as "generalists" in a broad range of roles, others go on to develop expertise in a focused repertoire of highly specialized skills allowing them to provide specialty services, work with specific populations, and/or work in specific settings. Professional psychological organizations have established special interest groups that allow those with similar areas of interest and expertise to work together to enhance their own knowledge and skills, contribute to their areas of specialty, share research, and other resources to better serve the consumers who seek their services. As specialty areas evolve over time, the roles associated with them are likely to become well defined.

Competency within a given area of specialty may take many years to develop, and may or may not build upon original training received in graduate school. Some specialty areas, such as medical psychology in which the psychologist is credentialed to prescribe medication, may require extensive training beyond the doctoral degree and the passing of an examination to

assure mastery of the content and skills in that specialty. Other areas of expertise similarly require extra coursework, training, practicum, an internship, and often exams, to ensure the development of requisite skills and expertise.

Over the course of a career, most psychologists will add to their repertoire of skills, and often develop new areas of specialty. Whether moving into a new specialty area or building skill in an area of practice based on earlier coursework and training, psychologists perpetually are engaged in learning to maintain and update their skills to ensure that their services continue to be of high quality and to assure positive outcomes for those who seek their services.


• Review the APA Web site and peruse its listing and description of its 54 divisions.

• Consider whether your interests are confined to one specialty area or are spread across several. Then read through the information for several divisions that are most consistent with your interests and/or future goals.

• Explore a few divisions that are outside of your areas of interest to see the broad range of the diverse possibilities in the profession.

• Revisit The Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct and review the specific principles and standards that apply to several of your areas of interest.

• Think about what ethical issues or violations might arise in your areas of interest.


Post by Day 4 a brief description of an APA division that fits your interests and at least two roles/settings that are common to the practice within the specialty. Then, using The Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, briefly describe at least one specific ethical standard that you believe could become an issue or be violated in the performance of each of the roles/settings and explain how the standard applies to roles in the specialty area. Provide specific examples to illustrate your points. (Thus you will select two roles. For each role, you will select one particular standard that could become an issue or be violated, a different standard for each of the roles.) Identify the standard by number (e.g., 9.11: maintaining test security) and explain potential ethical issues or violations.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.

Application: Comparison of Codes of Conduct/Ethics


Review The Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.

Identify at least one other helping profession that interests you. Go to its Web site, find and review its code of conduct/ethics. For example, you may find it interesting to consider how the social work or counseling codes of ethics compare to the APA's. Or, you may wish to consider medical ethics if you are interested in working with people who have chronic illnesses.

Review the two codes and note similarities and differences between them.


Briefly describe the profession that you have selected to compare to psychology.

Describe at least three similarities between the two codes and three differences.

Explain what insights you had or conclusions you can draw based on your comparison.

Explain any advantages you think one code may have over another, (e.g., which of the two you believe would be easiest to follow, most effective) and explain why.


Submit your assignment to the Dropbox by Day 7 of Week 2.

Week 3: Protecting the Consumer

Introduction

No matter what roles or settings the psychologist works in, most work directly or indirectly with people, the consumers of psychological products or services. And the ethical standards of the profession play a role in protecting those consumers from harm and assuring that they benefit as they "consume" these products and services. Because psychologists often find themselves in positions of power and influence, there are potential abuse of power issues that come into play, whether they are intentional or unintentional. This week, you will examine how the ethical standards relate to consumer protection and learn about some of the procedures and strategies used in the field to protect consumers.

Learning Outcomes


Apply ethical standards of informed consent and confidentiality to the protection of consumers of psychological products and services

Compare consumer protections fostered by ethical standards in the provision of services in psychotherapy/counseling and assessment/testing

Learning Resources


Readings


o Chapter 11, "Informed Consent and Informed Refusal" (pp. 135–153) o Chapter 16, "Confidentiality" (pp. 241–257) o Appendix A, "American Psychological Association Ethical Principles of

Psychologists and Code of Conduct" (pp. 295–326)

Course Text: Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionals

o Chapter 6, "Ethical Issues in Psychotherapy and Counseling" (pp. 99–129) o Chapter 8, "Ethical Issues in Assessment and Testing" (pp. 155–171)


Article: Fisher, M. A. (2008). Protecting confidentiality rights: The need for an ethical practice model. American Psychologist, 63(1), 1–13.Use the PsycARTICLES database, and search using the article's Accession Number: amp-63-1-1

Discussion

Confidentiality and Informed Consent

When people seek psychological services, they have a right to be fully informed about the potential risks and benefits of doing so, as well as have information about any alternative services that may be available. In addition, they should have information about the preparation and training of the professional who will provide the services that they seek. Once people have all the information that they need to make an informed decision, they may then accept the risks and seek the benefits that have been described, or they may choose to refuse the services that have been proposed.

Based in the context of the constitutional right to privacy under the U.S. Constitution, confidentiality is meant to protect consumers by assuring that information about them remains private and is not shared. Consumers should have the option of deciding how much they want to share about themselves and with whom. However, confidentiality is not a simple concept, and there are limits to confidentiality which also are meant to protect the consumer in some situations.

When learning how services are to be delivered, consumers need to understand the limits of confidentiality so that they may decide whether they are willing to accept these limits.


• Review Chapters 11 and 16 in the course text, Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling, and think about the ethical considerations that a psychotherapist adheres to in regards to confidentiality issues and informed consent.

• Review Chapter 6 in the course text, Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionals, paying particular attention to confidentiality considerations reflected in the case studies.

• Think about situations or areas in which informed consent and/or confidentiality considerations may not be clear, in other words grey areas. Think about why they are grey, and consider how you would handle them.


Post by Day 4 a brief description of a situation in which there is a grey area with respect to confidentiality or informed consent. Describe what makes it a grey area. Explain whether the standards that apply should be enforced. Justify your position citing the specific standards from the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.


Application: Consumer Protection

As noted in Week 2, there is a wide range of roles and settings in which psychologists provide services, and the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct applies across all of them. At times, the ethical standards appear to apply more straightforwardly in some roles and settings as compared to others.


Review Chapter 6 and 8 in the course text, Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionals, and think about which ethical concepts apply to

psychotherapy/counseling and which apply to assessment/testing. Consider the similarities and the differences between what applies to psychotherapy/counseling and what applies to assessment/testing.

Review the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct and Chapter 6 and 8 in the course text, Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionals, paying particular attention to how certain standards apply to each area (psychotherapy/counseling and assessment/testing) specifically those that have to do with consumer protection.

Note the similarities and differences between consumer protection, as fostered by the standards, in the two broad roles/settings of psychotherapy/counseling and assessment/testing.

The assignment (1–2 or 2–3 pages):

Identify and explain one similarity and one difference in consumer protections for psychotherapy/counseling and one similarity and one difference in consumer protections for assessment/testing, as fostered by the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Be sure to provide specific examples and cite by number the specific APA ethical standards that you are referencing.



Capstone Project

You are required to submit a brief outline of your Capstone Project to your Instructor by Day 7 of this week. In your outline, describe the incident that you have chosen with enough detail so that someone who has not heard about it will understand it and see that the ethical issue(s) are apparent. Be sure to describe the role, activities, and setting of the psychologist involved in the incident. Also be sure to relate, by citing the specific number, the particular ethical standards appropriate to the issue or violation in your example.

Submit the outline for your Capstone Project to the Dropbox by Day 7.

Save your outline as a ".doc" or ".rtf" file with the filename CP3+last name+your first initial. For example, Sally Ride’s assignment filename would be "CP3RideS". Use the Submit an Assignment link, choose the Week 3: Capstone Project basket, and then add your outline as an attachment.

Week 4: Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships

Introduction

The work of psychologists usually requires establishing strong relationships with those who seek services. At times it is difficult to set boundaries to maintain the professional nature of the relationships that are formed with clients. However, there are risks to clients and other consumers when this doesn't occur and boundaries are violated. It is the responsibility of the psychologist to understand the risks and set boundaries that protect the consumer so that they can benefit from services and go unharmed. This week, you will explore issues having to do with setting and maintaining boundaries, as well as issues having to do with dual relationships.

Learning Outcomes


Explain boundary issues related to psychological roles and settings

Analyze potential harm related to boundary issues

Analyze ethical issues related to dual or multiple relationships

Apply strategies to avoid or manage dual or multiple relationships with consumers of psychological services

Learning Resources


Readings


o Chapter 13, "Sexual Relationships with Clients" (pp. 173–200) o Chapter 14, "Nonsexual Multiple Relationships and Other Boundary Issues" (pp.

201–224) o Appendix A, "American Psychological Association Ethical Principles of



o Chapter 7, "Organizational Settings and Special Populations" (pp. 131–154)

o Chapter 10, "Practice and Assessment in Organizational and Business Settings" (pp. 189–201)

Article: Pope, K. S., & Keith-Spiegel, P. (2008). A practical approach to boundaries in psychotherapy: Making decisions, bypassing blunders, and mending fences. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 64(5), 638–652.Use the Academic Search Premier database, and search using the article's Accession Number: 31735122

Web Sites

Dual Relationships, Multiple Relationships, & Boundary Decisions http://kspope.com/dual/index.php

Discussion

Boundary Issues

Developing appropriate boundaries with clients is crucial when offering any type of psychological services. To preserve such boundaries, psychologists must learn to identify and address boundary issues that might occur in a variety of different settings. Pope and Vasquez made several observations about boundary issues, noting that psychologists are often caught off guard when boundary issues arise, and are therefore unprepared to respond appropriately. For instance, many psychologists experience confusion and anxiety when confronted with boundary issues, which can impair their ability to make ethically and legally sound decisions. To avoid making the wrong decision and potentially harming clients, psychologists must be adept at recognizing boundary issues when they occur and must refer to the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct as well as experienced colleagues if necessary.


• Review Chapters 13 and 14 in the course text, Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling, paying particular attention to various types of boundary issues and how each might potentially harm clients. Also, think about how psychotherapists might avoid and/or address boundary issues.

• Review one of two chapters from last week's reading assignment, Chapters 6 or 8 in the course text, Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionals, this time paying particular attention to potential boundary issues in psychotherapy/counseling and in assessment/testing settings.

• Review Chapters 7 or 10 in Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionals, thinking about the organizational and business settings where a psychotherapist might work, as well as the special populations with whom they might work and the boundary considerations that could arise in those settings and/or with special populations.

• Select two professional roles/settings: One from either Chapter 6 or 8 in Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionals and the other from either Chapter 7 or 10 in the same textbook.


Post by Day 4 an explanation of at least two potential boundary issues that might occur within the roles or settings that you have chosen (one from Chapter 6 or 8 and one from Chapter 7 or 10 in Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionals). Explain at least one way in which clients are potentially harmed as a result of the breaching of boundaries using the roles/settings that you chose. Provide specific examples and cite the relevant APA ethical standards that would be violated.

Note: Indicated the roles or settings you selected in the first line of your post. You will be asked to respond to a colleague who selected at least one role or setting that is different than the ones you selected.

Application: Dual Relationships

Dual or multiple relationships may arise in a variety of situations in which psychological services are provided. Sometimes these relationships must be avoided, and at other times they must be managed. Therefore, psychologists must be aware of the nature of dual relationships, when they are likely to occur, the potential risks to consumers, and how to best avoid or manage them so that the consumer is adequately protected.


Select two professional settings: One setting from either Chapter 6 or 8 in Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionals and the other setting from either Chapter 7 or 10 in the same textbook and think about where dual relationships or multiple relationship issues might arise.

Review the Pope Web site, Dual Relationships, Multiple Relationships, & Boundary Decisions, and Chapters 13 and 14 in Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling, paying particular attention to the various ways that a psychotherapist can manage boundary issues that cannot be avoided.

Review the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, paying particular attention to guidelines related to boundary issues in general and dual/multiple relationships specifically.


Choose and briefly describe two roles/settings in which psychologists may function/work (one from Chapters 6 or 8, and one other from Chapters 7, or 10 in Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionals). You may include a role you have written about before or choose two new ones.

Describe at least one situation in which dual relationships may arise in each role/setting.

For each situation, explain the ethical issues related to dual or multiples relationships that might arise.

For each example, identify the ethical standards associated with the dual relationship issues (use the title and number of pertinent standards)

Describe at least one appropriate strategy for avoiding or managing the dual or multiple roles in each situation that you selected.



Week 5: Ethics and Leadership Roles in Psychology

Introduction

In addition to the range of roles that are consistent within particular specialty areas, some psychologists take on leadership roles in the field. Some examples of these roles include those individuals who train or educate other psychologists, supervise the work of others with less experience, provide service to the profession through participation in professional organizations, serve on licensure boards, consult, and/or engage in research that moves the field forward as a science. When taking on a leadership role, psychologists take on certain obligations as representatives of the profession, many of which have to do with being a model and functioning ethically. This week, you will consider leadership roles in light of ethical standards and principles.

Learning Outcomes


Apply ethical standards to leadership roles in psychology

Relate psychological knowledge and ethics to responsible social science and citizenry

Apply the Canadian psychological ethical decision-making process to ethical dilemmas

Learning Resources


Readings


o Chapter 12, "Assessment, Testing, and Diagnosis" (pp. 154–172) o Chapter 18, "The Supervisory Relationship" (pp. 280–293) o Appendix A, "American Psychological Association Ethical Principles of



o Chapter 11, "Ethical Issues in Teaching and Supervision" (pp. 211–216 only) o Chapter 12, "Ethical Issues in Research" (pp. 221–251)


Article: Koocher, G. P. (2007). Twenty-first century ethical challenges for psychology. American Psychologist, 62(5), 375–384.Use the PsycARTICLES database, and search using the article's Accession Number: amp-62-5-375

Discussion

Leadership Roles

There are a variety of leadership roles available in the field of psychology. They include training or educating other psychologists, supervising the work of others with less experience, providing service to the profession through participation in professional organizations, serving on licensure boards, consulting, and/or engaging in research that moves the field forward as a science.

Psychologists in leadership positions undertake an obligation to have appropriate preparation, perform in a manner that represents the profession well, uphold a high standard of practice, and be a role model for other psychologists. Integrity in performing the activities associated with leadership roles is especially important, and the APA code of ethics provides guidance both for resolving ethical dilemmas and for upholding high standards.

Although leaders in psychology often are perceived as having special skills and knowledge, all of them started with the basic. Some then obtained additional training to prepare themselves for particular leadership roles while others found that after some experience, they were in a position to assume a leadership role which they did not anticipate. While all psychologists need to make a commitment to lifelong learning to assure that they are providing appropriate services, leaders have a particular need to prepare themselves for their roles. The APA Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct helps set the expectation for ongoing professional development.


• Review Chapter 12 in the course text, Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling, paying particular attention to the lifelong implications of testing and assessment results and diagnosis on the client.

• Review Chapter 18 in Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling, focusing on information related to assuming responsibility for the growth of skills for the supervisee and the protection of consumers who may be working with the supervisee.

• Review Chapter 11 in the course text, Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionals. Think about fairness and treatment of students and balanced perspectives in theory and controversial issues.

• Review Chapter 12 in Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionals, focusing on information about protecting research participants and use of deception in research.

• Select a leadership role in the field of psychology and consider the activities and responsibilities associated with it.

• Review the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct and think about the ethical standards that might guide a leader in this role. Also think about the ethical standards that may be violated by a leader in this role.


Post by Day 4 a brief description of a leadership role in the field of psychology, including the activities and responsibilities of the leadership role that you have chosen. Then cite at least two ethical standards from the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (name and number)* that might guide a leader in this role to operate Ethically. Finally, explain at least two ethical standards that might be violated by someone in this leadership role, *Please use specific ethical standards rather than general principles.

Note: Put the leadership role that you selected in the first line of your post. You will be asked to respond to a colleague who selected a different leadership role than you did.

Capstone Project

The Capstone Project that was assigned at the beginning of the course is due by Day 7 this week. Please be sure that your Capstone Project adheres to the criteria stated in the Capstone Project Guidelines (also located in the Week 1 Capstone Project area and in the Course Info area).

Submit your Capstone Project to the Dropbox by Day 7.

Save your Capstone Project as a ".doc" or ".rtf" file with the filename CP5+last name+your first initial. For example, Sally Ride’s assignment filename would be "CP5RideS". Use the Submit an Assignment link, choose the Week 11: Capstone Project basket, and then add your Capstone Project as an attachment.

Week 6: Risk and Responsibility

Introduction

Because extreme situations may arise in the work of the psychologist, there is a need to be adequately prepared to address threats and risks of harm to the consumer themselves and risks of harm to others. The psychologist who is involved with a suicidal client bears the burden of making decisions that may limit the client's rights in order to protect his life. Working with consumers who may disclose information which indicates that they pose a threat to others requires resolving a challenging situation that may compromise your relationship with the consumer and limit their freedom, and may require a quick decision in order to protect someone whose well-being is at risk. This week, you will learn about how psychologists need to address issues of harm to self and others.

Learning Outcomes


Analyze incidents for ethical and legal issues

Justify a position for or against providing involuntary treatment when the law and ethics are in conflict

Learning Resources


Readings

http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/courses/43026/CRS-WUPSYC6205-3820106/psyc4010_capstone_guidelines.doc

http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/courses/43026/CRS-WUPSYC6205-3820106/psyc4010_capstone_guidelines.doc


o Chapter 17, "Responding to Suicidal Risk" (pp. 258–279) o Appendix A, "American Psychological Association Ethical Principles of



o Chapter 13, "Mental Health Professions and the Law" (pp. 253–277)

Discussion 1

Responding to Risk Divulged by Consumers

Professionals may find themselves in situations where consumers disclose risks of harm to themselves and others. It is important to have a strategy for working with this kind of situation, which both respects and protects the consumer. Such interventions are likely to require a careful use of the psychologist's power.


• Review Chapter 17 in the course text, Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling, paying close attention to ethical responsibilities associated with assessing and protecting people who present as a suicide risk.

• Choose one of the scenarios for Discussion on pages 277–279 in Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling.

• Reflect on all of the questions related to the scenario you selected.

• Focus particularly on the following questions related to the scenario that you selected:

• For scenario #1: questions 3–6• For scenario #2: questions 2–5• For scenario #3: questions 3–6• For scenario #4: questions 3– 6• For scenario #5: questions 2–4


Post by Day 3 your response to the questions that follow the scenario that you selected. Be sure to cite the ethical standards that apply.

Note: Put the scenario that you selected in the first line of your post. You will be asked to

respond to a colleague who discussed a different scenario than you did.


Read a selection of your colleagues' postings.

Respond by Day 5 to at least one of your colleagues' postings. Be sure to respond to a colleague who selected a different scenario than you did. Respond in one or more of the following ways:Discussion 2

When Law and Ethics are Inconsistent

Sometimes the responsibilities that go along with the work of the psychologist require making challenging decisions, especially when the law and ethics appear to conflict. Sometimes the role of the psychologist clearly indicates what needs to happen to protect the consumer. In other situations, it may be difficult to resolve the differences between legal decisions and ethical responsibilities.


• Review Chapter 17 in the course text, Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionals, paying particular attention to instances where the law and ethical guidelines may conflict and consider what you might do in those situations using the ethical decision-making model.

• Review Case Example 13.12 on page 276 in Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionals, and think about what position you would take regarding involuntary treatment for Charles Singleton.

• Choose a position either for or against providing involuntary treatment to Mr. Singleton.


Post by Day 4 an explanation of your position for or against providing involuntary treatment to Mr, Singleton, citing any relevant moral and ethical issues that this case raises. Defend your position using the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Cite at least two ethical standards and at least one general principle which you consider most important in this case.

Note: Put the position that you selected in the first line of your post. You will be asked to respond to a colleague who selected a different position than you did.


Read a selection of your colleagues' postings.

Respond by Day 7 to at least one of your colleagues' postings. Be sure to respond to a colleague who selected a different position than you did. Respond in one or more of the following ways:

Ethics

Documents

ethical standards

ethics codes

value of ethics

role of ethics

discussion ethics

character ethical

psychological work

ethical dilemmas