Ethics

Question 1

What are codes of ethics?

Answer 1

Ethics = moral philosophy or science of morality/ rules of behaviour (within clinical context)

• minimum set of standards for ethical practice (falls below = addressed by society NOT law)
• acceptable to the majority
• all members of the society must be accountable in their practice
• Serves to protect client and therapist

Question 2

What are the areas of concern codes of ethics may consider?

Answer 2

• multiple relationships (psychologist owes allegiance to several stakeholders)
• personal (violating trust)
• unclear of inadequate standards of practice
• breaching confidentiality (rules broken/ unclarified)
• competence (inadequate safeguards and monitoring, need to gain consent)

Question 3

What are the BPS domains of responsibility?

Answer 3

respect, competence, responsibility and integrity

Question 4

Describe the ‘respect’ domain (BPS) - including value and standards

Answer 4

• valuing dignity and worth of all persons and sensitivity of client/therapist dynamics
• standard of general respect (avoid prejudices, keeping appropriate records)
• standard of privacy and confidentiality (client is aware of limitations of confidentiality)
• standard of informed consent (given ample opportunity to understand nature/purpose and consequence)
• standards of self-determination (fully aware of their rights to withdraw)

Question 5

Describe the ‘competence’ domain (BPS) - including value and standards

Answer 5

• preserving their ability to function
• standard of awareness of professional ethics (practising within boundaries of competence)
• standard of ethical decision making (remaining scientific, legal revelations )
• standard of recognising limits of competence (acknowledge a range of limits of their methods )
• standards of recognising impairment (psychologist should monitor own professional/personal lifestyle to remain vigilant (and should seek help if they are impaired) - refrain from practise when seriously impaired )

Question 6

Describe the ‘integrity’ domain (BPS) - including value and standards

Answer 6

psychologists value responsibility to the client and the public

• standards of general responsibility (psychologists should avoid harm, and account for conflicting interests of different conflicts, avoid personal/professional misconduct, pay attention to ethical behaviour of all in workplace, be mindful of risks to themselves)
• standards of termination and continuity of care
• standards of protection of research participants
• standards of debriefing of research