Psychological - Ethics PSY3041

Ethics is a branch of philosophy dealing with Moral problems & moral judgments

Ethics involves the evaluation of human actions as ‘right’ or ‘wrong’

Ethics are different to morals in that ethical codes are systematically grouped and specific to professional groups whereas morals are generally built on societal norms

To regulate the professional conduct of psychologists. Specifically:

it articulates & promotes ethical principles

sets specific standards to guide psychologists & members of the public

to provide a clear understanding & expectation of what is considered ethically professional conduct by psychologists

Good Ethical Practice equates to good professional practice

Intuition alone is not sufficient as we make subjective/bias choices, may generalise or may fall into ethical traps

Following a Code removes uncertainty, providing guidance

Without a code we can experience confusion, conflicting loyalties, leading to poor judgement or errors in ethical-decision-making

A dilemma occurs when there is a conflict between 2 completing interests &/or actions

An Ethical dilemma occurs when the conflict is between ethical values or principles

A Mixed dilemma occurs when the conflict is between an ethical value & some non-ethical consideration

Euthanasia is an ethical dilemma as it involves conflict between saving lives and the alleviation of suffering

Being asked by your manager to interpret test results when you are not suitably qualified to do so

Theoretical Perspectives on Ethics

Key Ethical Principles

Codes of Ethics

Potential Ethical Traps

Deontological (Duty Based) Approach

Consequentialist (Outcome Based) Approach

Personality Based (Virtue Ethics) Approach

Deontology:

Focuses on the concepts of Duty & Moral Obligation

Involves a commitment to acting in accord with absolute Ethical Standards

The Moral Good consists in the Intention of the action, rather than the outcome

Exemplified by Kant’s “Categorical Imperative”: treat others as a end in themselves (not a means to an end) & treat others as you wish to be treated

Consequentialism:

Focuses on the outcome of the actions NOT the underlying intention

The ‘good’ & ‘right’ action is that which promotes the greatest good for the greatest number i.e.

is exemplified by utilitarianism:

The moral worth is only known once all consequences have played out

John Stuart Mills: “the greatest happiness Principle” / Bentham: “The pleasure principle”

Personality / Character Based Approach:

Universal Virtuous characteristic are: wisdom, creativity, curiosity, fairness, forgiveness, appreciation of beauty & excellence, prudence, integrity, respectfulness, & benevolence.

Virtue ethics are hard to apply to uphold specific ethical principles & difficult to teach

Exemplified by Virtue Ethics - Aristotle i.e. this view is concerned with the cultivation of the virtuous person

Although virtues and ethical principles overlap, principles are usually more specific and easier to translate into prescribed, observable obligation that can be enacted in a professional context

The Ethical Principles in the Code of Ethics stem from both consideration of highly general / first-level principles and highly specific procedural principles and behavioural standards

Dignity

Equitability

Prudence

Honesty

Openness

Goodwill

Suffering prevention

acronym: DEPHOGS

Treating each person as an end in themselves

viewing people as being worthy of respect and acting accordingly (i.e. must be culturally & contextually appropriate and so on)

The Principle of Dignity informs the APS Code of Ethics General Principle A: Respect for the rights & dignity of people & peoples

Being Fair & impartial in judgments and relationships

Treat others as we would want to be treated under similar circumstances

This principle is especially important when there is a power imbalance

The Principle of Equitability informs the APS Code of Ethics General Principle A: Respect for the rights & dignity of people & peoples

Harm Minimisation is key

Although we cannot always help a client, we must not harm them (either by omission or commission)

-The Principle of Prudence informs the APS Code of Ethics General Principle B: Propriety

Behaving in a manner that is straightforward & truthful (not being deceitful or false)

We need to balance our honesty with consideration to the vulnerability of our client (without becoming parentalistic)

The Principle of Prudence informs the APS Code of Ethics General Principle C: Integrity

Communication in the therapeutic relationship should be sincere and honest

Privacy should be upheld (except where legal requirements prevent this)

The Principle of Openness informs the APS Code of Ethics General Principle A: Respect for the rights & dignity of people & peoples

Act in the interest of Others, not from self-interest

Doing more than the bare minimum for clients

Goodwill prevents many problems and helps resovle those that do arise

The Principle of Prudence informs the APS Code of Ethics General Principles A, B, & C: Respect, Propriety, & Integrity

Involves the prevention and alleviation of suffering

one does not engage in activities that produce or increase suffering

This principle is sometimes at odds with others, such as in the case of euthanasia - suffering prevention versus do no harm (prudence)

The Principles set out in the APS code of Ethics reflect mostly Deontological and Consequentialist views, but do contain shades of virtue ethics.

Psychologists have:

specific duties & standards of conduct

are required to think about the consequences of their actions &

have good conduct

General Principle

A: Respect for the rights & dignity of people/s

B: Propriety

C: Integrity

Justice

Respect

Informed Consent

Privacy

Confidentiality

Release of information to clients

Collection of client information from associated parties

Psychologists regard people as intrinsically valuable & respect their rights, including the right to autonomy & justice.

Psychologists engage in conduct which promotes equity & the protection of people's human rights, legal rights, & moral rights.

They respect the dignity of all people & peoples

Competence

Record Keeping

Professional Responsibility

Provision of psychological services to multiple clients

Delegation of professional tasks

Use of interpreters

Collaborating with others for the benefit of clients

Accepting clients from other professionals

Suspension of psychological services

Termination of psychological Services

Conflicting demands

Psychological Assessments

Research

Reputable behaviour

Communication

Conflict of Interest

Non-Exploitation

Authorship

Financial Arrangements

Ethical investigations & concerns

Psychologists recognise that their knowledge of the discipline of psychology, their professional standing, & the information they gather places them in a position of power & trust.

They exercise this power appropriately & honour this position of trust.

Psychologists keep faith with the nature & intentions of their professional relationships

Psychologists act with probity & honesty in their conduct

A psychologist might fail to perceive 2 principles in conflict and fall into an ethical trap

The Common-sense, Objectivity Trap

The Values Trap

The Circumstantiality Trap

The Who Will Benefit? Trap

The belief that "commonsense, objective solutions" to dilemmas are easy since psychologists are ethical people using this approach every time they face a dilemma:

often the law is guiding our decisions (privacy & confidentiality);

objectivity is difficult to come by We bring & impose our own belief system on situations, impacting objectivity

The Prominence of personal values over professional values & standards: our religious, moral or personal values may conflict with professional code. -e.g. bias against divorce may negatively influence how we work with a client in a Family Violence situation

The Belief that there are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers to ethical dilemmas, that it is all down to circumstance. -Whereas, behaviour is often right or wrong according to professional ethical standards regardless of the circumstances under which it occurred.

Results from confusion about Who will Benefit from a specific ethical dilemma

Resolving an ethical dilemma often means taking sides among 2 or more conflicting interests

The resolution of the dilemma may not always be in the clients best interest

Identify the ethical standard involved

Determine the ethical trap possibilities

Frame a Preliminary response

Consider the consequences

Prepare an ethical resolution

Get Feedback

Take Action

What issues are involved in the scenario?

What are the relevant first-level principles?

Which are the relevant APS general ethical principles?

What are the relevant APS specific ethical standards?

Is there a legal responsibility?

Consult with a clinical supervisor

Is there a risk of falling into an Ethical Trap?

If so, which one?

Ensure there is clarity about the ethical principles & standards involved

Must comply with the relevant ethical principles & standards

Once the dilemma is identified the clinician must decide on an appropriate course of action

Consideration must be given to:

what the law says should be done

What the code of ethics say should be done

What circumstances (if any) should influence the response

A description of what an appropriate ethical response should look like

consider the preliminary response framed in previous step in light of potential:

Short term consequences:

are there conflicts of interest?

What are the consequences for you, & your client?

Long Term Consequences:

How might this response affect client, others, society, the profession?

Turn the preliminary response into a detailed resolution addressing the following:

detail the situation & circumstances

ethical codes &/or laws involved

follow the guidance of the code or law

follow the guidance of their clinical supervisor

Prior to taking action, discuss the case and proposed resolution in detail with their clinical supervisor

-Give careful consideration to the feedback they received and amend their resolution to abide by this if necessary

When the psychologist is confident about their decision and has appropriately implemented the previous 6 steps of the Ethical-Decision-Making Model