Welcome to PS502Welcome to PS502Ethics and Professional Ethics and Professional

Standards!Standards!

Erin Hunt-Carter, Ph.D.Erin Hunt-Carter, Ph.D.

Getting to Know YouGetting to Know You

Welcome!Welcome! Anyone new to Kaplan?Anyone new to Kaplan? Are you a Master’s or Bachelor’s student?Are you a Master’s or Bachelor’s student? What sort of work do you hope to do after What sort of work do you hope to do after

graduation? graduation?

The Bar Has Been RaisedThe Bar Has Been Raised

This is a graduate level course. The This is a graduate level course. The expectations are higher than for undergraduate expectations are higher than for undergraduate courses. courses.

You must read the readings and demonstrate You must read the readings and demonstrate knowledge in your posts and projects. knowledge in your posts and projects.

However, you However, you cancan do it! do it!

Textbook and SourcesTextbook and SourcesFischer, C.B. (2009). Fischer, C.B. (2009). Decoding the Ethics Decoding the Ethics

Code: A Practical Guide for PsychologistsCode: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.

You may also use other books, peer-reviewed You may also use other books, peer-reviewed journal articles and legitimate websites, but journal articles and legitimate websites, but your textbook and the APA Ethics Code your textbook and the APA Ethics Code must be your main sources of informationmust be your main sources of information..

What About Other Sources of What About Other Sources of Information?Information?

Do Do notnot use wikipedia as a resource. use wikipedia as a resource. Anyone can edit it. Anyone can edit it. This is grad school, y’all. You shouldn’t be This is grad school, y’all. You shouldn’t be

relying on any encyclopedia. You’re beyond relying on any encyclopedia. You’re beyond that!that!

Websites should be your Websites should be your last resortlast resort. . Websites you use must be psychology Websites you use must be psychology websites (.gov, .edu, .org).websites (.gov, .edu, .org).

What About Other Sources of What About Other Sources of Information?Information?

Articles from the Kaplan Library are great!Articles from the Kaplan Library are great! Peer-reviewed journal articles.Peer-reviewed journal articles.

What is peer-review?What is peer-review? What is a journal? How is it different from a What is a journal? How is it different from a

magazine?magazine?

How will I be graded?How will I be graded?

Discussion boards every weekDiscussion boards every week Three projectsThree projects

Short papers in units 3, 6 and 9Short papers in units 3, 6 and 9

Syllabus ReviewSyllabus Review

Discussion boardsDiscussion boards One One substantial substantial original post original post per thread (~350 per thread (~350

words)words) At leastAt least two two substantialsubstantial replies to other replies to other

students (~100 words)students (~100 words) Reference the textReference the text Spelling/grammarSpelling/grammar Advance the discussionAdvance the discussion

What do you mean by APA What do you mean by APA Style “cites” or “references”?Style “cites” or “references”?

When you share facts, When you share facts, which you should which you should do oftendo often, you have to credit the sources , you have to credit the sources sources of your information.sources of your information.

In other words, tell the reader where you In other words, tell the reader where you learned that interesting information!learned that interesting information!

Use them frequently on the discussion Use them frequently on the discussion boards and projects. boards and projects.

It’s not hard, I promise!It’s not hard, I promise!

Nonmaleficence is a term that refers to Nonmaleficence is a term that refers to minimizing harm (Fischer, 2009).minimizing harm (Fischer, 2009).

ReferencesReferences

Fischer, C.B. (2009). Fischer, C.B. (2009). Decoding the Ethics Code: A Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for PsychologistsPractical Guide for Psychologists. Thousand . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.

Final Points on Discussion Final Points on Discussion BoardsBoards

Remember, this is the place to Remember, this is the place to demonstrate what you have learned from demonstrate what you have learned from the readings.the readings.

Your posts must demonstrate factual Your posts must demonstrate factual knowledge. If I can’t tell that you’ve read knowledge. If I can’t tell that you’ve read the book, you won’t get full credit.the book, you won’t get full credit.

APA style counts!APA style counts!

Syllabus ReviewSyllabus Review

ProjectsProjects Units 3, 6, and 9Units 3, 6, and 9

PlagiarismPlagiarism

What is it?What is it? Passing off someone else’s work as your Passing off someone else’s work as your

own.own. Cutting and pasting text from the internet Cutting and pasting text from the internet

without putting it in quotes without putting it in quotes andand citing it. citing it. Don’t do it! : )Don’t do it! : )

Syllabus ReviewSyllabus Review

Why should I bother coming to seminar Why should I bother coming to seminar since it’s not graded?since it’s not graded?

Unit 1:Unit 1:A First Look at the Ethics CodeA First Look at the Ethics Code

Readings:Readings: Chapters 1, 2 & 3 of the textbookChapters 1, 2 & 3 of the textbook Pages 316-319 of the textbook (This is the Pages 316-319 of the textbook (This is the

Preamble and General Principles)Preamble and General Principles) If you are an ABA student, read the two PDF If you are an ABA student, read the two PDF

files listed below the readings.files listed below the readings.

A First Look at the Ethics CodeA First Look at the Ethics Code

American Psychological AssociationAmerican Psychological Association Ethics Code Task ForceEthics Code Task Force Committee of fourteen diverse, prominent Committee of fourteen diverse, prominent

psychologists. psychologists. Last revised in 2002Last revised in 2002

A First Look at the Ethics CodeA First Look at the Ethics Code

Why do you think we need an ethics Why do you think we need an ethics code?code?

What values should it promote?What values should it promote?

A First Look at the Ethics CodeA First Look at the Ethics Code

Four Goals of the Ethics Code:Four Goals of the Ethics Code: Establish Integrity of the ProfessionEstablish Integrity of the Profession Education and Professional SocializationEducation and Professional Socialization Public TrustPublic Trust Enforcement ValueEnforcement Value

Blah, Blah, Blah…Blah, Blah, Blah…

So, what? Does anything actually happen So, what? Does anything actually happen if you violate the ethics code?if you violate the ethics code?

Blah, Blah, Blah…Blah, Blah, Blah…

So, what? Does anything actually happen So, what? Does anything actually happen if you violate the ethics code?if you violate the ethics code?

Yup, and it ain’t pretty. Yup, and it ain’t pretty.

EnforcementEnforcement

What happens when someone violates the What happens when someone violates the ethics code?ethics code? A complaint is made (by a client, peer, etc.)A complaint is made (by a client, peer, etc.) If complaint is reasonable, APA launches an If complaint is reasonable, APA launches an

investigation.investigation. The psychologist gets a letter informing them The psychologist gets a letter informing them

that they are under investigation. They are that they are under investigation. They are invited to respond, and provide information in invited to respond, and provide information in their defense. their defense.

EnforcementEnforcement

Three possible outcomes:Three possible outcomes: 1. Psychologist can offer a resignation under 1. Psychologist can offer a resignation under

investigation. Basically admitting it, and investigation. Basically admitting it, and resigning from the APA.resigning from the APA.

2. The case can be dismissed.2. The case can be dismissed. 3. The case can result in sanctions.3. The case can result in sanctions.

SanctionsSanctions

ReprimandReprimand CensureCensure Stipulated resignationStipulated resignation ExpulsionExpulsion APA may also issue directives requiring APA may also issue directives requiring

changes in behavior, additional education, changes in behavior, additional education, supervision, or psychotherapy.supervision, or psychotherapy.

A First Look at the Ethics CodeA First Look at the Ethics Code

Who must abide by the ethics code?Who must abide by the ethics code? All members of the APA, including students.All members of the APA, including students.

What activities fall under the jurisdiction of What activities fall under the jurisdiction of the ethics code?the ethics code? Therapy, research, consulting, school Therapy, research, consulting, school

counseling, teaching, supervision, public counseling, teaching, supervision, public service, assessment, administration, forensic service, assessment, administration, forensic activities, development of psychological tests, activities, development of psychological tests, etc. etc.

A First Look at the Ethics CodeA First Look at the Ethics Code

Not knowing about an ethical standard, or Not knowing about an ethical standard, or not understanding it does not get you off not understanding it does not get you off the hook.the hook.

It’s important to know your code!It’s important to know your code!

A First Look at the Ethics CodeA First Look at the Ethics Code

Begins with a brief Preamble.Begins with a brief Preamble. Body is divided into two major sectionsBody is divided into two major sections

General PrinciplesGeneral Principles• Five aspirational standards. Five aspirational standards. • These are general statements about the core These are general statements about the core

values of psychologists.values of psychologists. Ethical StandardsEthical Standards

• A detailed, specific set of 151 enforceable A detailed, specific set of 151 enforceable standards. These are based on the general standards. These are based on the general principles.principles.

A note on the word A note on the word “reasonable.”“reasonable.”

In the Ethics Code, the word reasonable In the Ethics Code, the word reasonable means the “prevailing professional judgment means the “prevailing professional judgment of psychologists engaged in similar activities of psychologists engaged in similar activities in similar circumstances, given the in similar circumstances, given the knowledge the psychologist had or should knowledge the psychologist had or should have had at the time. (Fischer, 2009, p. 23).”have had at the time. (Fischer, 2009, p. 23).”

Essentially, asks whether the person acted Essentially, asks whether the person acted like their peers would in the same situation. like their peers would in the same situation.

PreamblePreamble

Gives the purpose of the Ethics Code and Gives the purpose of the Ethics Code and states some of the most basic core values states some of the most basic core values embodied in the code. embodied in the code. ““Psychologists are committed to increasing Psychologists are committed to increasing

scientific and professional knowledge of scientific and professional knowledge of behavior and people’s understanding of behavior and people’s understanding of themselves and others and to the use of such themselves and others and to the use of such knowledge to improve the condition of knowledge to improve the condition of individuals, organizations, and society…”individuals, organizations, and society…”

General PrinciplesGeneral Principles

The General Principles are aspirational, The General Principles are aspirational, not enforceable. not enforceable.

There are five General PrinciplesThere are five General Principles Principle A: Beneficence and NonmaleficencePrinciple A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence Principle B: Fidelity and ResponsibilityPrinciple B: Fidelity and Responsibility Principle C: IntegrityPrinciple C: Integrity Principle D: JusticePrinciple D: Justice Principle E: Respect for People’s Rights and Principle E: Respect for People’s Rights and

DignityDignity

Principle A: Beneficence and Principle A: Beneficence and NonmaleficenceNonmaleficence

Do good things.Do good things. Don’t do bad things.Don’t do bad things.

Principle A: Beneficence and Principle A: Beneficence and NonmaleficenceNonmaleficence

Do good things.Do good things. Don’t do bad things.Don’t do bad things.

Promote welfare of humans and society as a Promote welfare of humans and society as a whole.whole.

Strive to avoid or minimize harm.Strive to avoid or minimize harm.

Principle B: Fidelity and Principle B: Fidelity and ResponsibilityResponsibility

Be responsible. Be responsible. Be competent at what you do. Be competent at what you do. Expect high ethical standards of yourself Expect high ethical standards of yourself

and other psychologists. and other psychologists. Avoid conflicts of interest.Avoid conflicts of interest.

Principle C: IntegrityPrinciple C: Integrity

Be honest.Be honest. Keep your promises.Keep your promises. Maintain accurate records.Maintain accurate records. Fix something if you screw it up.Fix something if you screw it up. If deception is warranted in research, If deception is warranted in research,

benefits must outweigh costs.benefits must outweigh costs.

Principle D: JusticePrinciple D: Justice

Be fair to those you serve and study.Be fair to those you serve and study. Attempt to provide equal access to Attempt to provide equal access to

treatment and the benefits of treatment and the benefits of psychological science.psychological science.

Be objective, and aware of your personal Be objective, and aware of your personal biases and how they may influence you.biases and how they may influence you.

Principle E: Respect for Principle E: Respect for People’s Rights and DignityPeople’s Rights and Dignity

We must protect the rights, dignity and We must protect the rights, dignity and welfare of those with whom we work.welfare of those with whom we work.

Be extra careful when working with Be extra careful when working with vulnerable populations.vulnerable populations.

Be aware of and respectful of cultural and Be aware of and respectful of cultural and individual differences. individual differences.

Eliminate prejudice and discrimination. Eliminate prejudice and discrimination. Respect confidentiality.Respect confidentiality.

What is HIPAA?What is HIPAA?

The Health Insurance Portability and The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability ActAccountability Act Designed to protect privacy of health information.Designed to protect privacy of health information. Allow patients to be more access and controlAllow patients to be more access and control

It applies to It applies to protected health information protected health information (PHI)(PHI) Individually identifiable information about a Individually identifiable information about a

person’s health or mental health, service use, or person’s health or mental health, service use, or payment for health care/mental health service.payment for health care/mental health service.

How does HIPAA influence How does HIPAA influence psychologists?psychologists?

We must give patients a notice of privacy We must give patients a notice of privacy practices.practices.

We must allow patients reasonable access We must allow patients reasonable access to their records. to their records.

We must protect patient privacy, including We must protect patient privacy, including safeguarding physical information and the safeguarding physical information and the transmission of data. transmission of data.