Importance of Professional Ethical Codes in Psychology

Importance of Professional Ethical Codes in Psychology

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Importance of Professional Ethical Codes in Psychology

Part 1

Importance of Ethical Codes in Psychology

Ethical standards and codes are used in many professions, and psychology is one of the fields in which they are required most. Ethical standards and codes are put up for ensuring competency, confidentiality, fairness, sincerity, integrity and objectiveness. These factors hold the responsibility of safeguarding and preserving confidence in the clients. Ethics also involve what is considered morally right, defending systemizing concepts that ensure practice of right behavior and decisions within the profession.  The American Psychological Association (APA) seeks to ensure ethics that set right standards, which are fair, equal and acceptable to all people in the field of psychology (Adams, Tashchian & Shore, 2001).

Ethical standards and codes are important for several reasons. The first of these is stating what kinds behaviors are considered violations of ethical practices, to in turn guide psychologists in their practice, and aid the clients in making complaints. Additionally, ethical codes aim to gain trust from the clients and the public at large by highlighting that psychologists are responsible, professional and required to be observant of high standards.

Moreover, ethical codes play the role of illustrating professional values that psychologists should embrace and what the profession expects of them while carrying out their practices. Lastly, a code of ethics establishes and maintains practicality in the profession by laying a collection of proper behavior and practices upon which psychologists can make decisions. The purpose of having these codes of ethics is to ensure there are guidelines of behavior accepted by everyone, even though individuals may have different personal ethics (Adams, Tashchian & Shore, 2001).

Part 2

Case study a)

            The dilemma in this case is whether to give the loan to the client considering that the relationship with him has been at a professional level. This case applies to the code of ethics of “multiple relationships,” where psychologists are allowed to enter into a multiple relationship with the client as long as the relationship will not affect his or her work. In this case, lending the money could impair my ability to provide services to him in case he does not pay me back. I would not lend him the money since I would be angry with him if he failed to honor his promise. Instead, I would advise him on other means of getting the money.

Case b)

            The dilemma in this case is whether to accept the invitation considering that this would involve meeting the client’s close relatives and partner. In this case, I would consider that going to the wedding would mean meeting her close friends and establishing a multiple relationship with the client. If she happens to have problems in the future concerning her relationship and came for a session, I would be fully aware of the particular person being discussed therefore I would accept the invitation. While this case seems to apply to the code of multiple relationships, as weddings are social places where people interact freely, agreeing to the invitation is more beneficial than problematic, and is not a violation of any ethics.

Case c)

The dilemma in this case concerns whether the client is in a position to pay for the services and whether it would be right to terminate his sessions if he is not in a position to pay. Before entering into the agreement, I would make sure that I have provided all the options the client can take up to pay up for the services to ensure there is no conflict in the future. Upon affirming that he is in a position to pay, the therapy would continue. However, if he cannot meet the payment through the provided options, I would have to terminate the therapy. This case applies to the ethical code of termination of therapy.

Case d)

             The ethical dilemma in this case is whether to accept the gift or not from the client, considering it is my job to help without asking for extra remuneration except the agreed payment. I would handle this case by explaining to the client that I do not take expensive gifts as it will look exploitative, and gifts are only accepted if they do not present material benefits to the therapist. I would also consider that this would impair my work in future where I would feel obliged to return a favor. As a psychologist, I would not seek to gain favor from the client, so I would explain to him that I cannot accept the gift. This case applies to the ethical code of integrity.       

Case e)

The dilemma in this case is whether to reveal any information about the client to the police considering that confidentiality is should be maintained. It would seem ethical to protect the client by not giving any information. Considering that the case concerns laws and regulations, I would state my obligations to the police to maintain confidentiality and privacy and explain to them that it would not be right to provide any information without the clients consent. However, if this would not solve the problem, I would have to adhere to the law considering that it is above the code of ethics of psychologists. This case applies to the code of ethics of conflicts between ethics, law, regulations or other governing legal authorities.