Essential Ethics for Psychologists : A Primer for Understanding and Mastering Core Issues

"Regardless of what role psychologists may choose to play--that of researcher, practitioner, or teacher--they must understand and adhere to ethical principles. In general, their professional conduct is governed by the American Psychological Association's (APA's) "Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct" (Ethics Code; APA, 2010) and/or ethics codes of state psychological associations to which they belong, the regulations of state licensing boards, institutional policies, and state and federal law. However, there are certain underlying concepts that, once mastered, can help psychologists gain an understanding of their ethical obligations. This book presents those concepts, taken from the APA Ethics Code, and helps the reader learn how to apply them in a variety of settings. Although the book is based on the APA Ethics Code, it will be useful to APA members and nonmembers alike because it provides an overall understanding of ethics in psychology. The reader will learn of common ethical issues in both fictional vignettes and true accounts of actual transgressions. Four ethical concepts applicable to all psychologists are explored: (a) competence, (b) informed consent, (c) privacy and confidentiality, and (d) avoiding harm and exploitation. In addition, the book shows how the key ethical concepts apply to four broad areas of psychological work: (a) psychological assessment and test construction; (b) therapy (individual, marital, family, and group); (c) research and publication; and (d) teaching, training, and supervision. This book is intended for students who have had minimal preparation in ethics, codes of professional conduct, or practice guidelines in health care as well as for psychologists who wish to review how fundamental ethical concepts apply to psychological practice, research, and teaching"--Introduction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) In His Latest Book, Tom Nagy Offers Psychologists Valuable Lessons In Ethical Orienteering. He Begins By Defining Four Points Of Our Professional Moral Compas︢scompetence, Informed Consent, Confidentiality, And Avoidance Of Harm And Exploitation. Then He Provides Several Decision-making Maps And Guides The Reader Through Challenging, Realistic Ethical Dilemmas In Clinical, Research, And Education Territories. This Book Reminds Us That Ethical Practice Is A Career-long Journey; I Highly Recommend It︢. Janet L Sonne, Phd, Independent Clinical And Forensic Practice; Adjunct Professor Of Psychology, Loma Linda University, Huntington Beach, Ca; Fellow Of The American Psychological Association Thomas Nagy's Most Recent Book Is Replete With Practical, Accessible, And Sound Ethical Guidance And Wisdom. Straightforward Explanations Of Basic Ethical Concepts Provide A Foundation On Which He Constructs Sophisticated Ethical Analyses Of Issues Arising In Clinical, Research, Supervisory, Training, And Consultative Settings. Compelling Real-life Vignettes Illustrating Applications Of Ethics Codes And Laws Are Seamlessly Woven Throughout The Book, Reflecting Virtually Every Area Of Psychologists' Work. This Book Is A Gift To Students And Seasoned Professionals Alike︢. Janet T Thomas, Psyd, Independent Practice, Saint Paul, Mn; Adjunct Faculty, Argosy University, Twin Cities And The University Of Saint Thomas, Minneapolis, Mn; Author, The Ethics Of Supervision And Consultation: Practical Guidance For Mental Health Professionals--jacket. Thinking Critically About Ethics -- A Brief History And Overview Of The Apa Ethics Code -- The General Ethical Principles Of Psychologists -- Competence -- Informed Consent -- Privacy And Confidentiality -- Avoiding Harm And Exploitation -- Approaches To Ethical Decision Making -- Ethics In Psychological Assessment -- Ethics In Psychotherapy -- Ethics In Research And Publication -- Ethics In Teaching, Training, And Supervision. Thomas F. Nagy. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 227-237) And Index. In His Latest Book, Tom Nagy Offers Psychologists Valuable Lessons In Ethical Orienteering. He Begins By Defining Four Points Of Our Professional Moral Compassùcompetence, Informed Consent, Confidentiality, And Avoidance Of Harm And Exploitation. Then He Provides Several Decision-making Maps And Guides The Reader Through Challenging, Realistic Ethical Dilemmas In Clinical, Research, And Education Territories. This Book Reminds Us That Ethical Practice Is A Career-long Journey; I Highly Recommend It.ùjanet L Sonne, Phd, Independent Clinical And Forensic Practice; Adjunct Professor Of Psychology, Loma Linda University, Huntington Beach, Ca; Fellow Of The American Psychological Association Thomas Nagy's Most Recent Book Is Replete With Practical, Accessible, And Sound Ethical Guidance And Wisdom. Straightforward Explanations Of Basic Ethical Concepts Provide A Foundation On Which He Constructs Sophisticated Ethical Analyses Of Issues Arising In Clinical, Research, Supervisory, Training, And Consultative Settings. Compelling Real-life Vignettes Illustrating Applications Of Ethics Codes And Laws Are Seamlessly Woven Throughout The Book, Reflecting Virtually Every Area Of Psychologists' Work. This Book Is A Gift To Students And Seasoned Professionals Alike.ùjanet T Thomas, Psyd, Independent Practice, Saint Paul, Mn; Adjunct Faculty, Argosy University, Twin Cities And The University Of Saint Thomas, Minneapolis, Mn; Author, The Ethics Of Supervision And Consultation: Practical Guidance For Mental Health Professionals This one-of-a-kind book acculturates the reader into ethical practice in psychology by enhancing critical thinking skills. Rather than explain each of the 80+ standards of the APA Ethics Code, the book examines the code's underlying principles. Many students and emerging psychologists struggle to understand the APA Ethics Code because they don't understand the bigger picture of ethics in psychology. How do psychologists identify and address ethical issues? What are the most important ethical concepts, and how do they apply to specific settings? The book begins with a basic introduction to the code, including a brief history and an overview of general concepts. Next, it explores in depth four ethical concepts applicable to all psychologists: competence; informed consent; privacy and confidentiality; avoiding harm and exploitation. Finally, it shows how these key concepts apply to specific psychologist roles, including assessment, treatment, research and publication, and teaching and supervision. Numerous case studies show how ethical concepts are applied, and a supplemental web site provides discussion questions, a reading list, and extensive other materials to enhance the reader's learning. This book is essential reading for psychology students in high school, undergraduate school, and graduate school, as well as licensed psychologists who want to improve their ethical decision-making skills and reduce their liability in professional practice. Many students and emerging psychologists struggle to understand the APA Ethics Code because they don't understand the bigger picture of ethics in psychology. How do psychologists identify and address ethical issues? What are the most important ethical concepts, and how do they apply to specific settings? This one-of-a-kind book acculturates the reader into ethical practice in psychology by enhancing critical thinking skills. Rather than explain each of the 80+ standards of the APA Ethics Code, the book examines the code's underlying principles. The book begins with a basic introduction to the code, including a brief history and an overview of general concepts. Next, it explores in depth four ethical concepts applicable to all psychologists: competence informed consent privacy and confidentiality avoiding harm and exploitation Finally, it shows how these key concepts apply to specific psychologist roles, including assessment, treatment, research and publication, and teaching and supervision. Numerous case studies show how ethical concepts are applied, and a supplemental web site provides discussion questions, a reading list, and extensive other materials to enhance the reader's learning. This book is essential reading for psychology students in high school, undergraduate school, and graduate school, as well as licensed psychologists who want to improve their ethical decision-making skills and reduce their liability in professional practice. Front Matter Copyright Table of Contents Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Thinking critically about ethics 2. A brief history and overview of the APA Ethics Code 3. The general ethical principles of psychologists 4. Competence 5. Informed consent 6. Privacy and confidentiality 7. Avoiding harm and exploitation 8. Approaches to ethical decision making 9. Ethics in psychological assessment 10. Ethics in psychotherapy 11. Ethics in research and publication 12. Ethics in teaching, training, and supervision References