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Ethics, Value, and Legislation

Ethics guide psychologists with a common set of professional standards to conduct assessments, research, decision-making, and interventions to individuals, organisations, and the community. Psychologists rely on these ethical guidelines and frameworks to uphold and maintain the knowledge and awareness of the ethical standards of the profession. It aims to ensure the well-being and the protection of individuals.

Ethical principles that psychologists should abide by include:

(i) Respect – Psychologists should accord respect onto everyone they work with professionally. This refers to being respectful of multicultural differences, such as, gender, race, religion, socioeconomic status, disability status, country of origin, language fluency, sexual orientation, marital or family situation, etc.

(ii) Integrity – Psychologists should be true to oneself and being honest with all stakeholders. Being genuine is very critical for establishment of trust. Psychologists should practice within their area of competence.

(iii) Beneficence – Psychologists always strive to do good to their clients.

Here are some ideas and resources to spark your learning and thinking: 

 

Ethics in Psychology and Mental Health Professions (2016)

Source: Gerald P. Koocher and Patricia Keith-Spiegel (Oxford University Press)

Ethics in Psychology and the Mental Health Professions considers many of the ethical questions and dilemmas that mental health professionals encounter in their everyday practice, research, and teaching. This classic text takes a practical approach to ethics, offering constructive means for preventing problems and recognizing, approaching, and resolving ethical predicaments. It has over 700 case studies that provide illustrative guidance on a wide variety of topics. New material has been added relating to evolving ethical challenges posed by new case law, electronic records, social media, changes in psychological assessment practice, mental health practitioners' interface with national security, complex work settings, and ethical issues in addressing human differences and diversity.

Foundations of Ethical Practice, Research, and Teaching in Psychology and Counselling (2011)

Source: Strohm Kitchener, Karen Anderson, Sharon K. (Routledge)

The primary focus of Foundations of Ethical Practice, Research, and Teaching in Psychology and Counseling (2nd ed.) is on ethical reasoning and ethical behavior. One of the goals of this book is to help readers develop the thinking skills necessary for solving ethical dilemmas so they can then analyse the new issues as they arise. A second goal of the book is to show that more is involved in behaving ethically than applying ethical rules or making ethical decisions. Since some models of moral behavior suggest that sensitivity to ethical issues, moral motivation, and ego strength are all critical principle—and rule—bound ethical strategies are incomplete. Accordingly, the importance of ethical character and the role of ethical virtues and ideals in supporting ethical behavior are discussed; this is then related to acculturation to the professions. Here, the goal is to help psychologists and counselors reflect broadly on what it means to be an ethical professional as well as on how to train future professionals who value being ethical.

The Ethical Decision-Making Manual for Helping Professionals (1997)

Source: Sarah O. Steinman, Nan Franks Richardson & Tim McEnroe; Cengage Learning

This practical workbook provides helping professionals with step-by-step guidelines for examining and resolving professional ethical dilemmas. Forty-nine "ethical dilemmas" are included, with the authors' suggestions for resolving them based on a process of analysis unique to this book.

Confidentiality for Mental Health Professionals: A Guide to Ethical and Legal Principles (2009)

Source: Alan Rothschild, Annegret Kåmpf, Bernadette McSherry, and James Ogloff; Australian Academic Press

This book focuses on the actual decision-making process of disclosing confidential information to allow mental health professionals to find an ethical and legally-sound solution that is recognised as such by external authorities.

Ethics for Psychology (2009)

Source: Francis D. Ronald (Blackwell PBS)

Ethics for Psychologists (2nd ed.) is a comprehensive handbook covering the full range of ethical challenges that confront today's working psychologists—both in their practice and in research. The book explains the development of ethical theory and its philosophical underpinnings, along with contemporary international covenants and formal ethical codes from around the world. There is also a greatly expanded section featuring case studies and suggested resolutions encountered in all types of practices, including business consulting, counseling, clinical, forensic, military, and research psychology for immediate application.

Essential Ethics for Psychologist (2012)

Source: Thomas F. Nagy (APA)

The book acculturates the reader into ethical practice in psychology by enhancing critical thinking skills. It includes basic introduction to APA ethical code, including a brief history and an overview of general concepts. It explores in depth four ethical concepts applicable to all psychologists, namely, competence, informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, avoiding harm and exploitation. It also shows how these key concepts apply to specific psychologist roles, including assessment, treatment, research and publication, and teaching and supervision.

Ethical Conflicts in Psychology (2019)

Source: Eric Y. Drogin (APA)

The book presents different perspectives on crucial and tricky ethical issues, including: "the duty to protect multiple relationships, privacy, privileged communication, navigating federal regulations, testifying as an expert witness, practicing ethically within the boundaries of managed care.”

APA Handbook of Ethics in Psychology: Vol 1:Moral foundations and common themes & Vol 2: Practice, Teaching & Research (2012)

Source: Samuel Knapp (APA)

This book covers ethical issues and theories in various sub-areas of psychology including clinical, educational, forensic, health, research and 'tele-' psychology. It also covers topics on the teaching of ethics and on ethically minded research, with a section dedicated to new areas such as life coaching and providing services over the internet.

Ethical, legal and professional issues in the practice of marriage and family therapy (2007)

Source: Samuel T. Gladding, Charles H. Huber & S. Allen Wilcoxon (Prentice Hall)

The book covers dealing with ethical dilemmas that arise out of marriage and family work. The fifth edition has been updated to reflect the new Ethical Code, and includes new topics pertaining to non-traditional family care, the significance of supervision in skill acquisition and professional acculturation in one’s early career, and conflicts between legal and ethical obligations among others.

Ethics and professional issues in couple and family therapy (2010)

Source: Megan J. Murphy & Lorna Hecker (Routledge)

This book covers dealing with ethical dilemmas that arise out of couple and family work, including chapters on home-based family work, child protection work. Recommended as an introductory text for marriage/family therapists.

Ethics and Psychology (Decision-making Part 1) |

Source: John Gavazzi, PsyD

Ethics and Psychology (Decision-making Part 2)

Source: John Gavazzi, PsyD

SPS Code of Ethics (January 2019, Version 3) | Source: Singapore Psychological Society (SPS)

https://singaporepsychologicalsociety.org/sps-code-of-ethics/

The Code of Ethics comprises 3 general principles and 10 chapters of guidelines for psychologists practicing in Singapore.

APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2017) | Source: American Psychological Association (APA)

https://www.apa.org/images/ethics-code-2017_tcm7-218783.pdf

The Code of Ethics provides guidance and standards of professional conduct for psychologists practicing in the United States of America.

APS Code of Ethics (April 2018) | Source: Australian Psychological Society (APS)

https://www.psychology.org.au/getmedia/d873e0db-7490-46de-bb57-c31bb1553025/18APS-Code-of-Ethics.pdf

The Code of Ethics provides guidance and standards of professional conduct for psychologists practicing in Australia.

BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct (2018) | Source: British Psychological Society (BPS)

https://www.bps.org.uk/sites/bps.org.uk/files/Policy/Policy%20-%20Files/BPS%20Code%20of%20Ethics%20and%20Conduct%20%28Updated%20July%202018%29.pdf

The Code of Ethics comprises 4 primary ethical principles and standards of professional conduct for  psychologists practicing in Britain, United Kingdom.

BPS Practice Guidelines (2017) Third edition | Source: British Psychological Society (BPS)

https://www.bps.org.uk/sites/bps.org.uk/files/Policy/Policy%20-%20Files/BPS%20Practice%20Guidelines%20(Third%20Edition).pdf

A set of shared guidelines that sets out considerations for psychologists on best practice under different contexts of practice and guides psychologists on how to manage work with clients.

BPS Code of Human Research Ethics (2nd edition, 2014) | Source: British Psychological Society (BPS)

https://www.bps.org.uk/sites/bps.org.uk/files/Policy/Policy%20-%20Files/BPS%20Code%20of%20Human%20Research%20Ethics.pdf

A document that sets out the conditions under which psychological research involving humans can take place, and informs professional and ethical judgement of researchers.

Mental Capacity Act (Chapter 177A) | Source: Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) - Singapore Statutes Online

https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/MCA2008

Singapore's legislation relating to persons who lack capacity and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Vulnerable Adults Act | Source: Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) - Singapore Statutes Online

https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/VAA2018

Singapore's legislation for the safeguarding of vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect or self-neglect, and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Behaviour Support: Policy and Practice Manual - Guidelines for the Provision of Behaviour Support Services for People with an Intellectual Disability (Jan 2009)  | Source: Family & Community Services - Ageing, Disability and Home care (NSW Government)

http://www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/sp/delivering_disability_services/behaviour_support_services/behaviour_support_policy_and_practice_manual

A document that provides guidance on ethical standards guiding practice and professional conduct when delivering behaviour support to persons with disability.

Positive Practice Framework - A guide for behaviour support services practitioners | Source: State of Victoria, Department of Human Services

http://www.gcss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Positive-Practice-Framework-April-2018-.pdf

The Positive Practice Framework (PPF) is an online resource for behaviour support services (BSS) practitioners. It presents a practice model that brings together current research, knowledge and practice strategies and reflects the legislative requirements of the Disability Act 2006.

National Care Standards for Support Services | Source: National Care Standards Committee, Scotland

https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-care-standards-support-services/

A document that outlines the standards of practice and service that can be expected by a person with disability.