APA Ethical Standards

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APA Ethical Standards

• Resolving Ethical Issues

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8.01 Familiarity with Ethics Code

• Know the requirements of this Ethics Code!
• Ignorance is no defense!!

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8.02 Confronting Ethical Issues

• When in doubt as to whether your situation or
  intended course of action might be unethical,
  ASK!!
• Those to consult would include
• State or county psychological association
• Ethics committee
• The APA
• An institutional review board
• Senior peers
• Those who teach ethics

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8.03 Conflicts Between Ethics and Organizational
Demands

• If you find a conflict between the policies of
  your workplace and the Ethics Code, clarify the
  nature of the conflict and let others know about
  your obligation to comply with this Code.
• Then, seek resolution that allows maximal
  compliance with this Code.

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8.04 Informal Resolution of Ethical Violations

• If you think a colleague has violated the Ethics
  Code and an informal approach seems best
• Discuss the matter with him or her directly
• Dont automatically go to an ethics committee or
  state board
• Do not ignore it or let it slide
• Dont expect a wronged party like a patient to
  always be ready to purse a complaint

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8.05 Reporting Ethical Violations

• If an informal approach doesnt work to resolve
  an ethical violation, if the situation doesnt
  lend itself to an informal approach, or if the
  psychologist in question doesnt cooperate, BLOW
  THE WHISTLE!!

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8.06 Cooperating with Ethics Committees

• If an ethics committee wants to talk with you,
  COOPERATE!
• Never ignore a formal complaint
• Defend yourself, if necessary, but do it within
  the standards of the APA

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8.07 Improper Complaints

• Never file a frivolous complaint
• Never file a complaint to harm or punish a
  colleague
• The only acceptable reason is to protect someone
  from harm