Remedial and Positive Ethics

Ethics

A general term that refers to values, how we ought to behave, and what constitutes proper conduct.

Professional

A member of any occupation who practices conscientiously. Traditionally defined as members who have mastered a body of specialized knowledge and must use their judgment in the application of that knowledge, commit themselves to the public welfare, and agree to adhere to specific standards of conduct.

Positive Psychology

A study of psychology which says that goals of psychology need to shift from an almost exclusive focus on pathology and healing to a science that helps to articulate a vision of the good life.

Competence (Remedial View)

Acquiring and maintaining minimal formal qualifications.

Positive (Active) Ethics

An approach to ethics that focuses not only on not engaging in harm to clients but also ethically helping them.

General (Aspirational) Ethics

An approach to ethics that involves the psychologist living up to their highest ethical standard.

Remedial Ethics

An ethical approach that focuses almost exclusively on the laws or standards designed to protect the public from harmful actions by psychologists. It represents a fixed entity of prohibitions or commandments that must be followed.

Common Morality

An ethical approach that highlights a shared core of aspirational beliefs.

Profession

Any occupation

Boundaries (Remedial View)

Avoiding boundary violations, especially sexual exploitations.

Nondiscrimination (Remedial View)

Avoiding discrimination.

Confidentiality (Remedial View)

Avoiding prohibited disclosures.

After-the-Fact Controls

Controls that are designed to discipline psychologists after they have harmed patients or violated the Ethics Code and other standards.

Before-the-Fact Controls

Controls that are designed to prevent psychologists from harming their patients or violating the APA Ethics Code and other standards.

Informed Consent (Remedial View)

Fulfilling legal responsibilities such as ensuring that patients sign an informed consent form.

Criminal Laws

Laws against insurance fraud, mandatory reporting provisions in child protective service laws, and sexual contact between patients and psychotherapists.

Ethical Floor

Minimum standards to which psychologists should adhere.

Nondiscrimination (Positive View)

Promoting understanding and appreciation of traditionally disenfranchised groups.

Social Problems

Societally induced conditions that harm any segment of the population, and acts and conditions that violate the norms and values found in society.

Competence (Positive View)

Striving for highest standards of ability, self-awareness, and self-care.

Boundaries (Positive View)

Striving to enhance the quality of all professional relationships.

Confidentiality (Positive View)

Striving to enhance trust.

Informed Consent (Positive View)

Striving to maximize patient participation in development of the goals of the evaluation or therapy.

Practical (Applied) Ethics

The application of ethics to specialized areas or professions, such as psychology.

Malpractice

When the actions (or lack of actions) of the professional have deviated from acceptable standards of care and directly damaged a patient with whom he or shed had a professional duty.