Canadian Code of Ethics
Adherence to Principle III and IV need to adhere to what?
All of the principles that come before - these principles should be given a lower weight when in conflict with Principles I and II.
When adhering to Principle I, psychologists need to provide moral consideration to the following:
1. the promotion and protection of moral rights in all activities 2. the moral rights of persons and peoples 3. protection of themselves from serious violations of their own moral rights
According to the social contract, (a) who do psychologists' have the greatest responsibility to, and (b) what is their responsibility?
(a) Peoples/persons in the most vulnerable positions (b) increase safeguards to protect and promote the moral rights of the persons/peoples involved in their activities proportionate to their vulnerability
Integrity in Relationships (Principle III) implies that psychologists have a responsibility to...
...maintain competence in any specialty area for which they declare competence, whether or not they are currently practicing in that area
Principle IV mentions that psychologists both in their work and as private citizens have responsibilities to...
...the societies in which they live/work and to the welfare of all human beings in those societies
What are the 10 steps to ethical decision-making outlined in the CCE?
1. Identification of those affected by the decision 2. Identification of relevant ethical and/or legal issues, legislation, regulations, practices, etc. 3. Self-knowledge (consideration of bias and pressure 4. Alternative actions 5. Cost-benefit analysis 6. Decision 7. Action 8. Evaluation of results 9. Take responsibility 10. Prevention
When adhering to Principle I, psychologists need to acknowledge and respect that:
1. a human being is a person not a means to an end 2. a persons inherent worth is not dependent on their characteristics 3. all human beings are interdependent social beings who exist within social groupings 4. each interaction will involve uniqueness, diversity, and different role structures 7. communities/cultures promote protect, and exercise moral rights differently 8. all persons/people are entitled to equally benefit from psychology
What are the mutual expectations of integrity involved in Principle III (Integrity in Relationships)?
1. accuracy and honesty 2. straightforwardness and openness 3. maximization of objectivity and minimization of bias 4. avoidance of conflicts of interest
What are the 7 values for Principle III?
1. accuracy/honesty 2. objectivity/lack of bias 3. straightforwardness/openness 4. avoidance of incomplete disclosure and deception 5. avoidance of conflict of interest 6. reliance on the discipline 7. extended responsibility
Acceptance to membership in the CPA commits members to:
1. adhere to the code in all activities as a psychologist 2. apply the code to new or emerging areas of activity 3. actively engage in developing ethical sensitivity/knowledge 4. regularly consult relevant others regarding ethical issues 5. inform the Association of ethical issues/standards that require clarification 6. Inform another psychologist of possible unethical behavior when you believe it to be the result of a lack of sensitivity, knowledge, or experience 7. report serious unethical actions to the appropriate persons or regulatory bodies 8. Consider others comments regarding your ethical behavior and make adjustments as necessary 9. Not be malicious when responding to concerns about unethical actions 10. Cooperate with the committees responsible for dealing with ethics and ethical conduct
What are factors that can make a person more vulnerable?
1. characteristics of the individual or group 2. level of voluntary consent 3. interests of individual/group is in conflict with interests of more powerful individuals/groups 4. high risk of harm
What are the five things CPA does to ensure psychologists adopt ethical behavior and attitudes?
1. define ethical principles, values, and standards 2. promotes them through education, supervision, peer modelling, and consultation 3. develops and implements methods for monitoring behavior/attitudes 4. judges complaints of unethical behavior 5. takes corrective action when warranted
What are the 5 values for Principle IV?
1. development of knowledge 2. beneficial activities 3. respect for society 4. development of society 5. extended responsibility
What 3 moral rights are the most relevant to psychologists?
1. developmentally appropriate privacy and confidentiality, self-determination, and liberty 2. cultural identity, cultural survival, and social participation 3. distributive, social, and natural justice
What are the 7 values for Principle II?
1. general caring 2. competence and self-knowledge 3. risk/benefit analysis 4. maximize benefit 5. minimize harm 6. offset/correct harm 7. care of animals 8. extended responsibility
What are the 10 values for Principle I?
1. general respects 2. general rights 3. non-discrimination 4. fair treatment/due process 5. informed consent 6. freedom of consent 7. protection for vulnerable individuals and groups 8. privacy 9. confidentiality 10. extended responsibility
What are the three main uses for the Code?
1. guide psychologists in resolving ethical dilemmas 2. serve as an umbrella document for the development of codes of conduct 3. assist in the adjudication of complaints against psychologists
According to Principle IV (Responsibility to Society), what are the two legitimate expectations of psychology as a science and a profession?
1. it will increase knowledge 2. It will conduct its affairs in such ways that it will promote the welfare of all human beings
What does Responsible Caring (Principle II) require?
1. only engaging in activities that do no harm and that benefit individuals 2. a recognition that individuals/groups are capable of making decisions for themselves 3. obtaining informed consent and protecting the best interests of individuals/groups 4. a cost-benefit analysis with a consideration of conflicting interests 5. engaging in activities that will minimize harms and maximize benefits 6. competence and self-knowledge - only engage in activities that you are competent in and maintain an awareness of possible bias 7. that psychologists protect their own basic well-being and best interests (e.g., physical safety, family relationships) in their work
What do psychologists need to be willing to do according to Principle IV?
1. work collaboratively and constructively with others 2. be self-reflective 3. be open to external suggestions/criticisms about their work
What is the Universal Declaration of Ethical Principles for Psychologists?
A template or ethical framework endorsed by the CPA that is intended to guide the development and evolution of psychology ethics codes around the world
How should Principle II be carried out?
In ways that respect the dignity of persons and peoples
Which principle should be given the highest weight when principles are in conflict?
Principle I should be given the highest weight, except in circumstances where there is a clear and imminent danger of bodily harm to someone
What are the four principles of ethical behavior defined by CPA?
Principle I: Respect for the Dignity of Persons and Peoples Principle II: Responsible Caring Principle III: Integrity in Relationships Principle IV: Responsibility to Society
What does Principle I emphasize?
Respect for the dignity of persons and peoples principle emphasizes inherent worth, non-discrimination, moral rights, distributive, social, and natural justice
What is a primary client?
The individual/group that has contracted for and/or receiving services
Who are psychologists encouraged to consult when engaged in time-consuming deliberation regarding an ethical dilemma?
The individuals/groups affected by the ethical problem when appropriate and colleagues or relevant others
Typically, which persons/peoples are viewed as the most vulnerable by psychologists?
The individuals/groups directly receiving/involved in the psychologist's activities (e.g., research participants, primary clients, students, etc.)
What is a contract examinee?
an individual/group that is the subject of a psychological assessment at the request of the retaining party, for the purpose of assisting an external decision maker to make a decision
What are psychologists supposed to do when being fully open and straightforward with regard to disclosure might not be needed or desired by others and may be a risk to their dignity, well-being, or best interests?
ensure that their decision not to be fully open or straightforward is justified by higher-order values and does not invalidate any informed consent procedures
Which concepts are classified as ethical attitudes?
ethical sensitivity, moral perception, moral intent, and moral integrity
According to Principle IV (Responsibility to Society), what concepts are the foundation of psychological education, science and practice?
freedom of enquiry, innovation, and debate
What are just laws?
laws that are consistent with the moral rights of persons and peoples that are implemented in conformity with the principles of natural justice (e.g., fairness)
Is the code intended to guide or regulate psychologists' activities outside of being a psychologist?
no
What does Principle II say about animals?
psychologists' treatment and use of animals are a component of responsible caring as animals have the right to be treated humanely and not be exposed to unnecessary discomfort, pain, or disruption
When the Code and the regulations and guidelines of your province/territory are in conflict, what are psychologists' expected to do?
respect the requirements of their provincial/territorial regulatory bodies
What does Principle II require?
responsible caring requires competence, maximization of benefit, and minimization of harm
What are the expectations of psychologists under Principle III?
that psychologists engage in self-reflection and critical analysis to understand how their own experiences, attitudes, culture, beliefs, values, individual differences, etc. interact with their activities, and to be open and honest about the influence of such factors, and to be as objective and unbiased as possible under these circumstances
What does Principle III of the Code mention about using deception methods in research?
that psychologists have a serious obligation to avoid the use of such research procedures as much as possible
What are moral rights?
the fundamental rights that all people have, which are grounded in moral reasoning
What is the retaining party?
the individual/group that has retained a psychologist to assess a contract examinee for the purpose of helping an external decision maker (e.g., court, insurance company, or employer) to make a decision
Psychologists are deemed to have followed the Code when...
they demonstrate that every reasonable effort was made to apply the ethical principles of this Code and the resolution of the conflict has had to depend on the personal conscience of the psychologist
According to Principle IV (Responsibility to Society), how must psychologists response to social structures and policies?
they must convey respect and avoid unwarranted/unnecessary disruption, except for in circumstances where the social structures/policies seriously ignore/oppose the principles in this Code; psychologists have a responsibility to speak out in a manner consistent with this Code
What are best interests?
those interests that support the dignity and well-being of individuals/groups and are morally justifiable
Who are vulnerable individuals?
those whose dignity, well-being, and best interests are more easily violated due to a range of factors
How are psychologists supposed to exercise their freedom to enquire, innovate, and debate according to Principle IV?
through activities and methods that are consistent with ethical requirements
Under Principle IV (Responsibility to Society), what do psychologists have an ethical responsibility to?
to ensure that psychological knowledge is used for just and beneficial purposes and to report and/or correct any misuse of psychological knowledge
Can more than one individual or group be primary clients in a single service contract?
yes
