Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Ethics and Professional Issues Roles & responsibilities of the forensic psychologist ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Consultant Expert witness Evaluator Treatment provider Researcher Academic Correctional Psychologist Professional issues ◦ Licensure & certification ◦ Resolving ethical issues Ethical & legal issues ◦ The APA Ethics Code ◦ The Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology ◦ Ethical issues in the various roles of the forensic psychologist Term forensic psychologist includes varied roles No one particular path for becoming a forensic psychologist May be employed in a wide variety of settings Roles include, but not limited to: ◦ trial consultant, expert witness, evaluator, treatment provider, researcher, academic, and correctional psychologist Common to take on multiple roles Works with legal professionals, mainly attorneys to assist in case preparation: ◦ Jury selection ◦ Development of case strategy ◦ Witness preparation Rely on research training to develop/execute research to assist attorneys ◦ Community surveys, focus groups, jury simulations, shadow juries, mock trials, etc. May be involved in both civil and criminal cases Typically hold advanced degrees Testifies in court about specialized knowledge Clinical forensic psychologists typically testify as experts after evaluating defendant’s mental state May also serve as general expert witnesses and testify about broader psychological principles May participate in both criminal and civil proceedings Usually trained in general psychology or subspeciality such as clinical psychology Evaluation of criminal defendants/parties to civil litigation with respect to mental health issues related to the legal issue at hand ◦ Criminal: competency to stand trial, mental state at time of the offense, risk for future dangerousness ◦ Civil: psychological state after injury or accident, families involved in custody and access disputes May also refer to the evaluation of service delivery or treatment programs Typically trained in clinical psychology and licensed, with forensic specialization Provides psychological treatment to individuals requiring/desiring services May work in forensic hospitals, state psychiatric hospital, private practice, etc. Criminal: restoration of competency, treatment for mental illness, treatment to minimize likelihood of future violence Civil: families going through divorce, treatment for psychological injury or trauma May overlap with evaluator role, some ethical concerns Design and implement research on issues relevant to forensic psychology and psychology and the law May conduct research on mental health law and policy or program evaluation May be employed in universities/colleges, research institutes, government or private agencies, psychiatric hospitals or other mental health agencies Involved in teaching, research, and a host of education-related activities such as training and supervision of students Trained either generally in psychology or in one of the specialties (e.g., clinical psychology) Usually have an advanced degree in psychology, typically a Ph.D. Often take on more than this role alone Typically employed by institutions of higher learning (e.g., colleges or universities) Works in correctional settings with inmates and offenders Engage in direct service delivery – both evaluation and treatment – of individuals incarcerated or out on probation/parole In addition to roles of evaluator or treatment provider, may also take on role of researcher or expert witness Licensure as a psychologist is necessary whenever engaging in the practice of psychology with individuals or groups ◦ Required for roles of evaluator treatment provider, or expert witness (unless very general) Some provinces requires doctoral-level degree, but others allow licence with a master’s degree May practice psychology in a correctional setting without a license Psychology is a self-regulating profession Each province has a regulatory board that administers the relevant Act or statutes Regulatory boards responsible for ◦ Protecting the public ◦ Requirements for becoming licensed ◦ Developing/enforcing codes of ethical & professional conduct ◦ Educating/informing public about regulation ◦ Developing/enforcing complaint disciplinary procedures 1. Complaints against professional behavior of psychologist may be handled by Bring to attention of offending psychologist ◦ Informal route is efficient where appropriate 2. Register complaint with licensing board 3. Bring complaint to attention of CPA ◦ Provincial licensing boards have formal mechanisms to resolve complaints ◦ Can be stressful and time consuming, but generally a fair means of adjudicating complaints Core Ethical Principles for Profession of Psychology 1. Doing no harm/ nonmaleficence 2. Respecting autonomy 3. Benefiting others Psychologists strive to benefit those with whom they work, while ensuring potential for damage is eliminated/minimized to greatest extent possible Rights of individuals to decide how to live (without interfering with others’ welfare) accepted as ultimate goal for clients, students, research participants, & others Decisions should have potential for positive effect on others (balanced against other principles) Koocher & Keith-Spiegel (1998) Core Ethical Principles for Profession of Psychology 4. Being just 5. Being faithful 6. According dignity Actions should be fair and equitable. Others should be treated as psychologists would want to be treated under similar circumstances Issues of fidelity, loyalty, trustfulness, promise keeping, and respect for those with whom psychologists work converge to form delicate standards necessary in fiduciary relationships. When psychologists are straightforward, sincere, candid, and without intent to mislead or deceive anyone, ethical action is more likely. Psychologists view others as worthy of respect. Enhances the probability decisions will be ethical. Koocher & Keith-Spiegel (1998) Evaluator Role When taking on multiple roles with patient/client as evaluator/treatment provider, must consider ◦ Informed consent, confidentiality, whether practicing within bounds of competence ◦ In forensic context must grapple with issue of who is the client (person evaluated, lawyer, court?) ◦ Often no confidentiality for service recipient ◦ Assumption evaluator/treatment provider will be objective & neutral Researcher Being objective & neutral a prominent issue Must adhere to ethical guidelines regarding design and implementation of research ◦ Honest reporting of data, obtaining informed consent, honesty about risk of harm, ensuring voluntariness/lack of coercion, ability to withdraw without consequence In treatment research, must consider right to treatment Academic Multiple roles with students & respecting power differentials; ensuring proper credit is given in academic work & publication (+ researcher considerations) Expert Witness Maintain objectivity & provide info to assist court in making legal decision Contingency based payment unethical Trial Consultant Practice within bound of competence; guard against guaranteeing outcomes; conduct ethical research & honestly report results; avoid tainting witnesses Correctional System Confidentiality, informed consent, competence, and who is the client (evaluee or institution?) Often put in awkward position of performing multiple roles on a daily basis ◦ e.g., treatment provider and disciplinarian (training and expectations in arming during institutional upheaval) Confidentiality vs. privilege Confidentiality: ethical principle prohibiting Privilege: legal protection belonging to client that Some U.S. states recognize psychotherapist-patient privilege Canada does not recognize a psychotherapist-patient privilege psychologists from divulging info about clients to third parties except under circumstances agreed to by both parties ensures protection of communications from disclosure in legal proceedings Confidentiality and privilege Confidentiality: Psychologists ethically bound to keep information about clients confidential However, legally bound to report certain types of information and break confidentiality ◦ e.g., known or suspected child abuse or elder abuse Guard against difficulties by communicating limits of confidentiality prior to engagement of services Confidentiality and privilege In case of forensic psychologist, purpose is to assist court in making decision about legal issue, thus, unable to maintain confidentiality of info obtained about the client Important the client understands this lack of confidentiality Forensic psychologists must still respect defendant’s right to privacy and act ethically and only divulge info to relevant parties – usually judge, defense, prosecution