EDF4601 · Ethics and professional issues

Overview

This unit includes a review of the important legislation for psychologists, professional organisations for psychologists, ethics committees and codes of professional conduct. It addresses issues of privacy, confidentiality, privilege and informed consent, professional responsibility in relation to competence, dual relationships and conflicts of interest, the role of the psychologist in court, ethical issues raised by having children as clients, ethical issues in the use of psychological tests, ethical issues in the provision of psychological services to people from a different cultural background (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples), managing the suicidal client, ethical issues in reporting child abuse, the prediction of dangerousness, ethical issues pertaining to service delivery over the internet and by email, and the ethics and responsibilities of supervision. You will pursue a program of readings and assignments which direct attention to ethical, legal and social issues involved in psychological practice. These issues cover relevant legislation, codes of professional conduct for psychologists, registration requirements and some social ramifications of psychological practice.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. understand the purpose of legislation relating to the practice of psychology and how to comply with such legislation and appreciate the role of ethics in maintaining the integrity and cohesiveness of the profession
2. become familiar with the ethical principles to be adhered to in psychological practice
3. understand ethical and professional obligations in the provision of services to diverse groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
4. understand the psychologist's responsibilities in relation to clients
5. develop an appreciation of appropriate professional behaviour in a number of potentially complex situations
6. develop decision-making strategies to assist in the maintenance of ethical conduct.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per teaching period comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Usually, you can expect to engage with: • 24 hours of scheduled learning delivered on campus via weekly/regular directed learning activities; and • the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study Scheduled learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.