PSY4220 · Ethics, legal and professional issues in psychology

Overview

This unit will focus on ethical, legal and professional issues related to psychological practice. Conceptual (e.g. ethical theories and definitions) and practical issues (e.g. common ethical dilemmas and case study appraisals) will be examined and addressed. Some of the professional areas to be covered include legislation governing psychologists, professional organisations, codes of professional conduct, and ethical issues arising from conflicts of interest, breaches of confidentiality, dual relationships, children as clients, working with older clients, using psychological assessments, the provision of psychological services to diverse populations, managing the suicidal client, reporting of child sexual abuse, and service delivery over a variety of digital platforms, including social media, internet and other digital applications. This unit will provide opportunities for you to develop skills in professional and interpersonal reflection, ethical communication, deliberate practice, and self-care, as each of these are essential in ensuring effective, safe and reflexive practice for future study and work roles.

Areas of study: Psychology

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

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. Appraise how ethics contribute to upholding professional integrity and cohesiveness in the practice of psychology and mental health professions.
2. Apply evidence-based ethical decision making models and legislation, which ensure public safety and effective practice, to complex real-life case studies.
3. Explain the professional responsibilities and boundaries of psychologists when dealing with various clients and research participants, in particular vulnerable groups at different developmental stages.
4. Develop professional and ethical behaviours for safe, effective, and reflective engagement with Indigenous, culturally diverse, and LGBTQIA+ populations, in psychological practice and research situations.
5. Apply ethical decision-making strategies to develop skills in professional reflection, deliberate practice, self-care, and to be able maintain high standards of ethical conduct as a practising clinician and/or researcher.
6. Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication skills, cultural responsiveness and empathic responding in contexts relevant to psychological practice and research.

Workload

Clayton campus: • 1 hour of asynchronous online learning per week • 2 hours of seminars per week • 2 hours of workshops 3 times a semester • Up to 8 hours per week of self-directed study. Malaysia campus: 1.5 hours of asynchronous online learning per week 1.5 hours of tutorial per week Up to 9 hours per week of self-directed study Total per week = 12 hours

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