PSY4405 · Ethical and professional issues in psychology

Overview

In this unit you will focus on ethical, legal, cultural and professional issues related to psychological practice. Conceptual (e.g. theories and definitions), practical issues (e.g. common ethical dilemmas and case study appraisals) and intersectionality will be addressed. Some of the issues to be addressed include: legislation governing psychologists, professional organisations, codes of professional conduct, and ethical issues raised by: conflicts of interest, children as clients, using psychological tests, and the provision of psychological services to multi-cultural populations, managing the suicidal client, the reporting of child abuse, and service delivery over the internet.

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 in this unit includes hurdle assessment tasks. Failure of any hurdle assessment task may result in failure of the unit.

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

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Critically evaluate the interplay of ethical principles, legislation, and the self in maintaining the integrity of the psychology profession;
2. Design audience-appropriate media communicating the various ways psychologists engage in ethical conduct;
3. Make informed judgements about psychologists’ responsibilities to clients, the psychological profession and society in a reflexive and culturally responsive manner;
4. Demonstrate appropriate professional behaviour, including reflection, interpersonal skills, and personal development planning, as part of an ongoing commitment to fitness for practice for psychology;
5. Apply decision-making strategies and relevant legislation to ethically complex situations that demonstrates understanding of ethical conduct;
6. Discuss ethical concerns as part of a group to inform ethical practice and mimic psychological practice.

Workload

You should expect to spend an average of 20-25 hours per week per unit. Broadly, this time will cover: Video materials (2hrs) Synchronous & asynchronous discussion (2hrs) Synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities (2hrs) Weekly readings (4-6hrs) Weekly skills-based assessment (4-6hrs, including formative assessment) Knowledge-based assessment (4-5hrs, including revision) Each week there will be a one hour ‘Live class’, facilitated by your instructor. This will be followed by a live office hour, where you can ask questions and chat with your classmates and instructor about anything to do with the unit or psychology in general.

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