Ethics in Psychology Course Notes

Introduction to Ethics in Psychology

• Ethics in psychology refers to the principles that govern the behavior of psychologists and practitioners in their professional conduct.

Definitions of Key Terms

• Ethics: A branch of philosophy discussing moral values and principles of right/wrong behavior in society.

• Code of Ethics: A set of written guidelines governing professional conduct more specifically than general ethics.

• Academic Ethics: Principles governing behavior within academic settings, emphasizing integrity and respect for others' work.

• Moral: Collective standards dictating acceptable/unacceptable behavior, influenced by societal norms.

Important Aspects of Academic Ethics

1. Honesty: Avoiding plagiarism and cheating.

2. Research Integrity: Maintaining honesty in all aspects of research.

3. Respect for Intellectual Property: Respecting citing norms for sources.

4. Responsibility: Owning responsibility for one’s academic tasks.

5. Fairness: Being impartial(unbias) in assessments and giving credit where it's due.

Psychology Career Fields

• Clinical Psychology: Involves direct care and treatment of patients.

• Health Psychology: Focuses on how psychological factors affect health and illness.

• Forensic Psychology: Interface between psychology and law, involving criminal justice.

• Community Psychology: Emphasizes social change and empowerment in communities.

• Integration of psychology in various sectors including education, business, and health services.

Psychologist's Authority

• Psychologists need proper qualifications and licensing to practice.

• A registration certificate (STR) and a psychological service permit (SILP) are necessary to provide services legally.

Ethics in Psychology Practice

• Psychologists must provide services based on empirical evidence, ensuring that their practices are scientifically informed to protect clients and uphold the integrity of the profession.