Case Study: Handling Disparate Information
Read Case 7: Handling Disparate Information for Evaluating Trainees on pages 440-441 in your textbook. Thoroughly answer each of the questions below regarding Case 7: Handling Disparate Information for Evaluating Trainees in a total of approximately 300-500 words. Use one to two scholarly resources to support your answers. Use in-text citations when appropriate, according to APA formatting.
Why is this an ethical dilemma? Which APA Ethical Principles help frame the nature of the dilemma?
How are APA Ethical Standards 1.08, 3.04, 3.05, 3.09, 7.04, 7.05, and 7.06 and the Hot Topics “Ethical Supervision of Trainees in Professional Psychology Programs” (Chapter 10) and “Multicultural Ethical Competence” (Chapter 5) relevant to this case? Which other standards might apply?
What are Dr. Vaji’s ethical alternatives for resolving this dilemma? Which alternative best reflects the Ethics Code aspirational principles and enforceable standards, legal standards, and obligations to stakeholders? Can you identify the ethical theory (discussed in Chapter 3) guiding your decision?
What steps should Dr. Vaji take to implement his decision and monitor its effect?
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines
Fisher, C. (2017). Decoding the ethics code: A practical guide for psychologists. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. ISBN-13: 9781483369297
Sample Answer
Ethical Dilemma
Question 1 Why is this an Ethical Dilemma
This is an ethical dilemma because Rashid has to confront one of his best trainees to understand whether the accusations against him are true. Rashid Vaji has to make sure he handles the case with care because it is a sensitive matter that has to be addressed. The results from Leo’s performance are good despite the complaint from other students.
Question 2 APA Ethical Principles
The APA principles that have to be observed in this case is the unfair discrimination of the minorities by Leo. Leo has to ensure he does not discriminate against anyone. The other principle that will be taken into account is Beneficence and Non-maleficence (Fisher, 2016). As a psychologist, it is the professional’s duty to ensure they work for the client’s best interest.
Question 3: Relevance of the Case
The APA Ethical Standards 1.08, 3.04 and the Hot Topics “Ethical Supervision of Trainees in Professional Psychology Programs” on Multicultural Ethical Competence” from Chapter 5 are relevant to the case because of the way that Leo has been accused of working. The training is going against the code of conduct in treating students in the minority community without respect which is against the APA ethical Standards.
Question 4: Other standards that may apply
The other standards that may apply in the case are compassion, tolerance, and love. As a person bound by APA standards, Leo is supposed to be compassionate, show love, and be tolerant to people who are different from him.
Question 5: Dr Vaji’s ethical alternatives for resolving this dilemma
The choice for Dr Vaji in solving the dilemma is to give another supervisor the work of investigating Leo’s conduct (Fisher, 2016). Because he is interested in Leo as one of his best students, the doctor should let someone else handle the matter.
Question 6: alternative Ethics Code aspirational principles
A psychologist should work for the best interest of the client. The alternative that best reflects the Ethics Code aspirational principles is letting another person handle the case to ensure no bias.
Question 7: Ethical Theory
The APA ethical theory and principle state that a psychologist has a moral responsibility to help others working in the same profession to uphold high ethical standards (Koocher, Norcross, & Greene, 2013). Dr Vaji, therefore, has a moral responsibility to ensure Leo supports the high ethical standards of a psychologist.
Question 8: Steps that Dr Vaji should take take
One of Rashid Vaji’s steps is getting interviews from many people about Leo’s behaviour. Rashid Vaji needs to contact Leo’s supervisor to get his input about Leo’s behaviour (Koocher, Norcross, & Greene, 2013). Additionally, Rashid Vaji should request that Leo’s sessions with clients be tapped to look at how he conducts his sessions.
References
- Fisher, C. B. (2016). Decoding the ethics code: A practical guide for psychologists. SAGE Publications.
- Koocher, G. P., Norcross, J. C., & Greene, B. A. (2013). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. Psychologists’ Desk Reference, 529-550. doi:10.1093/med:psych/9780199845491.003.0103
