Could you please select just one of the scenarios and elaborate ✓ Solved

Tasheka, thank you for your post. It looks like you shared your thoughts on why certain ethical codes are important for each of the four scenarios. Could you please select just one of the scenarios and elaborate on how the ethical codes specified would be applied to the situation?

1. Suppose Minneapolis, MN is hit by an enormous natural disaster. Many people were unprepared for such a disaster and suffered mental and physical trauma. Would it be ethical for a psychologist to provide his or her services if he or she had not been specifically trained in disaster response? Do the ethical concerns change if the care is provided at the site of the natural disaster as opposed to at an office visit after the disaster has already occurred? Why or why not? Refer to the specific standards involved and provide a rationale for your answer.

2. Iran is under the threat of war from neighboring countries. There is concern that there are enemy sympathizers responsible for attacks within Iranian borders. Under what circumstances is it allowable for an Iranian psychologist to disclose confidential information without the consent of the client? Refer to the specific standards involved. Is there a possibility the Iranian government could misuse these standards? Why or why not?

3. A psychologist in Singapore wishes to refer a client because of a conflict in values and feelings of underlying threats to his safety. Due to these circumstances, the psychologist feels that he cannot provide competent services to his client. What steps should the psychologist take to ensure an appropriate referral? Can the psychologist “warn” the future psychologist that his client may pose harm to them? Why or why not? Refer to the specific standards involved.

4. A psychologist who is bound by the European Federation of Psychologists’ Association is contacted by a former client who, after a six-month absence from therapy, would like to resume his sessions. The psychologist is completely booked. What are the psychologist’s ethical responsibilities to the client? What should the psychologist do? Refer to the specific standards involved.

Also, do you believe it is possible for there to be one set of ethical principles to govern all psychologists globally? Why or why not? Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.

Paper For Above Instructions

In examining the ethical implications of providing psychological services during a natural disaster, particularly in the context of an enormous disaster like one that could befall Minneapolis, MN, it is crucial to assess the ethical codes that guide psychologists. The primary consideration here revolves around the American Psychological Association's (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, particularly the principles of beneficence, nonmaleficence, and competence (American Psychological Association, 2010).

The scenario stipulates that many individuals affected by the disaster may suffer from mental and physical trauma. Thus, it is imperative for psychologists to evaluate whether they can provide ethical and effective care. According to the APA, psychologists are required to offer services only within the boundaries of their competence. They must possess the appropriate educational, training, and supervised experience standards (American Psychological Association, 2010). This presents a significant ethical concern if a psychologist who lacks training in disaster response engages with individuals suffering immediate trauma due to a natural disaster.

In such a crisis scenario, where mental health services are in high demand, the ethical concerns become even more pertinent. Providing services without training in disaster response may lead to unintentional harm to clients or ineffective treatment of their conditions. Potential consequences might include exacerbation of existing trauma, misdiagnosis of psychological conditions, or the introduction of additional stressors due to inadequately managed professional interactions (Stevens & Gielen, 2007).

To fully grasp the ethical dimensions, we must consider differing contexts in which the care is provided. If a psychologist provides care at the disaster site, the immediacy of need may put pressure on them to act, even if they lack training. On the other hand, if care is rendered post-disaster in an office setting, the ethical expectation for preparation and competence remains firmly in place. The transition from immediate crisis response to ongoing care complicates ethical considerations further, as the professional must navigate not only their training deficits but also the client's needs and vulnerabilities (Berry, 2016).

In contrast, the elevation of psychological service expectations due to societal demand during crises must not override ethical standards. Psychologists working in disaster recovery must seek global strategies for engagement that emphasize cross-professional collaboration and referrals to more qualified individuals when necessary, maintaining a network of support instead of risking harm through unqualified clients (Gauthier, 2008).

The ethical codes under scrutiny also dictate patient confidentiality, which when considered in the context of a disaster, introduces complex dilemmas. Psychologists have the ethical obligation to protect client information unless there is an imminent risk of harm. Immediate threats to safety could justify breach of confidentiality if, for example, a client exhibits intent to harm themselves or others. However, if the ethical guidelines are compromised under stress, psychologists risk diminishing public trust in mental health professions. Understanding the balance between confidentiality and the necessity to disclose in high-stakes situations is critical, especially in environments rife with devastation (Berry, 2016).

Additionally, ethical concerns intensify regarding those providing services in environments outside their training scope. If a psychologist enters a disaster site and encounters legal stipulations that differ significantly from their training context, the potential for error increases multifold. This highlights that ethical frameworks in psychology are inherently context-dependent, further complicating the application of standardized principles (American Psychological Association, 2010).

In conclusion, the challenge of selecting appropriate responses and action plans amidst a disaster reflects deeper principles of ethical practice in psychology. A commitment to beneficence must incorporate a thorough understanding of one's competencies and readiness to act. Psychologists must consider their responsibilities not only to themselves but also to their clients when navigating the stormy waters of disaster response. The application of ethical codes must be adapted to account for the urgency of situations while ensuring adherence to the foundational expectation of competence to cultivate a scenario where the well-being of the client remains paramount.

References

  • American Psychological Association. (2010). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. Retrieved from APA Ethics Code

  • Berry, J. (2016). Global, indigenous, and regional perspectives on international psychology. In J.L. Roopnarine, D. Chadee (Eds.), Caribbean psychology: Indigenous contributions to a global discipline (pp. 45–68). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association.

  • Gauthier, J. (2008). The universal declaration of ethical principles for psychologists: Third draft. Retrieved from International Association of Applied Psychology

  • Stevens, M. J., & Gielen, U. P. (2007). Toward a global psychology: Theory, research, intervention, and pedagogy. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.