Ethics and professional issues

This unit includes a review of the important legislation for psychologists, professional organisations for psychologists, ethics committees and codes of professional conduct. It addresses issues of privacy, confidentiality, privilege and informed consent, professional responsibility in relation to competence, dual relationships and conflicts of interest, the role of the psychologist in court, ethical issues raised by having children as clients, ethical issues in the use of psychological tests, ethical issues in the provision of psychological services to people from a different cultural background (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples), managing the suicidal client, ethical issues in reporting child abuse, the prediction of dangerousness, ethical issues pertaining to service delivery over the internet and by email, and the ethics and responsibilities of supervision. You will pursue a program of readings and assignments which direct attention to ethical, legal and social issues involved in psychological practice. These issues cover relevant legislation, codes of professional conduct for psychologists, registration requirements and some social ramifications of psychological practice.