Ethics in the field of Psychology

The APA publishes the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct www.apa.org/ethics

UNIT 4 CASE STUDY:

Dr. Williams is a Licensed Psychologist. A married couple originally from the Dominican Republic brings their 15 year-old son, Juan, into treatment with Dr. Williams. Juan has severe cystic fibrosis and other birth defects.

When Juan and his family come in, Dr. Williams does not make eye contact and just goes right into his intake interview. During the session with the parents and Juan, Dr. Williams talks with Juan's parents about Juan's history and disabilities but never addresses Juan directly. When Juan tries to ask a question, Dr. Williams addresses the parents instead of Juan.

When the parents try to talk about Juan's disabilities and social problems, and suggest that Dr. Williams might want to talk to Juan's doctors, Dr. Williams ignores them and offers the parents a standard behavioral intervention for the parents to carry out at home that he believes will allow them to alter Juan's angry behaviors. The parents look at the document and appear confused but Dr. Williams does not offer any further explanation.

The family is scheduled to return for counseling with Dr. Williams in one week for a progress report and follow-up. They do not show up for that appointment and drop out of treatment with Dr. Williams. When notified of the no-show by his office manager, Dr. Williams shrugs and returns to his paper work.

Review the APA Code of Ethics General Principles and watch Unit 4 case studyThen answer the following questions:

1. Which of the five General Principles from the APA Ethics Code do you think the psychologist might have violated by his response in this case?

2. What do you think the psychologist should have done differently to remain in compliance with the APA Ethics Code's General Principles?