Ethics for Psychologists

Course overview

According to surveys of psychologists beliefs about ethics, a small minority of potential actions are viewed as unequivocally ethical or unethical. The vast majority of potential actions a psychologist may take in their professional role are viewed as grey areas in terms of the ethics involved. In other words, the majority of actions that psychologists may choose are based on complex judgment calls where specific, absolute guidance is lacking. In such a professional climate, and where the well-being of clients is of paramount importance, it is critical for you to understand the major guiding standards of your professional ethics code. This course will examine some of the major tenets of the ethics code. You will also learn about a straightforward and practical ethical decision-making model you can use to evaluate the potential impact of your choices. The goal of this course is to provide psychology professionals in health and human services settings with skills for navigating ethical challenges.