Ethics in Psychology

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Throughout this course, you have studied and applied the APA Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct to a variety of situations. You also have explored and applied at least one ethical decision-making model. You now have the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of one ethical principle in particular, detailing the many things a psychologist must consider.

For the Final Project, you demonstrate your understanding of ethics through a 10-page paper discussing the application of ethical principles to the case study, “Introduction to William Thompson,” which is located in this week’s Learning Resources. William is a member of the Thompson threaded family case study that you work with throughout the AYR experience.

Your final paper (10 pages) should:

  1. Include a thorough and thoughtful reflection of at least one of the relevant five principles from the current Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct. A portion of the paper should discuss not only the general significance of the selected principle or principles, but also how the principles specifically apply to the above case.
  2. Reflect your understanding of the principles through application to the multicultural situations inherent in the case example. You should also include a brief self-assessment of how your own worldviews and cultural background might impact your analysis of how to best proceed in addressing the ethical dilemmas in this case.
  3. Include your ethical decision-making process and model when describing the case.

The paper should be a minimum of 10 pages, in correct APA format, with at least 10 relevant, scholarly citations. (Wikipedia is not a scholarly source and should not be included as such.) Be sure that your references are listed in correct APA hanging indented format.

Go to your ePortfolio on your myWalden page and submit your Final Project by Day 7 of Week 11. Also submit your Project to the assignment submission link below.

For instructions on submitting assignments to your ePortfolio, click on the ePortfolio link from your MyWalden page.

 

Readings

  • Markus, H. E., Cross, W. F., Halewski, P. G., Quallo, H., Smith, S., Sullivan, M., & Tantillo, M. (2003). Primary process and peer consultation: An experiential model to work through counter transference. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 53(1), 19–37.
    Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
  • Webb, K. B. (2011). Care of others and self: A suicidal patient’s impact on the psychologist. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 42(3), 215–221.
    Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Answer preview

From the case study, it is clear that William Thompson is laboring under the weight of immense stress due to financial challenges and trauma resulting from spending many years in the war in Iraq. William Thompson’s biggest fear is having his family and other relatives perceive him differently because of the mental anguish that is affecting him. In the case study, Mr. Thompson communicates superficially with his wife because he thinks it is the best way to protect her from the horrors he experienced during his service in Iraq. Similarly, he has resorted to drinking to address his issues rather than opening up to the members of his family. In light of the highlighted facts, Mr. Thompson may retrogress on the healing journey he has taken. He perceives that the close relationship between his psychologist and his brother Henry may lead to sharing confidential information passed during the therapy sessions. The psychologist’s failure to disclose the professional link to Andrew’s TV show may foster a perception of betrayal in Thompson’s view.

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Ethics in Psychology