Ethical administration of sociometric measures: Procedures in use and suggestions for improvement.

Success in the ethical use of sociometric measures requires understanding the impact of the variety of procedures in use. This study identified sociometric testing procedures currently in use in the peer-relations literature and summarized procedures that researchers have found useful in minimizing risk to research participants. Researchers who use sociometric measures (n?=?145) completed a survey about procedures used in their sociometric research. Results indicated variability in sociometric question format, consent-assent procedures, confidentiality instructions, and scheduling and administration procedures. Procedures for conducting sociometric research so as to maximize adherence to the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (American Psychological Association, 1992) and to minimize risk to children are suggested, and needs for future research on sociometric testing are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of sociometric testing on children's behavior and loneliness in school.

Examined the effects of a positive and negative peer nomination sociometric measure on children's (a) interactions with peers in general, (b) interactions with preferred and nonpreferred playmates, and (c) ratings of mood and of loneliness in school. Twenty-three 5th graders completed either a peer nomination sociometric or a control task (nominating preferred and nonpreferred school subjects). Before and after the nomination task, observers assessed the affective quality (positive, neutral, or negative) of subjects' peer interactions, and children completed mood and loneliness questionnaires. The procedures were subsequently replicated by administering the sociometric task to the control subjects. Analyses revealed no differences between the peer and control nomination task groups on any of the dependent variables measured. Analyses of pre–post differences provided no evidence of negative effects, suggesting that the risk to elementary-school-age children of completing such a sociometric measure, provided certain procedural guidelines are followed, may be minimal. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Some relationships among projective test, interview, and sociometric measures of dependent behavior.

"Data relevant to two hypotheses concerned with the evaluation of projective test responses were obtained in this study. The projective test measure was frequency of response in n Dependency on the TAT and on the ISB. A structured clinical interview and a sociometric technique were used as measures of overt Dependent behavior… . Eighty Ss participated in the study… . Frequency of response in n Dependency on the TAT yielded no evidence of relationship to the interview and sociometric measures of overt Dependent behavior… . Frequency of response in n Dependency on the ISB was related to interview and sociometric measures of overt Dependent behavior." From Psyc Abstracts 36:01:1HG99F. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical issues in supervision.

Suggests the need for a review of current ethical standards regarding supervision of psychotherapists and presents alternative approaches to the supervisor–supervisee relationship. Group or vertical supervision (with peers and senior personnel) may reduce supervisee anxiety and provide more opportunities for objective support. Sharing supervisees may encourage supervisors to compare supervisory problems. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical issues in research on student protest.

An overview of research on student protest reveals that some researchers view dissenting students as "sick," while others view society and its institutions as culpable. The ethics of research are examined, and it is concluded that the same phenomena are interpreted differently by researchers depending on their own attitudes. Modern and traditional views of researchers account for the different conclusions obtained. It is suggested that caution be taken when interpreting these contradictory findings in treating the individual dissenting student. It is proposed that contrary results may be reconciled by examining the underlying preconceptions of researchers toward students and society. (22 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical issues in consultation: An evaluative review.

Reviews and evaluates the literature addressing ethics in consultation in human service delivery and in government/private business settings. Means of addressing common concerns in these 2 areas, such as the adoption of formal ethical principles, are examined. An examination of the American Psychological Association's Speciality Guidelines illustrates that the structure and training of these 2 specialities limits the utility of global rules. It is noted that although ethical behavior may be facilitated by rules and regulations, the decision of whether to behave ethically ultimately rests with each individual. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Children's naturalistic entry behavior and sociometric status: A developmental perspective.

Extended previous research by examining the relation between children's entry behavior and sociometric status under more naturalistic conditions. First, 3rd, and 5th graders (N?=?72) of high, low, and average status were observed during recess. Observers coded Ss' entry and noninteractive behaviors, peers' responses, and the size of groups with whom Ss interacted. Low-status Ss engaged in more passive entry attempts and less sustained group interaction than high-status Ss, and were accepted less and ignored more. Compared with 5th graders, 1st graders attempted entry proportionately more, were alone more, joined smaller groups, and sustained interaction with groups a smaller proportion of time. Group size influenced both the choice of entry bids and the group's response to an entering peer. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical issues in field research: Balancing competing values.

Discusses the conflict between experimental and ethical values inherent in psychological field research. The problem has special significance in community psychology, which gives priority to studying, in natural settings, those affected by social problems. An example is given of research that required observation of family interaction in the homes of convicted child abusers. The case demonstrates that the value of ecological validity often conflicts with the need to protect privacy and obtain uncoerced consent. Other ethical constraints, including the duty to report lawbreaking and to protect the public from harm, may threaten research validity. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical issues in the supervision of psychotherapy.

Supervision is the accepted training model for the teaching and learning of psychotherapeutic skills. Although standards of ethical behavior between a psychotherapist and client have been established, specific guidelines for ethical behavior between a supervisor and trainee have not been delineated. Given the importance of the supervisory relationship in the development of competent psychotherapists, the relatively powerless and dependent position of the trainee, and the potential occurrence of therapylike experiences in supervision, the development of guidelines outlining the rights of trainees and responsibilities of supervisors is indicated. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical issues with special populations.

Argues that wise practice requires constant vigilance to avoid bias and abuse of special groups of clients. Dignity, justice, and respect for all consumers of psychological services are requirements of good ethical practice. Vulnerable groups may be prisoners, the mentally ill, women, the handicapped, children, the elderly, native and minority groups, and the economically or culturally deprived. Ethical issues and recommendations made in advocacy of these groups are briefly noted. (French summary) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical issues in obstetrics

Ethical issues in modern obstetrics commonly relate to a conflict between the rights and possibilities of the fetus versus those of the mother. After delivery, when the fetus by definition is a child, all legal rights are granted to this new individual. Whether any rights should be given or offered to the fetus is dependent on the prevailing situation. General rules are difficult to give due to the rapid evolution of clinical medicine-too firm rules given today could well be an obstacle in the near future. All cultures have well-established opinions regarding issues related to pregnancy and childbirth. Cultural and religious dogmas are often in conflict with modern medical technology and financial issues. In several modern societies, state laws regulate legal abortion and other aspects of termination of pregnancy. Current laws often determine not only decisions but also the minds of doctors, as well as of patients. Advanced medical technology has yielded a possibility of selective feticide. Again our experience with this new technique is limited, and several issues of ethical importance may arise from the use of such techniques. The indications for a selective feticide are dependent upon the benefits and risks of the procedure itself, and also on the selection process of what fetus should be aborted. Clearly, no definitive rules could be given at this stage of development. The advice given to the woman by her doctor is of critical importance for the outcome of the given pregnancy, be it selective feticide or legal abortion. However, the prevailing social welfare system and the support a woman could be given by her society are also factors. Should she give birth to a child with an inborn error of metabolism, or some other chronic illness? Drug abuse, including alcohol and, indeed, also tobacco, constitutes a special problem. In Sweden, drug-addicted pregnant women are hospitalized during their last trimester. This policy results in a drug-free last trimester and a reduction of afflicted newborns. Should a similar approach also be enforced when dealing with abuse of alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy? The improvement of in vitro fertilization techniques has introduced a novel concept, the surrogate mother. In some countries, this is forbidden by law, in others, it is an accepted medical practice, but several medico-legal as well as ethical issues warrant further clarification. What are the legal rights of the surrogate mother? Should there be an age limit for surrogate mothers? Who is responsible for problems in the pregnancy itself? In cases of male infertility, ethical issues may arise. Should the child have a legal right to learn the name of the biological father? Should there be a limit for the use of donor sperm in respect to number of fertility attempts, as well as potential female patients who may use the same sperm donor?     

Ethical issues: I. Therapy experiences for students.

In the 1st of a series of articles about ethical issues that have been submitted to the Committee of Ethics of the Canadian Psychological Association, issues with regard to the appropriateness of courses in group process that involve encounter/self-disclosure processes are discussed. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical issues in gynecology

This review cites new evidence suggesting a link between the recently discovered membrane bound water-selective channel, aquaporin-4 (AQP4), and the mechanism of central osmoreception. AQP4 is found in a number of brain regions associated with the osmoregulation of vasopressin secretion and thirst, including the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and subfornical organ (SFO). AQP4 expression is restricted to ependymal cell membranes in the SFO and astrocyte membranes in the SON, especially perivascular end foot processes, suggesting that glial cells may correspond to Verney's hypothalamic 'vesicular osmometers'. Information on osmotic status may thus be conveyed to the neuronal elements of the 'osmoreceptor complex' by a neurone-glial interaction.     

Research using intentional deception: Ethical issues revisited.

Reviews ethical issues concerning the use of intentional deception in research with human participants 10 yrs after the publication of the American Psychological Association's (1973) guidelines on the conduct of research with human Ss. Intentional deception is defined. The present status of guidelines concerning intentional deception and the incidence and extremity of deception being used are reviewed, leading to the conclusion that the former has not decreased the latter. The present author's position proscribing intentionally deceptive research is grounded in rule-utilitarian meta-ethics. Three ethical rules proscribing intentional deception in the research setting are presented. The costs to Ss, the profession, and society are reviewed, and arguments are presented against the scientific benefits claimed for deceptive instructions. In this context, the scientific problems with social psychological experimentation are discussed. Recommendations for research strategies in lieu of deception paradigms and for appropriate debriefing are offered. (50 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical and malpractice issues in hospital practice.

Ethical and malpractice issues arising in hospital practice are reviewed. Topics include (a) preparation and authorization to carry out clinical responsibilities, (b) personnel procedures, (c) financial and political forces influencing hospital policies, (d) billing procedures, (e) clinical procedures for responding to patients' needs, (f) confidentiality, (g) discrimination, (h) internship and training issues, (i) sexual abuse of patients, and (j) staff conflicts influencing patient care. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical and clinical issues in involuntary psychotherapy.

Ethical and clinical issues related to psychotherapy with competent adults who have been ordered to treatment by the courts are considered. A paradigm of the psychotherapeutic relationship is postulated based on G. Kelly's (1963) "role relationship" and M. Buber's (1958) "I-Thou." The difficulties of developing such a relationship in the presence of coercion are examined, and approaches to addressing those difficulties are suggested. Implications for the role of the psychotherapist and the social role of psychotherapy as a system are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical issues in rural mental health practice.

Argues that the unique characteristics of rural environments for mental health practice create potential ethical dilemmas for practitioners, including confidentiality, limits of competence, and multiple levels of relationships. These issues make practice in rural areas difficult, but close attention to the American Psychological Association's ethical principles and rural environments themselves reveals positive suggestions for solutions (e.g., the rural practitioner should examine the resources of the rural environment for solutions to problems that result from that environment). (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical and legal issues in AIDS-related practice.

The AIDS epidemic has presented many new ethical dilemmas regarding psychologists' obligations to their clients and third parties. Both ethical and legal norms remain unsettled in regard to most of these dilemmas. In general, psychologists should strive to protect the privacy of their clients and to promote the welfare of individuals affected by AIDS. When compelling interests of third parties lead to a different result, intrusions on clients' interests should be no greater than necessary. Although a lack of training about AIDS may limit psychologists' competence and constrict their duties to people with AIDS, the duty remains for clinicians to obtain training to remediate such gaps in knowledge or skills and to advocate for resources and protection from discrimination for people affected by AIDS. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical issues in pediatric rehabilitation: Exploring an uneven terrain.

Discusses issues that arise during the stages of the pediatric rehabilitation process as they relate to such ethical principles as patient autonomy, provider beneficence/nonmaleficence, and fairness/justice.These include initial decision making in rehabilitation, information sharing and negotiation, treatment consent/refusal, transitioning from rehabilitation to community, and long-term planning. Case examples are used to illustrate potential resolution of specific dilemmas. Future directions for pediatric rehabilitation psychologists are outlined. Among these are rationing of care, integration of systems, research on pediatric rehabilitation outcomes, training, and responsible use of technology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical issues in the treatment of weight-dissatisfied clients.

A number of ethical issues must be considered in the treatment of clients who are dissatisfied with their weight. Current societal attitudes of opprobrium toward fat affect psychologists as well as the general public, and may have deleterious effects on the ability to provide competent, responsible, and respectful help to large clients, particularly women. Psychologists should be aware that weight status has a large biogenetic component and that dieting is remarkedly ineffective in producing long-term weight loss. Professionals tend to overestimate the harmful effects of obesity and underestimate the negative impact of dieting on physical and psychological functioning. It is proposed that psychologists accept diversity of body size as a manifestation of human differences, promote overall health over thinness, and help clients become self-accepting instead of self-depriving. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)