Whither informed consent to psychotherapy?

Suggests that, although T. A. Widiger and L. G. Rorer (see record 1984-29794-001) presented an excellent discussion of the ethical dilemmas that arise for responsible psychotherapists, they may have been overly critical of the informed consent process. It is argued that if the ethical guidelines for obtaining informed consent are left to individual therapists, the perception of the profession by consumers and by members of the legal profession (who are already wary of the field's ethical fortitude) will be negatively affected. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical considerations for the peace activist psychotherapist.

Discusses clinical and ethical issues raised by the stance of A. Nelson (see record 1986-11569-001) in his consideration of awareness and "response ability" in the nuclear age. Dangers of overzealousness, the temptation to apply the awareness paradigm too broadly, the potential harmful effect of heightened awareness, and the threat to professional neutrality are outlined. Four points are offered regarding the beliefs and ethical responsibilities of citizens who are psychologists. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Working with families: A practitioner's perspective:.

Suggests that school psychologists face a challenge to provide assessment and intervention within a family context. Comments are provided on a discussion by J. C. Hansen et al (see record 1990-18461-001) of the types of ethical dilemmas school psychologists are likely to face in providing services to families. The key to providing appropriate and ethical interventions with families will depend on the development of sound policies, professional awareness, and supervision. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Focus on ethics April 2010 correction.

Reports an error in "Ethical dilemmas in sport psychology: A dialogue on the unique aspects impacting practice" by Amy B. Stapleton, Douglas M. Hankes, Kate F. Hays and William D. Parham (Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 2010[Apr], Vol 41[2], 143-152). Due to a production error, the name of Amy B. Stapleton was substituted for the name of Jeffrey E. Barnett as the editor. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2010-06890-009.) The multidisciplinary field of applied sport psychology, a specialty area of psychology practice, has been acknowledged as a proficiency area by the American Psychological Association (APA, 2007). This unique discipline often requires the psychologist to work outside the realm of traditional practice. In doing so, sport psychologists frequently encounter unique ethical dilemmas. In an effort to promote awareness and dialogue, this article describes some of the more commonly faced ethical considerations in applied sport psychology. Issues related to developing and maintaining competence in the field, confidentiality, and boundary issues are discussed, and case examples are provided to illustrate the relevant ethical consideration. Subsequently, three applied sport psychology experts respond to the lead article’s discussion and offer poignant reflections on ethical issues presented. In addition, suggestions for successfully resolving ethical dilemmas related to competence, confidentiality, and boundary issues in sport psychology are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychotherapy or massage parlor technology? Comments on the Zeiss, Rosen, and Zeiss treatment procedure.

Argues that there are numerous ethical, moral, philosophical, and social psychological issues involved in modern sex therapy. Psychologists have accorded sex therapy a warm reception into the field, but present ethical guidelines are insufficient to protect clients from psychological damage in the form of massive intrusions on privacy and reoriented moral and religious values. Further, the more explicit procedures seem to carry a message to society that "anything goes." The procedure employed by A. M. Zeiss et al (see record 1978-01520-001) is used as a reference point for discussing these issues. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical dilemmas in sport psychology: A dialogue on the unique aspects impacting practice.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 41(3) of Professional Psychology: Research and Practice (see record 2010-11935-001). Due to a production error, the name of Amy B. Stapleton was substituted for the name of Jeffrey E. Barnett as the editor of the Focus on Ethics section in the April issue of Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 41, 2, 143–152.] The multidisciplinary field of applied sport psychology, a specialty area of psychology practice, has been acknowledged as a proficiency area by the American Psychological Association (APA, 2007). This unique discipline often requires the psychologist to work outside the realm of traditional practice. In doing so, sport psychologists frequently encounter unique ethical dilemmas. In an effort to promote awareness and dialogue, this article describes some of the more commonly faced ethical considerations in applied sport psychology. Issues related to developing and maintaining competence in the field, confidentiality, and boundary issues are discussed, and case examples are provided to illustrate the relevant ethical consideration. Subsequently, three applied sport psychology experts respond to the lead article’s discussion and offer poignant reflections on ethical issues presented. In addition, suggestions for successfully resolving ethical dilemmas related to competence, confidentiality, and boundary issues in sport psychology are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical and professional issues in sex therapy: Comments on Bailey's "Psychotherapy or massage parlor technology?"

Responds to K. G. Bailey's (see record 1979-26555-001) discussion of ethical issues in sex therapy. Sex therapy should be conducted by a skilled therapist who is sensitive to the professional and ethical issues that are inherent in treatment. Potentially adverse side effects of therapy should be continually assessed. To date, however, the findings from sex therapy, including the A. M. Zeiss et al (see record 1978-01520-001) procedure show predominantly positive consequences. It is imperative that the fully informed client have decision-making primacy in setting treatment goals. Value-free therapy does not exist, and therapists must be careful not to impose their own personal biases. The principle of the least intrusive treatment alternative and the nature of intrusiveness are discussed. (37 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Why psychologists don't think like philosophers.

H. H. Kendler (see record 1994-09190-001), in his article on psychology and the ethics of social policy, argues in part that ethical imperatives cannot be inferred from empirical data. This argument is cited in opposition to what is purported to be the position of the American Psychological Association on the abortion issue. It is suggested that PhD candidates in psychology be well versed in the philosophical issues and debates that are the foundation for the formation of ethical principles. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Values and Dilemma.

Replies to comments by Adelson and by Callahan (American Psychologist, 1960, 15, 269-270) on "Value-Orientations--An Ethical Dilemma" (see record 1961-00097-001). Adelson and Callahan propose contradictory solutions to the ethical dilemma. The former feels that the ethical dilemma is solved by empathizing and becoming more emotional, while the latter seems to believe that the solution is to become more rational. The original article was written to describe certain basic values. The value-orientations described need not characterize everyone perfectly. Rather, they are guidelines, which like degrees of latitude, are useful in comparing locations. The value-orientations the author describes are criteria which provide yardsticks for measuring human behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychology and the naturalistic ethics of social policy.

H. H. Kendler (see record 1994-09190-001), in his article on psychology and the ethics of social policy, argues in part that ethical imperatives cannot be inferred from empirical data. This argument is challenged with reference to the behaviorist position of ethical naturalism. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Needed: Radical surgery.

Reviews the impact of ethical regulations of research practice. Although G. Adair et al (see record 1985-29656-001) recommended empirical research to solve the ethical and methodological problems created by the use of deception, it is argued that ethical questions cannot be settled by empirical means. A constructive alternative is proposed that involves a revival of certain features of the classical experiment, including a cooperative, equal-status relationship between the investigator and the participants whose experimental roles may be interchangeable. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Compatibility of therapeutic and forensic roles.

An article by S. A. Greenberg and D. W. Shuman (1997; see record 1997-02162-009) has been prominently referenced as an authoritative document making the argument that "explicit ethical precepts" (p. 50) are violated when a therapist provides expert forensic testimony. Greenberg and Shuman (1997) claimed that psychologists attempting to do so are engaging in an "irreconcilable conflict between therapeutic and forensic roles" (p. 50). Their arguments are challenged here and shown to conflict with established ethical standards and guidelines for forensic psychologists. The current author discusses serious potential negative ramifications to the public interest and the profession of psychology if state boards of psychology adopt the position of Greenberg and Shuman as a basis for the discipline of psychologists both treating patients and providing expert testimony. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Subject cooperation in experiments.

Comments on an experiment by J. H. Resnick and T. Schwartz (see record 1973-24272-001) in which Ss appeared to cooperate more under "unethical" than under "ethical" conditions. The effect of the independent variable (ethical behavior) may have been confounded by length, complexity, and interest level of instruction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clarifying confidentiality with the ethical practice model.

Replies to comments (see record 2008-14338-012) on the author's original article Protecting confidentiality rights: The need for an ethical practice model (see record 2007-19520-001). The important issues raised by Pipes, Blevens, and Kluck illustrate the complications that can arise in discussing confidentiality and making decisions about it: First, they noted that the term client consent is used by psychologists to mean two quite different things about confidentiality: (a) acknowledgement of its limits and (b) consent to disclose specific information. Second, Pipes et al made several comments about laws, one of which referred to Behnke's (2004) "doors" model. Third, Pipes et al elicited my personal thoughts about the current APA Ethics Code (APA, 2002). Finally, Pipes et al expect the ethical practice model to be used in psychology training programs. The current author hopes it will provide the next generation of psychologists with a clear ethical framework for considering confidentiality issues. Meanwhile, as in this exchange, it can facilitate conversation among colleagues not only about ethical and legal questions but also about cultural issues, personal values, and professional standards that affect our approach to confidentiality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Legal and ethical aspects of nonreactive social psychological research: An excursion into the public mind.

Assessed reactions of 174 randomly selected Ss (median age 27.83 yrs) to 8 nonreactive methods used in social psychological research by I. Silverman (see record 1975-28673-001). In general, while in many cases the majority of Ss did not react negatively to the methods, substantial minorities in most cases and the majority in some cases did object. Possible interpretations of these data are discussed. It is suggested that future investigators consider the public's attitudes toward a particular nonreactive method in determining its use or nonuse. Issues raised by such a procedure are discussed, and a call is made for more critical thinking on ethical issues as well as for more data that can help to resolve ethical concerns. (38 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comment on Widiger and Rorer's "The responsible psychotherapist."

Contends that T. A. Widiger and L. G. Rorer (see record 1984-29794-001) are vulnerable to the criticism that a misunderstanding occurred because of faulty analysis. The doctrine of informed consent has developed out of the application of the basic legal and ethical practices of citizens in the treatment relationship. It is argued that Widiger and Rorer failed to discuss rights and responsibilities as dialectical processes, juxtaposed ethical and effective therapy, and implied that evidence establishes that one or another therapeutic model is so superior that a defense can be made about setting aside basic rights and responsibilities when a person assumes the role of patient. (2 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Constructivism and socially sensitive research.

Replies to comments on multicultural perspectives and researcher bias made by F. A. Ibrahim (see record 1989-25694-001) and M. Gergen (see record 1989-25689-001) regarding the present author's (see record 1988-15683-001) discussion of ethical issues in research on "underrepresented groups" such as women and minorities. Inherent limitations of the individual researcher are noted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Is the "design for a hopeful psychology" working?

In response to L. E. Tyler's (see record 1974-25495-001) article on a hopeful psychology, L. J. Briggs comments that the amount of deception in experiments has increased in some journals. Briggs questions whether editors should require discussion of ethical and technical aspects of experimental procedures, and whether articles in American Psychological Association (APA) journals should not model the standards of official APA statements of ethical principles. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On Cartwright's "Determinants of scientific progress."

Asserts that some investigations (e.g., M. Chapko, 1972; S. Rettig, 1966) on the nature of ethical risk taking did not enjoy the rise and fall in popularity of D. Cartwright's (see record 1973-31210-001) conventional risky shift. The ethical risk shift is facilitated by the dominant stress of the gain function in the group, as opposed to the dominant stress of the loss function in the individual situation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A law–psychology dialogue: Are dramshop acts draconic?

Responds to comments made by J. F. Mosher (see record 1986-01083-001) concerning the present authors' (see record 1984-12497-001) study on the validity of blood-alcohol level estimations. Mosher's argument that the authors misinterpreted laws on dramshop liability is addressed, and several grounds on which this argument is based are found to be erroneous. Policy and ethical issues in the development of objective standards of intoxication are examined. (3 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)