Integrated film production week 4 deliverables

IFP

A common issue that all forensic psychologists will face is maintaining ethical standards which are supportive of the American Psychological Association's Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Ethics. Yet, they are also challenged by working to maintain moral and legal guidelines which are supportive of different stakeholders. This means that they must be able to take a balanced approach in the process. To fully understand how this can be achieved requires focusing on an ethical conflict in relation to these guidelines and how it can be resolved. Together, these elements will highlight the way these professionals are able to deal with a host of issues and remain in compliance with these regulations.

The Ethical Conflict that Related the Professional Guidelines for Psychologists and Forensic Psychologists

An ethical conflict which exists for psychologists and forensic psychologists is maintaining a balance in protecting the individual's basic civil rights. In these kinds of situations, they are working with a wide variety of stakeholders who will have challenges impacting their family. For instance, one of the jobs of these professionals, is to intervene in issues where a child / patient could be subject to abuse (either physical, verbal or sexual). Under APA guidelines, they are required to have a certain amount of confidentiality in what they are told by them or another family member. (Ward, 2009) ("Ethical Principles," 2003)

However, when one of their patients confides to them about how they are in an abusive household. There is a problem with them reporting that this is taking place to the authorities and maintaining the privacy of the patient - therapist relationship. The challenges they are facing, is if they should disclose what is happening, in order to protect the basic human rights of the victim. Yet, they are forced to violate the basic provisions of the ethical code of conduct by reporting it. (Ward, 2009) ("Ethical Principles," 2003)

Explain how the Conflict might be Resolved?

The best way to deal with this conflict, is to take into the consideration the needs of different stakeholders and the long-term impacts it will have on them. This requires weighing the pros and cons of disclosing that abuse is occurring inside the household. Under these guidelines, the forensic psychologist may be in violation of reporting them to law enforcement. However, if they do nothing (citing patient - therapist confidentiality) there is a possibility that this pattern of abuse will occur. Over the course of time, the individual can become emotionally and psychologically damaged by what is happening. (Bucky, 2009) ("Ethical Principles," 2003)