Ethical Dilemma in Professional Psychology

Solution Preview

****This work is not intended to be hand in ready, and it is advised that the student use the material in this posting as guidance and information for their original work****

Ethical dilemma:

Step 1: Identify the situation that requires ethical consideration and decision making

The ethical dilemma is simply stated in the scenario given, the defendant's attorney is pressuring the forensic psychologist to commit to a diagnosis which is not possible and potentially perjure him or herself. Additionally, for the psychologist to make a diagnosis of "cured" the psychologist would have to play two roles. The governing rules for this type of situation are taken from American Psychological Association (APA) Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists:

6.02.01 Therapeutic-Forensic Role Conflicts

Providing forensic and therapeutic psychological services to the same individual or closely related individuals is considered a multiple relationship that may impair objectivity and/or cause exploitation or other harm. Therefore, when requested or ordered to provide either concurrent or sequential forensic and therapeutic services, forensic practitioners disclose the potential risk and make reasonable efforts to refer the request to another qualified provider.

13.01 Accuracy, Fairness, and Avoidance of Deception

Forensic practitioners make reasonable efforts to ensure that the products of their services, as well as their own public statements and professional reports and testimony, are communicated in ways that promote understanding and avoid deception. When in their role as expert to the court or other tribunals, the role of forensic practitioners is to facilitate understanding of the evidence or dispute. Forensic practitioners do not distort or withhold relevant evidence or opinion in reports or testimony. When responding to discovery requests and providing sworn testimony, forensic practitioners have readily available for inspection all data which they considered, regardless of whether the data supports their opinion, subject to and consistent with court order, relevant rules of evidence, test security issues, and professional standards.

Step 2: Anticipate who will be affected by your decision
The child who was abused as well as potential future children will be possible targets. The family members of the victim and abuser and the psychologist testifying would all be impacted.

Step 3: Figure out who, if anyone, is the client
The Client is actually the defense attorney as they would pay the fee but this fee would be conditional as stated below:

13.01 Accuracy, Fairness, and Avoidance of Deception... Forensic practitioners do not distort or withhold relevant evidence or opinion in reports or testimony. When responding to discovery requests and providing sworn testimony, forensic practitioners have readily available for inspection all data which they considered, regardless of whether the data supports their opinion, subject to and consistent with court order, relevant rules of evidence, test security issues, and professional standards. (http://www.ap-ls.org/links/92908sgfp.pdf)

Step 4: Assess your relevant areas of competenceâ?"and of missing knowledge, skills, experience, or expertiseâ?"in regard to the relevant aspects of this situation

Competency is not an issue because without the defendant's psychological history, profile, and psychological tests it would be impossible to make any conclusion especially one which determines recidivism. Additionally, the type ...