MPS622 All Modules Discussions (September 2018)

MPS 622 Professional Ethics

Module 1 Discussion

DQ1 Introduction

Introduce yourself to the class. Share what you would like your classmates to know about you such as your academic and career goals, family, interests, etc.

DQ2 Invisible Psychologists and Ethics

Read the Barnett and Kolmes (2016) article (see Module 1 ‘Reading’ tab).

2a. After reading the article, share with us what you believe to be the main ethical issues for tele-mental health

2b. Do the current APA Codes of Ethics Standards (see link in Readings) apply to psychologists doing tele-mental health? Why or why not?

MPS 622 Professional Ethics

Module 2 Discussion

DQ1 Unethical use of the Internet: Cyber-Defamation

Based on the background materials, explore and discuss the ethical issues associated with the use of the internet to defame others. Where possible, try to cite examples of unethical online behaviors and possible remedies that do not infringe upon free speech.

DQ2 Regulating free speech on the Internet: Trading liberties for civility?

Based on the background materials, explore the ethics of self disclosure and free speech in order to assure civility among internet users.

MPS 622 Professional Ethics

Module 3 Discussion

DQ1 Unethical Media: A Failure to Disclose

Based on the background materials, explore the ethical issues associated with a failure to disclose pertinent information when producing media for public viewing. Where possible, try to cite additional examples of these types of circumstances from recent news reports.

DQ2 Media Persuasion

2a. Based on a review of the materials and your own opinion, how and how much do you think the media, including the Internet influences public opinion?

2b. Describe and explain some key strategies and methods to overcome media persuasion.

MPS 622 Professional Ethics

Module 4 Discussion

DQ1 Therapists and their clients

Based on the background materials, discuss the intersection between ethical issues in therapy and legal issues.

DQ2 Personal relationships

Imagine you are a therapist and a former client trying to reach out to you about forming a friendship after 6 months since you last saw them for therapy. Based on the background materials, explore the ethical issues around this situation and how will you approach a client about this request.

MPS 622 Professional Ethics

Module 5 Discussion

DQ1 Psychology and Legal Ethics

1a. Based on the background materials, explore the ethical and moral situations faced by criminal justice professionals involved in the legal system, including psychologists.

1b. What standards need to be established by both judges and lawyers in order to have fair and balanced judgment in a trial?

DQ2 Ripped from the headlines

Select what you consider a recent or current “high profile” trial. Explore whether there has unethical biases by the police, the lawyers, the judge or even the media coverage in this high profile trial. Cite examples and justify your position.

MPS 622 Professional Ethics

Module 6 Discussion

DQ1 Reasons for Biased Research Results

Based on the background materials, explore the ethical and moral situations related to reporting research results. Explain 3 key suggestions to allow transparency in reporting research results.

DQ2 Real World Bias in Reporting Research

Select what you consider a recent or current controversy of falsifying or hiding psychological or medical research results from the general public in the past 6 months. This excludes the research cited by Dr. Oz or the controversy regarding Andrew Wakefield regarding Autism and Vaccines.

Do you think there should be any legal consequences for these actions? Why or why not?

What penalties would you suggest? Please cite your examples.

MPS 622 Professional Ethics

Module 7 Discussion

DQ1 Establishing Ethical Standards

Based on background materials, explore the ethical arguments regarding the practicality and usefulness of establishing standards among psychologists.

Do you think ethics standards and policies involve a “one size fits all” approach, e.g., psychology, journalism, business, the media, legal system, etc.? Explain your response supported with evidence from background material and other external sources (as applicable).

DQ2 Developing an Ethical Standards Panel

Assume you are designated to select a 5 – 6 member panel tasked with establishing ethical standards for your organization. For this thread, focus on at least 5 areas you want to address in your developed standards. Use the background materials and other external sources to explain the criteria you would use to select your 5 – 6 member panel based upon the 5 areas that will be in your standards.

MPS 622 Professional Ethics

Module 8 Discussion

DQ1 Current Trends and Global Influence

Based on the background materials and external research, briefly discuss what you believe the role of the psychologists will be regarding ethics from a global perspective.

DQ2 Challenges for Psychologists Regarding Ethics

After learning from all the modules in this course, which ethical issue do you believe will be most challenging for psychologists in the next 10 years? Please explain your response.