Ethics in Psychological Testing
Ethics in Psychological Testing
(Ethics in Psychological Testing)
Discussion Question 1
What would you do if you were providing a psychological test to a counseling client and an issue arose in which your personal ethics were in conflict with the established state and/or federal laws and/or codes of ethics? Provide an example to support your response.
Discussions Question 2
What serious ethical violation could occur if a counselor administered a psychological test incorrectly or without considering multicultural factors? Identify the ACA Code of Ethics statements that apply in this scenario.
Discussion Question 1 – Response
If I were administering a psychological test and encountered a situation where my personal ethics conflicted with state or federal laws or professional codes of ethics, I would prioritize the ethical guidelines of my profession and follow the legal requirements while addressing my personal beliefs through self-reflection or consultation with a supervisor. For example, if I was asked to administer a test to a client who had not given full informed consent due to a legal requirement, I would explain the testing procedure, obtain as much informed consent as possible within the legal context, and document my concerns regarding the ethical conflict. If the law required me to proceed with testing despite these concerns, I would comply with the law but seek guidance on how to handle future similar situations, ensuring that my actions align with both legal and ethical responsibilities.
Discussion Question 2 – Response
If a counselor administers a psychological test incorrectly or fails to consider multicultural factors, it could lead to serious ethical violations, such as cultural bias, misdiagnosis, or inaccurate treatment planning, which can harm the client. For instance, if a counselor uses a standardized psychological test without considering the client’s cultural background or linguistic differences, the results may be skewed, leading to improper diagnosis or inappropriate treatment recommendations. The ACA Code of Ethics (2014) addresses these concerns through several guidelines. For instance, Section E.5 (Multicultural and Diversity Considerations) emphasizes the importance of considering cultural factors when providing services. Section E.6 (Assessment and Diagnosis) highlights the need to use culturally appropriate assessments and to ensure that the tests used are valid and reliable for the population being tested. Administering tests without considering these factors may violate these ethical standards and can result in harm to the client.
