Ethics-Deontology
EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS' ASSOCIATIONS (E.F.P.P.A.) CODE OF ETHICS
1. Prelude
Psychologists are developing a valid and reliable body of knowledge based onin research and apply this knowledge to psychological processes and human behavior within various contexts.For this purpose, they perform many roles in various fields,as in research, education, evaluation,the treatment, the diagnosis, as well as in the expert opinion,to mention just a few of these areas.
They also try to help the general public to develop, after being informed, judgments and choices regarding human behavior and to improve the situation both of individuals and of society.
The EFPPA (European Federation of Professional Psychologists Associations)must ensure that the codes of ethics of its member associations they will agree with the following fundamental principles, which aim to offer general considerations and guidelines for covering all cases that professional psychologists may encounter.
2. Principles of Ethics
2.1 Respect for Individual Rights and Dignity Psychologists attribute the corresponding respectand promote the development of fundamental rights, of the dignity and worth of all people. Also, they respect the rights of individuals, such as the privacy of personal life, self-determination and autonomy, taking into account their other professional obligations of psychologists and the law.
2.2 Responsibility
Psychologists are aware of the professional and scientific responsibilities towards their customers, the community, and society, within which they live and work. Psychologists avoid causing harm, they are responsible for their actions and ensure, to the extent possible, that their services are not misused.
2.3 Adequacy
Psychologists strive to ensure and maintain high standards of competence in their work. They recognize the limits of their particular abilities and the constraints of their specialization. They only provide those services and use only those techniques.for which they possess the necessary qualifications, due to their studies, training, or experience.
2.4 Integrity
Psychologists promote the integrity of character in science, the teaching and practice of psychology In their activities, psychologists are honest. They are just and respect others.They are trying to clarify to the interested parties the role that they themselves play and function appropriately, according to these roles
3. Content of the Codes of Ethics of Member Associations
EFPPA provides the following guidelines for the content of the Codes of Ethics of its member associations. The Code of Ethics of an Association should cover all aspects of the professional behavior of its members. The Code of Ethics of member Associations should be based on - and certainly not to contradict - the Principles of Ethics that were defined above. In the following Meta-Code, the term "client" refers to any individual or individuals in interdependence, or in organizations with which psychologists have a professional relationship, including indirect relationships. The Codes of Ethics for professional psychologists must take into account the following: The professional behavior of psychologists it must be considered within the context of a professional role , which is characterized by the professional relationship. The nature of the professional relationships of psychologists-beyond the relationships with colleagues - it involves the inequality of knowledge and power.The greater the inequality within the professional relationship and the greater the dependence of the customers the responsibility of the professional psychologist is that much heavier. The responsibilities of psychologists must be examined within the framework of the stage of development of the professional relationship.
3.1Respect for the Rights and Dignity of the Individual
3.1.1General Respect
a) Awareness and respect for knowledge, insight, experience and the areas of expertise of clients, relevant third parties, colleagues, students, and the common.
b)Awareness of the different roles, individual and cultural characteristics, including those due to disability, gender, sexual orientation, tribe, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, language, and socio-economic status.
c) Avoidance of methods that are a result of biased predisposition and prejudice, which may lead to unjust discrimination.
3.1.2 Confidentiality and Discretion
a) The search and sharing of information is limited only to what is necessary for professional purposes.
b) Sufficient storage and handling of information and files, of any kind, with the aim of ensuring confidentiality as well as reasonable measures to be taken proactively, so that the data remains anonymous when necessary, and restriction of access to reports and records for those individuals who have a legitimate need / are authorized to know them.
c) Obligation for clients and others who have some professional relationship to be informed, the legal restrictions for maintaining confidentiality.
d) Obligation of psychologists to seek the maintenance of confidentiality, when revelations are sought from the legal system.
e)Recognition of the conflict that may arise between privacy and the protection of a client or other important third parties.
f) Right of customers to have access to files and reports/records, that concern them and which provide sufficient and comprehensible information and serve their own interests.
g) Keeping records and preparing reports so that the client's access to them is made possible, without jeopardizing the confidentiality of information concerning others..
3.1.3Informed consent and Freedom of Consent
a) Clarification and ongoing discussion of professional actions, methods and possible consequences of the psychologist's actions, so that it is ensured that the customer will give their consent before and during the psychological intervention.
b) Clarification to clients regarding record-keeping procedures and the preparation of reports and statements.
c) Acknowledgment that there may be more than one client, who may be first and second order customers with different professions relationships with the psychologist, who, as a result, has a range of responsibilities.
3.1.4 Self-determination
a) Maximization of the client's autonomy and self-determination which includes its general right to start and terminate the professional relationship with the psychologist.
b) Determination of the limits of self-determination taking into account factors such as developmental/evolutionary of the client mental health and the restrictions defined by legal procedures.
3.2 Responsibility
3.2.1General Responsibility
For the quality and consequences of the professional activities of psychologists
3.2.2 Promotion of High Standards
Promotion and maintenance of high standards of scientific and professional activity and a demand for psychologists to organize their activitiesaccording to the Code of Ethics.
3.2.3 Avoidance of Harm
Avoidance of the misuse of psychological knowledge and practices, and minimization of damage that is foreseeable but unavoidable.
3.2.4 Continuation of Care
a) Responsibility for the necessary continuation of professional care for clients, which includes collaboration with other professionals and appropriate/related activity in the event that a psychologist may need to suspend or interrupt / cease their engagement.
b) Responsibility towards the customer, that continues even after the official termination of the professional relationship, in case of new contact regarding matters arising from the initial professional relationship.
3.2.5 Extensive Liability
Assumption of general responsibility for scientific and professional activities,including ethical criteria for employees, assistants, supervised and students.
3.2.6 Resolution of Dilemmas
Recognition that ethical dilemmas arise and that it is the psychologist's responsibility to clarify such dilemmasand to consult colleagues and/or the national association, as well as to inform others related to the subject about the requirements of Code of Ethics.
3.3 Ability / Competence
3.3.1 Knowledge of Ethics Obligation to have a good understanding of ethics, including the Code of Ethics, and to incorporate ethical issues into professional practice.
3.3.2 Limits of Competencies
Obligation to exercise the profession within the limits of the responsibilities that arise from their studies and experience.
3.3.3 Methods Limits
a) Obligation to be aware of the limits for the procedures of special projects, and the limits for the conclusions that can be drawn in various circumstances and for different purposes.
b) Obligation to be aware and to act within the framework of critical development, from the psychological community, of theories and methods.
3.3.4 Continuation of Development
Obligation to continue professional development.
3.3.5 Inability Obligation not to practice the professionwhen their ability and judgment have been negatively affected (temporarily or permanently).
3.4Integrity
3.4.1 Recognition of Professional Limitations Obligation to be skeptical and open on the issue of personal and professional restrictions, and a recommendation to seek professional advice and support when faced with difficult conditions.
3.4.2 Honesty and Accuracy
a)Accuracy in presenting relevant qualifications, studies, experience, skills, and collaborations
b) Accuracy in presenting information and the responsibility to acknowledge and not to conceal alternative hypotheses, data, or interpretations.
c) Integrity and accuracy regarding the financial implications of the professional relationship.
d) Recognition of the need for precision and the limitations of conclusions and judgments, which are expressed in professional exhibitions and assessments.
3.4.3 Straightforwardness and Honesty
α)General obligation to provide information and to avoid misleading / deception in research and professional practice.
β) Obligation not to conceal information or to engage in opportunistic deception,if there are alternative methods. In the event that fraud has occurred,They are obliged to inform and restore the truth.
3.4.4 Conflict of Interests and Exploitation
a) Awareness of the potential problems that may arise from dual relationships and the obligation to avoid such relationships, which reduce the necessary professional distance or they may lead to conflicts of interest, or exploitation of the client.
b)Obligation not to exploit a professional relationship for the promotion of personal or ideological purposes.
c) Awareness that the conflict of interest and the inequality of power in a relationship may still exist even after the official termination of the relationship, and that professional responsibilities may still apply.
3.4.5 Colleagues' Actions Obligation to logically critique the professional actions of colleagues,and to take on the responsibility of informing their colleagues and, if necessary, the relevant professional associations, if there is a question of unethical conduct.
