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Discussion Questions for Essential Ethics for Psychologists
Thomas F. Nagy, Ph.D.
CHAPTER 1:
1. What are the three attributes of ethical actions?
2. Explain the basic difference between an ethics code that is based upon teleological
justification and one based upon deontological justification and give an example of
an ethical standard for each.
3. What is the difference between the aspirational principles and the mandatory
standards? Must a psychologist comply with both?
4. If a psychologist is not a member of the American Psychological Association is he
free to disregard the Code of Ethics of that association?
5. What actions might a patient take against a psychologist if she thinks he has
behaved unethically? Or illegally?
6. What might the APA ethics committee require of a psychologist found to be in
violation of an ethical standard?
7. What are the four sanctions that the APA ethics committee might issue when
imposing a punitive order against a psychologist who has violated an ethical
standard?
CHAPTER 2:
1. Did the Committee on Scientific and Professional Ethics accept ethics compaints
for adjudication before an ethics code had ever been created by the APA?
2. What was a major part of the impetus for increased psychological services at the
end of World War II?
3. Describe the method by which the first ethics code was created.
4. How many times has the Code been revised since 1953?
5. What process did the ad hoc Committee on Ethical Standards in Psychological
Research use to develop the Ethical Principles in the Conduct of Research with
Human Participants?
6. Give an example of multiple relationships involving a) business, b) personal, and c)
professional roles.
7. How did the 1992 revision of the Code address the topic of sexuality?
8. Why do you think a psychologist must not ask his or her patient for a testimonial to
be used in an advertisement for clinical services?
9. Discuss the emerging use of the internet by psychologists and some of the
emerging problems, from an ethical standpoint.
10. Why was the 1992 revision of the Ethics Code considered to be a “major overhaul”
concerning a) structure, and b) content areas?
CHAPTER 3:
1. Are psychologists obliged to comply with the General Principles?
2. Which psychologists are obliged to observe the Ethics Code? (more than 1 is
correct)
a. every licensed psychologist
