1 / 39

ETHICS IN PSYCHOLOGY Session 11 Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis

ETHICS IN PSYCHOLOGY Session 11 Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis. NİşantaşI UNIVERSITY. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis. Bases for assessments Uses for assessments Informed consent in assessments Release of test data Test construction

nicolebrown
Download Presentation

ETHICS IN PSYCHOLOGY Session 11 Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. ETHICS IN PSYCHOLOGYSession 11Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis NİşantaşI UNIVERSITY

  2. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Bases for assessments • Uses for assessments • Informed consent in assessments • Release of test data • Test construction • Interpreting assessment results • Assessment by unqualified persons • Obsolete tests and outdated test results • Test scoring and interpretation services • Explaining assessment results • Maintaining test security

  3. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • An assessment may have many different purposes such as • development of an educational placement of children, • development of forensic reports, • selection of job applicants, • identification of neuropsychological strengths, • identification of psychological deficits, • planning for mental health services, • helping for diagnosis, • developing effective treatment plans etc.

  4. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Assessment data may include scores on: • Intellectual tests, • neuropsychological tests, • objective or projective tests, • responses to structured personality inventories, • behavioral ratings, • psychophysiological responses, and • some other samples of behavior gathered in systematic method.

  5. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Bases for assessments • APA (2017) Standard 9.01 and TPA(8.1), Ethics Code say: • a)‘Psychologists base the opinions contained in their recommendations, reports, and diagnostic and evaluative statements, including forensic testimony, on information and techniques sufficient to substantiate their findings.’

  6. This standard requires psychologists to be very careful about their biases and assumptions. • Psychologists need to ask themselves if their conclusions about a diagnosis is based on: • the data provided or • are influenced by the label/diagnosis of the previous psychologist. • For example: a client labeled diagnostically as ‘bipolar personality disorder’

  7. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Bases for assessments • b) ‘Except as noted in 9.01c, psychologists provide opinions of the psychological characteristics of individuals only after they have conducted an examination of the individuals adequate to support their statements or conclusions. When despite reasonable efforts, such an examination is not practical; psychologists document the efforts they made and the result of those efforts, clarify probable impact of their limited information on the reliability and validity of their opinions, and appropriately limit the nature and extent of their conclusions and recommendations.’

  8. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Bases for assessments • c) ‘When psychologists conduct a record review or provide consultation or supervision and an individual examination is not warranted or necessary for the opinion, psychologists explain this and the sources of information on which they based their conclusions and recommendations.’

  9. Competence in psychological testing requires attention to the basics of test administration like proper administration and scoring. • The assessment tool should be appropriate to: • The referral question, • The client’s reading level, • Language of the client, • Culture of the client. • The evaluation of the results needs psychological knowledge and an ability to integrate findings in a reasonable manner.

  10. The interpretation of test results should be based on the degree of competence of the psychologist. • The test results should not be considered and used alone, • But should be integrated with other information of the client.

  11. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Uses for assessments • APA (2017) Standard 9.02 and TPA(8.2), Ethics Code say: • a) ‘Psychologists administer, adapt, score, interpret or use assessment techniques, interviews, tests, or instruments in a manner and for purposes that are appropriate in light of the research on or evidence of the usefulness and proper application of the techniques.’

  12. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Uses for assessments • b) ‘Psychologists use assessment instruments whose validity and reliability have been established for use with members of the population tested. When such reliability and reliability has not been established, psychologists describe the strengths and limitations of test results and interpretation.’

  13. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Uses for assessments • c) ‘Psychologists use assessment methods that are appropriate to an individual’s language preference and competence, unless the use of an alternative language is relevant to the assessment issues.’

  14. Psychologists need a rationale for choosing the test/instrument they want to use. • They should select the test to meet the needs of the clients/patients being assessed. • Test manuals may help psychologists to decide. • Test manuals describe the purpose of the test, the qualifications of those who use it, instructions on test administration, include psychometric data as well as some other data.

  15. The instruments should be appropriate to the diverse populations as well. • Cultural, racial, or some other factors can affect the interpretation of some standardized psychological tests, misinterpretations may occur if an instrument is used for a group which no normative data have been obtained and the psychologist does not account for the limitations of the test interpretations.

  16. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Informed consent in assessments • APA (2017) Standard 9.03 and TPA(8.3), Ethics Code say: • a) ‘Psychologists obtain informed consent for assessments, evaluations or diagnostic services as described in Standard 3.10, Informed Consent, except when (1)testing is mandated by law or governmental regulations, (2)informed consent is implied because testing is conducted as a routine educational, institutional or organizational activity (eg. When participants voluntarily agree to assessment when applying for a job) or (3) one purpose of the testing is to evaluate decisional capacity. Informed consent includes an explanation of the nature and purpose of the assessment, fees, involvement of third parties and limits of confidentiality and sufficient opportunity for the client/patient to ask questions and receive answers.’

  17. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Informed consent in assessments • b) ‘Psychologists inform persons with questionable capacity to consent or for whom testing is mandated by law or governmental regulations about the nature and purpose of the proposed assessment services, using language that is reasonably understandable to the person being assessed.’

  18. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Informed consent in assessments • c) ‘Psychologists using the services of an interpreter obtain informed consent from the client/patient to use that interpreter , ensure that confidentiality of results and test security are maintained, and include in their recommendations, reports and diagnostic or evaluative statements , including forensic testimony, discussion of any limitations on the data obtained.’

  19. Psychological assessment may be used to get information or to produce reports with a diagnosis or a statement of the problem or treatment recommendations. • The person who requests the assessment, expects to receive treatment as well. • Or the referral for testing may be made by a third party. • In either situations, the psychologist first identifies the referral question, and after that selects and administers the test. • After the completion of the assessment instrument, the psychologist shares the results or reports with the client, and if appropriate, gets consent to begin treatment.

  20. It would be important to collaborate with clients to evaluate the test data and identify their relevance to client’s situations and concerns.

  21. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Release of test data • APA (2017) Standard 9.04 and TPA(8.4), Ethics Code say: • a) ‘The term test data refers to raw and scaled scores, client/patient responses to test questions or stimuli, and psychologists’ notes and recordings concerning client/patient statements and behavior during an examination. • Those portions of test materials that include client/patient responses are included in the definition of test data. Pursuant to a client/patient release, psychologists provide test data to the client/patient or other persons identified in the release. Psychologists may refrain from releasing test data to protect a client/patient or others from substantial harm or misuse or misinterpretation of the data or the test, recognizing that in many instances release of confidential information under these circumstances is regulated by law.’

  22. Psychologists have the option to withhold the test data, • If sharing the data would cause: • harm to the client or • misuse of the test or • misinterpretation of test.

  23. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Test construction • According to APA Ethics Code (2017) Standard 9.05 and TPA(8.5): • ‘Psychologists who develop tests and other assessment techniques use appropriate psychometric procedure and current scientific or professional knowledge for • test design, • standardization, • validation, • reduction or elimination of bias, and • recommendations for use.’

  24. The development of psychological assessment tools, may take years before the psychometric data are sufficient to ensure their professional usefulness. • Psychologists who develop tests need to develop • A test manual (or documentation) describing: • The purposes of the test • Its psychometric information • Methods of administration • Scoring procedures • Other relevant information. • --Tests and the manuals should be updated and revised if needed--.

  25. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Interpreting assessment results • According to APA Ethics Code (2017) Standard 9.06 and TPA(8.6): • ‘When interpreting assessment results, including automated interpretations, psychologists take into account the purpose of the assessment as well as the various test factors, test taking abilities, and other characteristics of the person being assessed, such as situational, personal, linguistic and cultural differences, that might affect psychologists’ judgments or reduce the accuracy of their interpretations. They indicate any significant limitations of their interpretations.’

  26. Psychologists are typically required to give feedback about the results to the test takers. Clients generally have access to their test reports. • But, psychologists need to select the wording carefully so that they ensure accuracy and tactfulness, in case of the client would like to read the test report. • The best solution is preventive: be careful about the wording of the reports! • Psychologists have the option to withhold the test data, • If sharing the data would cause: • harm to the client or • misuse of the test or • misinterpretation of test.

  27. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Assessment by unqualified persons • APA (2017) Standard 9.07 and TPA(8.7), Ethics Code say: • ‘Psychologists do not promote the use of psychological assessment techniques by unqualified persons except when such use is conducted for training purposes with appropriate supervision.’

  28. To an untrained person, it may seem like psychologists are adding a few scores and look up the results in the book, cut & paste excerpts from a computerized printout. • Actually it is more complicated. • Harm can be done by the in appropriate use of psychological assessment tools. • Thus, psychologists have a responsibility to restrict the use of such tests to psychologists who know to • select, administer and interpret the tests appropriately.

  29. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Obsolete tests and outdated test results • Obsolete Tests and Outdated Test Results • APA (2017) Standard 9.08 and TPA(8.8), Ethics Code say: • ‘Psychologists do not base their assessment or intervention decisions or recommendations on data or test results that are outdated for the current purpose. • Psychologists do not base such decisions recommendations on tests and measures that are obsolete and not useful for the current purpose.’

  30. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Test scoring and interpretation services • APA (2017) Standard 9.09 and TPA(8.9), Ethics Code say: • ‘Psychologists who offer assessment or scoring services to other professionals accurately describe the • purpose, • norms, • validity, • reliability, and • applications of the procedures and any special qualifications applicable to their use.’

  31. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Test scoring and interpretation services • b) ‘Psychologists select scoring and interpretation services on the basis of evidence of the validity of the program and procedures as well as on other appropriate considerations.’

  32. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Test scoring and interpretation services • c) ‘Psychologists retain responsibility for the appropriate application, interpretation and use of assessment instruments, whether they score and interpret such tests themselves or use automated or other services.’

  33. Automated Tests: • Psychologists are responsible for the selection, testing service (administration) and wording of the final report (interpretation). • Even if the psychologists use computerized assessments, they have full responsibility for the wording of the final report. • Since the interpretations are derived from computerized services are based basically on group norms, they do not consider client’s life circumstances. • Psychologists should provide personalized interpretations considering the clinical picture of the client and also note the limitations of their interpretations. • An automated test never replace the clinical judgment of the a psychologist.

  34. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Explaining assessment results • APA (2017) Standard 9.10 and TPA(8.10), Ethics Code say: • ‘Regardless of whether the scoring and interpretation are done by psychologists, by employees or assistants, or by automated or other outside services, psychologists take reasonable steps to ensure that explanations of results are given to the individual or designated representative unless the nature of the relationship precludes provision of an explanation of results (such as in some organizational consulting, pre-employment or security screenings and forensic evaluations) and this fact has been clearly explained to the person being assessed in advance.’

  35. Psychologists may be asked to evaluate the test and the reports of other psychologists. For example: in the case of a child custody. • When evaluating the tests and reports, psychologists should always consider the limits of what they can tell about persons whom they have not directly evaluated. • They can comment on the relationship of the test data to the test interpretation. • They may, for example, say that the first psychologist made a computational or interpretative error, or did not address the important questions in the report, or failed to identify the bases of the interpretations.

  36. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Maintaining test security • APA (2017) Standard 9.11 and TPA(8.11), Ethics Code say: • ‘The term test materials refer to manuals, instruments, protocols and test questions or stimuli and does not include the test data. Psychologists make reasonable efforts to maintain the integrity and security of test materials and other assessment techniques consistent with law and contractual obligations, and in a manner that permits adherence to the Ethics Code.’

  37. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Online Assessment has both advantages and disadvantages. • Advantages: • Easy to administer. • May provide useful information to people who consider therapy.

  38. Ethics in Assessment, Testing and Diagnosis • Disadvantages of Online Assessment: • Confidentiality problems • Test security problems. • Results may not be valid. • Testing environment is not standardized. • Psychologist can not make adjustments for cultural and language background of the client. • Psychologist can not ensure the norms obtained from standardized testing conditions would be the same for online testing conditions.

  39. REFERENCE • Knapp, S.J., and VandeCreek, L.D. (2006). Practical ethics for psychologists. A positive approach. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association. • American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. Washington, D.C.: APA. • http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/ethics-code-2017.pdf • https://www.psikolog.org.tr/turkey-code-tr.pdf

More Related