During the course of your career, you will most likely take the role of both supervisee and supervisor. Just as there are ethical codes, principles, and standards for the treatment of human subjects, there are ethical expectations for professional oversight. Psychology professionals in research and other settings benefit from becoming familiar with common ethical dilemmas and examples of professional oversight and how ethical principles relate to them Purchase the answer to view it
Ethical oversight is a fundamental aspect of any profession, including psychology. As psychology professionals, we have a responsibility to uphold ethical principles and ensure the well-being and rights of the individuals we work with. In both the role of a supervisee and a supervisor, it is crucial to understand the ethical expectations and dilemmas that may arise.
As a supervisee, one of the primary ethical expectations is to act in the best interest of the client or research participant. This includes maintaining confidentiality, obtaining informed consent, and providing appropriate and competent services. For example, if a supervisee is working in a research setting and is responsible for data collection, it is important to obtain informed consent from participants before their participation in the study. This ensures that participants have a clear understanding of the purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits of the research. Additionally, a supervisee must maintain confidentiality and secure the data collected in a manner that protects the participants’ privacy.
Another ethical expectation for a supervisee is to seek supervision and consultation when needed. Supervision provides a space for reflection, guidance, and support. It allows the supervisee to discuss complex cases or ethical dilemmas and receive feedback from a more experienced professional. Seeking supervision and consultation helps ensure that the supervisee is providing ethically sound services and addressing any ethical concerns that may arise.
On the other hand, as a supervisor, there are ethical expectations in terms of providing oversight and guidance to supervisees. One of the primary responsibilities of a supervisor is to ensure the competence and ethical conduct of supervisees. This includes assessing the supervisee’s knowledge, skills, and ethical decision-making abilities. Additionally, a supervisor must provide ongoing feedback, guidance, and support to help the supervisee grow and develop professionally.
In the role of a supervisor, it is crucial to create a supportive and culturally competent environment for supervisees. This means being sensitive to the diverse backgrounds and experiences of both supervisees and clients or research participants. It requires being aware of potential biases and ensuring that they do not impact decision-making or treatment planning. Creating a culturally competent environment involves promoting inclusivity, respect, and understanding of individuals from different cultures, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ethical oversight as a supervisor also involves addressing potential conflicts of interest. A supervisor should not engage in multiple roles that may compromise their ability to provide objective and unbiased supervision. For example, a supervisor should avoid having a personal or financial relationship with a supervisee that may create conflicts of interest. This ensures that the supervisee receives fair and unbiased supervision and that the supervisor’s decisions are based solely on the best interest of the client or research participants.
In conclusion, ethical oversight is a crucial aspect of professional practice in psychology. Whether in the role of a supervisee or a supervisor, it is essential to understand and adhere to ethical expectations. These include acting in the best interest of clients or research participants, maintaining confidentiality and informed consent, seeking supervision and consultation, ensuring competence and ethical conduct, creating a culturally competent environment, and addressing conflicts of interest. By upholding these ethical principles, psychology professionals contribute to the ethical conduct of research and the provision of high-quality and ethical services.
