What ethical issues arise when using psychological testing. Ethical Issues with Psychological Testing : Psychology Issues and Debates 2022-10-23

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Psychological testing refers to the use of standardized procedures and instruments to assess an individual's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. These tests are often used to diagnose mental health disorders, assess treatment progress, and make decisions about employment, education, and other important life events. While psychological testing can be a valuable tool for understanding an individual's strengths and challenges, there are several ethical issues that must be considered when using these tests.

One major ethical issue that arises when using psychological testing is the potential for misuse or abuse of test results. For example, test results could be used to discriminate against an individual based on their race, ethnicity, gender, or other personal characteristics. This could result in unfair treatment or negative outcomes, such as being denied employment or admission to a school or program. In order to prevent such misuse, it is important that test results be used only for the purposes for which they were intended and that the individual's privacy and confidentiality be respected.

Another ethical issue related to psychological testing is the potential for biased or culturally inappropriate test content. Many psychological tests were originally developed and normed on a largely white, middle-class population, which means that they may not accurately reflect the experiences or abilities of individuals from other cultural or socio-economic backgrounds. This can lead to inaccurate or misleading test results, which can have negative consequences for the individual being tested. To address this issue, it is important to use tests that have been culturally validated and to consider the cultural context in which the test is being administered.

Another ethical issue that can arise when using psychological testing is the potential for overreliance on test results. Psychological tests are not perfect and can sometimes produce inaccurate or misleading results. It is important to recognize that test results should be considered along with other sources of information, such as clinical observations, self-report measures, and input from others, in order to get a more complete picture of an individual's functioning. Overreliance on test results can lead to decisions being made based on incomplete or flawed information, which can have negative consequences for the individual being tested.

Finally, ethical issues can arise when using psychological testing to make decisions about important life events, such as employment or education. In these situations, it is important to ensure that the test is being used for a legitimate and valid purpose and that the individual being tested has been fully informed about the purpose and potential consequences of the testing. It is also important to provide appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities or other special needs, to ensure that the test results accurately reflect their abilities and potential.

In conclusion, psychological testing can be a valuable tool for understanding an individual's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. However, there are several ethical issues that must be considered when using these tests, including the potential for misuse or abuse of test results, bias or culturally inappropriate test content, overreliance on test results, and the use of test results to make important life decisions. By being aware of these ethical issues and taking steps to address them, we can ensure that psychological testing is used ethically and responsibly.

Issues and Ethical Resolutions in Psychology

what ethical issues arise when using psychological testing

The lack of focus on the subject does not mean unethical behavior is not a problem in organizations. For example, a lawyer failing to prepare their client for a psychological test is unethical. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 13, 645—660. Such recording can have a mixed effect. However, if an adult discloses that he or she was abused as a child, the psychologist typically isn't bound to report that abuse, unless there are other children continuing to be abused. Teachers may also use the results of psychological tests from students without consent of the students.

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Psychological Testing, Its Ethical and Legal Issues

what ethical issues arise when using psychological testing

I believe it is a very complex situation between ethical standards and cyber issues, especially in sensitive fields, dealing with human subjects. Neuropsychological test performance in Aruaco Indians: An exploratory study. Construct bias- construct has different meaning in different groups. What impact do these issues have on the field of psychological testing? Obviously, this can present problems in cases where telling the participants the necessary details about the experiment might unduly influence their responses or behaviors in the study. Breaching the concept of trust is when problems arise within the psychological field and those in the profession could potentially deal with hackers infiltrating systems to obtain sensitive and personnel information. These issues include automated or computerized assessment services, high-stakes testing, and teaching of psychological assessment techniques.

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Ethical Standards in Psychological Testing — Monique M. Chouraeshkenazi, Ph.D., Psy.D.

what ethical issues arise when using psychological testing

Fergusson at the end of the 19 th century where the Supreme Court ruled that schools should remain segregated but the quality of the schools should remain the same. Minimum use of language. This suggestion will not be a surprise to most competent psychologists, but unfortunately they are not the only users of these tools. In still other instances, there may be direct conflicts between what one party is seeking and the objectives of another party with some degree of client status. They must therefore maintain a high level of integrity in their duties, especially in times when clinicians resort to psychologists in attempts to reduce the stigma associated with disciplines such as psychiatry.

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Issues in Psychological Assessment: Reliability, Validity, and Bias

what ethical issues arise when using psychological testing

It's all about protecting their interests and protecting the establishment that is responsible for one's study. First, do the people to be evaluated have all the information that might reasonably influence their willingness to participate? Readers should be aware that they should not rely on one research study when making decisions. Haney has been a valuable expert in helping such students obtain legal remedies from major testing companies, although the terms of the settlements generally prohibit him from disclosing the details. The authors conclude that teaching programs that include behavioral objectives and that focus on evaluating specific competencies are generally more effective. The senior managers may be concerned with productivity decrease if the news is announced too early, and the psychologist is expected to work with the dictated timeline. Client should be aware of the purpose of the test.

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Ethical and cultural issues in psychological testing (Essay)

what ethical issues arise when using psychological testing

The key to ethical conduct in such instances is to take great care to appropriately limit the nature and extent of any conclusions or recommendations. New York: Oxford University Press. High-stakes testing in employment, credentialing, and higher education: Prospects in a post-affirmative action world. What are the legal and ethical issues of using Internet search engines? Although it is not ethically appropriate to withhold a completed report needed for critical decision making in the welfare of a client, psychologists are not ethically required to prepare a report if payment is refused. In such cases, it should be ensured that deception is the only alternative to carry out the research. Reliability refers to the test measures what the researchers must also provide recommendations for the interpretation of test results including the possible misuse of research.

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These are the 9 Major Ethical Issues in Psychology

what ethical issues arise when using psychological testing

If, however, you get on the scale three times in a row and each time the scale reads 150 pounds, it is reliable. The ethical issues in psychology will help discover the various areas in the field that should be tread upon with sensitivity. Ethical standards impacting test development and use: A review of 31 ethics codes impacting 35 countries. The draft revision of the APA code states that psychologists who offer assessment or scoring services to other professionals should accurately describe the purpose, norms, validity, reliability, and applications of the procedures and any special qualifications applicable to their use ECTF, 2001. So called culture-specific tests or tests designed for use with people from one culture but not from another, soon began to appear on the scene.

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Ethical Issues with Psychological Testing : Psychology Issues and Debates

what ethical issues arise when using psychological testing

Human relations are an especially important, and it is dependent upon the organizations to ensure there are methods in place to protect patients, their information, and enforce privacy and confidentially laws that not only relate to the privacy rights under HIPAA, but those rights patients have when participating in experiments and research studies. They strive to make their knowledge accessible and public as a service to the community. That might happen if a person's mental health came into question during legal proceedings American Psychological Association, 2018. Next, ethical codes are useful because it is important for researchers to be clear on what they plan to do with the results. Test Security The current APA ethics code requires that psychologists make reasonable efforts to maintain the integrity and security of copyright-protected tests and other assessment techniques consistent with law and with their contractual obligations ECTF, 2001. Lesson Summary Psychological assessments help psychologists diagnose and treat patients.

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What are some of the ethical issues that can arise from the use of social media?

what ethical issues arise when using psychological testing

As one proceeds to the actual evaluation and prepares to undertake data collection, other ethical issues come to the fore. Ethics in organizations deals with defining what is wrong or good by justifying it based on a rational system that clearly outlines what a person or subject ought to do. There are many psychological disorders that could cause the symptoms that Kevin has. What is a reasonable effort as envisioned by the authors of the ethics code? Despite the fact that village living has numerous advantages, such. However, there are a few exceptions to this.

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Ethical issues in Psychological Testing

what ethical issues arise when using psychological testing

I am sure the same applies for the psychological field when it comes to online testing. Due to family violence, a significant number of children undergo negative consequences distinguished by the social issue. These are the 9 Major Ethical Issues in Psychology Psychology is a very sensitive field and ethical concerns are likely to arise when carrying out research and prescribing any method of treatment to an individual. On the other hand, what if your scale was accurately measuring something else? In most cases, such contact would be ethically inappropriate because the client of the consulting expert is not the person who conducted the assessment. It was very important that they know that not only would they remain anonymous optional , it would be clear on what I would do with the information after it had been analyze, interpreted, and produced results.

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Ethical Issues in Psychological Assessment Research Paper

what ethical issues arise when using psychological testing

As for the psychological field, I believe the ethical standards hold up to cybersecurity initiatives as much as those who implement and enforces such standards. It is a highly sensitive relationship that needs certain ethics to govern it. Board of education in 1954 according to Kaplan et al. There are often circumstances in which an element of coercion may be present. Practical and ethical issues in teaching psychological testing. The fractured marketplace for standardized testing. Cultural issues also play significant role in psychological testing.

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