Contemporary and Ethical Issues in Psychology Essay: Handling Disparate Information
PSY-510 Contemporary and Ethical Issues in Psychology
Handling Disparate Information
1. Why is this an ethical dilemma? Which APA Ethical Principles help frame the nature of the dilemma?
Dr. Vaji’s assessment on Leo should be independent of other graduate’s opinions and remarks. As a supervisor, he should grade his students based on their performance and not an external influence. On the other hand, if Dr. Vaji does not address the issues reported by the other students about Leo, he will be equally doing wrong. Principles framing the ethical dilemma include respect, competency, integrity, and responsibility (Knapp et al., 2012). Leo has not been truthful to his supervisors, and he risks doing the same being unjust to his clients in the future, lacking concern for their welfare. Dr. Vaji will lack integrity if he evaluates Leo based on other students’ remarks.
2. Who are the stakeholders and how will they be affected by how Dr. Vaji resolves this dilemma?
The stakeholders in the ethical dilemma include Leo, his supervisors, the institution, and his current and future clients. If Dr. Vaji addresses Leo’s issues based on other students’ observations to resolve the ethical dilemma, Leo is likely to fail in the extern program. Dr. Vaji, as a supervisor, will have foregone the ethical standard of integrity. If the ethical dilemma is solved by allowing Leo’s issues go unaddressed, he is likely to pass the program. Therefore, Leo will become a practicing therapist, although, lacking competency and integrity. Dr. Vaji notes that Leo is ineffective to his clients, as evidenced by the reduced larger than a usual number of clients who have stopped going for their session with him.
3. What additional information might Dr. Vaji collect to provide him with a more accurate picture of Leo’s multicultural attitudes and professional skills? What are the reasons for and against contacting Leo’s supervisor for more information? Should he request that Leo’s sessions with clients be electronically recorded or observed?