1. What are at least
two ethical issues associated with psychological testing? What impact do these issues have on the field
of psychological testing?
Psychological testing is a means of use for psychologists as
assessment tools for measuring and observing clients’ or patient’s behavior for
arriving at a diagnosis and as guides for treatment purposes. Since the introduction
of psychological testing and throughout the varying changes involved in psychological
testing, numerous ethical issues have arisen in regard to the uses and methods
of such testing. Hogan (2007), “ethics deals with what one should or should not
do, according to principles or norms of conduct” (p. 584). Consent and
confidentiality are two particular ethical issues associated with psychological
testing. In regard to informed consent, it is a significant aspect of
psychological testing. Clients or patients have to consent to psychological
testing voluntarily; therefore, psychologists are responsible for informing a
particular individual or individuals in regard to the purpose and nature of a
particular psychological test.
Psychologists are responsible for providing such information in a
language and form that an individual can understand. In regard to children, and
individuals with limited capacity, legal guardians, caregivers or parents must
provide consent. Informed consent is an ongoing agreement; therefore, clients
or patients can withdraw consent at any particular point of time when
psychological testing is occurring. In regard to confidentiality, it is another
significant aspect of psychological testing. Psychological testing results must
be kept confidential by psychologist and treated as confidential information
(Hogan, 2007). Releasing the results of tests can occur but only to other
qualified professionals with the client’s or patient’s consent. Of course,
psychologists cannot refer to psychological testing results outside the purpose
and context for which they obtained such results (Hogan, 2007).
Also, in regard to confidentiality, psychologists have to maintain
psychological testing results in a manner that is secure and as for disposal;
psychologists have to dispose of testing results in a manner that does not
expose confidential information (Hogan, 2007). Both of these ethical issues are
of significance when performing psychological testing. Without policies or codes
to adhere to, psychological testing becomes ineffective and untrustworthy and
loses its scientific credibility.
2. What are at least
two legal issues associated with psychological testing? How do these issues affect the field of
psychological testing?
Discrimination and to ensure that appropriate accommodations are occurring
in regard to accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are two
legal issues associated with psychological testing. In regard to psychological
testing, using discrimination is a means of infringing on the rights of
individuals that have a particular gender identity, sexual or religious
preference, or may be of a particular race in regard to the Civil Rights Act of
1964 and 1991 (Hogan, 2007). Therefore, federal law prohibits psychologists
from using discrimination processes in regard to the selection processes of
individuals or the application of psychological testing. Such discrimination
processes can result in unfair advantages for particular individuals and can
adversely affect them, as well as the results of such tests. In regard to the
ADA, psychologists, that is, for testing purposes must ensure that appropriate
accommodations are met or made available for clients or patients who cannot
abide by normal testing standards or environment (Hogan, 2007).
Also, psychologists must provide alternatives measures in regard
to testing for individuals with physical disabilities, and visual and hearing
impairments. However, in making such accommodations for individuals,
psychologist must ensure that such accommodations do not produce unfair
advantages for such individuals in regard to other clients or patients. Legal
issues can have a detrimental effect on psychological testing when
psychologists do not adhere to set laws to protect individuals who undergo
psychological testing. Negating such laws can put psychologists in jeopardy in
regard to facing legal actions opposed against them, and clients and patients
can suffer the consequences when psychologists violate their client’s or
patient’s rights. Negating such laws can also make the results received from
psychological testing invalid and adversely hinder the validity and reliability
of a psychological test.
3. Which court case
do you feel has had the largest impact on the field of psychological
testing? Why?
The court case or cases I believe had the most effect on the field
of psychological testing were the combined cases of Crawford v. Honig, PASE v.
Hannon, and Larry P. v. Riles (Hogan, 2007). These cases brought important
issues to the forefront in regard to testing. First, it is of significant
importance to know the differences between diagnoses of learning disabilities
and mental disorders, and testing may be able to distinguish between the two
(Hogan, 2007). Second, these cases acknowledged the importance treatment after
diagnosis. Third, these cases had an effect on the importance of understanding
intelligence and what determines intelligence. Hogan (2007), “finally, the
methods used to analyze item bias in these cases—very much an armchair
analysis—seem primitive by today’s standards” (p. 613).
Furthermore, the
attention these court cases brought to such significant issues as intelligence
and the processes used for testing intelligence, diagnosis, and bias helped
influence the development of psychological testing in accordance with a set of accepted
standards or rules. Also, helped the development of psychological testing used
in other means, that is, for other assessing behavior, personality, and mental
competency. These court cases also had an effect on the validity and
reliability of testing; therefore helping psychological testing establishing credibility.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.