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PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology (8)

Abstract

This subject gives students an in-depth understanding of the key ethical and professional responsibilities and intellectual debates central to being a psychologist today. It aims to promote critical thinking and reflexivity in both their academic and practical dimensions. The subject has two areas of focus. First it examines the ethical context of, and current issues in psychological practice by examining current laws, codes and standards pertaining to professional conduct. It also aims to develop the problem solving skills necessary for professional and responsible practice in all fields of Psychology. The second focus is on various current theoretical, methodological and applied debates within Psychology and the ethical issues raised by these debates.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 1
Distance*Bathurst Campus
Session 2
Distance*Wagga Wagga Campus
*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: PSY420
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
One sessionHD/FLSchool of Psychology

Enrolment restrictions

4th year Psychology students only.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of the process of professional regulation for psychologists
- be able to demonstrate familiarity with Australian legislation and laws that relate to the practice of psychology
- be able to demonstrate familiarity with state and national codes of ethics and ethical guidelines for psychologists
- be able to apply an ethical decision making model to ethical dilemmas
- be able to demonstrate understanding of professional practice issues
- be able to demonstrate understanding of current debates about theory, method, and application of psychology
- be able to demonstrate comprehension of the political history and sociocultural context of psychology
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of the critical importance of reflexivity in psychology
- be able to demonstrate how an understanding of all of the above components of the subject form part of the discipline's calling to reflective, critical and ethical practice

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
- Psychologist registration acts, NSW, APS and other codes of ethics, APS ethical guidelines - Laws relating to the practice of psychology such as those concerning protection of privacy and access to information, reporting of child abuse and involuntary committal - Approaches to training in ethics for psychologists - Models, guidelines and frameworks for resolving ethical dilemmas - Professional practice issues such as competency, consent, risk of harm, dual relationships, rural practice, cross-cultural competency, burnout and ongoing professional development - Balanced understanding of the history of psychology - An understanding of psychology as a political enterprise - New approaches to theory and methodology - The nature of reflexive practice

Residential School

This subject contains a compulsory 5 day residential school. No changes to the purpose or activities of the existing residential school.

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The information contained in the 2015 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 01 October 2015. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.