GED0150

Professional issues in psychology

Lecturer-in-charge to be advised

8 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton
* Prerequisites: Completion of an approved major sequence in psychology

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should have a knowledge of the various ways that psychologists can practise, and the ethical and professional issues involved with each of these; an understanding of the professional identity of psychologists, their relationship with other professions, and the role of professional and government bodies in forming that identity and in controlling the practice of psychology. Students should also have developed the skills required to follow the American Psychological Association style for professional writing and should be able to prepare a research application to the Faculty Ethics Committee.

Synopsis This subject is a compulsory unit in the Graduate Diploma in Educational Psychology. It explores various ways (individual, organisational, community) that a psychologist can practise and the professional issues involved with each. It examines the fields in which psychologists are employed in Australia, their relationships with professional workers in other disciplines, and with clients. It also investigates the psychological assumptions underlying professional practice, and the legal and ethical requirements and constraints on the practice of psychology and of other life-oriented disciplines. Students will be required to participate in regular lecture-discussions, to read widely, to complete written assignments and to undertake research work outside class time.

Assessment Community resource assignment (3500 words): 35%
* Library exercise and ethics committee application: hurdles
* Tutorial presentation including preparation of written materials (1500 words): 25%
* Examination: 40%
* A hurdle requirement for eligibility for assessment is regular attendance and satisfactory completion of all exercises.

Recommended texts

Carroll M and others Ethics in the practice of psychology Prentice-Hall, 1985
Francis R D and Cameron C Handbook of professional psychology Australian Academic, 1991
Keith-Spiegel P and Koocher G Ethics in psychology Lawrence Erlbaum, 1985
Nixon M C (ed.) Issues in psychological practice Longman Cheshire, 1984