The standards of conduct and values that guide the ethical practice of educators, including issues of privacy, confidentiality, academic integrity, and professional responsibility.
Ethical theories: Understanding the major ethical theories and how they apply to professional ethics in educational psychology, such as consequentialism, deontology, virtue ethics, and care ethics.
Codes of ethics: Familiarizing oneself with the professional codes of ethics that govern the practice of educational psychology, including the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, and the NASP Principles for Professional Ethics.
Confidentiality and privacy: Learning about the ethical principles governing confidentiality and privacy in the context of educational psychology, including how to maintain confidentiality, obtain consent, and respond to breaches of confidentiality.
Informed consent: Understanding the ethical considerations around obtaining informed consent from clients, including how to provide information about the nature of the services being provided, the risks and benefits, and alternatives.
Professional boundaries: Exploring the ethical principles around setting and maintaining professional boundaries, including issues related to dual relationships, conflicts of interest, and power differentials.
Cultural competence: Understanding the importance of cultural competence in the practice of educational psychology, including being aware of one's own biases, adapting one's approach to match clients' cultural backgrounds, and collaborating with diverse communities.
Professional competence: Developing an understanding of the ethical principles that govern the maintenance of professional competence, including staying up-to-date with best practices, engaging in ongoing training and supervision, and seeking consultation when necessary.
Professional relationships: Learning about the ethical considerations when establishing and maintaining relationships with clients, colleagues, and other professionals, including the importance of respecting boundaries, establishing clear communication, and avoiding conflicts of interest.
Ethical decision-making: Developing skills for making ethical decisions in complex situations, including the ability to identify ethical dilemmas, weigh conflicting values, and choose the most ethical course of action.
Legal and regulatory frameworks: Understanding the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern the practice of educational psychology, including state licensing laws, federal and state privacy laws, and special education laws.
Competence: Refers to the ethical principle that psychologists must have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their duties competently.
Integrity: This ethical principle obligates psychologists to be honest, and to remain truthful in every aspect of their professional work.
Confidentiality: This ethical principle requires psychologists to maintain the confidentiality of clients' information.
Non-maleficence: This principle states that psychologists have a duty to do no harm to clients, and promote their welfare.
Beneficence: This refers to an obligation to promote the well-being of clients and to minimize any potential harm or damage.
Respect for autonomy: This ethical principle obligates a psychologist to respect a client's right to self-determination.
Fidelity and responsibility: This ethical principle includes efforts to maintain trust and responsibility with clients and comply with all relevant ethical, legal, and clinical principles.
Social justice: This principle obligates psychologists to recognize and promote principles of fairness and social justice within their professional conduct.