Task 6. This isn’t helping
Learning goals
What are the four basic principles of the professional ethic code?
Nederlands Instituut van Psychologen (NIP). (2015). Beroepscode voor psychologen
The Netherlands Institute of Psychologists (NIP) is a national professional association
promoting the interests of all psychologists. It closely monitors relevant developments,
promotes the reputation of psychology and strengthens the position of psychologists. NIP
operates in a wide range of sectors to strengthen the position of psychologists and
psychology. They control quality of ‘Code of Ethics’, ‘Associations disciplinary law’,
‘Promotion of knowledge’ and ‘Education’.
The objective of the NIP is to ensure psychologists work in accordance with high professional
standards. Therefore, the NIP has provided the Code of Ethics for Psychologists. The Code of
Ethics sets out clear ethical principles, values and standards to guide and support
psychologists’ decisions in difficult and challenging situations that they may face.
Psychologists registered with the NIP or members of the NIP are obliged to accept the
principles of this professional conduct.
The basic principles are that the psychologist behaves responsibly, with integrity, respect
and expertise. These basic principles have been elaborated in this Code into more specific
guidelines. These guidelines serve as a tool for a psychologist’s ethical decision-making in a
specific situation. Some guidelines are related to several principles.
The Code offers guidelines in practicing their profession and is an important quality
instrument of the NIP. Professional ethics are dynamic, so the information is updated
regularly.
The Code of Ethics has several purposes. For psychologists, it is a tool in making ethical
decisions. Professional ethics and reflection on them are crucial in professional activities and
professionalism. For the public, the Code can clarify what they may expect of a psychologist.
The Code of Ethics is an assessment standard when psychologists must account for their
activities in complaints procedure. The NIP regularly examines the Code to keep it up to date
with new legislation, regulations and developments in society.
Four basic principles
1. Responsibility: Psychologist must recognize their professional and scientific
responsibility in relation to the persons involved, their environment and society.
Psychologist are responsible for their professional conduct. As far as they are able, they
must ensure that their services and the results of their activities are not abused.
- The quality of the professional activities
- Continuity of professional activities
- Preventing and limiting harm
- Preventing abuse
- Psychologists and their working environment all aware of the Code of Ethics
- Accountability keep note of professional activities so they can account for actions
, 2. Integrity: Psychologists must aim for integrity in the practice of their science, education
and application of psychology. They must demonstrate honesty, equal treatment and
openness towards the persons involved. They must provide clarity for all the persons
involved regarding the roles that they play and must act accordingly.
- Reliability establish professional relationship only if that is professionally and
ethically responsible; act independently and objectively in the professional activities
- Honesty avoid deception in activities
- Role integrity refrain from improperly furthering their interests in activities,
recognize difficulties due to incompatible interests of client system, not accept new
assignment that cannot be combined with current assignment, avoid mixing of
professional (and non-professional) roles, no sexual conduct towards/relationship
with the client, if a personal relationship starts after the professional relationship the
preceding relationship may not have any significance anymore, if a sexual
relationship follows psychologists must demonstrate that they took all due care at
the start of the professional relationship.
3. Respect: Psychologists must respect the fundamental rights and dignity of the persons
involved. They must respect the right to privacy and confidentiality of the persons
involved. They must respect and promote their self-determination and autonomy,
insofar as that is in keeping with the psychologist’ other professional duties and with the
law.
- General be aware and respect the knowledge/insight/experience of person
involved, respect mental/physical integrity of person involved, not probe further into
private life than necessary, respect each client’s individual characteristics and
circumstances
- Autonomy and self-determination respect and promote autonomy and self-
determination, make allowances for client’s self-determination within restrictions of
age/temperament/development/mental health, establish/continue professional
relationship only with client’s consent, provide information so that client can freely
give informed consent, ensure that the external principal and client have the same
information about purpose/structure/procedure of the relationship, give client
chance to discuss wishes/opinions, give client access to file; destroy the file if the
client wants to, but you don’t have to do it if a complaint is filed against you
- Confidentiality keep information secret
- Provision of data make only the data available to third parties that is relevant and
to which the client gave consent
- Reports reports commissioned by the client may only be given to the client,
specific consent is required for reports to third parties
4. Expertise: Psychologist must aim to acquire and maintain a high level of expertise in the
practice of their profession. They must take into account the limits of their expertise as
well as the limitations of their experience. They may only provide services for which they
are qualified by their education, training and experience. The same applies to the
methods and techniques that they use.
- Ethical awareness reflect on professional activities and personal values/motives
