Research Ethics and Historical Developments

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Questions and Answers

What action may be necessary if the issue of attraction between a therapist and client cannot be resolved?

Ignoring the feelings

Increased frequency of sessions

Termination of the therapeutic relationship (correct)

Discussing feelings with the client

Which of the following is NOT considered a red flag of attraction according to the content?

Grooming more carefully on appointment days

Wanting to elicit irrelevant personal information

Being overly friendly during sessions (correct)

Daydreaming about the client

What is commonly recommended for therapists experiencing attraction to a client?

End the therapeutic relationship immediately

Discuss the feelings directly with the client

Try to suppress the feelings without discussion

Seek advice from trusted colleagues or supervisors (correct)

What is a potential risk of discussing attraction feelings with the client?

The client might feel confused or uncomfortable Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if a therapist feels their attention is waning during sessions due to attraction?

Seek supervision or consult with another therapist Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for preserving professional boundaries in therapy?

To protect the client’s self-esteem Signup and view all the answers

When a client discloses erotic feelings, what should the therapist focus on?

Exploring the client's feelings and the purpose of therapy Signup and view all the answers

In simulated therapy sessions, how were therapists who disclosed reciprocal attraction perceived?

As less therapeutic and skillful Signup and view all the answers

What should the therapist say if a client becomes aggressively seductive?

Therapy is a 'talking relationship' and should remain professional. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception regarding a client's seductive behavior?

It always signifies a desire for sex with the therapist. Signup and view all the answers

What should a therapist avoid when faced with a client expressing sexual interest?

Acting on the client’s feelings. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for a therapist to communicate the purpose of therapy when faced with inappropriate behavior from a client?

To reinforce the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship. Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a risky aspect of touch in psychotherapy?

It often signals sexual intent. Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario is touch most commonly accepted in therapy?

When expressing emotional support or reassurance. Signup and view all the answers

What can be a consequence of inappropriate touch in therapy?

Potential violation of professional boundaries. Signup and view all the answers

Why is touch in psychotherapy controversial?

It can have implications related to sexuality. Signup and view all the answers

Which area is generally considered safest for non-erotic touch?

The hands, back, and shoulders. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential effect of touch on children in therapy?

They could benefit from appropriate touch. Signup and view all the answers

What type of touching qualifies as a boundary violation?

Touching with erotic intent. Signup and view all the answers

How do perceptions of touch in therapy vary?

Opinions about touch can greatly differ. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reason for touching clients in therapy?

To provide unconditional support. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the first phase in EMDR therapy?

To discuss the client’s history and develop a treatment plan Signup and view all the answers

During which phase does the therapist prepare the client for emotional disturbances?

Phase 2: Preparation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a part of Phase 5 in EMDR therapy?

Beginning desensitization with eye movements Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the Phase 6 body scan in EMDR therapy?

The client is asked to focus on the target event and positive belief while scanning their body Signup and view all the answers

What does the term SUD refer to in the context of EMDR therapy?

Subjective Units of Distress Signup and view all the answers

In what phase does the therapist engage in closure of a session?

Phase 7: Closure Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of Phase 3 in EMDR therapy?

Identifying the target event and associated feelings Signup and view all the answers

Which phase of EMDR therapy starts each new session after reprocessing?

Phase 8: Reevaluation Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a goal of the desensitization phase in EMDR therapy?

To eliminate all memories of the traumatic event Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

History of Research Ethics

Before WWII, research ethics was not standardized. Good intentions were often accompanied by unethical practices, exemplified by the 1920 Little Albert experiment, the 1939 "monster study" of orphan children, and the Tuskegee syphilis experiment.
Nazi Germany's eugenics programs with experiments during WWII further highlighted the need for stricter ethical guidelines.

Nuremberg Code

The Nuremberg Code, developed in response to Nazi atrocities, established principles for voluntary consent.
It stressed participants must be free to leave an experiment at any time.
It emphasized that risks should not outweigh potential benefits.
It also emphasized animal-based research as a preliminary step.

Psychological Topics After WWII

Experiments, including the Milgram and Stanford prison experiments, explored obedience and authority issues.
The Belmont Report (1978) and the Declaration of Helsinki addressed ethical concerns in research involving human subjects.
The principle of respect for persons was introduced; this respects individual autonomy and protection is given to vulnerable groups.
Key topics include informed consent and considerations for vulnerable populations.

Ethical Research and Questionable Research Practices

Empirical research aims to find or support evidence correlating to a hypothesis.
Research designs may be confirmatory or exploratory, depending on the research's intention.
Hypothesis testing, using p-values, is a critical part of the process.

Publication Bias

Publication bias is a tendency for research results supporting certain hypotheses to be published more often than results supporting other hypotheses or negative results.
Questionable research practices (QRPs) include altering data to influence outcomes during the analysis process.

Competence

Professional competence entails technical knowledge, skills in communication, empathy, social sensitivity, and emotional balance, along with adherence to professional boundaries.
Competency varies between individuals and roles.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Confidentiality in psychotherapy is crucial and ethically demanded—the confidential handling of patient information through safe storage of sensitive information.
Legal frameworks (e.g., GDPR or Health Act) guide confidentiality considerations in practice.
Essential to obtain consent for data collection, storage, and processing.

Therapist-Client Relationship

Unfair discrimination impacts the therapist-client relationship.
Legal regulations related to the therapist-client relationship detail appropriate behavior and boundary setting.
Professional associations provide ethical guidelines, but therapist-client relationships remain complex.

Sexual Attraction in Therapy

Attraction can arise during a therapist-client relationship; acknowledging and managing such feelings is integral to maintaining ethical boundaries.
Professional guidelines recommend therapists avoid sexual intimacy with clients.

Crossing Boundary Violations

Boundary violations can arise from physical touch, including the intent for or against the client, and non-erotic and erotic touch.
Clear boundaries help maintain the objectivity and effectiveness of a therapeutic relationship.

Legal Regulation of Psychological Practice in the EU

Legal frameworks across the EU protect people’s access to psychological services, covering training, education and professional practice.
Differences exist, but a standard of professionalism is upheld.

Ethics of Efficiency

Evaluation of therapy effectiveness and efficiency includes methods such as Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) tests and other efficiency testing frameworks, which all need consideration of the ethical implications.

Concerns about Sexual Relationships

Avoiding or managing sexual attraction is crucial in maintaining ethical boundaries.
Managing and addressing client attraction to therapists and vice-versa requires careful consideration.

Multiple Relationships

Multiple relationships concern when a psychologist has multiple roles relating to a client, potentially damaging objectivity, competence, or effectiveness in professional practice.
There are ethical concerns in professional relationships.

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Description

Explore the evolution of research ethics from pre-WWII practices to the establishment of pivotal guidelines like the Nuremberg Code. Learn about infamous experiments and the ethical frameworks that emerged to protect participants in research settings.