DQ1
Topic: Psychodiagnostic Assessment Case Study
Bella Luna is a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with young children. Her next-door neighbor is the superintendent of schools in their small community. He asks Bella to recommend a test that would assess the competency levels of all the district's teachers. After some research, she recommends the ABC Classification Exam because it appeared to measure key skills that all good teachers should have. However, the exam had not been validated for assessing teaching competencies. Bella also set 70% as the passing grade for the exam. When the teaching staff and administration took the exam, more than half failed, including those who self-identified as minority.
Reviewing the course readings and the APA code, determine the ethical violations committed by Bella and explain what the correct action would have been.
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Ethical violations committed by Bella in this case include:
1. Lack of competence: Bella recommended a test (ABC Classification Exam) that had not been validated for assessing teaching competencies. As a psychologist, she should have considered the validity and reliability of the test before recommending it for assessing teacher competency levels. By not ensuring the appropriateness of the test, she demonstrated a lack of competence in her professional judgment.
2. Setting an arbitrary passing grade: Bella set 70% as the passing grade for the exam without any scientific basis or evidence to support this threshold. It is an ethical violation to establish passing scores without a proper rationale or justification. Moreover, the use of an arbitrary cutoff may have resulted in an unfair evaluation of the teachers' competence levels.
3. Potential for discrimination: The fact that the minority teachers were disproportionately affected by failing the exam raises concerns of potential discrimination. While this particular case does not provide explicit evidence of discriminatory intent, it is essential to consider the impact of the assessment on different groups. The use of an unvalidated test without considering potential biases and cultural differences raises ethical concerns.
The correct action would have been for Bella to:
1. Ensure the use of validated assessments: Bella should have used well-validated assessments that have been specifically designed and normed for assessing teaching competencies. This would have ensured that the test is appropriate and reliable for evaluating the teachers' skills.
2. Set fair and evidence-based passing criteria: Bella should have set a passing grade based on evidence and professional standards, rather than arbitrarily deciding on a threshold. A passing grade should reflect the actual competence required for teachers rather than being determined subjectively.
3. Consider potential biases and cultural differences: Bella should have taken into account potential biases and cultural differences in the selection of the assessment measure and interpreting the results. This would involve evaluating whether the test discriminates against certain individuals or groups and taking appropriate steps to address any concerns.
Ultimately, Bella needs to adhere to the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct and prioritize the ethical principles of competence, integrity, and fairness in her professional practice.
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