Summary of Case Study: A psychologist has approximately 30 minutes in order to complete a substance abuse assessment.

The psychologist understands that the assessment takes 60 to 90 minutes in order to gather the appropriate information that is needed in order to make an appropriate recommendation however, the person in charge of the setting refuses to allow the appropriate time that is needed in order to make an appropriate evaluation. Ethical Dilemma: The psychologist has several different ethical issues that is currently facing him/her in this situation. One issue is that if the psychologist adheres to the time limit allocated, then the psychologist can potentionally make inappropriate recommendations to the treatment of the client which may put the client in danger. If this happens, then the psychologist can place him/herself in the situation of being under ethical violations. Another issue that may occur would be that if the psychologist does not adhere to the timeline, then he/she may be in jeopardy of losing valuable income or reputation. The psychologist may have the reputation within the community of being unable to adhere to set rules which can travel from different jobs which would lessen career opportunities. APA Code Violations 1.03 Conflicts Between Ethics and Organizational Demands If the demands of an organization with which psychologists are affiliated or for whom they are working conflict with this Ethics Code, psychologists clarify the nature of the conflict, make known their commitment to the Ethics Code, and to the extent feasible, resolve the conflict in a way that permits adherence to the Ethics Code. This code explains that if the psychologist attempts to engage in any violations of the Code of Ethics in order to meet organizational demands, then they will assume personal liability for these actions which will jeopardize their professional standing. 2.01 Boundaries of Competence (d) When psychologists are asked to provide services to individuals for whom appropriate mental health services are not available and for which psychologists have not obtained the competence necessary, psychologists with closely related prior training or experience may provide such services in order to ensure that services are not denied if they make a reasonable effort to obtain the competence required by using relevant research, training, consultation, or study. This code explains that if the psychologist is not able to meet the requirements of the setting that they are currently hired for, then the psychologist needs to step away from the setting instead of doing anything that may create an incompetent situation. If the psychologist is not able to complete the assessment in the time allocated, then he/she needs to understand that then need to walk away from the setting instead of placing their professional reputation in jeopardy with the community or the board of Ethics.

2.06 Personal Problems and Conflicts (a) Psychologists refrain from initiating an activity when they know or should know that there is a substantial likelihood that their personal problems will prevent them from performing their work-related activities in a competent manner. This code explains that the learner/psychologist needs to stay away from any activity that would harm their work-related activities. This situation directly harms the learners personal and professional standing because they will overall suffer the consequences for attempting to adhere to the time which may harm the organization and the client. (b) When psychologists become aware of personal problems that may interfere with their performing workrelated duties adequately, they take appropriate measures, such as obtaining professional consultation or assistance, and determine whether they should limit, suspend, or terminate their work-related duties.

This code explained that the psychologist needs to seek professional consultation before proceeding so that they can make sure that they have objective views instead of looking at any personal/professional views that may impair their judgment. American Psychological Association. (2002) American Psychological Association Code of Ethics. Retrieved from: http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx Learner Code of Conduct 4.02.02 Learner Code of Conduct Prohibited learner conduct includes but is not limited to illegal activities, theft, disrespect, interference with university activities, dishonesty, and conduct unbecoming in an academic environment, as described in the definitions section of this policy. The learner needs to understand that they are not competent to complete the assessment in the time that has been allotted of the assessment; therefore the assessment is being completed in an unethical and potentially illegal fashion. The learner is being dishonest and is being illegal towards the rights of the client. Capella University. (2010). Capella University Catalog. Learner Code of Conduct, 15 (1) Retrieved from: http://www.capella.edu/inc/pdf/catalogs/catalog.pdf? linkID=22991&WT.mc_id=22991&Refr=http://www.capella.edu/online_learning/support_services.aspx APA Identification: The APA code identifies the specific situations in which the codes can be interpreted. The issue that is apparent with the code is that the interpretations can be understood in order to fit a psychologists overall goals. If the psychologist wants to not look at their current situation as a violation, then they can understand the code to be different. This is true to any situation whether it is a code or a law. Steps to resolve the situation: As a learner, I would consult my advisor or students within my courses in order to ask for their understanding of what would be the most effective way of resolving the situation. Then if I was supervised, I would ask my supervisor for their recommendation. I would also consider taking the assessments home or staying late in order to complete the assessments appropriately, with the approval of my supervisor. If any of these resolutions were not effective, then I would have to explain it to the person that is demanding the time restraints to understand the situation. If they were are willing to compromise, I would have to resign for my own personal and professional health.