NZQA registered unit standard
27258 version 1
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Title
Demonstrate understanding of the key principles of the Code of
Ethics for psychologists working in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Level
1
Credits
4
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate
understanding of the key principles of the Code of Ethics for
psychologists working in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Classification
Social Science Studies > Psychology
Available grade
Achieved, Merit, and Excellence
Criteria for Merit
The candidate must demonstrate detailed understanding of the
key principles of a psychological Code of Ethics for
psychologists working in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Criteria for Excellence
The candidate must demonstrate in-depth understanding of the
key principles of a psychological Code of Ethics for
psychologists working in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Explanatory notes
1
Definitions
Key principles of a psychological code of ethics are aspirational goals to guide
psychologists towards the highest ideals of psychology and should be considered by
psychologists in arriving at an ethical course of action. Key principles of the New
Zealand Code of Ethics are: Respect for the Dignity of Persons and Peoples;
Responsible Caring; Integrity in Relationships; Social Justice and Responsibility to
Society.
Psychological practice refers to activities that are part of the scientific, educational,
and professional roles of those working in the field of psychology.
2
Demonstrate understanding will involve the student outlining the four principles of the
Code of Ethics by describing their purpose and the ideas behind each principle; and
identifying at least one relevant link between the principles and a given scenario or
study.
3
Demonstrate detailed understanding will involve the student outlining coherent points
about the four principles of the Code of Ethics by describing their purpose and the
ideas behind each principle; and demonstrating, in detail, relevant links between the
principles and a given scenario or study including examples of where the topic
addressed either did, or did not, comply with the Code of Ethics. The majority of the
points about the topic addressed must be relevant to the principles detailed.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27258 version 1
Page 2 of 3
4
Demonstrate in-depth understanding will involve the student outlining coherent points
about the four principles of the Code of Ethics by describing their purpose and the
ideas behind each principle; and developing relevant and coherent points that
integrate the given scenario or study with the principles of the Code of Ethics. This
may include implications and/or alternate courses of action.
5
Demonstration can be conveyed using written, oral, or audio-visual presentation in
response to a given assignment.
6
Teaching and learning guidelines that inform psychology as it is taught in New
Zealand can be found at http://seniorsecondary.tki.org.nz/Socialsciences/Psychology. Assessment support material for these standards can be
found at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz.
7
The Code of Ethics for Psychologists Working in Aotearoa/New Zealand, 2002 are
available from the New Zealand Psychological Society,
http://www.psychology.org.nz.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate understanding of the key principles of the Code of Ethics for psychologists
working in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Key principles of the Code of Ethics are described in relation to psychological
practice.
Planned review date
31 December 2016
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
21 July 2011
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0226
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27258 version 1
Page 3 of 3
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact NZQA National Qualifications Services nqs@nzqa.govt.nz if you wish to
suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016