As we learn the basics of psychological testing it is important to acknowledge the sudden changes in our world due to and after the COVID global pandemic. With requirements to maintain greater social distance and the threat of contracting airborne illnesses, the way psychologists administer standardized testing is significantly impacted. There are multiple safety, legal and ethical concerns regarding the administration of psychological testing and psychological assessments.

In this assignment, using the resource provided as an example, look through the American Psychological Association (APA) website or any other professional psychology website, paying attention to COVID resources, and answer the following questions based on what you find:

This assignment is 2 parts and is worth 20 points. Answer the following questions (4 points each)

PART I

1. Based on the information from our text book, what are the traditional legal and ethical considerations in psychological testing?

2. Find an additional article from a reputable resource (professional organization or journal) to the one provided about changes to psychological test administration and/or psychological assessment to help complete this assignment. Post the URL for question 2.

3. Based on your investigation of APA or other resources, how did psychologists change the way they conduct psychological testing and assessment during and since the COVID pandemic? Identify at least one new or emerging legal concern and one ethical concern with psychological testing associated with psychological testing changes.

4. What did you discover by investigating this information that surprised you or that you had not considered? Does it change your view or expectations of psychology as a profession today?

PART II – Read through another classmates answers to these questions. Identify information they provide that is of interest to you in some way and continue their discussion based on your reaction to the information.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

🧠 Step-by-Step Guide to Structuring and Writing Your Paper

Follow these steps to write a clear, well-organized response to the assignment questions.

✅ 1. Read the Instructions Carefully

Before typing anything:

Read the full assignment prompt slowly.
Circle or highlight the tasks you are required to do (e.g., find an article, compare information, reflect on your learning).
Notice that the assignment has 2 parts: Part I (answer 4 questions) and Part II (reply to a classmate’s post).

📝 2. Begin With a Short Introduction Paragraph

Your introduction should:

Restate the topic of the assignment in your own words (e.g., “This paper explores how psychological testing practices changed because of COVID-19 and the legal/ethical issues that emerged.”).
Mention that you used APA resources and one additional article.
Set expectations for what you will discuss.

Example intro sentence:

“This paper examines traditional legal and ethical considerations in psychological testing, explores how COVID-19 impacted assessment practices, and reflects on unexpected findings.”

📌 3. Organize Each Question as a Separate Section

Label each answer clearly — that helps both you and your reader follow your work.

🧾 4. Answer Part I Questions One by One

Question 1: Traditional Legal and Ethical Considerations

Write 1–2 short paragraphs covering:

Confidentiality laws (keeping client data private)
Informed consent (participants understand what testing involves)
Test security (protecting test materials)
Fairness and non-discrimination in testing

📍 Tip: Use headings like “Legal Considerations” and “Ethical Considerations” to keep structure clean.

Include citations (APA format) from your textbook.

Question 2: Find an Additional Article

Do a quick search on the APA website or a professional psychology site like:

Then:

Choose an article specifically about psychological testing changes due to COVID.
Paste the link you found under your answer.
Write 2–3 sentences summarizing what the article explains.

Example sentence:

“According to Article Title (Author, Year), remote testing methods were adopted widely to maintain safety during the pandemic.”

Question 3: Changes to Testing, Legal and Ethical Concerns

Break your answer into 3 parts:

How testing changed — mention remote assessments, online platforms, safety protocols.
Legal concern — e.g., data privacy when using online tools.
Ethical concern — e.g., fairness for clients without reliable internet access.

Use short, clear paragraphs and provide examples.

Question 4: Reflection

This is your personal insight.

Explain what surprised you most.
Be honest — it’s okay to say something like, “I didn’t know psychologists had to rethink testing methods so drastically.”
Conclude with how this changed (or didn’t change) your view of the profession.

🗣️ 5. Part II: Respond to a Classmate

When replying to a classmate:

Start with something positive (e.g., “I liked how you explained the ethical issues…”).
Add your own thoughts or build on what they wrote (don’t just repeat it).
Keep your reply respectful and connected to their points.

Example structure:

Compliment/acknowledgment
Expand or question
Conclude with a meaningful connection

✍️ 6. Write Clearly and Use APA Style

Use APA formatting for citations and references.
Include a reference list at the end with all sources you used.
Proofread your writing before submitting.

📚 Helpful Resource Links You Can Use

Here are reputable websites you might use to find articles and support your answers:

🔗 APA COVID resources and testing info:
https://www.apa.org/topics/covid-19

🔗 APA journal search (peer-reviewed articles):
https://psycnet.apa.org

🔗 American Psychological Association (general):
https://www.apa.org

🔗 Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology resources:
https://www.siop.org

📍 Tip: Always pick articles from professional organizations or peer-reviewed journals for credibility.

Legal and Ethical Considerations in Psychological Assessment After COVID