In _, a psychologist recruits his/her patient to help with a social cause (for example, punishing a child abuser).
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: Dual relationship
A dual relationship occurs when a psychologist engages in more than one role with a client. In the scenario where a psychologist recruits a patient to help with a social cause, such as punishing a child abuser, this creates a relationship that goes beyond the professional therapeutic one. The psychologist is not only acting as a mental health provider but also involving the patient in a personal or social mission. This kind of boundary crossing creates a dual relationship.
Dual relationships are ethically problematic in psychological practice because they can impair the psychologist’s objectivity and clinical judgment. These relationships risk exploiting the client’s trust and can potentially cause psychological harm. When a client is asked to participate in a social cause, especially one with strong emotional or moral weight, the client may feel pressured to comply due to the unequal power dynamics inherent in the therapist-client relationship. The patient may not feel free to say no and may experience stress, guilt, or confusion as a result.
Ethical guidelines from professional bodies like the American Psychological Association stress the importance of maintaining clear professional boundaries. Therapists are advised to avoid entering into relationships that could interfere with their effectiveness or exploit the client. Even if the cause is socially important, such as punishing a child abuser, involving a client blurs boundaries and compromises therapeutic neutrality.
Ultimately, therapists must ensure that their actions promote the client’s wellbeing and avoid any secondary involvement that could harm or confuse the client. Engaging a client in a social cause serves the psychologist’s personal agenda rather than the therapeutic goals, and therefore falls into the category of an unethical dual relationship.