THE RELEASE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DATA TO NONEXPERTS - ETHICAL AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS

Psychologists are often requested to provide ''raw'' psychological dat a (scores, test stimuli, client or patient responses) to nonexperts, e specially in personal injury litigation cases in which there may be a court order or subpoena for such information. The new Ethical Principl es of the American Psychological Association prohibit the release of r aw test results and data to unqualified persons; hence, requests from judges and attorneys frequently place the psychologist in a conflict i n which legal and ethical considerations point in opposite directions. In this article, ethical and legal issues regarding this conflict are discussed, particularly the manner in which the new APA Ethical Princ iples speak to the salient considerations. A course of action is recom mended for sharing raw data whereby the psychologist can conform to th e spirit of legal considerations while remaining in compliance with th e Ethical Principles.