ETHICAL ISSUES ABOUT VIRTUAL PSYCHOLOGY SOFTWARES

Abstract

With the advent of new technologies, new ways of
learning and providing care have emerged in the last
twenty years. Recently, virtual psychology softwares
have been developed. It is now possible to propose
and use software giving the impression of dealing with
a psychologist. These technologies combine video and
audio recording systems, and avatar technology. The
authors of this article propose to explain briefly these
new technologies and to explore their ethical and
epistemological stakes. These technologies imply, for
example, a certain simplification, or even a reduction,
of what is a clinical interview. Other more deontological aspects, such as the problem of professional secrecy
and the clinical record, are to be discussed.