Assignment task:
Fisher's Ethical Decision-making Model
Ethical reasoning models have been posited to help you think about how you approach ethical dilemmas. It is "why" we make a decision. In this assessment, you will be researching ethical theories and applying them to an ethical dilemma. Note that ethical theories are not theoretical orientations. You should not attempt to mesh an ethical theory with your professional identity. Rather, you should consider the utility of all of the theories.
Ethical decision-making models describe "how" we go about making an ethical decision. In Fisher's 2023 book, Decoding the Ethics Code, she proposes a highly recommended eight-step ethical decision-making model:
- Step 1: Develop and sustain a professional commitment to doing what is right.
- Step 2: Acquire sufficient familiarity with the APA's "Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct" to anticipate situations that require ethical planning and to identify unanticipated situations that require ethical decision making.
- Step 3: Gather additional facts relevant to the specific ethical situation from professional guidelines, state and federal laws, and organizational policies.
- Step 4: Make efforts to understand the perspective of different stakeholders who will be affected by the decision and consult with colleagues.
- Step 5: Apply Steps 1 to 4 to generate ethical alternatives and evaluate each alternative in terms of moral theories, general principles and ethical standards, relevant laws and policies, and consequences to stakeholders.
- Step 6: Select and implement an ethical course of action.
- Step 7: Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the course of action.
- Step 8: Modify and continue to evaluate the ethical plan if feasible and necessary.
This model takes into consideration the importance of ethical commitment, awareness, and competence, and is designed to help you start the process of learning how to make sound ethical decisions. Interestingly, this decision-making model mirrors the three stages of therapy: exploration, insight, and action. Steps 1-3 are focused more on exploring the whole ethical dilemma. For example, Step 2 suggests that you familiarize yourself with the standards that apply to this situation and anticipate any further ethical issues that may arise in the situation. Steps 4-5 promote insight into the ethical situation in question. Step 4 proposes that you consider the impact of the situation on all parties involved, not just yourself. Last, Steps 6-8 encourage taking action in the situation.
Reference:
Fisher, C. B. (2023). Decoding the ethics code: A practical guide for psychologists (5th ed.). Sage.
Ethical Theories - PART 1
Scene 1, Professor's Office
Ben: Good Morning Jenny. Are you interruptible?
Jenny: Oh hi Ben. (friendly and teasing), nice surprise. Well, I was just prepping for my upcoming course, but for the department chair I am sure I can take a few minutes.
Ben: Well, I certainly appreciate the time, professor. I wish I had good news. Have you heard about Stan? His wife Julia just had a stroke yesterday.
Jenny: Oh my god, that is terrible!
Ben:I know. It truly is just awful. They think she will be okay but she is probably going to need lots of therapy. Stan is going to take the semester off to help out with her and the kids.
Jenny: Oh what a nightmare. Poor Julia, and Stan and the kids.
Ben: I know, that is why I am here. It leaves us shorthanded here too. Stan was going to teach biopsychology this semester and now he will not be able to. I was hoping you could step in and teach the course.
Jenny: (apprehensive) Oh my, well I don't know, Ben, I am really not sure. I only had one biospych course myself as an undergrad...
Ben: No need to worry, we can get all the syllabus and course material information from Stan and I bet you would do a great job. Listen, we have got fifteen students who need to take that course to graduate. We cannot let them down.
Jenny: That is a sticky situation, Ben but I am just not sure...
Ben: Oh you will be fine. You are still interested in that full-time position when Professor Lee retires, right? Oh by the way, I need to know your answer by 3:00 today whether or not you can teach the course. If not I need to find another professor.
Jenny: Okay Ben. Let me think about it and I will get back to you today.
Ethical Theories - PART 2
Case Study Scenario Part 2
Jenny: I do not know Rhonda, something about this just does not seem right to me. Should I teach the biopsych course even though I have had almost no experience? I mean, why me?
Rhonda: Yeah, have you ever noticed how whenever a problem crops up at the last minute, it is always up to one of us to come in and save the day?
Jenny: I just don't get it. None of the full professors ever gets overloaded like this. Why didn't Ben go to Alan? Do you think it is because we are not full professors yet or maybe it is because we are women?
Rhonda: I do not know. It seems like an old boys club to me. I bet if they asked Alan to teach the class they would have offered to pay to pay him something extra. They didn't offer to pay you something extra, did they?
Jenny: No, of course not.
Rhonda: See what I mean?
Jenny: Yeah, (sigh) something about it just isn't right.