Ethics Case Study Perhaps some of the most difficult things a psychologist may deal with are ethical dilemmas. An ethical dilemma is a situation in which a person has to choose between two or more options, but the outcome will not satisfy all parties involved or satisfy in an equal manner. Every person has or will come in contact with an ethical dilemma at some point in their life. In order to demonstrate some of the situations a psychologist may come in contact with, case studies are given and studied in order to better future decisions in times of ethical dilemmas. One example of an ethical dilemma is the case study of Dr. Sparrow and Wilf Whitmore. This case study is centered on Whitmore’s calculation error of drugs in the reduction of allergy …show more content…
In order to do that, it is important to know the approaches. Utilitarian, rights, justice, common good, and virtue approaches are the five basic approaches to ethical decision making. In the utilitarian approach, the option that is best will produce the most good and do the least harm. If Dr. Sparrow were to choose this option, she would most likely inform Whitmore of his error and dismiss Whitmore’s incorrect information, and keep his correct and relevant data. In this option, Whitmore learns of his mistake without penalization and no incorrect data is included in Dr. Sparrow’s paper for future use. In the rights approach, the option that is best respects the rights of all who have a stake. In this option, Dr. Sparrow would most likely inform her coauthors and the test subjects of the mistake and then dismiss any incorrect data or redo the experiment. In this situation, all are informed about the mistake, but the mistake does not affect future studies or …show more content…
In this situation, Dr. Sparrow would most likely inform all who are involved with and affected by the mistake and dismiss Whitmore’s information on Drug A. This way, everyone knows of the mistake, but no one is harmed by it. In the virtue approach, the option that is best leads you to act as the sort of person you want to be. In this situation, Dr. Sparrow may dismiss the incorrect information and inform Whitmore of his mistake. This way, the data doesn’t affect anyone, and Whitmore learns of his mistake without harsh punishment. If I were to choose which option I would go with, I would go with the justice approach because it doesn’t keep anyone who deserves to know the mistake out of it, and it also ensures that everyone learns that mistakes have consequences. If I told someone I respected of my option, I don’t think they’d agree right away, but over time they’d understand my decision. At first, they’d probably say I’m being too harsh because it was just an accident, but then they may be able to see that it becomes an example for double checking work and not having an incident like that in the future. Falsification, fabrication, and plagiarism are not something to be taken lightly, otherwise, it becomes okay for future use or easy to
The method of ethical decision making which was developed by Dr. Cathryn A. Baird presented two components contained in all ethical decisions which are; The Four ethical Lenses and the 4+1 Decision process. The Four Ethical Lenses issue claims that different ethical theories and the means in which we tend to approach the situations which form part of our ethical traditions are looked at in four different perspectives. From each perspective there are different values on which to decide whether the action taken is either ethical or not and each lens also lays emphasis on determining whether the decision made is of ethical requirement. In the 4+1 Decision Process, people who are responsible for making final decisions in an organization do it
Now, let's see how learning about the Four Ethical Lenses and a simple method for decision-making can help you resolve a typical ethical dilemma. Ready?
It is important to look at ethical dilemmas in a systematic way, thus increasing the chance of achieving a solution that gives the best possible outcome. An ethical problem solving model taken from American sources (Paradise and Siegelwaks, 1982; Austin et al., 1990) was used to develop a six-step process to follow, in order to achieve this (Bond 2010, pg. 227). This process informs this paper, and I am in the role of counsellor.
Kitchener (1984) identified five moral principles that are viewed as the cornerstone of our ethical guidelines. The five principles, autonomy, justice, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and fidelity.
Apply the ethical decision making model presented in week one lectures (adapted from Beemsterboer, 2010; Velasquez et al, 2009) to the case study.
The ACA Code of Ethics states, “when counselors are faced with ethical dilemmas that are difficult to resolve, they are expected to engage in a carefully considered ethical decision-making process,” (ACA, 2014, p. 3). Throughout these three case studies, I will use the seven-step ethical decision-making model to address the important professional issues, relevant ethical codes, and legal standards (Forester-Miller & Davis, 1996). By applying the steps to each case I will share how I came to my resolutions.
Making sound ethical decisions require an intentional process that utilizes thoughtful reflection, supervision/consultation, and action. Many ethical decision making models exist and the seven-step model introduced by Forester-Miller and Davis (1996) is a succinct amalgamation of these earlier models. The model by Forester-Miller and Davis (1996) follows seven progressive steps: (a) identify the problem, (b) apply the ACA Code of Ethics (2014), (c) determine the nature and dimensions of the dilemma, (d) generate potential courses of action, (e) consider the potential consequences of all options and determine a course of action, (f) evaluate the selected course of action, and (g) implement the course of action.
The first principle per the APA code of ethics is beneficence and nonmaleficence, this is where psychologist focus on the do no harm to their patients (APA, 2010, p.2). A psychologist is to strive to provide the best benefit to a potential client or individual they professionally work with and seek to safeguard their welfare and rights. The guarding of welfare and rights is also attributed to animals used in research. Among psychologist, conflicts will arise and should be handled accordingly to minimize harm (APA, 2010, p.2). Due to the possibility that a psychologist’s scientific judgment and actions may affect another’s life, they must be alert of their own personal, financial, social, or political views as they may be misused to influence others. The psychologist also needs to be aware of their own mental and physical health, so they are at their best capability when helping others.
It goes without saying that at some point in a counselor career, he or she can expect to be faced with an ethical dilemma. Ethical decisions are rarely easy to arrive at, as the dilemmas a counselor is faced with can be very complex
Ethics are moral principles that can be used to help guide peoples decisions. We are all different and therefore our beliefs and opinions differ. There are many ethical theories, and according to Panza and Potthast (n.d.) the following are some that are widely used. Virtue ethics is one theory which states that personality is the most important thing. Living an ethical life, acting right, requires that one develops and demonstrates the quality of courage, compassion, wisdom, and temperance. It also requires that greed, jealousy, and selfishness is avoided. Utilitarianism states that the amount of happiness and suffering created by a person’s actions is what matters the most. As a result, acting rightly includes maximizing the amount of
In the mental health profession of counseling, therapy, psychology, psychiatric and social services ethical dilemmas are faced primarily on a daily basis. Being that mental health professionals are working with clients who are often fragile and vulnerable, they must develop an intense awareness of ethical issues. On the other hand, mental health professionals would never intentionally harm their clients, students or colleagues and others whom they work with. Unfortunately, good intentions are not enough to ensure that wrong doings will not occur and mental health professionals have no choice but to make ethically determined decisions. Depending upon the experience and expertise of the professional determines the outcome of the ethical
An ethical dilemma occurs when a person is forced to choose between two or more alternatives, none which is ideal (Finkelman & Kenner, 2014). In the film WIT, the major ethical dilemma presented in the film, were the treatment option that were offered to her by the physician. The physician manipulated the situation when he informs professor Barrings of her terminal cancer in its advance stages. Not given the time to process her diagnosis, the physician continues to talk about an experimental chemotherapy treatment as if it were her only option,
Throughtout this written assignment there will be a discussion on ethical decision making about making a decision on possible ethical consequences that may be placed in your life, and what ethical consequences will be dealt with in the mental health professional field. Decisions could possibility pertain your conduct such as an ethical dilemma that will required a serious decision to be solved by your action as an leader. Even though a leader may not have caused the problem, they do not have a choice but to respond to the issues at the workplace. The key is how would a leader react to the issue and how their reputation and career standards will interfear afterwards. An early recognition could prevent many ethical issues from increasing in the mental health field and work environment. Ethical dilemmas could happen in many different ways, such professionals do have any act of acknowledge by knowing they have allowed themselves to be placed in a predictment without any knowing about it. This assignment will also discuss the scenario, what the reactions were from the team leader, what consequences should take place, the code of ethics and what were the results from decision making.
Any decision affecting other people has ethical implications, and virtually all-important decisions reflect the decision maker's sensitivity and commitment to ethics. These decisions can be evaluated in terms of adherence to the six core ethical principles trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship (Josephson's, 2002).
We are going to explore the world of ethical issues in psychology. As in any medical or mental health fields there are rules we all must follow as professionals. In this essay today we will be exploring a case study where we have a young lady who has been stricken by a mental disability. We will be looking at the facts in which her disability was handled by a professional in the field of psychology. We also will be discussing the rights and wrongs that are presented in her case study. We will also be discussing the APA ethical codes and gain a clearer understanding of where some things went wrong and why shall we begin.