After reviewing several ethical decision-making models, reviewing the code of ethics and its foundations, and examining personal beliefs and values surrounding ethics, I have come up with an ethical decision-making model. This model incorporates aspects of pre-existing models, including the social-constructivist model, practitioner’s guide, feminist model, and Herlihy and Corey’s (2015) “elements of ethical decision making” (p. 20). This model is broken down into seven steps, which are meant to be followed chronologically but may be returned to throughout the decision making process when necessary. The steps can be easily remembered with the acronym, DR. CAREFUL. The following are the names of each step and subsequent sections in this model. 1. Describe the Dilemma 2. Reflect 3. Consult 4. Assess Possible Actions and Consequences 5. Re-consult 6. Execute 7. Follow-up and Learn Throughout the entire process, documentation is strongly advised. The following descriptions will enhance the purpose of each step and outline specific actions. Describe the Dilemma Many ethical decision-making models suggest that the first step in an ethical decision-making model is to pinpoint the issue at hand by gathering information. This model suggests that the first step in an ethical-decision making model is to clearly define and describe the dilemma. Dilemma The counselor should gather information on the dilemma at hand. Questions to consider are: What are the implications of leaving
One trend that is developing with ethical decision making models are that the models are becoming specialized and geared toward the counselors specific population, or on a particular ethical issue (Deroche, Eckart, Lott, Park, & Raddler, 2015). As a result, once careful consideration has been applied to the ethical dilemma, more than likely the counselor will still ask the question “How can I know whether I’ve done the right thing?” The ethical decision making model is not a cure all to the dilemmas we will face as a counselors, the decision making model does however, offer a concise, set of steps, scenarios, explanations and on how to resolve counselor, and client related ethical dilemmas.
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.
The Baird Decision Model comprises five cumulative steps by being: attentive, intelligent, reasonable, responsible, and awareness (Ethics Game, n.d). Moreover, the design behind the decision model is to use ethics to assess complex situations, where personal values compete to find the appropriate solution (Ethics Game, n.d). However, four ethical views assist in ethical decision-making: rights and responsibility lens, results lens, relationship lens, and the reputation lens (Ethics Game, n.d).
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
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 issue of ethical decision making has become more important in recent years for a variety of reasons. An understanding of ethical decision making in organizations is more significant to the development of organizational science. Managers engage in decision-making behavior affecting the lives and well-being of others. The individual responds to an ethical dilemma with cognitions determined by his or her cognitive moral development stage.
Apply the ethical decision making model presented in week one lectures (adapted from Beemsterboer, 2010; Velasquez et al, 2009) to the case study.
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?
Every day we are faced with certain situations that challenge us with how to act in an ethical manner. It can be human nature to feel unsure or conflicted with the correct moral choice. Some can say that one should know how to handle such dilemmas and others may say that there should be a reference of some sort to help guide through such conflicts. Sometimes we know the answers and sometimes we are unsure of how to handle certain situations. Most times we go through life wondering what we should do. As I become further educated on the different theories of ethics, I believe there are answers that are available in guiding one through an ethical dilemma and or judgment. I will discuss Vincent Ruggiero’s three basic criteria, Robert Kegan’s order of consciousness, the three schools of ethics and the correlation between all three.
I will use the “Practisioner’s Guide to Ethical Decision Making” model of Holly Forerster-Miller and Thomas
Management constitute amongst major components of a company, organization or a business. As such, management oversees employees interactions with their supervisors and also control of people within a particular organization. Also, it includes critical and ethical decision-making process so as to address various ethical dilemmas experienced by employees while undertaking their respective assigned duties within the company. Ethical dilemmas are hereby to stay as issues usually arise now and then and place a variety of options that bear different repercussions. Therefore, it calls for ethical and critical decision-making skills so as to make the most appropriate option that bears more benefits in comparison to other options presented. While making ethical decisions, it 's substantially important to play heed to a certain ethical decision-making theory. This would enable an individual making the decision to ripe best possible consequences rather than living to regret. Moreover, ethical decision making is typically important in business as making a wrong decision may result not only in huge losses but also poor relationship amongst colleagues and miserable life for employee(s) working in a particular company or business in question.
In today's business and personal world, ethical decisions are made on a daily basis. Most of these decisions are based on company ground rules. The others are based on personal ground rules. All decisions can have a number of ground rules that help us determine whether our decision is ethical or unethical. Each decision whether it is based on company or personal ground rules will have its own set of implications. In the following paragraphs I will discuss the impacts of ethics on decision-making, discuss the elements of an ethically defensible decision, define what the ground rules are; what they could be and what they should be, discuss
All employees (including the company executives) should be guided by moral principles and ethical values when making decisions (Balc & Simionescu, 2012). The ability of executives to make ethical decisions can be influenced by their cognitive bias (Zeni, Buckley, Mumford & Griffith, 2015). Utilitarianism is one of the frameworks that can be used to address ethical dilemmas. Utilitarianism holds that decision makers should take alternatives that maximize the happiness of the majority of the stakeholders (Choe & Min, 2011 and Marques, 2015). This presentation will discuss how the 8-step ethical decision making process can be applied when addressing a dilemma using the utilitarianism framework. The presentation will also guide the executives of Toyota on how to address the negative publicity associated with the production of cars with faulty acceleration system.
Then, the illustrator transitions from the facts to the ethical issues presented in the case dilemma. Within the analysis, the writer introduces three ethical issues the case represents. The analysis does a
To make an ethical decision, it is necessary to perceive and eliminate immoral options and select the best and ethical alternative. It is a process of choosing the best ethical option among the alternatives.