Ethical Decision-Making Models Decision-making in the field of psychology refers to a cognitive process that results in a selection among multiple possible solutions in a situation (Colman, 2008). Decision-making is based on available information from the environment as well as intrinsic information and existing schemas (Rogerson, Gottlieb, Handelsman, Knapp & Younggren, 2011). These internal schemas, along with knowledge and personal preferences, influence the decision-making process. Ethical decision-making differs from "normal" decision-making in that ethical standards influence the decision maker 's choice (Rogerson et al., 2011). Numerous professions and organization adhere to some form of ethical standards including business, …show more content…
In level 3, the counselor makes decisions that society and laws would approve of (societal). Level 4 (individual) refers to the counselors decisions that are based on the needs of the client while at the same time adhering to laws and right and others. Level 5 refers to the counselor’s ability to make decisions based on self-chosen principles of conscience and internal ethical schemas (principles). Levels 1 and 2 are considered to be low while levels 4 and 5 are considered to have high levels of moral developments. Models of moral development have been integrated into the first models of ethical decision-making (Cottone & Claus, 2000). There are several ethical decision making models including Kritchner 's model, social constructivism, and organizational-based models that take into consideration organizational factors and moral intensity. One of the first models for ethical decision-making was developed in 1984 by Kritchener according to Cottone and Claus (2000). Kitchener argued that in an absence of ethical standards an individual uses personal value judgment which lead to subpar decisions. Kitchener based her model from previous model of moral development and recommended that counselors should strive to develop a deeper understanding of the implications of behaving ethically. Most decision-making models are linear and are based on rational thought (Cottone & Claus,
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
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.
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.
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.
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).
Background: Two staff are seen carrying the old woman and throwing her onto her bed. (YouTube) A nursing home along Braddell Road has been suspended from admitting new patients with effect from 12 April after a patient was reported to have been mistreated. The incident at Nightingale Nursing Home came to light after a video of a patient being mistreated was sent to local broadcaster Mediacorp. The footage was shot by a hidden camera on a patient's bedside. In the video, an elderly woman patient is seen sitting stark naked beside a bed with the room ceiling fans on. She is then picked up by two hospital staff and thrown onto a bed, before a staff is shown slapping her on her mouth when she wailed in pain. Reports say the patient has been a resident there for four years and is suffering from stroke. The Ministry of Health (MOH) said it has suspended the nursing home from admitting new patients from 12 April until further notice. The nursing home has also disciplined the staff involved and put in place additional measures such as ward rounds by senior staff, regular meetings with patients and their family members, and management check on staff conduct and patients In a statement to Yahoo! Singapore, a MOH spokesperson said, investigations into the video recording show "significant lapses in the care standards" to the patient in question. "This should not have happened. There should have been tighter supervision of staff rendering care to vulnerable patients. Patient's dignity
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.
There are two major theories which are utilized to guide ethical decision making, these are deontology and utilitarian. Few people rely exclusively on one theory. Instead, they make decisions by examining both theories and determining which is most appropriate for the presenting situation (Rae, 2009).
They are held to higher standards of ethical behavior for their roles and duties, including their decision making processes (Rogerson, Gottlieb, Handelsman, Knapp, & Younggren, 2011). Conversely, when decisions involve complex circumstances, making ethical decisions can become complicated. Ethical knowledge does not always generate ethical behavior (Rogerson et al., 2011). Certain circumstances have personal and interpersonal influences that affect decisions, and intuition may have a larger effect. Rogerson et al., (2011) argues that in the field of psychology, these professionals can improve decision-making processes by including a broader range of factors that can persuade decision and judgment. Whereas Ron Howard (1986) argued that decision analysis enhances effective decision making providing systematic analysis, imaginative creativity, and logic. Although Howard et al., argument evolved many years prior to Rogerson et al., the concept remains the same, psychologist should not be receptive to presumptuous inappropriate roles of advocacy or participate in analyses whose earnings are ethically distasteful. Howard et al., (1986) suggest three levels of criticism decision analyses, application criticism question how decision analysis improves actual decision making, conceptual criticism argue that the deterioration of the decision analysis process may
From the reading, I understand that people think and act differently when faced with ethical issues. For one to make a rational decision, an extensive process of judgment is required (Bandura, Caprara, & Zsolnai, 2000). For an individual to be responsible, he or she should put into consideration the magnitude of the consequences of the actions, social
In addition, there may be ethical frameworks that relate to how to handle situations in the workplace, such as Kidder’s Ethical Checkpoints that summarizes to “recognize that there is a moral issue; determine the actor; gather the relevant facts; test for right-versus-wrong issues; test for right-versus-right paradigms; apply the ethical standards and perspectives; look for a third way; make the decision; revisit and reflect on the decision (Mintz and Morris 75-76). ” The Integrated Ethical Decision-Making Process also shows the steps and process on how to make an ethical decision, such as “identify the ethical and professional issues; identify and evaluate alternative courses of action; reflect on the moral intensity of the situation and virtues that enable ethical action to occur; take action (Mintz and Morris 77). ” This framework is similar to these three steps
Nurses often encountered various ethical dilemmas in the practice setting. Both virtue ethics and caring ethics support good ethical decision making for nurses (Park, 2012, p. 149) but these are inadequate to assist in solving an ethical dilemma (Park, 2012, p. 149). For that reason an ethical decision making tool is helpful for the nurses or clinicians to come up with an ethical decision (Kelly, 2012, p. 571) that allows them to gather information, identify any gap of understanding on the issue or the disagreements between the involved parties through a clear communication (Park, 2012, p. 140). Several authors presented an ethical decision making processes (Park, 2012, p. 141), here presented the two processes that can be applied in resolving an ethical dilemma. One example of ethical decision making process is the DECIDE model by Thompson, Melia & Boyd (Allen, Chapman, Francis, & O’Connor, 2008, p. 5) and the Integrated ethical decision-making model which was derived from the combination of the different ethical decision-making models strengths (Park, 2012, p. 140). These two ethical decision-making model steps are identical to each but differ on the detailed instruction on how the steps are to be done or used in actual case. By comparing the two models the integrated ethical decision-making model have a detailed instruction. The
These theories are used to evaluate ethical dilemmas that we face on our day to day life,
While looking at Ethics, we can see the direct correlation and relationship that it has on our decision making. Ethics ties in the assumption that one has moral knowledge. This thought is produced to support the notion that one’s moralistic values directly influence the knowledge or perception on knowledge. Moral obligation is thought to require some form of action, again bringing in the notion that one’s moral belief system plays a huge part in the shaping of their conclusions. A conclusion can be defined by a judgement or decision reached by reasoning, bringing in the thought that this could possibly be a contemplative decision. There are so many ethical implications that support ones