Monitor and analyze the effectiveness of the course of action.
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 2017 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. (2017). Decoding the ethics code: A practical guide for psychologists (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
