Ethical Decision Making ✓ Solved

Ethical Decision Making M

ethical Decision Making M

Making moral or ethical decisions in forensic psychology is of concern to academics and practitioners. Many intentional and unintentional factors can contribute to misconduct or ethically questionable conduct when psychologists address ethical issues. They can prevent such problems and ensure adherence to high standards by committing to ethical ideals that resolve ethical challenges (Neal, 2010). Several ethical-decision-making models help psychologists arrive at ethical decisions, including those proposed by Bush et al. (2006).

Most previous models emphasize five steps: identifying the problem, developing alternatives, evaluating alternatives, implementing the best option, and evaluating results (Neal, 2010). However, these models often fail to address situational and emotional factors or the urgency of certain situations. Emotional and situational factors can influence interventions, requiring psychologists to practice self-care, recognize when personal emotional needs impair judgment, and stay focused under pressure (Neal, 2010).

Bush et al. (2006) proposed an eight-step ethical decision-making model that incorporates these considerations while retaining the original five steps. The first step involves identifying the problem—sometimes straightforward, but often ambiguous, requiring parsing through ethical, moral, legal, and professional perspectives. The second step entails examining the context and setting to determine the relevance of ethical rules, considering the psychologist's competence in the setting.

Step three requires identifying and utilizing relevant ethical and legal resources, assessing foundational values, laws, and codes of ethics like the APA Ethics Code and the Forensic Psychologists’ Guidelines. The fourth step involves evaluating personal beliefs and biases to maintain objectivity and understand how personal values may influence judgment.

The fifth step is generating all feasible solutions, aiming to minimize risks and maximize benefits for clients and society. Steps six and seven involve weighing potential consequences—positive and negative—and choosing and implementing the most ethical course of action at the appropriate time. The final step is to follow up, evaluate outcomes, and make necessary adjustments, remaining open to criticism and reflective practice (Bush et al., 2006).

This model emphasizes reducing bias, objectivity, and ethical integrity, aligning with professional guidelines. However, it can be viewed as lengthy, with some steps overlapping, potentially leading to redundancy. Nonetheless, it ensures a comprehensive approach, encouraging psychologists to consider all angles, thus fostering ethically motivated decisions rather than personal biases.

References

  • Bush, S. S., Connell, M. A., & Denney, R. L. (2006). Ethical practice in forensic psychology: A systematic model for decision making. American Psychological Association.
  • Neal, T. M. (2010). Choosing the lesser of two evils: A framework for considering the ethics of competency-for-execution evaluations. Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, 10(2).
  • Swanepoel, M. (2010). Ethical decision-making in forensic psychology. Koers, 75(4).

Paper For Above Instructions

Introduction

Ethical decision-making in forensic psychology is a complex process that requires careful consideration of numerous factors to ensure high professional standards and protect client welfare. It involves navigating ethical dilemmas that may be ambiguous or triggered by urgent circumstances, demanding a structured approach to arrive at morally sound decisions. The Bush et al. (2006) ethical decision-making model offers a comprehensive framework designed to guide psychologists through this intricate process, addressing limitations of prior models by including emotional and situational factors alongside traditional steps.

Background and Rationale

Historically, ethical decision models emphasized five core steps: recognizing the problem, exploring alternatives, evaluating those alternatives, implementing a chosen course, and assessing outcomes (Neal, 2010). While foundational, these models failed to sufficiently consider external pressures, emotional responses, or situational urgency that psychologists frequently encounter. As a result, the Bush et al. (2006) model expands upon this foundation, integrating eight systematic steps to foster ethical integrity amid various contexts and emotional challenges.

The Eight-Step Ethical Decision-Making Model

Step 1: Identifying the Problem

The initial step involves clearly recognizing the ethical dilemma, which may sometimes be ambiguous. Psychologists must analyze the situation divided into ethical, legal, moral, and professional components, often parsing subtle nuances to define the core issue accurately (Bush et al., 2006).

Step 2: Examining Context and Setting

This step emphasizes assessing the environment where the dilemma occurs. Different settings may have specific ethical standards; hence, psychologists must evaluate their competence within this context to ensure they can address the problem effectively (Bush et al., 2006).

Step 3: Utilizing Ethical and Legal Resources

Practitioners should consult relevant resources, including professional guidelines, legal statutes, and scholarly publications. Assessing the values underlying laws and standards helps in choosing a fitting course of action, even when guidance conflicts or is challenging to interpret (Bush et al., 2006).

Step 4: Evaluating Personal Beliefs and Biases

Recognizing one's biases and emotional influences is crucial to maintaining objectivity. Personal values may color judgment; thus, self-awareness enhances impartiality and aligns decisions with professional ethics rather than personal preferences (Bush et al., 2006).

Step 5: Generating Possible Solutions

All feasible options should be outlined, considering potential risks and benefits. The goal is to identify solutions that uphold ethical standards while minimizing harm and maximizing positive outcomes for clients and society (Bush et al., 2006).

Step 6: Weighing Consequences

A thorough analysis of the positive and negative consequences of each solution informs decision-making. This evaluative process ensures that ethical choices are not only theoretically grounded but also practically viable (Bush et al., 2006).

Step 7: Implementing the Chosen Course of Action

Timing and appropriateness are critical for effective implementation. Psychologists should choose the optimal moment to execute their decision, making sure it aligns with ethical standards and context specifics. Subsequent follow-up is essential for monitoring outcomes (Bush et al., 2006).

Step 8: Follow-up and Evaluation

Post-implementation, psychologists assess the results to determine success and areas for improvement. Openness to feedback, willingness to revise decisions, and readiness to accept constructive criticism form vital parts of ethical professionalism (Bush et al., 2006).

Implications of the Model

This model promotes comprehensive ethical reflection, reduces biases, and aligns decision-making with established professional standards like the APA Ethics Code and the Forensic Psychologists’ Guidelines (Neal, 2010). It encourages psychologists to approach dilemmas systematically, accounting for contextual variables and emotional influences that could impact impartiality.

Limitations

Despite its strengths, some practitioners view the model as lengthy and potentially redundant, especially when steps overlap in practice. The detailed process may be challenging in urgent situations where quick decisions are required, calling for adaptations or streamlined approaches based on context (Swanepoel, 2010).

Conclusion

The eight-step ethical decision-making model by Bush et al. (2006) offers a robust framework that navigates the complexities inherent in forensic psychology. By systematically addressing ethical dilemmas while considering situational, emotional, and contextual factors, it enhances decision quality, promotes objectivity, and adheres to professional standards. Though it may require effort and time, the model ultimately fosters ethically motivated choices that serve the interests of clients, society, and the integrity of the psychological profession.

References

  • Bush, S. S., Connell, M. A., & Denney, R. L. (2006). Ethical practice in forensic psychology: A systematic model for decision making. American Psychological Association.
  • Neal, T. M. (2010). Choosing the lesser of two evils: A framework for considering the ethics of competency-for-execution evaluations. Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, 10(2).
  • Swanepoel, M. (2010). Ethical decision-making in forensic psychology. Koers, 75(4).
  • American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. APA.
  • Remley, T. P., Jr., & Herlihy, B. (2016). Ethical and Professional Issues in Counseling. Pearson.
  • Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2014). Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions. Cengage Learning.
  • Bernstein, D. A., & Bernstein, M. (2018). Essentials of Psychology. Cengage Learning.
  • Fisher, C. B. (2017). Decoding the Ethics Code. SAGE Publications.
  • Gould, S. J. (2014). Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life. Penguin.
  • Widdows, M., & Banaji, M. R. (2013). Unconscious Bias. Routledge.

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