Professional guidelines and tools that create a strategy for dealing with an ethical dilemma
Create a PowerPoint presentation (minimum 10 slides) that demonstrates the use of professional guidelines and tools that create a strategy for dealing with an ethical dilemma in a simulated case study. Analyze the usefulness of those guidelines and tools.
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Introduction
Note: You are strongly encouraged to complete the assessments in this course in the order in which they are presented.
Ethical principles, professional standards, theories, and decision-making models provide guides for navigating complex moral choices in professional contexts.
An ethical dilemma is a situation that is difficult to resolve because no course of action will be a perfect solution. In such situations, critically analyzing and thinking about all applicable ethical principles and standards is important. Even then, it can be hard to make ethical decisions, but decisions must be made. Often, avoidance of making a decision is a decision within itself, and it can bring the worst possible outcome.
The process for solving ethical dilemmas can be multifaceted. You must consider all parts of a situation in order to make an informed and responsible decision about how to proceed ethically. The more layers, the more difficult an ethical dilemma is to resolve.
The American Psychological Association’s “Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct” and similar standards developed by other professional organizations are important sources of guidance. Ethical theories provide general frameworks for evaluating ethical positions. In addition, ethical decision-making models are important tools to resolve ethical dilemmas. These two concepts can be confusing.
To deepen your understanding, you are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community.
• Why are ethics important for practitioners?
• What specific values, skills, and knowledge might you need to be ethical in your planned professional role as a psychological practitioner, educator, researcher, or organizational change agent?
• What are the main theoretical positions in regard to ethics? Which do you think are most valuable? Why?
• What ethical dilemmas might arise in your specialization?
• How can ethical codes and standards help?
• What are the strengths and limitations of these ethical codes and standards?
Sample Answer
Slide 1: Introduction
- Ethical Dilemmas in Psychology
- Define ethical dilemmas
- Discuss the importance of ethical decision-making in psychology
Slide 2: Ethical Principles and Standards
- American Psychological Association (APA) Ethics Code
- Outline key principles (beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, fidelity, integrity)
- Discuss the importance of adhering to ethical standards