Chapter 1: Morrissey & Reddy (2015) Flashcards
(32 cards)
Why are ethical decisions so tricky for psychologists?
what a psych does judged by:
- what is acceptable in a MORAL sense
- what is considered acceptable PROFESSIONALLY
- what is defensible in LAW
Ethics is more than what the profession and law determine to be acceptable practice, it also involves what?
“The philosophical study of good conduct” (Ross, 193)
What does an ethical theory/position allow for?
An account of ethical thought and practice that allows for testing the correctness of theoretical principles that the theory is based on
Why is making decisions about what is morally good or bad, right or wrong, so challenging for psychologists?
None of the professional code of ethics contains a clearly articulated philosophical framework for professional decision making and action.
Why has psychology struggled to come up with an overarching philosophical perspective?
- Privately psychologists might not embrace a single philosophical standpoint on how they should practice - people cannot be coerced into adopting a specific philosophical position
- few courses in psychology offer formal training in moral philosophy
- discrepancy between what psychologists say they should do and what they actually do - conversion of reasoning into action is subjective
- Philosophical reasoning must be situationally responsive - sensitive to variations in circumstances
If a philosophical framework is going to have heuristic value it needs to:
- allow the psych to weigh up what the profession determines to be good practice
- what the law requires
- what is the morally good or right thing to do
- what is the good or right thing to do in the particular circumstances
What does being an ethical psychologist mean?
- Behaving in moral acceptable manner “good conduct”
- Behaving a way acceptable to the profession
- Behaving a way acceptable to the law
What do ethical, principle, rights and responsibilities mean across the context of different philosophical frameworks?
These terms take on different meanings in different philosophical frameworks
What are the four main moral theories?
- CONSEQUENTIALISM (telelogical):
- Actions are right or wrong by virtue of their consequences.
- What is right will produce the greatest net benefit
- includes utilitarian principle - greatest balance of good over evil/balance of value over disvalue
- DEONTOLOGICAL approach (Kantian):
- Actions are right or wrong in themselves regardless of consequences.
- Right actions are defined in terms of justice/rights and fairness.
- Right actions are those that would be prescribed as general law that treat people as ends (not means).
- NORMATIVE RELATIVISM
- An action is right or wrong if some person or group decrees it so
- CLASSICAL VIRTUE THEORY (Agent centred)
- Right actions require the exercise of good character and are not determined by consequences or the nature of actions themselves
What is CONSEQUENTIALISM / teleogical
- Actions are right or wrong by virtue of their consequences.
- What is right will produce the greatest net benefit
- includes utilitarian principle - greatest balance of good over evil/balance of value over disvalue
What is the *DEONTOLOGICAL approach (Kantian)?
- Actions are right or wrong in themselves regardless of consequences.
- Right actions are defined in terms of justice/rights and fairness.
- Right actions are those that would be prescribed as general law that treat people as ends (not means).
What is *NORMATIVE RELATIVISM?
- An action is right or wrong if some person or group decrees it so
What is * CLASSICAL VIRTUE THEORY (Agent centered)?
- CLASSICAL VIRTUE THEORY (Agent centred)
- Right actions require the exercise of good character and are not determined by consequences or the nature of actions themselves
Are there objective moral properties?
- Some meta-analytical perspectives believe there are objective moral properties:
- realism
- naturalism
- non-naturalism
Some are unsure:
- scepticism
Some do not believe that there are objective moral properties:
- emotivisim
- meta-ethical realism
- nihilism
Broadly, what do theories of meta-ethics suggest?
That right actions:
- fufill most pressing obligations
- reflect most relevant social norms
- result in greatest wellbeing
- are motivated by virtuous character
What does prima facie duty mean?
Conditional duty - Ross (1930) considered all duty was conditional
What does Ross’ Prima Facie theory distinguish between?
- Rightness and wrongness: refers to things done (acts regardless of motive - what is right)
- Goodness and badness: refers to actions and therefore involve judgement concerning motives that give rise to an action (what is morally right)
What does the distinction between goodness and rightness imply:
A morally good action need not be the doing of a right act…
And the doing of a right act need not be a morally good action
What does Ross’ Prima Facie theory imply for psychologists?
Helps us distinguish between:
- knowledge of a morally good principle
- a wrong act
Whats an example of Ross’ Prima Facie goodness principle?
Promising to keep information confidential.
Contrary act would be breaching confidentiality in order to prevent harm.
What is the the judgement about GOODNESS/BADNESS of psychologists about?
A judgement about the motives that underpin the actions
What is the judgement about the RIGHTNESS/WRONGNESS about?
A judgement about the whether the act fufills the psychologists prima facie duty or duties to the client.
What is Ross’ definition of “right acts” according to the Prima Facie theory?
…not those that OUGHT to occur because
they are based on a perfect obligation to act in that particular manner,
are based on a consideration of
all the moral ramifications of acting in a particular situation
AND which result in the discharge in one way or another of one’s prima facie duties relevant to the situation”
Ross acknowledges the coexistence of moral duties, what does this mean?
Psychologists are likely to have a variety of competing responsibilities to clients and other parties - including competing claims, rights, and duties
