Chapter 4: Ethical Principles Flashcards
Ideas and standards that are valued by society or within a particular group
Morals
One’s beliefs about the importance of something
Values
The morals that are adopted by an individual or a profession that provide rules or standards of conduct
Ethics
An articulated set of principles established by a particular group that structures behavioral expectations for
members within that group
Code of ethics
Rules about behavior that have been established by courts or legislative processes and that are intended to maintain order in society
Laws
Principles, protocols, or guidelines that guide practice in a particular agency
Policies
Guide someone’s individual behavior and our assessment of the behavior of others
Cultural values
Moral principles for helpers:
1) autonomy
2) beneficence
3) non-maleficence
4) justice
5) fidelity
Respecting the capacity of an individual to make an informed, un-coerced decision
Autonomy
Action done for the benefit of others
Beneficence
Commitment to do no harm
Non-maleficence
Commitment to fairness
Justice
Being honest and trustworthy, and honoring the commitment of the helping relationship
Fidelity
Difference between “Equal” and “Fair”?
Equality - access to the same opportunity
Equity - giving everyone the same thing
Key ethical concepts for helping professionals:
1) competence
2) confidentiality
3) protection from harm and duty to report
4) dual or multiple relationships
Not providing services for which the helper has not been properly trained
Not providing services/help/support that is not requested by the helpee
Competence
An agreement and/or outline of what services the helpee can expect from the helper
Informed consent
Commitment to maintain and protect helpee privacy
Not sharing information with others without explicit (typically written) consent
Confidentiality
Responsibility of a helper to secure the safety of helpees who poses a threat to themselves or others
Protection from harm
Is legal responsibility to inform third parties and authorities if a helpee poses a
a threat to a third-party?
Duty to warn
In Canada, there are laws that mandate
reporting by professionals of suspected child maltreatment when there is “reasonable and probable grounds to believe or suspect that a child is or may be suffering or may have suffered abuse”
Duty to report
When the legal control and responsibilities of an individual no longer belong to parents/guardians
Legal age of majority
Responsibilities to try to avoid overlapping duties, roles, or relationships with helpee
Helping relationships are not mutual
Dual and multiple relationships
What are the steps of making an ethical decision?
1) identify the problem
2) consult the professional code of ethics
3) consider relevant legal statutes, agency policies, and best practice mandates
3) obtain consultations
4) generate potential decisions
5) make a decision
6) secure written documentation regarding your decision-making process in an appropriate confidential file
