L4 - Ethics

Question 1

What is ethics

Answer 1

a system of moral principles to guide how people make decisions to lead their lives.

Question 2

What are the approaches to ethics?

Answer 2

• Deontological
• Utilitarian
• Virtue

Question 3

What is deontological ethics?

Answer 3

Duty-based ethics

Focuses on why we make a decision, instead of its outcome.

Some acts are right or wrong in principle, so we have a duty to act accordingly regardless of the consequences.

Question 4

What is Utilitarianism?

Answer 4

(Consequentialism)
ethical decisions need to maximise the good outcome for the most people.

Problems:

• Can lead to conclusion that some quite dreadful acts are good
• Predicting and evaluating the consequences of actions is often difficult

Question 5

What is virtue ethics?

Answer 5

Based on Aristotle

Virtues are natural tendencies

Concerned with moral character rather than ethical duties and rules - living is about fostering and cultivating the virtues.

good virtues lead to good society ,lives and outcomes.

Question 6

What were kohlberg’s stages of moral dev?

Answer 6

• Preconventional (rewards + punishment)l, conventional and post-conventional (principles override rules).

People must pass through each level in that order.

refuted bc of gender bias

Question 7

When is it ok to sacrifice your life to save others?

Answer 7

It’s been found that people are generally more willing to sacrifice themselves…. people move to more utilitarian views.

Question 8

What did Greene & Haidt (2002) find in terms of the trolley dilemmas?

Answer 8

They found that people responded differently depending on whether the dilemma had a personal or impersonal frame.

Impersonal - utilitarian
Personal - Deontological

Question 9

What is the APS Code of Ethics for?

Answer 9

Code of ethical principles to guide psychologists and public to an understanding of expectations.

expresses psych’s responsibility to clients and community.

lack of awareness or misunderstanding of ethical standard is not a defense to unethical conduct!!!

Question 10

What are the 3 general ethical priniciples of APS code of ethics?

Answer 10

Respect, Propriety and Integrity.

Question 11

Describe RESPECT

Answer 11

APS general principle

Respect for the rights and dignity of people and peoples.

• peoples privacy and confidentiality - and recognise the power they hold over people when practicing as a psych
• diversity and uniqueness of people
• right to be treated fairly w/o discrimination

Question 12

describe PROPRIETY

Answer 12

• Must practice within limits of COMPETENCE
• psychs must look after themselves, as it might impact competence to perform at their best.
• Anticipate consequences of their professional decisions and provide services that are beneficial to people, and do not harm. - BENEFICIENCE.
• Put welfare of clients about self-interest

Question 13

describe INTEGRITY

Answer 13

• psych’s position requires TRUST, HONESTY and OBJECTIVITY.
• best interest of clients, profession and their colleagues - similar to propriety, but more concerned w/ conflicts of interest
• identify and avoid conflicts of interest
• aware of own biases and limits to objectivity
• refrain from exploiting clients

Question 14

What does the Australian Privacy Act do?

Answer 14

It protects individuals against mishandling of personal information - which is information that could identify you.

When collecting, it needs to be collected w/ consent, only what is needed, and accurate, update and kept securely.

Information is also sensitive - ethnicity, religion, sexual preference.

Question 15

What is the APS Ethical Descision making model?

Answer 15

1. Recognise there is an ethical issue present
2. Clarify the ethical issues
3. Generate and examine the avail courses of action
4. Choose and implement the most preferred option
5. Reflect on and review the process

Question 16

Describe the process of recognising that there is an ethical issue present.

Answer 16

• need to be sensitive to ‘clues’ - such as changing usual professional practices, avoiding certain topics, or ruminating after a session.
• Would i be comfortable if my colleagues knew about this situation?
• Examine wither there is anything hindering your ability to objectively assess the situation - bias?
• try discussing with senior colleague

DETERMINE whether the problem is your responsibility - are there legal obligations? Is it your problem? (Propriety) Has the info come from a reliable source/is it factual?

Remember law overrides principles, doesn’t need consent.

Question 17

Describe the process of clarifying the ethical issues.

Answer 17

• Need to identify which of the three general principles of APS is relevent to issue, and seek appropriate help.
• find the ethical standards that are relevant, and the ethical guidelines where necessary.
• identify any competing ethical principles - or if it conflicts w/ law
• identify aspects of situation that are pressuring you to act quickly, and find ways to buy more time to make the best decision (to gather more evidence/info, think of consequences and everyone who is affected).
• consider the rights of everyone involved
• try to talk to colleagues to identify any gaps in thinking

Question 18

Describe the process of Generating and examining available courses of action.

Answer 18

• evaluate all factors that might influence your capability to make decision
• social and cultural factors that might need to be considered
• identify possible alt courses of action

Question 19

Describe the process of choosing and implementing the most preferred option

Answer 19

• must document the issue and how you decided on course of action, including consultation w/ colleagues, reference to ethics resources.

might be required for legal action.

Question 20

Describe the process of reflecting and reviewing the process.

Answer 20

• could i have prevented the issue from happening?
• am i satisfied ?
• would i have done anything diff?
• is there anything i’d do differently in the future?