Module 2

Question 1

What were the 3 assertions of the Percivalian Ethics Code (developed by Thomas Perceival AMA)?

Answer 1

1. Moral authority + independence of physicians in service to others
2. Affirmed the profession’s responsibility to care for the sick
3. Emphasised individual behaviour

Question 2

What were Socrates views on ethics & the good life?

Answer 2

Individuals need to reflect on values - rational reflection is not good enough - they need to combine this with doing your part to contribute to society

Question 3

What were Plato’s views on ethics?

Answer 3

Believed virtuous people have practical wisdom (phronesis) - the ability to know when and how to apply moral perspectives. Believed the strengths of character to be courage and piety (being religious)

Question 4

What did Aristotle believe about ethics?

Answer 4

Humans live well through contemplating, learning, intellectual virtues and good character. Achieving these makes up eudaimonia

Question 5

What is another word for teleology?

Answer 5

Consequentialism (outcome-based)

Question 6

According to utilitarianism, what is the right moral action?

Answer 6

The one that maximises happiness for all

Question 7

According to deontology, what is the right moral action?

Answer 7

Not the consequences but the way the chooser thinks when they make their choice

Question 8

Which moral position is utilitarianism most closely aligned with?

Answer 8

Teleology/consequentialism

Question 9

How are the ethical decisions of psychs based in both consequentialism and deontology?

Answer 9

Consequentialism - constantly thinking about doing whatever will cause least amount of harm to the client

Deontology - they have to follow various principles and duties, irrespective of outcome

Question 10

What are the basics of deontology?

Answer 10

• Morally important think is not the consequences but the way the chooser thinks when they make their choice
• Deals with duties and obligations - you need to attend to your professional duties before your personal one

Question 11

What does Kant argue are 3 things that duty can be demonstrated in?

Answer 11

• Religion
• Universalism
• Professional Obligation

Question 12

What are Forsyth’s four ethical ideologies and their meanings?

Answer 12

Situationists - high idealism and high relativism - reject absolute moral rules yet maintain that good consequences can always be obtained

Absolutists - high idealism and low relativism - accept universal moral rules and believe that good consequences can be realised

Subjectivists - low idealism, high relativism - reject moral absolutes and base judgement on personal feelings and actions/circumstances

Exceptionists - low idealism, low relativism - view conformity to moral rules as desirable yet regard exceptions to these rules as permissible

Question 13

In hadjistavropoulos et al., (2003) reading - what is idealism and relativism?

Answer 13

Idealism = moral dimension related to the acceptance of harm 
Relativism = dimension that identifies the degree of acceptance of moral absolutes

Question 14

What were the findings of Hadjistavropoulos et al., (2003)?

Answer 14

Found psychologists to obtain lower relativism scores than physicians
Found psychologists and physicians did not differ in idealism scores
Found psychologists will report influence to a greater extent than physicians

Question 15

What does Prima Facie Duty Theory say about moral intuitions?

Answer 15

They are judgements about how an individual should act in a particular situation

Question 16

What are the 6 components that define moral intensity?

Answer 16

1. Magnitude of consequences - sum of harm/benefit to people - sum of the consequences to the victims involved in the action
2. Social consensus - degree of social agreement that the act is good/bad
3. Probability of effect - joint function that the act will occur and produce the predicted outcome
4. Temporal immediacy - time between the acts and its effects occuring - shorter length of time = greater immediacy
5. Proximity - level of nearness to the person/people affected
6. Concentration of effect - inverse function of the number of people affected by an act of a given magnitude

Question 17

What are the 3 circumstances in which people will assume little responsibility in an ethical issue?

Answer 17

1. Consequence involves someone psychologically or physically distant
2. The consequences are likely to occur in the distant future
3. It is unlikely that the negative consequence will occur

Question 18

What are the 2 types of ethical dilemmas?

Answer 18

Ethical dilemmas - involve a clash of ethical principles

Mixed dilemmas - clash of an ethical principle with a non-ethical protagonist

Question 19

What are the 5 domains Zeng et al (2014) used from the APA ethics code commentary in their study?

Answer 19

1. Resolving ethical issues
2. Confidentiality
3. Research and publication
4. Human relations
5. Therapy

Question 20

What are the 5 philosophical approaches that inform ethical decision making?

Answer 20

1. The virtue approach
2. The utilitarian approach
3. The rights approach
4. The fairness (or justice) approach
5. The common good approach

Question 21

What is May’s Five Questions (1980) EDMM?

Answer 21

Suggested five questions to ask yourself when deliberating of an ethical dilemma:

1. What is going on in the case?
2. By what criteria should decisions be made?
3. Who should decide?
4. For whose benefit does the professional act?
5. How should the professional decide and act?

Question 22

What are the 4 distinct psychological processes that are involved in EDM according to Rest (1984)?

Answer 22

1. Moral sensitivity/awareness - psychs ability to recognise that a situation raises an ethical issue and action may have potential harm or benefit
2. Moral judgement/evaluation - requires a level of reasoning when considering the possible choices and consequences
3. Moral motivation/intention - creates decision for action based on values
4. Moral character/action - psychs manifest behaviour in context

Question 23

what are Gottlieb’s (1986) three dimensions that should be considered in EDM?

Answer 23

1. Power - ability of psych to influence someone
2. Duration of the relationship - power increases overtime
3. Clarity of termination - likelihood the client and psych will have further professional contact

Question 24

What is the Queensland Governments Six Step Process?

Answer 24

Re = recognise the potential issue or problem
F = find relevant information such as facts and evidence including APS code of ethics 
L = linger at the fork in the road - consult with supervisors etc 
E = evaluate your options
C = come to a decision and record your actions
T = take time to reflect and review

Question 25

What are the 8 steps in Koocher and Keith-Spiegel’s EDMM?

Answer 25

1. Is the dilemma and ethical one?
2. Consult relevant codes, guidelines and laws
3. Identify factors/traps which could influence the decision
4. Consult with experienced colleagues
5. Evaluate the rights/vulnerabilities of all parties involved
6. Generate a range of possible actions
7. Determine the probable consequence of each action
8. Decide and act accordingly

Question 26

What are the 4 common ethical traps?

Answer 26

1. Common sense & objectivity trap
2. Values trap
3. Circumstantiality trap
4. Who will benefit trap

Question 27

What is affect in EDM and what does it act as?

Answer 27

Enables cognitive flexibility and acts as a catalyst and bi product during decision making and enables a holistic and intuitive outcome

Question 28

What are the 3 styles of perfectionism (Zhang et al., 2007)?

Answer 28

1. Self oriented perfectionism - individual sets and seeks high self standards
2. Other oriented perfectionism - individual expects that others should or would be perfect in their performance
3. Socially prescribed perfectionism - individual to believe that others expect perfection from them