Pope Ch. 8

Question 1

17 steps in ethical decision-making

Answer 1

1. State the question, dilemma, or concern as clearly as possible
2. Anticipate who will be affected by the decision
3. Figure out who, if anyone, is the client
4. Assess whether our areas of competence––and of missing knowledge, skills, experience, or expertise––fit the situation
5. Review relevant formal ethics codes and standards
6. Review relevant legal standards
7. Review the relevant research and theory
8. Consider whether personal feelings, biases, or self-interest might shade our ethical judgment
9. Consider whether social, cultural, religious, or similar factors affect the situation and the search for the best response
10. Consider consultation
11. Develop alternative courses of action
12. Think through the alternative courses of action
    13.Try to adopt the perspective of each person who will be affected
13. Decide what to do, review or reconsider it, and take action
14. Document the process and assess the results
15. Assume personal responsibility for the consequences
16. Consider implications for preparation, planning, and prevention

Question 2

Correspondence Bias and The Fundamental Attribution Error

Answer 2

Very similar. Both involve ascribing the observed behavior of another person to that person’s personal characteristics rather than situational constraints. There is a debate on Wikipedia about how these two concepts are subtly different, but for our purposes, they are quite similar.

Question 3

Meehl’s (1977) Double Standard of Morals

Answer 3

We tend to hold other people’s explanations to a much higher scientific standard of logic, plausibility, persuasiveness, and proof than we do for our own explanations.