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Case Study Analysis: Billy Bizerk
MY NAME
PSY-570-X4321 Ethical Practice
Jeral Kirwan
May 4, 2023
Case Study Analysis: Billy Bizerk
I. Case Study Abstract
The case study provided involves Billy Bezerk, who murdered his family of four, claiming to have experienced hallucinations, and his defense attorney sought Dr Cider's help in establishing legal insanity. Dr. Cider made a moral error by failing to properly advise Mr. Bezerk due to his lack of familiarity with the relevant state statutes. Dr. Cider failed to adhere to the APA Code of Conduct, which psychologists are expected to observe throughout their professional lives. Due to his disregard for the established norms, Dr. Cider placed himself in an ethical dilemma. The approach to analyzing this case study would be to examine Dr. Cider's ethical decisions and to consider alternative courses of action that could have been adopted.
II. Case Study Description
The plot centers on Billy Bezerk, who axe murdered his family of four while professing to have experienced hallucinations. The focus is primarily on two individuals; the expert psychological assessor, Dr. Cruddy, and Billy Bezerk, the defendant, and the judge and jury. Dr. Cruddy analyzes Billy's mental condition and asserts that he was insane at the time of the murders. However, Dr. Cruddy faces an ethical dilemma because the determination of legal insanity is beyond the scope of behavioral science and falls under the purview of the law. The judge and jury, who are legal professionals responsible for determining if Billy meets the legal definition of insanity, are also important people in the case study.
One important interaction in the case study is the assessment of Billy Bezerk. Dr Cider assesses Billy's mental condition by considering his behavior and claims of experiencing hallucinations. This assessment is vital in determining his sanity at the time of the murders. Another important interaction is the ethical dilemma faced by Dr Cider. This ethical issue arises since insanity is a legal concept outside the realm of behavioral science (Fingarette, 2022). The third interaction is honest mistakes and boundaries. The case demonstrates the possibility of ethical lapses on the part of professionals when they operate outside of their purview. It stresses the value of knowing one's limits as a professional and reaching out to colleagues in relevant professions for advice and assistance.
III. The Ethical Conflict
The case study's fundamental ethical problem revolves around the boundary of competence and the interaction between the various roles involved in the scenario. The issue stems from Dr. Cruddy’s conclusion, as a psychiatric evaluator, that Billy Bezerk was insane at the time of the killings. The interactions between the distinct roles in the case show the complexity of the ethical dilemma. Dr. Cruddy’s assessment serves as one piece of evidence for the judge and jury's consideration in making the legal determination of insanity. However, Dr. Cruddy went beyond his scope of practice by legally determining insanity. This is outside the purview of a psychologist (Weaver & Meyer, 2019). Because of this error, the judge and jury's decision could be swayed, and the defendant's legal rights could be jeopardized.
In addition, the moral dilemma at the center of this scenario brings up some very serious considerations regarding the obligations placed on specialists employed in the mental health field. It highlights how important it is to recognize and respect the limits of one's expertise and the need to work together with other professionals or seek their advice when necessary. Also, it emphasizes the potential repercussions of crossing these boundaries and the significance of ethical decision-making in the context of professional work.
To address the conflict, Dr. Cider should have consulted a colleague and inquired what he should and should not do before becoming an expert in psychological evaluation. Additionally, he could have improved his courtroom performance by brushing up on the knowledge required by a successful evaluator. Lastly, Dr Cider could have declined the offer of the job as an evaluator and given it to somebody who is well-versed in the procedures that should be followed in a legal setting.
In conclusion, the interactions that take place between the various roles in the scenario shed light on the intricacy of the ethical issue that arises as a result of the tension between the behavioral scientific definition of insanity and the legal definition of insanity. In the context of professional work, one must be aware of one's limitations, seek suitable collaboration or advice when necessary, and make ethical decisions. The case demonstrates this point.
References
Case study 13-7: Billy Biserk
Fingarette, H. (2022). The Meaning of Criminal Insanity. 1st Edi. University of California Press.
Weaver, C., & Meyer, R. (2019). Law and Mental Health: A Case-Based Approach (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press.