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Ethical Decision Making
My name
PSY-570-X4321 Ethical Practice
Dr. Kirwan
June4, 2023
Ethical Decision Making
Eight-Step Ethical Decision-Making Model:
First, determine whether the matter involves ethics:( You must introduce the model and cite your source.) This case study has an ethical issue. Dr Cider called Billy Berzek "insane." While insanity can only be defined by law, behavioral science cannot. Prior to planning, Dr Cider should have determined whether the scenario had any ethical issues at hand. Second, utilize already available guidelines to resolve the issue (Ricou, 2020). Dr Cider should have utilized the APA code of ethics standards. For example, the "Resolving Ethical Issues" standard states that psychologists must never tolerate the misuse of their methods. The professional must also declare their dedication to the Code of Ethics and disclose any conflicts of interest. Also, the standard of competence: Psychologists have limitations on where their training will take them and what additional scenarios, they will willingly put themselves in. If Dr Cider had read these guidelines, he would not have called his patient insane. Third, consider all factors that may influence the decision made. These factors include cultural or societal, or individual preferences.
Fourth, consult with colleagues. Dr Cider could have avoided this ethical issue altogether if he had consulted a colleague before he became a specialized psychological evaluator. Fifth, assess the needs, rights, and vulnerabilities of everyone involved. APA code of ethics principle of beneficence and nonmaleficence requires that no harm be caused by psychiatric practitioners (Jansen, 2022). Dr Cider caused injury to his client by referring to him as insane. Had he assessed these rights, the ethical issue could have been avoided. Sixth, develop alternative solutions. In this case study, Dr Cider could have thought about different ways of achieving ethical practices.
Seventh, enumerate the repercussions of each feasible decision. When considering the potential outcomes of his choices, Dr Cider should have referred to the APA's code of ethics. Lastly, make the decision. If Dr Cider had followed each of these eight steps, he would have made the right decision and not encountered any ethical issues.
2. Ethical Strategy
Dr Cider's lack of competence as a psychologist is this case's ethical issue. If he were genuinely an expert psychologist, he would realize that labeling someone as insane is outside the scope of psychology. When Dr Cider is uncertain whether a particular situation or course of action violates this code of ethics , the psychologist often consults with other psychologists who may or may not be interested. knowledge of ethical issues, state or national psychological ethics committees, or other authorities to select the correct answer . The proposed strategy given was, "Dr Cider can accurately characterize the defendant's unusual behavior, corroborate his impulsivity and instability using test or interview data, explain how a loss of control might result, link these findings to the facts of the case, and provide another similar expert commentary." Dr. Cider can appropriately describe the defendant’s bizarre behavior, confirm his impulsivity and instability using test or inter-view data, explain how a lack of control might result, link these findings to the facts of the case, and provide other such expert commentary” (pg. 437, Koocher & Keith-Spiegel, 2016). This shows exactly what Dr. Cider could do, but he was unaware. To achieve this, Dr Cider could have studied various research or consulted competent individuals in his area of study. This would have made him competent, thus avoiding the ethical dilemma.
3. Alternative Decision-Making Model.
First, identify the problem. Dr Cider could have identified the ethical issue. Second, develop alternative options in the scenario. Dr Cider could have looked at various options in the scenario that achieve Ethical practices, specifically sticking to the original ideation that Billy had major thought disorder and paranoid ideations and not insanity. Developing multiple answers to a problem can allow a real expert to look at each answer. Third, assess each choice. Following the APA Code of Ethics and ensuring no harm occurs to anyone is the best course of action. DR Cider should have considered all the possibilities and followed the code wherever possible. Fourth, put the best option into action. Dr Cider could have chosen and implemented the best decision with no ethical issues following APA guidelines and deciding which option is best the specialist must implement the decision made in their dilemma. Lastly, assess the decision-making that occurred. DR Cider must consider the reasoning behind his choice and whether it may be improved or reflect on why the decision was made and find some improvements that can be made.
4. Statement of Culture and Social Orientations
When creating a treatment plan of any kind, conducting a psychiatric evaluation, or properly comprehending a client's behaviors, consideration of social and cultural effects is crucial (Gruda et al., 2019). The proposed strategy requires Dr Cider to testify for Billy. However, there are cases where health professionals are encouraged to comment on ultimate issues or give false testimony. Therefore, a social issue may be caused by the case's outcome. If Billy is not insane but the testimony given lies in favor of insanity and he ends up in a mental hospital, he would be freed much sooner than if he were given a prison sentence for the murder of his family. This would put society at risk. (Cultural and social considerations can include a lot of things such as: age, education, location, background, family structure, sexual orientation, gender, political affiliation. Think about all the personological factors that might be related to social and professional interactions)
5. Statement of Multiple Role Relationship Issues:
A psychologist has multiple relationships with a client when he or she is collaborating with the client in a professional capacity while also having another relationship with the client. The proposed ethical strategy may have been shaped by the interplay of multiple relationships, wherein the duties of the various positions may conflict or overlap. It indicates there is a chance the professional’s duty will overlap or lead to a conflict of interest, putting both the client and the professional in danger. Because Dr Cider was Billy's therapist, their relationship would be a multiple relationship when he testifies in Billy's case. Dr Cider's role with Billy in the lawsuit will expand from that of the client to that of the witness. Because of the therapist's multiple relationship with the client, the therapist may develop outside prejudice toward the client, disrupting their client/therapist relationship.
References
Gruda, D., & Kafetsios, K. (2019). Attachment orientations guide the transfer of leadership judgments: Culture matters. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 46(4), 525–546. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167219865514
Jansen, L. (2022). Medical beneficence, nonmaleficence, and patient's well-being. The Journal of Clinical Ethics, 33(1), 23–28. https://doi.org/10.1086/jce2022331023
Koocher, G. P., & Keith-Spiegel, P. C. (2016). Ethics in psychology and the mental health professions: Standards and cases. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Ricou, M., & Marina, S. (2020). Decision making A and ethical reasoning in psychology. Psychology in Russia: State of the Art, 13(1), 2–10. https://doi.org/10.11621/pir.2020.0101