Tag Archives: Decision making

April 8, 2011 · 12:48 pm

Ethics: What is the Role of Ethical Standards?


Morse Code Straight Key J-38

Morse Code: A Standard for Communicating to Others.

A recent news report by KENS 5, San Antonio Texas says, San Antonio council woman Jennifer Ramos is speaking out about the ethics rule she has been accused of breaking. An ethics review board found that Ramos violated a section of the ethics code by using city computers to email her then-employer, the WellMed Charitable Foundation. But the board agreed to dismiss the most damaging allegation, reporting there’s no proof she used her position to unfairly advance the interests of WellMed (Kens 5 San Antonio). What is apparent from the report is a potential for ethical dilemmas that are a common to the daily business of life.

A good question to pose is: what is the role that ethical standards should play in a professional capacity being served? Like politicians and other professionals, psychology professionals are faced with a challenge to provide competent-ethical services. A point of view about standards is that, “ethical codes provide normative ethical expectations that apply to all members of a profession” (Ford, 2006, p. 1). Further understanding of what an ethical standard does is expressed in greater description indicating at least 4 reasons for developing ethical standards: [1.] To clarify their sense of professional identity by distinguishing themselves from those practicing other professions and occupations. [2.] An ethical code is a way of communicating to students and practitioners of the profession the basic principles, ideals, and interests of the profession. [3.] To address questions and problems relating to ethical matters. [4.] Establishes standards of professional conduct that provide specific behavioral guidelines that provide specific behavioral guidelines and serve to sensitize all members of the profession to ethical issues involved in the practice of the profession (Ford, 2006, p. 4)

A point taken from these reasons is that the objectives fulfilled in a code of ethics are, “to educate professionals about sound ethical conduct … provides a mechanism for professional accountability … serve as a catalyst for improving practice (Corey, Corey, & Callanan, 2009, p. 8). In addition to the internal component of the code of ethics that relates to the professional practicing, the overarching theme for the code of ethics serves the function “to safeguard the welfare of the client by providing what is in their best interest (p. 8). Therefore, standards provide an information base that educates a logical process in decision making. Ethical standards provide an objective standard for evaluation of specific areas of potential conflict.

The role that ethical standards ethical codes play in decision making is to enable a bi-directional process of induction and deduction. A code is not designed to discourage intuitive ethical judgments but to enable a process where thinking and reasoning can be applied and critical-evaluative ethical judgments can be made with a dependable basis (Welfel, 2006, pp. 20-21).

As a result the process that the code puts in place is an analytical reasoning process in which decisions must be formulated in a particular construct to enable a response. What can happen is that, “it will enable professionals to differentiate contexts involving multiple, or competing, ethical considerations from those that are less complex…[and] provide a template of steps professionals can take to resolve complex ethical issues in a rational manner” (pp. 82-83).

In the case of the council woman’s ethical dilemma, “the board agreed to dismiss the most damaging allegation, reporting there’s no proof she used her position to unfairly advance the interests of WellMed. Ramos said she’s pleased with the outcome, but the issue needs to be addressed” (Kens 5 San Antonio) providing a reasonable way that a decision could be made between competing interests.

Consequently, development of professional codes of ethics provides a substantive basis for decision making which provides guidance in what is expected of professionals and what is acceptable responses to problems which arise.

References

Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2009). Isssues and Ethics in the Helping Profession (7th ed.). Belmont, CA, USA: Brooks/Cole. Ford, G. (2006). Ethical reasoning for mental health professionals. Thousand Oaks, California, USA: Sage Publications.

Kens 5 San Antonio. (n.d.). Retrieved April 7, 2011, from Kens 5.com: http://www.kens5.com/news/Councilwoman-speaks-out-about-lessons-learned-from-ethics-violation-119289394.html Welfel, E. R. (2006).

Ethics in counseling & psychotherapy (3rd ed.). Belmont, California, USA: Thomas Higher Education.

Related Articles

Leave a Comment

Filed under Consulting, Ethics, I/O Psychology, Index, Leadership, Relationships

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

March 19, 2011 · 10:22 pm

Ethics, Consulting, Fees and Billing: The Problem of Unexpected Expenses


An I/O consultant providing consultation services looks at consulting proposal and gives an estimate of services to be provided based upon a careful analysis of time and resources required to complete the company’s employment recruiting program.  However, after the initial interview with the HR staff, it is discovered that the process will be much more labor intensive than had been projected.  Feeling that it would be unethical to submit a bill for an amount to cover additional cost, the decision is made to absorb the cost. (Ford, 2006, p. 199)

Analyzing key ethical principles of the case that raises important questions about financial benefit that might impinge upon decision making and poses the question about what constitutes ethical behavior within a consulting role in this situation. This example presents a common problem that consultants might be faced with and presents a challenge to identify what issues are of concern and understand what the correct course of response may be when unexpected issues have an impact upon fees increasing.  How can the problem should be handled ethically?

The problem

The problem that is presented is whether it is ethical to change payment or billing amounts after discovering that a situation in a consult is more complicated after the fact. Narrowing the problem to an identifiable question redirects attention to asking what the code of ethics says about payment for services: 6.04 Fees and Financial Arrangements which states, “(a) As early as is feasible in a professional or scientific relationship, psychologists and recipients of psychological services reach an agreement specifying compensation and billing arrangements” (Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct 2010).  One fundamental problem that is not answered in the study is whether or not informed consent is a part of the financial agreement for services. In 10.01 Informed Consent to Therapy, the stipulation is made that:

(a) psychologists inform clients/patients as early as is feasible in the therapeutic relationship about the nature and anticipated course of therapy, fees, involvement of third parties, and limits of confidentiality and provide sufficient opportunity for the client/patient to ask questions and receive answers (Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct 2010).

As a result to make a decision, hypothetically there needs to be a Q&A with the consultant to determine if informed consent has been used and has the terms and course of the services for therapeutic services been accurately developed, presented, and an opportunity to a proposed plan of treatment to be executed.  A further problem that seems to be present is that only an estimation of anticipated cost has been given which may point to a competency issue in analysis of proposed services.

A Process

A recommendation that might prevent this situation is to make an attempt to be as thorough as possible in the preparation of informed consent documents that represent as accurately as possible the scope and terms of services rendered.  Another approach is to use an open clause in the process that stipulates what is understood to be a reasonable course of action and a disclaimer which allows the informed consent to have an addendum to services based upon research findings.  In the event that services are beyond reasonable limits for a client, then the practitioner has to make a value decision in how to proceed with consulting responsibilities.  In a question of feasibility of service, one question is centered in the general Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility and Principle C: Integrity that may demonstrate a potential conflict in the Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence (Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct 2010). Consequently, a decision must be evaluated in respect to the matter of whether the services offered can be provided at an optimum level that guards the principle of doing no harm, while providing services for the agreed terms.

References

Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct 2010. (n.d.). Retrieved August 29, 2010, from Amercan Psychological Association: http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx

Ford, G. (2006). Ethical reasoning for mental health professionals. Thousand Oaks, California, USA: Sage Publications.

Related Articles

Related Articles

2 Comments

Filed under Consulting, Ethics, I/O Psychology, Influence

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

March 17, 2011 · 1:30 pm

The Ethics of Psychology and Christainity in Review of a Theoretical Orientation


The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

S.B.T.S. Louisville KY.

The Influence of Theoretical Orientation, Vision, and Values

Does the way that a theoretical orientation, conceptual vision, and underlying values are possessed have a potential to become an ethical dilemma for a practitioner? The simplest approach to an  answer is to consider how core values have impact decision making processes. Every practitioner is an individual holding  a set of value contained in an orientation that is a part of how decisions are made personally and professionally that express individual person-hood. An example of how personal values have an influence can be illustrated in the evangelical Christian value system which is a minority view among psychologists. For those who hold this point of view, it is reasonable to believe that beliefs held will encounter resistance from some traditional perspectives in the field of psychology.  This potential conflict is noted by Meyer (1988) who describes how psychology programs respond to Christian applicants:

Studies have shown that the religious population, particularly in the traditional institutional sense, is underrepresented in the profession of psychology (Malony, 1972; Ragan, Malony, & Beit-Hallahmi, 1976; Shafranske & Gorsuch, 1984). Gartner (1986) found evidence of an “antireligious prejudice” in admissions to doctoral programs in clinical psychology after sending mock applications to graduate programs (p. 486). What is apparent is that there may be a correlation between religious orientation and acceptance into graduate psychology programs.

If it is true that a bias exists against those who hold certain religious perspectives, a potential conflict may be present in the way candidates in the process of applying for graduate programs face disqualification which may indicate a larger issue of  general attitudes about religious issue in counseling setting.  What is apparent is that there is a noticeable gap in how religious orientation is viewed from traditionally held psychological perspective that may be affecting how the delivery of competent training is cited in this research. An a area of concern that is raised in how will those trained in an atmosphere of bias be adequately be considered competent to provide services to those who make up a a religious culture of clients when appropriate education, training, and ethical development is not represented.

There may be a mythology held by some in psychological education which minimizes religion as a non issue while maximizing scientific approaches as maximum intellectual truth.  The result informs an attitude that posits beliefs and values thought to be scientific as accepted principles for determining how religious people will be treated in matters related to faith.  As a result, the anti-religious sentiment represented establishes an ethical norm systematically imposed upon professional practice through training—educating of graduate students.

One way the disparity can be approached is by providing a reasonable approach to addressing religious issues. Then, determining what ethical issues and which principles may be relative to understanding the disparity. Identifying the philosophical assumptions is the foundation of understanding  for where the source of conflict is created.  Four key assumptions relating to ethical research are, ontological, epistemological, axiological, and methodological (2010, p. 4)

Both perspective have one fixed reality—ontological, possess an assumption about how truth is sourced—epistemology, emphasis upon certain values—axiology, and a rationale for how decisions are made—methodology. While both would claim to use a scientific approach that is based upon a particular empiricism, the source of conflict is a fundamentally different epistemology. When the question of where truth comes is asked for a Christian the answer is from God, or specifically what is known in a scientific study of theology about God.  For the secular theorist a philosophy of how truth is determined is either Kant’s formalistic rationalism, a ulitilitarian best case scenario, situational relativity, or contextual ethics.   One holds a theo-centric epistemology while the other holds an anthropocentric-person, experience centered as a  locus of truth.  Therefore, what is reasonably assumed to be true and translated as a value is what each acts from.  In the same way that cultures differ in beliefs, mores’, and values, cultures, peoples, and races must be understood in context with ethically appropriate behaviors. The disparity that is seen in underrepresentation and bias among graduate schools indicate a potential ethical complexity and a potential for conflict in inadequate understanding, training, and representations to enable higher levels of competence.

Providing a rationale with support for the ethical conflict can be found within ethical codes prescribed by professional organizations.   Using a problem solving approach to resolve the potential conflict leads to B.1. Respecting Client Rights B.1.a. Multicultural/Diversity Considerations (2005, p. 7) and  2.01 Boundaries of Competence:

Psychologists provide services… within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised experience, consultation, study, or professional experience … [with] understanding of factors associated with age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, or socioeconomic status is essential for effective implementation of their services or research (Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct 2010).

Based upon the principles expressed, the central question raised related to competency.  Is a therapist who was trained in an educational environment that is under-represented, described with a  bias against the culture of conservative religion, reasonably assumed to be competent and comply with the ethical code’s principle of competence?  If the answer is presumed to be negative, what is apparent is that there is an ethical dilemma and the counselor will be challenged to find ways to ethically,  professionally, and competently address a significantly represented cultural group who are underrepresented in multicultural training.

References

Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct 2010. (n.d.). Retrieved August 29, 2010, from Amercan Psychological Association: http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx

Ford, G. (2006). Ethical reasoning for mental health professionals. Thousand Oaks, California, USA: Sage Publications.

Meyer, M. (1988). Ethical principles of psychologists and religious diversity. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice , 19 (5), 486-488. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.19.5.486.

PhD Weekend experience SOSBS T2. (2010). Minneapolis, MN, USA: Capella University.

The ACA Code of Ethics. (2005). Retrieved October 1, 2009, from http://www.counseling.org: http://www.counseling.org

Related Articles

1 Comment

Filed under Consulting, Ethics, I/O Psychology, Index, Mental Health Issues, Sociology, Spiritual Development, Spirituality

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

December 6, 2010 · 6:37 pm

Finding Direction When You Have To Make a Decision


Cast all your anxiety

How can a good choice be made when conflicting expectations, emotions, and control factors exert their power over our will and thinking processes? The holiday season like other times of the year is a time that require decisions that results in, direction being  found, and depression for some.  Can decision-making be depressing? Indeed it can when life is out of balance and the pressures of life exacerbate the tension about choices that are made.  A common malady in this time of year as described by some: the holiday blues, calls attention to how the time of year. as well as issues faced during this time of year raise incidences of mental health issues such as, seasonal affective disorder. The reality is that life presents choices and how response is given to choice connects to how we feel, and sometimes what choice occurs. In Choices, by Melody Beattie, “This process of discerning what we can choose—what we do have control over—and what we can’t is the heart of mental health and the heart of the spiritual path.”

Discernment is a word by Christians to describe a spiritual gift, activity of understanding something that may not be or is not clear and obvious.  One approach is to prayerfully understand, through spiritual reflection, to make sense of something that is obscure, or not understandable.  Also, discernment is a description of the cognitive condition of someone who understands.  It is both a state of mind an activity that occurs in the process of decision-making.  As a result,  discernment and problem solving comprise the essential activity which occurs in the mind that utilizes creativity and thinking processes bi-directionally.  Unfortunately, many people separate logic and intelligence from spiritual activity, but in reality how can these two processes be divided?  Understanding what choices can be made is  a process of spiritual understanding including one’s own self under the magnifying glass of God’s unique expression of purpose in our lives.  A choice is not simply about what an individual may want to happen or even what we believe that God may want to happen; it is more about the process of choosing– not what we choose or what happens to us. With a focus on outcome coupled with process, it is what we become through the choice made that is important. not so much the mechanics of choice.  In the mind of someone who believe in linear absolutes, it may only be the moral-should that is important.  However, the critical question is what impact do decisions have upon who individuals are becoming in the process?

The moment that we realize what we can control and what we cannot, it is an opportunity for Divine Grace to enable freedom from the fear of responsibility that we have to control everything, be responsible for everyone.  In addition, realization frees life from compulsive perfectionism which weighs life down with the burden of carrying everyone’s cross that obstructs the process of well-informed and responsible choices being made.  What becomes of life is not some much the direction that choices takes us, but it is the process of developing the individual who learns to trust their ability to make decisions and express faith in circumstances of change that bring personal growth.  Decisions and choices do not always bring peace with others, but it places the individual at a opportunity to confront fears and understand, self, purpose, and personal meaning, i.e,  how lie is expressed.  This process causes things come to the surface that need better understanding about how to have a more efficient life.  In the process, it is normal to experience  anxiety when choices are faced that include relationships with others, outcome, success, failure, etc. Understanding that anxiety comes from feeling  loss of control about what may or may not happen is important to developing effective decision making.  In that moment, when we face the source of anxiety and surrender control, freedom comes from what cannot done which creates the ability to respond with a new-found freedom to act instead of reacting.  In that moment, we can be released from the belief about how we think things have to be to have happy.  Then, there is the potential to experience new possibility when we use our head, our heart, and our faith to make choices.

When we fret about and focus upon what we can’t control or change, there will always be the challenge faced from mental stress affecting the spiritual condition.  Be honest with yourself, when you express anxiety, worry, and over-controlling behaviors, it will not bring the outcome one step closer.  Rather, it comes through putting things into perspective, placing attitudes and emotions in focus, and putting faith in the right place.  Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you” (Matt 6; 33).  This sounds like a good place to start with choices faced, what do you think?

Related Articles

Leave a Comment

Filed under Attitude, Index, Mental Health Issues, Perception, Relationships, Self Defeating Behavior, Spiritual Development

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,