Module 4 - Ethical Principles

Question 1

What are the three classical ethical theories?

Answer 1

• Utilitarianism
• Deontology
• Virtue Ethics

Question 2

What is Utilitarianism?

Answer 2

• a type of consequentialism
• consequences of our actions determine which actions are right or wrong

—> concerned with the GREATEST GOOD for the GREATEST NUMBER of people.

The end justifies the means.

Question 3

What is the deontological approach?

Answer 3

• type of objectivism
• Proposes that there should be universal rules for moral conduct that always applies across situations
• CERTAIN ACTIONS are inherently RIGHT, and other actions are INHERENTLY WRONG.
• it is NOT the consequence of the action that determines whether one has acted in a right or wrong way.
• When faced with an ethical dilemma, act in ways that are in line with duties and obligations
• Stress that we should always act according to the objective rules of what is right and wrong
• treat others as we would like to be treated.

(aka not focussed on the consequence, but rather the action itself)

Question 4

What is Virtue ethics?

Answer 4

• focusses on a person’s character traits and internal virtues
• underlying premise revolves around thinking about the questions of “What person do i want to be”
• aims for CONSISTENCY between virtue, morals and actions

Question 5

What are the strengths of utilitarianism?

Answer 5

• Rational/Common sense
• Consistent
• Beneficence

Question 6

Describe how utilitarianism is rational.

Answer 6

If one accepts the notion of greater food, then it makes sense to base actions on whether or not it benefits as many people as possible.

Question 7

Describe how utilitarianism is consistent

Answer 7

It is consistent because it applies to all cases - whatever situation, the decision to be made is the one that benefits the most people.

Question 8

What are the weaknesses of utilitarianism?

Answer 8

• Simplistic
• Marginalises minorities
• Sometimes it is complex to determine what the greatest good really is - and which outcome will actually benefit the greatest number…

(what is the greatest good? happiness? money?)

Question 9

What are the strengths of deontology?

Answer 9

• Consistent
• Takes into account special obligations
• Great concern for justice

Question 10

What are the weaknesses of deontology?

Answer 10

• Conflicting duties and obligations - hard to reconcile
• Not situational - ignores the context
• Doesn’t really promote beneficience

Question 11

How is deontology consistent?

Answer 11

• Clear moral boundaries can be applied universally and in all situations –> to uphold duties and obligations

Question 12

How does deontology take into account special obligations?

Answer 12

• As it emphasises upholding duties and obligations, one can decide to prioritise their family over strangers, for example.

Question 13

Describe how conflicting duties is a weakness of deontology.

Answer 13

• As decisions are not situational or context based, and made primarily on obligations, it is difficult to reconcile conflicting duties. Obligations are viewed as absolute or concrete, and don’t change regardless of one’s emotions.

Question 14

How is deontology not necessarily benevolent?

Answer 14

• ignores circumstance, and doesn’t take into account ones emotional attachment
• doesn’t take into account benefits of those who are involved, and only the decision-maker’s obligations.

Question 15

What are the limitations of virtue ethics?

Answer 15

• How do we know what is considered to be virtuous?
• How do we decide which virtue is more important?
• Should we observe a virtuous person in action to learn?

Difficult to learn and thus, implement.

Question 16

What are the limitations of ethical theories?

Answer 16

• Too general, abstract and inadequate to guide decision making in complex situations.
• Must enrich it with other conceptual tools.

Question 17

What are the five key ethical principles?

Answer 17

• Autonomy
• Non-maleficience
• Beneficience
• Fidelity
• Justice

Question 18

What does autonomy refer to?

Answer 18

• A person’s right to act as an autonomous agent.
• Recognises that people are capable of making their own DECISIONS and are RESPONSIBLE for their own ACTIONS and BEHAVIOURS.

–> psychologist must respect one’s right to make their own decisions and how to live their life. Cannot coerce or put undue influence onto clients.

Question 19

What are the limits to autonomy?

Answer 19

• DOESN’T imply UNLIMITED FREEDOM
• DOESN’T permit INFRINGEMENT of other’s rights: Legal rights, causing harm, depriving others of autonomy.
• Autonomy assumes COMPETENCE = possession of a fully rational, adult mild. Difficult to support autonomy if affected by illness/substance abuse.

Question 20

What have some researchers argued about autonomy?

Answer 20

• it now dominates the ethical landscape at the cost of other principles
• has exposed a dark side - increase of egotism and selfish society

Question 21

What is non-maleficience?

Answer 21

• do not cause any harm
• protecting welfare and rights of the community
• includes errors of acting and failing to act in the client’s best interest.
• rules out acts that invade, violate or thwart the welfare of the community.

eg. failing to warn clients of a side effect of a drug

Question 22

What are some possible limits on harm????

Answer 22

• frequency
• Intensity
• duration

eg. short term negative emotion that can be elicited within a therapy session
eg. treatment that employs punishment and aversion therapy - are the client’s negative experiences justified?

Question 23

what is beneficence?

Answer 23

• obligation to do positive for someone
• trying to do good
• protects rights of clients, and welfare.

very important in health profession

Question 24

What are the limitations of beneficence?

Answer 24

• Beneficence can often conflict with other principles.
• Due to psychologists’ OWN way of thinking, they may believe they know what is best for the client…

THUS —> violate autonomy and respect for the client
and potential to DO HARM increases

eg. stolen generation

Question 25

What is justice?

Answer 25

- Concerned with the distribution of benefits and costs. - distributing resources in fair manner - judging competing claims. all decisions should be made in fair or transparent bases, not influenced by personal biases, prejudices and preconceptions. Psychs should disregard differences that may exist b/w individuals and set aside personal biases. EQUALTY!!! <33333

Question 26

What is fidelity?

Answer 26

- Faithfulness and Responsibility - Clients trust their psychologists. Psychologists must comply with their obligations - fulfil both IMPLICIT and EXPLICIT contracts. - sensitive nature of relationship can often create a POWER IMBALANCE, so its the psychologists' responsibility to ensure that they don't abuse their power... - CONSENT - clients must be fully aware of the limits to confidentiality and privacy

Question 27

What is an implicit contract?

Answer 27

- psychologists are responsible for the welfare of client | - not said explicity, but it is implied.

Question 28

What is an explicit contract?

Answer 28

- Psychologists agree to provide the best practice standards of care in return for the fee of services.

Question 29

What are the three aspects of informed consent????

Answer 29

1. capacity to give informed consent 2. client has been given all relevant information (eg. limits to confidentiality) 3. voluntary consent

Question 30

What can be limits to applying the ethical principles to a client?

Answer 30

- principles are binding, yet sometimes can conflict. - if client is threatening to hurt someone else... then create a hierarchy of priorities. Psychologist also has a responsibility to do good for and inflict no harm on others/public, hence, it is possible to prioritise these principles over the client's autonomy. in this case... violation of autonomy to uphold other principles.