Ethical Dilemmas

Definition

Ethical dilemmas are situations where there is no clear right or wrong answer, and the decision-maker must weigh competing moral principles or values to determine the best course of action. These dilemmas often arise in the context of psychology, where professionals must navigate complex ethical considerations in their work with clients and research participants.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ethical dilemmas in psychology often involve balancing the principles of beneficence (doing good), non-maleficence (avoiding harm), autonomy (respecting individual choice), and justice (fairness).
2. Psychologists may face ethical dilemmas when dealing with issues such as confidentiality, informed consent, dual relationships, and the use of deception in research.
3. Resolving ethical dilemmas requires carefully weighing the potential consequences of different actions and considering the unique circumstances of each situation.
4. The American Psychological Association's Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct provide guidance for psychologists in navigating ethical dilemmas.
5. Ethical decision-making in psychology involves a process of identifying the ethical issues, considering alternative courses of action, and selecting the most appropriate solution based on ethical principles and professional standards.

Review Questions

• Describe how the principle of autonomy can create ethical dilemmas for psychologists when working with clients.
  • The principle of autonomy, which respects an individual's right to make their own choices, can sometimes conflict with other ethical principles like beneficence (doing good) or non-maleficence (avoiding harm). For example, a client may refuse a treatment that the psychologist believes would be beneficial, or a client may make a decision that the psychologist believes could be harmful to themselves or others. In these situations, the psychologist must carefully weigh the client's right to self-determination against their professional obligation to promote the client's wellbeing and protect them from harm. Resolving such ethical dilemmas requires the psychologist to engage in moral reasoning, consider the unique circumstances of the case, and make a decision that balances the competing ethical principles as best as possible.
• Analyze how the use of deception in psychological research can create ethical dilemmas and discuss strategies for addressing these dilemmas.
  • The use of deception in psychological research can create significant ethical dilemmas, as it involves intentionally misleading or withholding information from research participants. This raises concerns about respect for autonomy and informed consent, as participants are not fully aware of the true nature of the study. At the same time, deception can be a valuable tool for investigating certain psychological phenomena that may be difficult to study without it, such as unconscious biases or the effects of social influence. To address these dilemmas, researchers must carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of the study, ensure that the deception is necessary and minimized as much as possible, and implement safeguards to protect participant wellbeing, such as debriefing and the right to withdraw. Ultimately, the researcher must weigh the scientific value of the study against the ethical principles of respect for persons, beneficence, and justice to determine the most appropriate course of action.
• Evaluate how the principle of justice can create ethical dilemmas for psychologists working in diverse cultural contexts, and discuss strategies for navigating these dilemmas.
  • The principle of justice, which requires that individuals be treated fairly and equitably, can create ethical dilemmas for psychologists working in diverse cultural contexts. Psychologists must consider how their own cultural biases and assumptions may influence their understanding and assessment of clients from different backgrounds, and how to ensure that their interventions and recommendations are culturally appropriate and responsive. Additionally, issues of access to mental health services and the fair distribution of resources can raise concerns about justice, particularly for marginalized or underserved populations. To navigate these dilemmas, psychologists must engage in cultural self-reflection, seek to understand and incorporate the values and beliefs of their clients, and advocate for policies and practices that promote equitable access to high-quality mental health services. This may involve collaborating with community stakeholders, adapting assessment and intervention approaches, and challenging systemic barriers to mental healthcare. By prioritizing the principle of justice and striving for cultural humility, psychologists can work to ensure that their practice upholds the ethical imperative of fairness and non-discrimination.

Related terms

Moral Reasoning:

The cognitive process of evaluating and justifying the rightness or wrongness of an action or decision based on ethical principles and values.

Ethical Codes: Established guidelines and standards of conduct that professional organizations, such as the American Psychological Association, create to help their members navigate ethical challenges.

Moral Relativism:

The belief that moral principles are not universal, but rather depend on the cultural, social, or individual context in which they are applied.