Introduction to Professional Ethics

Steve Zanskas, Ph.D., CRC

Tonight’s Agenda…

• Introductions & review the syllabus

• Why ethics?

• Key Terms

• Forms of Ethics

• Fundamental Principles

• Review one ethical decision making model

Ethical Decision Making: Key Terms

• Values

• Morality

• Community Standards

• Reasonableness

• Professionalism

• Ethics

• Law

Forms of Ethics

• Mandatory

• Aspirational

• Principle

• Virtue

Are your ethics…

Absolute?

Relative?

Moral Principles

• Autonomy

• Nonmaleficence

• Beneficence

• Justice

• Fidelity

• Veracity

Virtue Ethics

• 4 Core Virtues:– Prudence– Integrity– Respectfulness– Benevolence

• 5 Characteristics:• Motivated to do what is

right.• Vision & discernment• Compassion/Empathy• Self-aware• Understand the

importance of community in their decision making.

• (Meara, Schmidt, & Day, 1996)

Ethics Governance

• Courts• State Licensure Boards• Certification Bodies

– NBCC or CRC

• Professional Orgs. with Mandatory Codes

– ACA

• Professional Orgs. With Aspirational Codes

– ARCA or NRCA

• Prof. Educational Institutions in Conjunction with Accrediting Bodies

– CACREP or CORE

• Level of Ethical Functioning

– Mandatory

– Aspirational• (Tarvydas, 2004)

• Ethical dilemmas?– What are they?– What do you do

when you encounter them?

An Ethical Decision Making Model

• Identify the problem or dilemma• Identify the potential Issues involved• Review the relevant ethical codes• Know the applicable laws and regulations• Consult• Consider the possible & probable courses of action• Consider the consequences of various decisions• Decide on what appears to be the best course of action

• (Corey, Corey, & Callanan, 2007)

Cautions…

• “Necessary but not sufficient”• Codes lack clarity• Reactive rather than proactive• Knowledge alone does not make ethical practice• Culturally Contextual• Conflicts

– Personal– Institutional or Organizational– Law

• Exposure

Review…

• Introductions & the Syllabus• Why ethics?• Key Terms• Forms of Ethics• Fundamental Principles• Reviewed an ethical decision making model• Strengths & limitations• For next week:

– Complete, bring to class, and be prepared to discuss your responses to the 40 item self-assessment: An Inventory of Your Attitudes and Beliefs About Ethical & Professional Issues (Corey, Corey, & Callanan, 2007, pages 25-32).