Reference no: EM133816526

Assignment: Ethics Case Study

Create a PowerPoint presentation (minimum 10 slides) that demonstrates the use of professional guidelines and tools that create a strategy for dealing with an ethical dilemma in a simulated case study. Analyze the usefulness of those guidelines and tools. You are strongly encouraged to complete the assessments in this course in the order in which they are presented.

Ethical principles, professional standards, theories, and decision-making models provide guides for navigating complex moral choices in professional contexts.

An ethical dilemma is a situation that is difficult to resolve because no course of action will be a perfect solution. In such situations, critically analyzing and thinking about all applicable ethical principles and standards is important. Even then, it can be hard to make ethical decisions, but decisions must be made. Often, avoidance of making a decision is a decision within itself, and it can bring the worst possible outcome.

The process for solving ethical dilemmas can be multifaceted. You must consider all parts of a situation in order to make an informed and responsible decision about how to proceed ethically. The more layers, the more difficult an ethical dilemma is to resolve.

The American Psychological Association's "Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct" and similar standards developed by other professional organizations are important sources of guidance. Ethical theories provide general frameworks for evaluating ethical positions. In addition, ethical decision-making models are important tools to resolve ethical dilemmas. These two concepts can be confusing.

To deepen your understanding, you are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community.

I. Why are ethics important for practitioners?

II. What specific values, skills, and knowledge might you need to be ethical in your planned professional role as a psychological practitioner, educator, researcher, or organizational change agent?

III. What are the main theoretical positions in regard to ethics? Which do you think are most valuable? Why?

IV. What ethical dilemmas might arise in your specialization?

V. How can ethical codes and standards help?

VI. What are the strengths and limitations of these ethical codes and standards?

VII. What are the differences between ethical theories and ethical decision-making models? How can each help you in your profession?

VIII. What are your current strengths (specific characteristics, beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, skills, and behaviors) that contribute to your ethics? What areas do you need to develop? The assessments in this course build upon each other, so you are strongly encouraged to complete them in sequence.

The Presentation

Your PowerPoint should include the following:

I. Title slide: On the first slide of the PowerPoint:

1. Enter a descriptive title of approximately 5-15 words that concisely communicates the heart of the case study. It should stir interest while maintaining professional decorum.

2. Enter your name, and a job title and organization that would fit with your case study.

II. Case Study Overview slides: Provide the briefest possible narrative description of the professional conflict in the case. Additional supporting details and references can be added in the notes section in the slide. The overview should include:

1. The professional setting of the case.
2. Brief descriptions of the individuals involved and their roles.
3. A brief summation of the ethical dilemma presented in the case study.

III. Ethical Concerns slides: Bullet point three or more ethical concerns in the case and apply one or more ethical standards to each concern. Additional supporting details and references can be added in the notes section on the slide. Be sure to link to elements of the code.

IV. Comparison of Ethical Theories slides: In the first row of the provided table, enter the names of two ethical theories that you think would be the most appropriate for the situations in the case. In the following rows, enter comparisons of relevant features of the two theories. In the notes section, evaluate which theory provides a more functional framework for your case and explain why. (Note that ethical theories and ethical decision-making models are two different things. Please make sure you are comparing, contrasting, and evaluating two ethical theories).

V. Ethical Decision-Making Model slides:

1. Choose an ethical decision-making model, and identify each step in the model.

2. Apply the model to your case and, under each step of the model, describe how that step would look if you applied it to the case.

3. Incorporate multicultural issues presented in the case study within the selected ethical decision-making model.

4. Add copies of this slide as needed, and combine steps on the slides as necessary or appropriate. In the notes section, write out supporting narrative details for your bullet points. (Note that ethical theories and ethical decision-making models are two different things. Make sure you are applying steps of the ethical decision-making model to your case).

VI. Proposed Resolution slide: Use bullet points to summarize your proposed resolution to the ethical dilemmas in the case. In the notes section, write out supporting narrative details for your bullet points.