Points to Consider in Points to Consider in Ethical Decision-MakingEthical Decision-Making

Brenda AronBrenda Aron

SCCCSCCC

Terms to KnowTerms to Know Gold (2006)Gold (2006)

Issue: the subject of a dispute or Issue: the subject of a dispute or conflictconflict

Interests: why the issue is importantInterests: why the issue is important Position: the stance a person takes Position: the stance a person takes

on an issueon an issue

Right VS WrongRight VS Wrong

Violation of the lawViolation of the lawDeparture from the truthDeparture from the truthDeviation from moral rectitudeDeviation from moral rectitude

ReasonsReasons Right Vs. Wrong Situations:Right Vs. Wrong Situations:

AgeAge Ethical MaturityEthical Maturity Professional ExperienceProfessional Experience Environmental InfluencesEnvironmental Influences Cultural Knowledge-Deaf/hearingCultural Knowledge-Deaf/hearing LawsLaws Models of Interpretation i.e., BIBIModels of Interpretation i.e., BIBI CPCCPC Empathy Empathy

Kidder-Right VS. Right ParadigmsKidder-Right VS. Right ParadigmsGajewski-Mickelson 2009Gajewski-Mickelson 2009

Truth vs. LoyaltyTruth vs. Loyalty Short Term vs. Long TermShort Term vs. Long Term Justice vs. MercyJustice vs. Mercy Individual vs. CommunityIndividual vs. Community

Resolution PrinciplesResolution Principles

Ends Based: the greatest good for the Ends Based: the greatest good for the greatest number of people greatest number of people i.e, if a clothing i.e, if a clothing fell of a hanger in a store-put it back because fell of a hanger in a store-put it back because you would want others to be responsible for you would want others to be responsible for themselvesthemselves

Rules Based:Rules Based: Follow your highest sense Follow your highest sense

Code of Conduct and Code of Code of Conduct and Code of Professional Conduct, Why the Professional Conduct, Why the

Difference?Difference?

Code of Conduct: is “rules based”Code of Conduct: is “rules based” Code of Professional Conduct is from Code of Professional Conduct is from

a “deontological perspective”a “deontological perspective”

What is a Deontological What is a Deontological Perspective? Perspective?

Deontology is a duty-based ethic; actions Deontology is a duty-based ethic; actions are considered morally good if they follow are considered morally good if they follow from a duty or principle prescribed by from a duty or principle prescribed by reason, principles, or normative standards, reason, principles, or normative standards, not from the consequences the action not from the consequences the action produces. From a deontological produces. From a deontological perspective, certain acts are right or wrong perspective, certain acts are right or wrong in themselves, and not necessarily from in themselves, and not necessarily from the consequences they produce. the consequences they produce. ~Environmental Health Perspectives, 2003~Environmental Health Perspectives, 2003

An Excellent ExampleAn Excellent Example One influential deontological theory is John Rawls' A One influential deontological theory is John Rawls' A

Theory of Justice (Rawls 1971). In short, Rawls argued Theory of Justice (Rawls 1971). In short, Rawls argued that objective individuals, ignorant of their position in a that objective individuals, ignorant of their position in a society, would chose fair principles of justice that would society, would chose fair principles of justice that would maximize the benefits of those "worst off in society," maximize the benefits of those "worst off in society," rather than promote the utilitarian principle of "greatest rather than promote the utilitarian principle of "greatest good for the greatest number." For example, if we were good for the greatest number." For example, if we were choosing rules to regulate society, justice as fairness choosing rules to regulate society, justice as fairness would dictate everyone should be entitled to a minimum would dictate everyone should be entitled to a minimum standard of health care and environmental standards. In standard of health care and environmental standards. In contrast, utilitarian or consequential principles may contrast, utilitarian or consequential principles may dictate that some individuals have no health care and dictate that some individuals have no health care and others have excellent care, that some live in extreme others have excellent care, that some live in extreme pollution while others live in an excellent environment, if pollution while others live in an excellent environment, if the average aggregate good is maximized. the average aggregate good is maximized.

Gish+- Problem Solving ModelGish+- Problem Solving Model

1.1. Define the problemDefine the problem2.2. Find out all the facts-Issues and Interests; Find out all the facts-Issues and Interests;

CPC applicationCPC application3.3. Think of possible solutionsThink of possible solutions4.4. Evaluate the solutionsEvaluate the solutions5.5. Choose a solutionChoose a solution6.6. Outline the stepsOutline the steps7.7. Try the solutionTry the solution8.8. Evaluate what happenedEvaluate what happened

Witter-Merithew/Mills Stewart Witter-Merithew/Mills Stewart Case Study Analysis ModelCase Study Analysis Model

1.1. What is the issue? Why do I identify it as the What is the issue? Why do I identify it as the issue?issue?

2.2. What is the ethical tenet that governs the What is the ethical tenet that governs the question? Why did I choose this tenet(s)?question? Why did I choose this tenet(s)?

3.3. How does the ethical tenet apply to the issue? How does the ethical tenet apply to the issue? Why do I believe it applies?Why do I believe it applies?

4.4. Consider the issue from all sidesConsider the issue from all sides5.5. Determine the possible resolution strategiesDetermine the possible resolution strategies6.6. Choose the final course of action. Why is this Choose the final course of action. Why is this

choice the best course of action? choice the best course of action?

RID Testing RubricRID Testing RubricEthics portion of the performance examEthics portion of the performance exam

1.1. What is the conflict?What is the conflict?

2.2. What would you do?What would you do?

3.3. Why? Why?

Acronyms for Ethical Problem- SolvingAcronyms for Ethical Problem- SolvingDECIDEDECIDE

One approach is called One approach is called “DECIDE”“DECIDE” DDilemma = What is the dilemma or issueilemma = What is the dilemma or issue EEthic = Which RID ethical tenet(s) did it impact- thic = Which RID ethical tenet(s) did it impact-

CChoices = Think of all the choices possible hoices = Think of all the choices possible that you can dothat you can do

IImpact = mpact = Think of the on the impact each Think of the on the impact each choice will makechoice will make

DDecision = Based on the different alternatives ecision = Based on the different alternatives and impacts, make a decision that will have the and impacts, make a decision that will have the least negative effect least negative effect

EEffects =ffects = What effects will this decision impact What effects will this decision impact

PEPSIPEPSI Another approach is called Another approach is called “PEPSI”“PEPSI” PProblemroblem = What is the problem or issue?= What is the problem or issue? EEthic = Which RID CPC tenet(s) did it impactthic = Which RID CPC tenet(s) did it impact PPerspectives =erspectives = Think of all the perspectives, how it Think of all the perspectives, how it

will impact i.e., the clients involved in this situation will impact i.e., the clients involved in this situation both deaf and hearing, your supervisor, the hiring both deaf and hearing, your supervisor, the hiring agency, etc. agency, etc.

SSolution = List all possible solutionsolution = List all possible solutions IImpact =mpact = Determine the impact of each solution Determine the impact of each solution

both short and long term. Then choose the least both short and long term. Then choose the least negative effect.negative effect.

PEPSI-COPEPSI-CO

A third approach is called A third approach is called “PEPSI-CO”“PEPSI-CO” It has the same approaches as PEPSI but adds two It has the same approaches as PEPSI but adds two

effects:effects: CConsequences = What are the consequences of the onsequences = What are the consequences of the

solution(s) solution(s) EEffects = How will the solution you choose effect(s) ffects = How will the solution you choose effect(s) othersothers Any of those methods is effective when you need to Any of those methods is effective when you need to

make a decision about a sticky situation. It is usually the make a decision about a sticky situation. It is usually the method used during the interview portion of the RID method used during the interview portion of the RID Performance Exam. Performance Exam.

See NIC Interview Examination Rubric AnchorsSee NIC Interview Examination Rubric Anchors

Diagnosis Tools for ConflictDiagnosis Tools for ConflictMoore (2003), modified by Gary Furlong (2005); Moore (2003), modified by Gary Furlong (2005);

Gajewski-Mickelson (2009)Gajewski-Mickelson (2009) Relationships:Relationships: Issues based on negative Issues based on negative

experience(s) in the past, stereotypes, poor or experience(s) in the past, stereotypes, poor or failed communications, repetitive negative failed communications, repetitive negative behaviorbehavior

Values: Values: Issues based on belief systems-right Issues based on belief systems-right and wrong, good and evil, just and unjust. and wrong, good and evil, just and unjust.

Externals/Moods: Externals/Moods: Issues based on factors Issues based on factors unrelated to substance of dispute psychological unrelated to substance of dispute psychological or physiological- like a “bad hair day”or physiological- like a “bad hair day” (cont’d on next slide) (cont’d on next slide)

Diagnosis Tools for Conflict (cont’d)Diagnosis Tools for Conflict (cont’d)

Data: Issues based on a lack of Data: Issues based on a lack of information, misinformation, too much information, misinformation, too much information, and/or information collection information, and/or information collection problemsproblems

Structure: Issues caused by limited Structure: Issues caused by limited physical resources (i.e, time, money), physical resources (i.e, time, money), authority issues, geographical constraints, authority issues, geographical constraints, and/or organizational structures. and/or organizational structures.

Understanding InterestsUnderstanding InterestsMoore (2003), Lewicki, Barry & Saunders (2007), Lax & Sebenius (1986), Moore (2003), Lewicki, Barry & Saunders (2007), Lax & Sebenius (1986),

Gajewski-Mickelson (2009)Gajewski-Mickelson (2009)

SubstantiveSubstantive: Interests that generally relate to the focal : Interests that generally relate to the focal issues of the negotiation or encounter and have to do issues of the negotiation or encounter and have to do with things of substance such as time and money.with things of substance such as time and money.

Procedural or processProcedural or process: Interests related to : Interests related to howhow something is done. something is done.

Psychological:Psychological: Some refer to these interests as Some refer to these interests as relationship interests. These interests concern the relationship interests. These interests concern the relationship and emotional needs of the parties. relationship and emotional needs of the parties.

Principles:Principles: Issues related to what is fair, what is right, Issues related to what is fair, what is right, what is acceptable, what is ethical or what has been what is acceptable, what is ethical or what has been done in the past and should be done in the future. These done in the past and should be done in the future. These interests may be deeply held by the parties and serve as interests may be deeply held by the parties and serve as the dominant guides to their action. the dominant guides to their action.