University Psychology Assignment: Ethical Dilemmas and Models

This psychology assignment delves into the ethical dilemmas faced by psychologists, focusing on breach of privacy and dual relationships. It compares and contrasts two ethical decision-making models: the 8-step Koocher and Keith-Spiegel model and James Rest's model. The essay explores these models' application to real-world scenarios, analyzing how psychologists can navigate ethical challenges and make informed decisions. The author emphasizes the importance of ethical guidelines, consultation, and the welfare of clients while highlighting the differences between formal, clinical approaches and more intrinsic, conditional perspectives. The assignment concludes with a practical application of the models to specific cases, outlining the decision-making process and potential consequences.

Running head: PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author Note

1PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
The respective essay is introspection, analysis, comparison and contrast of the ethical
dilemmas that a psychologist can face in his/her psychological practice days with the help of
certain parameters to compare and contrast ethical dilemmas such as two ethical decision making
models, for instance, the 8 step Koocher and Keith-Spiegel (2008) model and James Rest’s
ethical decision making model.
A psychological practitioner is always suggested to be an unprejudiced observer while
treating his/her patients throughout their career. It is evident that a psychiatrist or a psychological
counselor or an analyst needs to be an unprejudiced observer in order to understand the situation
of the patients and the reasons behind their psychological disturbances (Copeland, 2013). A good
therapist is a person who does not judge his/her patients, rather, listens to his/her problems
carefully and empathetically with critical analysis to provide relief and solutions to his/her
patients. However, there are certain cases in psychoanalysis that leads to certain ethical
dilemmas faced by the psychologists (Rodolfa et al., 2013).
The most customary form of ethical dilemma a psychologist faces is the act of breach of
privacy between him/her and the client. However, it has to be understood that in certain very rare
cases, when there is no option rather than disclosing everything to the people concerned, such
ethical dilemmas are bound to happen. For example, the cases of clients falling prey to
depression, anxiety and going through a process of self-harm which includes cutting off veins
and hands can escalate to homicide or suicide, an untimely death. In order to save the client from
the hands of death, the psychologist might sometimes disclose the secret to the client’s family so
that the family might be able to provide additional aid to the client while he/she is at home. The
second most important ethical dilemma a psychologist faces is the perils of dual relationship.
Often the psychologist, in order to provide speedy treatment to his/her clients, gets into a dual

2PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
relationship with their clients, which is, a professional relationship and the other is an emotional
relationship (Burman, 2016). In such case, the psychotherapist and the patient develops a jovial
and amicable or friendly relationship between both of us which would focus more on emotions
and sentiments, especially for the clinically and massively depressed clients. However, it has to
be remembered that there is a thin line between the dual relationship; professional and emotional
relationship. However, with the limitations comes exploitation. It is unfortunate and undesirable
from the therapist’s part to provide the patient with over-indulgence because the patient becomes
completely emotionally dependent on the therapist during the time of his therapy, which can lead
to undesired behavior of the patient that hampered his well being (McDaniel et al., 2014).
Therefore, the two cases of ethical dilemma that can be faced by a psychotherapist taken in the
respective assignment is: Breach of privacy and dual relationship.
To compare and contrast the two ethical decision making models, I have chosen step Koocher
and Keith Spiegel Model of ethical decision making and James Rest’s ethical decision making
model in psychology.
Under the Koocher and Keith Spiegel Model of ethical decision making, there has
been eight steps enumerated throughout the whole decision making process and implementation
strategies (Lane, 2013). The first step is describing the parameters of the situation (the unethical
situation or the ethical dilemma the psychologist is going through), analyzing it in order to
understand the magnanimity or the triviality of the situation in micro as well as macro aspects
(Edelwich & Brodsky, 2013). The second step includes understanding the potential of the ethical
and legal issues involved in the case and the significance of such issue (Heyler, et al., 2016). The
third step includes consulting ethical‐legal guidelines, if any; already available that might apply
to the resolution of each issue (Roberts & Uhlmann, 2013). The fourth step includes rights,

3PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
responsibilities and welfare of the effected groups, who are the patients, clients, family and the
associates of the clients (Trotzer, 2013). The fifth step includes generating the lists of alternate
decisions in the case. Sixth step includes enumeration of the consequences with the help of
consultation, seventh step includes evidences of various consequences of the decision and the
last step includes implementing and executing the decisions finally (Moffett, Becker & Patton,
2014).
James Rest’s ethical decision making model of psychology can be enumerated as
Moral sensitivity, Moral judgement, moral motivation and moral character of the psychoanalyst
of the psychological counselor (individual) who might be working on a particular client and
likely to be facing moral issues and constraints in order to deal with or treat the patient (Tweedie
et al., 2013).
The main comparison and contrast between Koocher and Keith Spiegel Model of ethical
decision making and James Rest’s ethical decision making model in psychology is that the
former is more concerned with formalities regarding the ethical and legal guidelines set up by the
psychological associations and societies of the respective nation while the latter is more intrinsic
in nature that seeks the moral constraints and issues within the individual according to the
situations and conditions (Schuler, 2013). Even though both the models provide a suggestion of
choosing moral responsibilities over personal responsibilities, the former chooses more formal
moral responsibilities by consultation and discussion while the latter does not mention the terms
“consultation” and “discussion” in its model. The former one can be termed as more official and
clinical while the latter one can be termed as more intrinsic and conditional (Bush, 2018).

4PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
However, I assume that since psychology is a discipline that needs to be studied without
prejudice, a parameter of formality must be ensured between the client and the counselor,
otherwise, unnecessary and unwanted situation might arise, such as sexual favor (Rodolfa et al.,
2013). I believe that Koocher and Keith Spiegel Model of ethical decision making is more
favorable for the dilemmas that the psychologists might be facing since they are multifaceted and
requires discussions and consultations from the psychologists as well as the Psychology code of
ethics Australia.
Step 1: Determine if the matter is an ethical one: to analyze the two incidents and found out that
the first case, which was a breach of privacy and the second case which included over-
indulgence of the patient was unethical up to a certain extent. In both the cases, the ethics of
psychology and psychoanalysis has been violated.
Step 2: Define potential ethical and legal issues involved: While the second case is legally not
commendable enough, the fist case of breach of privacy can be termed under legal-ethical issues.
Step 3: Consult ethical-legal guidelines: The ethical legal guidelines in psychology generated by
Psychology code of ethics Australia, under General Principle A: Respect for the rights and
dignity of the people, a psychologist is supposed to maintain the integrity of his/her client by
maintaining privacy between them (Dozois et al., 2014). In the first case, since the patient was
self harming herself which could lead to homicide, psychologists might prefer to let her/his
family know about her illness. In the second case, under the guidelines of Conflict of Interest,
psychologists have been suggested to refrain from multiple relationships with their clients. In the
second case, since psychologists can mingle himself/herself into emotional relationship with the
client, it has been a breach of ethics (Wheeler & Bertram, 2019).

5PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
Step 4: Evaluate the rights, responsibilities and welfare of the client: In the first case of
depression and self harm, psychologist can let the patient’s family know about her/his condition
to avoid homicide and death. In the second case the psychologist can provide him with self
assessment and improvement gadgets so that he is not over indulged with the dual relationship
(Baldwin & Barker, 2013).
Step 5: Alterative decision: In the first case, the knowledge about the self harm of the client to
her family had been, according to psychology, if not ethical, but rational decision as it could
have escalated to catastrophic disaster such as homicide or death. In the second case, the decision
which psychologists should take for the depressed client is to provide him with self-improvement
exercises so that he is not given over-indulgence and the tendency of him being completely
dependent on the therapy would lessen for his own benefit (Ward, 2013).
Step 6: : Enumeration of consequences: In both the cases, through the alternate decisions that can
be taken, I assume that both the clients would be receiving the required attention, care and
treatment which might make them free from psychological distress with the help of self
improvement tools and help from family (Giota & Kleftaras, 2014).
Step 7: Present Speculated evidence: In the first case, the family of the self harming client can
help her heal her/his psychological distress by providing her with friendly and prolific
environment at home. In the second case, self improvement tools can provide the second client
with self confidence so that he is not completely dependent on me for emotional help (Jacob,
Decker & Lugg, 2016).
Step 8: Taking the decision: Finally, in both the cases, decision had been taken. In the first case,
informing the family of the client and in the second case, providing self improvement kits and

6PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
gadgets to the client diagnosed with depression had been on the verge to be executed for the
welfare of the clients and help them fight their psychological illness.
The respective essay concludes to be an analysis and interpretation of two ethical
dilemmas I have faced as a psychologist in my days of practice and how I have interpreted with
two ethical decision making models, namely, Koocher and Keith Spiegel Model of ethical
decision making and James Rest’s ethical decision making model in psychology.

7PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
Reference:
Baldwin, S., & Barker, P. J. (2013). Ethical issues in mental health. Springer.
Burman, E. (2016). Deconstructing developmental psychology. Routledge.
Bush, S. S. (2018). Ethical decision making in clinical neuropsychology. Oxford University
Press.
Copeland, S. (2013). Counselling supervision in organisations: Professional and ethical
dilemmas explored. Routledge.
Dozois, D. J., Mikail, S. F., Alden, L. E., Bieling, P. J., Bourgon, G., Clark, D. A., ... & Johnston,
C. (2014). The CPA Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice of
Psychological Treatments. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne, 55(3), 153.
Edelwich, J., & Brodsky, A. (2013). Sexual dilemmas for the helping professional: Revised and
expanded edition. Routledge.
Giota, K. G., & Kleftaras, G. (2014). Mental health apps: innovations, risks and ethical
considerations. E-Health Telecommunication Systems and Networks, 3(03), 19.
Heyler, S. G., Armenakis, A. A., Walker, A. G., & Collier, D. Y. (2016). A qualitative study
investigating the ethical decision making process: A proposed model. The Leadership
Quarterly, 27(5), 788-801.
Jacob, S., Decker, D. M., & Lugg, E. T. (2016). Ethics and law for school psychologists. John
Wiley & Sons.

8PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
Lane, J. A. (2013). The Ethical Implication of Bartering for Mental Health Services: Examining
Interdisciplinary Ethical Standards. Michigan Journal of Counseling: Research, Theory
and Practice, 39(2), 2.
McDaniel, S. H., Grus, C. L., Cubic, B. A., Hunter, C. L., Kearney, L. K., Schuman, C. C., ... &
Miller, B. F. (2014). Competencies for psychology practice in primary care. American
Psychologist, 69(4), 409.
Moffett, L. A., Becker, C. L. J., & Patton, R. G. (2014). Fostering the ethical sensitivity of
beginning clinicians. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 8(4), 229.
Roberts, J. S., & Uhlmann, W. R. (2013). Genetic susceptibility testing for neurodegenerative
diseases: ethical and practice issues. Progress in neurobiology, 110, 89-101.
Rodolfa, E., Greenberg, S., Hunsley, J., Smith-Zoeller, M., Cox, D., Sammons, M., ... & Spivak,
H. (2013). A competency model for the practice of psychology. Training and Education
in Professional Psychology, 7(2), 71.
Rodolfa, E., Greenberg, S., Hunsley, J., Smith-Zoeller, M., Cox, D., Sammons, M., ... & Spivak, H.
(2013). A competency model for the practice of psychology. Training and Education in
Professional Psychology, 7(2), 71.
Schuler, H. (2013). Ethical problems in psychological research. Academic Press.
Trotzer, J. P. (2013). Counselor and The Group: Integrating Theory, Training, and Practice.
Taylor & Francis.

9PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
Tweedie, D., Dyball, M. C., Hazelton, J., & Wright, S. (2013). Teaching global ethical standards:
A case and strategy for broadening the accounting ethics curriculum. Journal of Business
Ethics, 115(1), 1-15.
Ward, T. (2013). Addressing the dual relationship problem in forensic and correctional practice.
Aggression and Violent Behavior, 18(1), 92-100.
Wheeler, A. M., & Bertram, B. (2019). The counselor and the law: A guide to legal and ethical
practice. John Wiley & Sons.