Introduction
The professor’s office serves as the location for this case study. Department Chair Ben seeks advice from adjunct professor Jenny. Ben assigns Jenny a class she has never taken before and for which she has no time to study. Ben explains that he needs her assistance because the wife of another tutor is ill. Ben tells her she has until the day’s end to fill him in on the situation. Jenny then confides in Rhonda about what is going on, and they both agree that they are being mistreated.
Ethical Concerns
Ben believes Jenny is capable of teaching a subject that is outside her expertise. According to ethical standard 2.05 on sharing of work, psychologists who assign tasks to staff should take reasonable precautions. This could increase the risk of exploitation or a lack of objectivity (Chenneville & Gabbidon, 2020). They only delegate tasks that individuals with the relevant degree of education or experience can handle successfully. In addition, they ensure the quality of service provided by those individuals. If Jenny takes the post, she will have the opportunity to work there full-time. Psychologists designing educational programs should ensure they include all the information and practice students need to succeed (Chenneville & Gabbidon, 2020). This commitment is reaffirmed in Section 7.01 on creating training and educational Plans. Jenny and Rhonda both feel like they have undue tasks. According to Ethical Standard 3.01 on ‘unfair discriminatory practices,’ psychologists should not participate in unjust discrimination based on age, sex, class, nationality, religion, or any basis defined by law.
Comparison of Ethical Theories
Both are interested in discerning what constitutes right and evil conduct. Utilitarianism is based on the premise that ‘the outcome justifies the approach.’ It holds that the results of an activity are more important than the action itself (Tseng & Wang, 2021). The principle of consequentiality determines whether it is moral to capitalize on people’s joy for the greater benefit. As it prioritizes more desirable decisions to the philosopher, the utilitarian method can also be egocentric. The outcome does not justify the tactics in deontology, a philosophy based on principles, moral laws, and intuition. Both the means and the ends, according to deontologists, must be moral (Tseng & Wang, 2021). It emphasizes that the morality of the activity is more important. Due to its reliance on shared moral principles, deontology can provide objective and impartial judgments of right and evil.
Ethical Decision Making with the Fisher’s Model
First Step: One should make and keep a firm commitment to what should be done in their work and life. Jenny is debating the best course of action, and although she has good intentions, she cannot instruct the course because she lacks the required credentials. Jenny needs always to maintain professionalism; she needs to make a moral choice of whether it is right to become a Biopsychology tutor.
Second step: Learning the APA ethics code well enough to use it in one’s work. It is helpful to have a foundation in general guidelines and moral standards to foresee scenarios that will call for principled strategy and recognize unforeseen situations that will call for ethical decision-making (Chenneville & Gabbidon, 2020). Jenny needs to read up on the ethics code and the specific section governing her case to find an ethical solution to her predicament.
Third step: Compile additional data from other sources, such as professional standards, state and federal regulations, and company rules that are pertinent to the particular ethical dilemma at hand. Jenny needs to do additional research and investigate her current predicament to ensure she is making a morally sound choice (Chenneville & Gabbidon, 2020). Jenny can consult the faculty senate if she needs help making an ethical choice.
The fourth step is to talk with coworkers and try to see things from the perspectives of the many parties the decision will influence. Jenny needs to empathize with the students and realize the gravity of the issue. Ben is in a tough spot, and she should sympathize with his desire to find a solution and make the necessary sacrifice for the sake of the learners.
The fifth step entails using the information gathered in steps 1–4 to develop various ethical options. One should then assess those options based on the moral concepts. Jenny needs to think about what else she can do. She may want to reconsider her stance if she considers it unethical for the lack of proper training (Chenneville & Gabbidon, 2020). There is concern that Jenny will be unable to continue in her career if she declines the position, but she would not break any rules of conduct if she accepted it.
Step six concerns deciding on and carrying out an ethical strategy. It is clear from the analysis that Jenny should not accept the post, as doing so would violate ethical standards. Jenny needs to talk to her union rep about her worries regarding Ben’s discrimination and harassment. She views Ben’s request as degrading and coercive since she is not compensated more for her extra work. She believes Ben is taking advantage of her because of her gender and that she is not yet employed as a full professor at the university.
Step 7 involves checking things and seeing how they are fairing. Jenny needs to monitor her situation to distinguish if her choice was sensible. She needs to assess whether her interactions with Ben and the other faculty members at the university are decorous.
Step Eight: Making necessary adaptations and assessing the ethical strategy. Jenny has to assess any shifts in her interactions with Ben or her colleague lecturer (Capella University, n.d.b). She ought to think about whether her decision to decline the job could have any repercussions. She might decide to contact the union if she anticipates any unfavorable outcomes.
Proposed Resolution
Jenny should meet Ben regarding the moral questions raised by how she was offered the tutorial chance. She should politely explain why she cannot take the job since she has to follow certain ethical guidelines (2.05, 3.01, and 7.01). Jenny should discuss the possible adverse effects of Ben’s approach on the school and its students, including potential legal ramifications at the federal, state, and civil levels. Jenny should then suggest a different approach that is morally superior but just as effective. Jenny should offer to help Ben oversee the plan’s execution and report on their findings.
References
Capella University. (n.d.a). Case Study Scenario 1: Multiculturalism. Web.
Capella University. (n.d.b). Case Study Scenario Part 2. Web.
Chenneville, T., & Gabbidon, K. (2020). Application of the APA ethics code for psychologists working in integrated care settings: Potential conflicts and resolutions. Ethics & Behavior, 30(4), 264-274. Web.
Tseng, P. E., & Wang, Y. H. (2021). Deontological or utilitarian? An eternal ethical dilemma in Outbreak. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(16), 1-13. Web.