The importance of understanding your personal ethical perspective

Sample Solution

     

Understanding Your Personal Ethical Perspective

Understanding your personal ethical perspective is important for a number of reasons. First, it allows you to identify and reflect on your own values and beliefs. This can help you to make more informed decisions in both your personal and professional life. Second, understanding your personal ethical perspective can help you to be more aware of potential biases and conflicts of interest. This is especially important in professions such as psychology, where ethical decision-making is essential.

Full Answer Section

    Finally, understanding your personal ethical perspective can help you to develop a stronger sense of professional identity. When you are clear about your own values and beliefs, you are better able to advocate for yourself and your clients. The Relationship Between Personal and Professional Ethics in Psychology Personal and professional ethics are closely related, but there are some important distinctions. Personal ethics are the values and beliefs that guide our behavior in all areas of our lives. Professional ethics are the standards and guidelines that govern our conduct in our professional roles. While personal and professional ethics are often aligned, there may be times when they come into conflict. For example, a psychologist may have a personal belief that all human life is sacred. However, the psychologist may also be working with a client who is considering suicide. In this case, the psychologist's professional ethics would require them to respect the client's autonomy and right to make their own decisions. It is important for psychologists to be aware of the potential for conflict between personal and professional ethics. When such conflicts arise, psychologists should consult with their colleagues and supervisors to make the most ethical decision possible. My Own Ethical Awareness and Its Relation to Aspirational and Enforceable Standards I am aware that my personal ethical perspective is influenced by a number of factors, including my religious beliefs, my cultural upbringing, and my life experiences. I also recognize that my professional ethics are shaped by the American Psychological Association's (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. The APA's Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct are aspirational standards. This means that they are intended to be ideals that psychologists strive to achieve, rather than enforceable rules. However, there are also a number of enforceable standards in psychology, such as the requirement to maintain confidentiality and the prohibition against sexual harassment. I believe that it is important to strive to meet both aspirational and enforceable standards in my professional practice. I also believe that it is important to be aware of my own biases and conflicts of interest. When I am aware of my own biases and conflicts of interest, I am better able to make ethical decisions. Risks of Exclusively Following Personal Views and Values in Making Ethical Decisions There are a number of risks associated with exclusively following one's personal views and values in making ethical decisions in professional research or practice. First, it can lead to biased decision-making. When we only consider our own perspectives, we may fail to consider other important factors, such as the needs of our clients or the potential impact of our decisions on others. Second, exclusively following our personal views and values can lead to conflicts with our professional obligations. For example, a psychologist may have a personal belief that all sexual activity outside of marriage is wrong. However, the psychologist's professional obligation is to respect the client's sexual orientation and sexual behaviors. Finally, exclusively following our personal views and values can damage our professional credibility. If we are seen as being biased or out of touch with professional standards, our clients and colleagues may lose trust in us. Conclusion It is important for psychologists to understand their personal ethical perspective and to be aware of the potential for conflict between personal and professional ethics. When making ethical decisions, psychologists should strive to meet both aspirational and enforceable standards. They should also be aware of their own biases and conflicts of interest.