Points to Consider in
Ethical Decision-Making
Brenda Aron
SCCC
Terms to Know
Gold (2006)
 Issue:
the subject of a dispute or
conflict
 Interests: why the issue is important
 Position: the stance a person takes
on an issue
Right VS Wrong
 Violation
of the law
 Departure from the truth
 Deviation from moral rectitude
Reasons
 Right









Vs. Wrong Situations:
Age
Ethical Maturity
Professional Experience
Environmental Influences
Cultural Knowledge-Deaf/hearing
Laws
Models of Interpretation i.e., BIBI
CPC
Empathy
Kidder-Right VS. Right Paradigms
Gajewski-Mickelson 2009
 Truth
vs. Loyalty
 Short Term vs. Long Term
 Justice vs. Mercy
 Individual vs. Community
Resolution Principles
 Ends
Based: the greatest good for the
greatest number of people i.e, if a clothing
fell of a hanger in a store-put it back because
you would want others to be responsible for
themselves
 Rules
Based: Follow your highest sense
Code of Conduct and Code of
Professional Conduct, Why the
Difference?
 Code
of Conduct: is “rules based”
 Code of Professional Conduct is from
a “deontological perspective”
What is a Deontological
Perspective?
 Deontology
is a duty-based ethic; actions
are considered morally good if they follow
from a duty or principle prescribed by
reason, principles, or normative standards,
not from the consequences the action
produces. From a deontological
perspective, certain acts are right or wrong
in themselves, and not necessarily from
the consequences they produce.
~Environmental Health Perspectives, 2003
An Excellent Example

One influential deontological theory is John Rawls' A
Theory of Justice (Rawls 1971). In short, Rawls argued
that objective individuals, ignorant of their position in a
society, would chose fair principles of justice that would
maximize the benefits of those "worst off in society,"
rather than promote the utilitarian principle of "greatest
good for the greatest number." For example, if we were
choosing rules to regulate society, justice as fairness
would dictate everyone should be entitled to a minimum
standard of health care and environmental standards. In
contrast, utilitarian or consequential principles may
dictate that some individuals have no health care and
others have excellent care, that some live in extreme
pollution while others live in an excellent environment, if
the average aggregate good is maximized.
Gish+- Problem Solving Model
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Define the problem
Find out all the facts-Issues and Interests;
CPC application
Think of possible solutions
Evaluate the solutions
Choose a solution
Outline the steps
Try the solution
Evaluate what happened
Witter-Merithew/Mills Stewart
Case Study Analysis Model
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What is the issue? Why do I identify it as the
issue?
What is the ethical tenet that governs the
question? Why did I choose this tenet(s)?
How does the ethical tenet apply to the issue?
Why do I believe it applies?
Consider the issue from all sides
Determine the possible resolution strategies
Choose the final course of action. Why is this
choice the best course of action?
RID Testing Rubric
Ethics portion of the performance exam
1.
2.
3.
What is the conflict?
What would you do?
Why?
Acronyms for Ethical Problem- Solving
DECIDE
One approach is called “DECIDE”
Dilemma = What is the dilemma or issue
Ethic = Which RID ethical tenet(s) did it impactChoices = Think of all the choices possible that
you can do
 Impact = Think of the on the impact each choice
will make
 Decision = Based on the different alternatives
and impacts, make a decision that will have the
least negative effect
 Effects = What effects will this decision impact



PEPSI






Another approach is called “PEPSI”
Problem = What is the problem or issue?
Ethic = Which RID CPC tenet(s) did it impact
Perspectives = Think of all the perspectives, how
it will impact i.e., the clients involved in this
situation both deaf and hearing, your supervisor,
the hiring agency, etc.
Solution = List all possible solutions
Impact = Determine the impact of each solution
both short and long term. Then choose the least
negative effect.
PEPSI-CO
A third approach is called “PEPSI-CO”
 It has the same approaches as PEPSI but adds two
effects:
 Consequences = What are the consequences of the
solution(s)
 Effects = How will the solution you choose effect(s)
others
 Any of those methods is effective when you need to
make a decision about a sticky situation. It is usually the
method used during the interview portion of the RID
Performance Exam.
 See NIC Interview Examination Rubric Anchors

Diagnosis Tools for Conflict
Moore (2003), modified by Gary Furlong (2005);
Gajewski-Mickelson (2009)
 Relationships: Issues based on negative
experience(s) in the past, stereotypes, poor or
failed communications, repetitive negative
behavior
 Values: Issues based on belief systems-right
and wrong, good and evil, just and unjust.
 Externals/Moods: Issues based on factors
unrelated to substance of dispute psychological
or physiological- like a “bad hair day”
(cont’d on next slide)
Diagnosis Tools for Conflict (cont’d)
 Data:
Issues based on a lack of
information, misinformation, too much
information, and/or information collection
problems
 Structure: Issues caused by limited
physical resources (i.e, time, money),
authority issues, geographical constraints,
and/or organizational structures.
Understanding Interests
Moore (2003), Lewicki, Barry & Saunders (2007), Lax & Sebenius (1986),
Gajewski-Mickelson (2009)




Substantive: Interests that generally relate to the focal
issues of the negotiation or encounter and have to do
with things of substance such as time and money.
Procedural or process: Interests related to how
something is done.
Psychological: Some refer to these interests as
relationship interests. These interests concern the
relationship and emotional needs of the parties.
Principles: Issues related to what is fair, what is right,
what is acceptable, what is ethical or what has been
done in the past and should be done in the future. These
interests may be deeply held by the parties and serve as
the dominant guides to their action.