Ethical Decision Making: The Person in the Process

13 Pages·2016·2.04 MB·English

Ethical Decision Making: The Person in the Process
Author(s): Marian Mattison
Source: Social Work, Vol. 45, No. 3 (May 2000), pp. 201-212
Published by: Oxford University Press
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/23718603
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Ethical Decision Making:
The Person in the Process
Marian Mattison
Ethical decisions made by social workers are shaped by the
decision maker and the process used to resolve ethical dilemmas.
Although systematic guidelines for resolving ethical dilemmas
offer social workers a logical approach to the decision-making
sequence, it is inevitable that discretionary judgments will
condition the ultimate choice of action. Social workers are
influenced by professional roles, practice experiences,
individualized perspectives, personal preferences, motivations,
and attitudes. Through reflective self-awareness social workers
can recognize their value preferences and be alert to the ways in
which these values unknowingly influence the resolution of ethical
dilemmas. Understanding which values or ethical principles were
given priority from among competing alternatives can inform
social workers about their value patterning. This article challenges
social workers to view current ethical decisions as linked to other
ethical decisions they have made in the past or will make in the
future. An approach to developing keener insight into value
patterning is presented.
Key words: ethical decision making; ethical dilemmas;
moral dilemmas; values
held responsible for their choices of action
per, magazine, or professional journal today (Loewenberg & Dolgoff, 1996). The practice of
It is virtually impossible to pick up a newspa
and not find attention being drawn to social work is no exception. As social workers
present controversies about moral or ethical struggle with resolving moral dilemmas, prag
issues. Concern about the morality of profes matic approaches to ethical decision making
sionals focuses on questions of what is to be must be better linked to daily practice, and the
considered the "right," "correct," or "ethical" decision makers themselves should be develop
position to promote or action to take in a pro ing insight into how they typically respond to
fessional capacity. Moral responsibility (the ob value conflicts. Although moral decision mak
ligation to "act correctly") in actions by pro ing in any given case involves a concentrated
fessionals is being scrutinized carefully. focus on the particular case details at hand, it
Increasingly, individual practitioners are being should also include points of reflection both
CCC Code: 0037-8046/00 $3.00 © 2000
National Association of Social Workers, Inc.
201
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throughout the process and in retrospect, to ones to be actualized in practice, translating so
cial workers' values into behavioral acts be
activate self-knowledge and insight for the so
cial worker. Social workers can benefit from comes less certain (Perlman, 1976). When two
scrutinizing their value decisions to learn, for or more values are activated, it is unlikely that a
example, whether they tend to favor following person can behave in a manner that is equally
rules or policies over exercising discretionary compatible with each of them (Rokeach, 1973).
judgment. In what way is the social worker's For example, social workers have long struggled
decision typically shaped by the worker's role in with decisions involving client self-determina
the agency (direct services practitioner versus tion (Freedberg, 1989). It is acknowledged that
administrative role)? Is client self-determina there is no universal application of the concept
tion an overriding value, or will the social of self-determination; context and situational
worker's judgments of right versus wrong direct preferences lead to exceptions (Rothman,
the ultimate choice of action? 1989). At what point should client self-determi
This article attempts to apply the person-in nation take precedence over other competing
situation construct to ethical decision making. values or obligations that apply? There may be
In addition, it calls for social workers to develop points at which other social work values would
a greater awareness of self throughout the ethi be considered more primary than self-determi
cal reasoning process. As social workers are en nation, in a given situation. Should a social
gaged in moral decision making, they are urged worker honor a pregnant 14-year-old
to be aware of and sensitive to the ways in adolescent's right to self-determination, or is
which their value preferences continuously in there an obligation to disclose the pregnancy to
fluence and pervade the process. As ethical di parents or guardians to protect the unborn
lemmas are resolved, social workers are encour child? Should an elderly client be returned to an
aged to review the decision-making process. environment that threatens his or her health
This review can provide feedback about indi and safety if he or she so chooses? Clearly there
vidualized patterns of responding to ethical di are times when client self-determination should
lemmas. Social workers can then use this feed be sacrificed when the social worker believes
back to recognize the ways in which they that the client's chosen course of action is not
typically respond to value choices in the course in the client's "best interests" or threatens the
of working with clients. A pragmatic approach client's safety (Callahan, 1994). The social
for gaining greater awareness of one's value worker, acting under the obligation of benefi
preferences is presented. The social work practi cence (the obligation to promote "good" on
tioner is encouraged to use reflective self-aware behalf of clients), may select a course of action
ness to make corrections or adjustments to in that the client opposes. This decision can result
fluence future decisions that involve ethical in paternalism, "a form of beneficence in which
tensions. the helping person's concept of harms and ben
efits differ from those of the client and the
Competing Values and Competing Loyalties
helper's interpretation prevails" (Abramson,
Perhaps more than other professions, social 1989, p. 102).
work is concerned with values that give direc
The Reality of Discretionary Judgment
tion to its efforts (Noble & King, 1981). "Ethics
refers to those rules of conduct that direct us to Social workers in daily practice make a continu
act in a manner consistent with the values we ous series of treatment decisions, weighing the
profess" (Lewis, 1982, p.12), and these rules are relative advantages and disadvantages of various
embodied in the Code of Ethics which "is in alternatives or strategies. Favorable decisions
tended to serve as a guide to the everyday pro ultimately are selected on the basis of acceptable
fessional conduct of social workers" (NASW, practice theory in conjunction with the values
1996, Overview). Although social workers will of the profession, which, collectively, should
agree that core values such as client self-deter guide social workers in their professional capac
mination and the primacy of client interests are ity. These values, or preferences for what is
Social Work / Volume 45, Number 3 / May 2000
202
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good, desirable, or ethical, are systematically to themselves or others?" (NASW, 1996, p. 7).
presented in a code of ethics that "prescribes When the needs of the adolescent, the interests
and explains the obligations for good, right of the unborn child, and those of the family sys
conduct on the part of professional members" tem conflict, how does the social worker deter
(Siporin, 1982, p. 523). Although the new Code mine whose interests should ultimately be
of Ethics "offers a set of values, principles, and served? Although systematic guides for resolv
standards to guide the decision making conduct ing ethical dilemmas offer social workers a logi
when ethical issues arise,... it does not provide cal approach to the decision-making process, to
a set of rules that prescribe how social workers some extent, the use of discretionary judgments
should act in all situations" (NASW, 1996, p. 2). is inevitable.
How social workers respond to ethical di
Competing Value Tensions
lemmas depends, in part, on whether the ethical
issues are distinguished from the practice issues Decisions regarding ethical questions are not
and how the worker has learned to think about made by social workers in an arbitrary manner;
the ethical issues. The expectation that social they are grounded in the conditions and factors
workers become familiar with related to the decision
"specific ethical standards to maker, the situational cir
guide social workers' conduct cumstances, and the process
and to provide a basis for ad- How snrinl workers itself. Ethical decisions in
judication" (NASW, 1996, , , . . volve not only distinguish
Overview) is a foundation for respon O e ICO ing right from wrong, but
ethical practice. Knowledge of dilemmas depends, in part, also addressing the more
the values, ethical standards, on how the worker has troubling good/good or bad/
and ethical principles es- learned to think about the bad variety of deliberations,
poused in the Code equip the , . . . Typically, the more trou
social worker with an appre- 6 ISSUeS. bling ethical decisions in
ciation of the complexities of volve choosing from among
the obligations. Yet the code possible choices of action,
does not specify which values each of which offers poten
or principles the social worker should consider tial benefits (good/good) or those in which each
primary in cases of competing interests. For of the options at hand appears unattractive or
this, social workers must be accoutered with a undesirable (bad/bad) (Keith-Lucas, 1977). In
framework or strategy to guide them in deter either case, any option is never entirely satisfying.
mining which principle, value, or obligation to
Deontological and Teleological Approaches
honor foremost when ethical obligations con
flict. For example, when a social worker is asked Delineating the criteria on which moral deci
by a 14-year-old adolescent not to disclose her sions are made has been argued by philosophers
pregnancy to her parents, whose interests and described in ethical theories throughout
should the social worker consider foremost? Is time. Two major groups of ethical theories have
the social worker's primary obligation to the relevance to social workers in helping recognize
adolescent and her right to self-determination? and understand the principles on which ethical
On what grounds can the disclosure of this con decisions are based. Although social workers do
fidential information be justified? To what ex not normally talk in philosophical terms as they
tent might the disclosure of the information be engage in ethical decision making, elements of
in the adolescent's best interests, in the long deontological and teleological thinking operate
run? Is this a circumstance in which the social and influence the decision-making process,
worker "may limit clients' right to self-determi whether knowingly or unknowingly. A brief
nation when, in the social workers' professional discussion of the deontological and teleological
judgment, clients' actions or potential actions perspectives and consideration of the ways in
pose a serious, foreseeable, and imminent risk which each influences ethical choices deepens
Mattison / Ethical Decision Making: The Person in the Process
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the discussion of judgments about the Tightness this action will enable her to live with her ma
and wrongness of professional behaviors. ternal aunt. She asks the social worker to not
In the professional training of social workers, disclose the pregnancy.
a systems perspective highlights the broad un
Absolutism versus Relativism
derstanding of multiple influences and calls for
a consideration of the possible consequences Clearly, every social worker will consider the
that might result from any given intervention. "standards of care" that direct and guide the
Attention to weighing the potential conse choices of action in this case or any other case.
quences of proposed actions is central to the The social worker's actions should be consistent
teleological school of thought. Decisions for with "the way an ordinary, reasonable, and pru
action are made in relation to the consequences dent professional would act under the same cir
that may result; actions that result in greater cumstances" (Reamer, 1994, p. 3). In addition,
degrees of good are valued or desired. Subse clinical judgments must be balanced against,
quently, actions can be justified on the basis of and made in light of, legal considerations. With
the consequences they create (Loewenberg & the rise of ethics complaints filed against social
Dolgoff, 1996) and the belief that the desired workers, the law is becoming an ever-increasing
ends will be met, thereby justifying the means. influence on social work practice. Social work
This focus on consequences, central to the ers become legally and ethically vulnerable
teleological approach, contrasts sharply with the when they are unaware of the legislated respon
deontological approach, which maintains that sibilities to which they will be held responsible
fixed moral rules should dictate and define the (Bullis, 1995). For example, in this case the so
Tightness or wrongness of actions. Deontologi cial worker must know the extent to which and
cal thinking is grounded in the belief that ac under what conditions he or she is obligated to
tions, in and of themselves, can be determined maintain client confidence and under what cir
to be right or wrong, good or bad, regardless of cumstances disclosure may be warranted. State
the consequences they produce (Reamer, 1995). law may require the practitioner to protect the
From this philosophical perspective, adherence information shared by the 14 year old. Yet, the
to rules is central. Once formulated, ethical social worker may determine that the duty to
rules should hold under all circumstances protect the unborn child outweighs the obliga
(Loewenberg & Dolgoff, 1996). Thus, a social tion to protect client confidence. It is not un
worker would not choose to abide by the rules common for social workers who have knowl
under some circumstances and disregard them edge of the legal obligation to willfully violate
under others. The rules remain in place across this obligation to serve a perceived "greater
all situations, and circumstantial factors do not good" (Mattison, 1994).
serve to justify disregard for the rules. A social No doubt social workers unilaterally agree
worker following a deontological approach will that the principles of confidentiality and a re
differ in the approach to ethical decision-mak spect for a client's right to self-determination
ing judgments compared with the social worker are core values to uphold. In this case the rule
who values the weighing of potential conse oriented (deontological) social worker may feel
quences. An example will serve to illustrate duty bound to respect the client's right to self
these points. determination. Overriding the obligation to
maintain client confidentiality would not be a
Case Example
consideration. If the social worker accepts that
A 14-year-old adolescent who discloses in con the obligations to maintain and protect client
fidence that she is pregnant will serve as the ref confidence and to foster self-determination are
erence point. Further investigation reveals that central, it would be inherently wrong to violate
the adolescent intends to keep secret the preg these under any circumstances. The fact that
nancy until she is past the legal limit for an the client is 14 does not change the imperative
abortion. At that point, she believes, her mother to uphold the rules, even if doing so results in
and stepfather will throw her out of the house; harm to the client or client system.
Social Work / Volume 45, Number 3 / May 2000
204
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For the social worker who views the situation ethical decision making involves the systematic
from a relativistic perspective, the focus is on analysis of the dilemma by the individual deci
the consequences that may follow. The social sion maker. For this facet of the process, nu
worker attempts to balance the risks involved merous guides offer social workers techniques
and is concerned with what might result from to systematically analyze ethical dilemmas
each of the proposed actions. This worker, with (Abramson, 1985; Lewis, 1984; Loewenberg &
a teleological perspective, weighs and measures Dolgoff, 1996; Pine, 1987; Reamer, 1990). These
the consequences for the adolescent, the un analytic tools attempt to move ethical decision
born child, the family system, the social worker, making away from the intuitive and toward the
societal interests, and others potentially af cognitive by offering step-by-step approaches to
fected. Judgments about the correct course of ethical decision making. They are attempts to
action are made only after a thorough assess shift moral decisions made by social workers
ment of what might result from each option. from the personal and subjective, to treat these
Social workers attempt to weight the various decisions with the intellectual rigor afforded
obligations to which they are responsible and to other social work decisions (Emmet, 1962). The
evaluate the possible consequences of these ac goal is to build "intellectual moral resources,"
tions, ultimately selecting the action that pro by ensuring that moral judgments are tied to
duces the preferred outcomes or benefits. reason and are supported by an intellectual base
In the event that a liability case is brought (Emmet). Documenting the process and proce
against the social worker, alleging that the social dures used in making a decision may be critical
worker failed to carry out duties properly, the to justifying a person's action in a court of law
social worker must be prepared to justify not (Reamer, 1994). All too often social workers are
only the action selected, but also the process unfamiliar with the obligations set forth in the
and procedures followed in selecting the action. code and have little or no training in the sys
The client may claim that the disclosure of con tematic analysis of ethical dilemmas (Mattison,
fidential information was an act of misfeasance, 1994).
that the social worker performed "a proper act I have devised a model for analyzing ethical
in a way that [was] harmful or injurious" dilemmas (shown in Figure 1). The process
(Barker, 1995, p. 237). Although the court may begins as the social worker fully explores case
not go so far as to rule on what action a social details and gathers needed information to un
worker should have taken, the social worker is derstand holistically the client's current circum
responsible for documenting the systematic stance. Social workers must pay attention to
steps used in arriving at the decision. These ethnic-based traditions and the ways "in which
steps must reflect the proper professional con members of various ethnic groups are likely to
duct expected of a professional social worker. define and cope with problems" (Schlesinger &
For example, where indicated, the social worker Devore, 1995, p. 906). Might the pregnancy be a
must be able to produce documentation that tradition that is ethnically based? The analysis
consultation and supervision were sought, in progresses as the social worker carefully distin
keeping with expected practice guidelines guishes the practice aspects of the case from the
(Reamer, 1994). ethical considerations. In the case of the 14
year-old pregnant adolescent, the practice con
Guides for Ethical Decision Making
siderations may involve questions such as
Ethical decision making in day-to-day practice "Which treatment modalities should be used?"
must never be considered a discrete act or a task "Were the limits of confidentiality explicitly re
that is unremittingly logical or scientific by na viewed?" "Is the practitioner familiar with em
ture. Although theoretical and technical exper pirically based knowledge about the physical,
tise both steer and direct professional practice, emotional, and financial consequences of ado
it is clear that there are aspects of social work lescent pregnancies?" The ethical components
that require thinking beyond scientific profi involve questions such as "To what extent
ciency (Goldstein, 1987). In part, the process of should client self-determination be actualized
Mattison / Ethical Decision Making: The Person in the Process
205
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Framework to Analyze Ethical Dilemmas
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in practice?" "Is a 14-year-old psychologically ing one or more of the obligations comes at the
capable of carrying? Should a 14-year-old carry expense of satisfying others. The resolution
a child without the supervision of guardians?" stage follows; the social worker selects a choice
"Whose interests should be served foremost, of action based on the outcomes of the assess
those of the adolescent, those of the unborn ment and must be prepared to justify the deci
child, or those of the family system?" sion. (For a more detailed case example using
The analysis continues as the value tensions this model, see McGowan 8c Mattison, 1998.)
are identified explicitly. In the adolescent preg
Self-Awareness
nancy case, the value tensions may include the
social worker's duty to maintain client confi Beyond the "scientific" phase, a comprehensive
dence versus serving the perceived best interests approach to ethical decision making must em
of the family system; the adolescent's right of brace consideration of the decision maker. The
self-determination versus the parents' right to process of decision making is forged by the
know that their daughter is pregnant; the prejudices and prejudgments brought to the
adolescent's right to autonomy versus the decision-making process by the decision maker
health and safety needs of the (Abramson, 1996). The
unborn child; and the legal value system and preferences
obligations regarding the pro- of the decision maker shape
tection or disclosure of the part of the ethical the entire assessment pro
confidential information ver- ^ . , . . cess and influence each step
sus the moral obligation to assessment, the decision and ultimately the choice of
serve "the best interests of the maker projects, weighs, action selected (Figure 1). In
adolescent" (additional value and measures the possible the case of the 14-year-old
tensions might be identified). /,r /icti'/iii n ei/l tfja who shares, in confidence,
In analyzing ethical dilemmas, . . that she is pregnant, the so
the social worker must refer- P0tential Consequences dd worker>s views on ado
ence the Code of Ethics to iden- °f these. lescent pregnancy inevitably
tify and evaluate which obli- will factor into the decision
gâtions the code addresses and making. Weighing the par
the specific obligations to ents' right to know versus
which the worker is obliged. Next, as part of the the adolescent's right to have her confidentiality
ethical assessment, the decision maker projects, protected will be influenced by the social
weighs, and measures the possible courses of worker's personal and professional experiences.
action that seem reasonable and the potential The technical aspects of the ethical decision
consequences of these. For example, if the social making process take shape only as they are ap
worker were to disclose the information against plied in practice through the individual lens of
the expressed wishes of the adolescent, what the decision maker. Initially, the reasoning pro
consequences might result for the adolescent, cess helps the decision maker establish, under
family members, the maternal aunt, or the so stand, and organize the complex facts related to
cial worker? In what ways will the interests of the particular situation. Yet there is general
the social worker be affected by a failure to agreement in the literature that the ultimate
abide by any legal obligations that might bear decision for resolving an ethical dilemma lies in
on the case? The costs and benefits to various the circumstances and the value system or pref
choices of actions will differ for each individual erences of the decision maker (Keith-Lucas,
involved. After a scrupulous assessment of these 1977).
obligations, the social worker must select an
The Person-in-Situation Construct and
action. Resolving the ethical dilemma ulti
Ethical Decision Making
mately involves determining which of the com
peting obligations or values to honor foremost. We know well, from our understanding of hu
It is the nature of an ethical dilemma that meet man behavior, the extent to which the context
Mattison / Ethical Decision Making: The Person in the Process
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of the environment shapes and defines behav cence as a routine value orientation. Clearly, a
ior. It follows, with regard to ethical issues, that social worker's organizational role in the agency
social workers themselves are likely to be influ (direct service versus administrative) strongly
enced by their "prior socialization, and devel influences the priorities that the social worker
opmental stages as well as situational factors, emphasizes in ethical decision making. Such
including the immediate organizational or pro value patterning must be brought to the con
fessional context, characteristics of their work scious awareness of the decision maker. It is the
roles, and overall organizational culture" (Hol responsibility of the social worker to know how
land & Kilpatrick, 1991, p. 143). The practition contextual influences such as agency role, judg
ers' decision making is sensitized by their cul ments about right versus wrong, and principles
tural background and beliefs, which often and philosophies filter unknowingly into the
inadvertently cast judgments on the Tightness ethical decisions the social worker makes. Be
or wrongness of attitudes and behaviors. Ste cause "a person always enters the ethical deci
reotypes and biases, which are not made explicit sion making process in midstream, influenced
by the practitioner, undoubtedly will influence by his or her past experience ... the ideal goal is
professional conduct (Frankena, 1980). A con to come to an ethical decision through a per
temporary approach to social work ethics must sonal equilibrium in which emotion and reason
center "holistically" on the decision maker in are both activated and in accord" (Callahan,
the context of the decision-making process, in 1988, p. 91).
cluding recognizing and accounting for the For social workers struggling to resolve ethi
cultural perspectives of the client, which may cal dilemmas, there is a lack of information
vary widely from those of the social worker. about what constitutes sound professional prac
Acknowledging that the client's value orienta tice. Reasonable practitioners disagree on what
tion may conflict with the professional and per a social worker should do in a given case situa
sonal beliefs held by the social worker can re tion and whether the social worker's actions
mind the practitioner to consciously consider constitute a violation of the standards of care to
whose interests are being served. Abramson which the social worker is held responsible
(1996) called for social workers to be "ethically (Reamer, 1994). No where does the profession
aware." The challenge is to use ethical self-re provide case references or formal opinions
flection to learn about oneself as an ethical deci about what constitutes appropriate profes
sion maker. Because it is the character, con sional conduct. The absence of such practice
science, personal philosophy, attitudes, and standards leaves social workers without refer
biases of the decision maker that ultimately give ence points as they address complex questions
rise to the choice of action (Abramson, 1996), regarding professional ethics (Jayaratne,
we must learn more about our individualized Croxton, 8a Mattison, 1997), resulting in social
ethical stances. workers being left to interpret individually the
boundaries of ethical behavior. Practicing social
Individualized Decision-Making Styles
workers voice concerns and ambivalence about
The research demonstrates that social workers what constitutes sound ethical practice and ex
indeed develop individualized styles or patterns press a desire for such reference points against
of responding to moral dilemmas (Holland 8c which to measure the appropriateness of their
Kilpatrick, 1991). Holland and Kilpatrick docu practice decisions and behaviors (Mattison,
mented a number of variables associated with 1994).
individualized decision-making styles. The au Developing insight into one's value pattern
thors suggested that some social workers adhere ing can be the result of social workers making
more consistently to policies and laws that are ethical decisions in daily practice and continu
relevant to a situation, whereas others empha ously reflecting on the decision-making se
size means or outcomes as more essential to se quence as well as the outcomes of the process.
lecting a choice of action. Some social workers Social workers can benefit from viewing ethical
honor client self-determination over benefi decisions as related to other ethical decisions
Social Work / Volume 45, Number 3 / May 2000
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that they have made in the past and will make from case to case, they should see patterns of
in the future. responding. This feedback can inform social
Figure 2 illustrates a decision-making se workers about their individualized approaches
quence that integrates continuous reflection. to ethical dilemmas.
Purposeful attention to reflection and self 1. To what extent did my personal values or
awareness are essential throughout the ethical philosophies influence the preferred
decision-making process. As the social worker choice of action?
engages in the process, consideration of his □ I was aware of my personal biases or
or her value preferences must be in the preferences and attempted to keep
practitioner's conscious awareness. Thoughtful these from unduly influencing the
engagement in ethical decision making involves outcome.
an assessment of the case details with attention o I had not considered the extent to
to identifying the ethical tensions. Responding which my personal values may have
to the ethical dilemma requires that social influenced the ultimate decision.
workers recognize the ethical components and 2. To what extent did the legal obligation
distinguish these from the more familiar prac influence my decision in this case?
tice aspects of their work (Joseph, 1985). How □ Not at all
social workers respond to ethical dilemmas is □ Somewhat
conditioned by their ability to see the value □ Was a deciding factor in my decision
components as separate from the practice as 3. Was I willing to act outside of legal obli
pect of the case details. In this process the social gations if doing so meant serving the
worker isolates ethical precepts to which he or client's best interests?
she is obligated. As the process proceeds, de o My legal obligation took precedence
tecting the ways in which factors such as the over all other obligations.
social worker's organizational role, personal □ If the legal obligation does not serve
values, exceptional client circumstances, and my client's interests, I am not bound
professional obligations influence the choices of to apply the legal rule above other in
action must be considered. terests.
To structure the ethical decision-making 4. To what extent did adhering to agency
process, social workers use an analytic guide (as policy influence my decision in this case?
described in Figure 1 ) to judge which obligation □ Not at all
is more important to honor in a particular case a Somewhat
and which value should outweigh the others in □ Was a deciding factor in my decision.
importance. Throughout the process, as the 5. If agency policy conflicted with other ob
choice of action is being selected, justified, and ligations to the client, was I willing to act
implemented, there is a benefit to social work outside of agency policy?
ers reviewing their value preferences in relation □ My first obligation is to the agency.
to the case. Understanding which values or □ Agency policy may not take prece
dence in all case circumstances.
ethical principles were given priority from among
the competing alternatives can inform the social 6. To what extent did my role in the agency
worker about value patterning. This knowledge influence my choice of action? (Do you
can be measured against other value choices believe that your choice of action might
that the practitioner has made in the past. be different if you were an administator
After an ethical decision has been made, so or direct practice social worker?)
cial workers can benefit by reflecting on their □ My choice of action was strongly in
value preferences in the particular case. A prac fluenced by my agency role.
tical way for social workers to learn more about □ My choice of action was somewhat
their value orientation begins by responding to influenced by my agency role.
a series of questions such as those suggested be □ I would have made the same decision
low. As social workers compare their responses regardless of my role in the agency.
Mattison / Ethical Decision Making: The Person in the Process
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