Ethical awareness
The term ethics can be broadly seen to encompass all that drives the relations of individuals within a given society. It could refer to the principles, values, and guidelines that determine the appropriate individual behaviors in a community. The diversity that is seen among the individuals affects the values and guidelines that are considered ethical by the individuals, resulting into various ethical issues and problems in the society.
Questions often arise concerning what is ethical and what is unethical among the individuals. Ethical awareness, thus, refers to the perception by an individual that there are different perspectives and views regarding the values that influence one’s behavior and conduct (Pope & Vasquez, 2010, p.2). It refers to the ability to understand the diversity and look into the causal factors. There is need to evaluate the values and develop one that promotes peaceful coexistence among the individuals in the society.
Importance of understanding personal ethical perspective
The societies we live in often have individuals from different backgrounds. The individuals will have different cultural values and traditions that influence their ethical standards as well. The individuals in the society also have varied strengths and weaknesses as humans and different perspectives on the feeling for others. Ethical awareness enables an individual to recognize the imperfect nature of human being (Pope & Vasquez, 2010, p.2).
The understanding of personal ethical perspective will enable me develop ways of interacting with these individuals from diverse background. It helps in identifying the cultural values and beliefs that guide the individual behaviors and that are responsible for the aforesaid differences. It is often not very easy to act as per the established ethical standards due to the other forces acting within the society.
The best action will then be that which comes closer to the required ethical standards. An individual can at times be faced with a decision that would require him to choose from two or more conflicting values and principles. It would then be appropriate to consider some of the common values in ethics like honesty, respect, responsibility, truthfulness, and fairness among others.
Ethical awareness by an individual will determine the ethical standards observed by the individual. The latter is measured based on how an individuals considers the negative impacts of an action and the appropriate corrective measures to be imposed on him following the decision (Raines, 2010, p.100). I am an individual that fights for the rights of others and often advocate for fairness to all.
This enables me to get along with the individuals of different walks, as my approach towards the relationship is not self-centered. My views are that if it is well with the community then it will be well with me as well. I often believe that all that suits the community is all that should suit me. The recognition of values like fairness, truthfulness, and honesty improves my reputation among the individuals in the society thereby improving further my relations with them.
The relationship between personal and professional ethics in Psychology
In the personal context, ethics provides us with the appropriate code of conduct that enables us relate with the others in the society. We are often concerned with the effects of our actions not only on us but also on the other individuals in the surrounding. In this respect, an act can be regarded ethical if it brings good to us, and the individuals surrounding us. However, such a course of action may not be available; hence, the next approach is to take that action that comes closer to meeting this target.
The required ethical issues are not often obvious as may be perceived (Pope & Vasquez, 2010, p.16). It is then required that every individual should act responsibly and informs the other individuals what is expected of them. There is need to have a feeling for every other individual in the society. The consequences of unethical personal conducts are varied including distrust and hatred among the individuals, lowering of one’s dignity, and acing criminal charges just to mention a few.
A similar scenario is witnessed in professional ethics in psychology and other disciplines as well. Professionals are often faced with dilemmas during the decision-making processes (Pope & Vasquez, 2010, p.2). The consequences of given decisions need to be examined and their overall impacts evaluated to help come up with the most appropriate course of action. A psychotherapist can be faced with various challenges when making a decision concerning the well-being of a patient.
Before deciding on what to do, the psychotherapist will have to consider what makes such an action to be the right one. He should consider the effects of such actions on him, on the patients, and on other individuals like the family of the patients. The incorporation of ethical awareness will help provide a solution to this dilemma.
The application of ethical principles enables psychotherapists “to see more clearly how our choices affect the lives of our patients, our colleagues, and the public” (Pope & Vasquez, 2010, p.2). Just as in the above case, demonstrated feelings for others are essential in professional ethics.
Conclusion
Ethical principles are essential for the good relations that need to occur among the individuals in a given society. It is required that an individual understands the diverse nature of individuals resulting into diverse needs.
Developing a common cultural value that can provide foundation for ethical standards requires the recognition of values like responsibility, integrity, and fairness to all. The kind of relationship developed between individuals governed by ethical standards are similar to those that guide the decision making process by professionals.
References
Pope, K. and Vasquez, M. (2010). Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: A Practical Guide. Fourth Edition. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons. Web.
Raines, J. (2010). Ethics in policing: misconduct and integrity. Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Web.