The American Counseling Association (ACA) code of ethics outlines guidelines for decision-making for individuals dealing with conflicting ethical dilemmas. The code does this by clarifying nature of ethical responsibility, establishing principles used to define and guide ethical behavior, and, providing a basis for processing ethical dilemmas. Section H of the ACA code of ethics identifies the process of resolving ethical issues. Therefore, with regard to the decision-making process, ACA mandates that individuals ought to behave in a moral, ethical and legal manner that best exemplifies acceptable professional conduct within their profession.
Conversely, the critical-evaluation model applauds the following moral principles as being integral to decision-making processes these principles include; autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice or fairness.
During the decision-making process, decision-makers are advised to remain impartial, in addition, they are expected to empower individuals by giving them their independence and allowing them to have a say in the decision-making process.
The critical evaluation model mandates that the decisions made ought not to pose any harm to those inside and outside of the decision-making process. The procedure followed in this model entails the following identification of the problem using different perspectives, application of the four principles in identifying a decision, consultation, deliberation on the probable courses of action, and, finalizing on the decision. Resistant supervisee: According to ACA Code of Ethics F.3d, supervisors ought to avoid taking on relatives, close friends or romantic partners as their supervisees. This is because this presents a conflict of interest among both parties and might prove detrimental to previously existing relationships.
Intimate relationships is among the factors that curtail the decision-making process. Another common factor that impedes the decision-making process includes resistance from the supervisor supervision is crucial to the decision-making process. As a supervisor, the ACA code mandates that one must remain true to the stipulated guidelines that define their profession meaning, a supervisor ought not to take out their frustrations on the complacent, redundant supervisee. Moreover, the code also defines the nature of the supervisor—supervisee relationship as one in which boundaries must be recognized. This means that a supervisor must define responsibilities, duties and roles clearly to the resistant supervisee from the very start. However, in the event that the supervisee remains resistant and continues to impede progress especially during execution of decisions made by the supervisor, other avenues ought to be explored.
Decision-making using the critical-evaluation model outlines a systematic procedure to be followed when dealing with problems such as resistant supervisees. The first step provided by the model entails the identification of the problem using different perspectives. In this case, a supervisor ought to identify the reasons behind the resistant behavior showcased by the supervisee this helps to determine whether preexisting external factors beyond the supervisee’s control are to blame for the resistant behavior or whether the supervisee simply enjoys engaging in deviant actions that blatantly disobey authority. Moreover, the model advocates for the supervisor to relinquish some control over the supervisee in order to encourage independent and rational reasoning. Independent supervisees feel empowered and are able to make rational decisions based on their assessments of what they perceive as right or wrong.
This resembles a laissez-faire management style, whereby, individuals retain their independence enabling them to make innovative decisions. However, the model permits for consultation and deliberations during the decision making process. For example, supervisees have the option of consulting with their supervisors when they are unsure about something. The final guideline of the critical-evaluation model entails ensuring decisions made do not cause any harm to those involved or uninvolved in the decision-making process. This means that a supervisor ought to address complacent behavior showcased by resistant supervisee in order to prevent harm.
In conclusion, one of the erengths of the critical evaluation model is that it advocates for individuals to be left independent in order to foster better decision making liberation encourages in-depth analysis of situations before reaching a decision. As a result, individuals find it hard to make irrational decisions because they hold themselves accountable for their decisions. On the other hand, the bureaucratic nature of the ACA model allows supervisors to remain in control of the entire decision-making process. This reduces the margin of error in the decision made because many people contribute towards the decision making process. Both models have their strengths and weaknesses, however, when used together, they appear to compensate for the other‘s shortcomings
Supervisor Ethics ACA. (2023, Mar 08). Retrieved from https://paperap.com/the-ethical-behavior-and-guidelines-of-a-supervisor-according-to-the-american-counseling-association-aca-code-of-ethics/