Maurice

Ethical Decision-Making Models

Kitchener (1984, 2000), proposed a two-factor model, which is one of the influential
models of decision making (Rogerson et al., 2011). The theorist held that there is the intuitive
level of moral reasoning and the critical-evaluative level (Rogerson et al., 2011). Moral
reasoning at the intuitive level is based on personal experiences and existing knowledge. thus, a
person’s moral thought and the ethical decisions that they will make will be founded on what
they already know. Due to its limited scope in informing ethical decisions, Kitchener found this
level insufficient, and he presented the second level of moral reasoning which he called the
critical-evaluative level. This level guides, assesses, and defends moral decisions (Rogerson et
al., 2011). Judgments are reasoned and based on philosophical theories, principles, standards,
ethical rules, and guidelines. Ethical decisions made using this two-factor model are well refined
through both ethical intuition and critical evaluation.
If I was in the field, and I encountered a situation where after working with a client for
two years, the mother soddenly loses her job. She thus cannot support the child’s therapy
sessions because she has no income. She asks to withdraw the child as she gives herself time to
look for alternative source of income. The child had made remarkable progress and I know
withdrawing the child from therapy would make him regress. I would apply the two-factor model
to analyze the situation. I cannot offer free services every time my clients lose employment
because I would eventually not be able to cater for my bills and living expenses. At the same
time, I have come along way with this child and it is hard allowing him leave only to come back
having lost track and I will be forced to repeat treatment from may be one year behind. After
critically evaluating the situation, I will ask the mother to commit through a legal agreement that

she will settle her son’s bills once she is able to earn again. My decision in this situation would
be influenced by the self-serving bias. The self-serving bias is based on conflict of interest. I feel
that if the child comes back to me, then I will have to repeat treatment with them. I will be
serving my conflict of interest by allowing the child come for therapy sessions until the mother
can be in a better financial position.

References

Rogerson, M. D., Gottlieb, M. C., Handelsman, M. M., Knapp, S., & Younggren, J. (2011).
Nonrational processes in ethical decision making. American Psychologist, 66(7), 614.