Decision Making and Ethical Reasoning in Psychology

• Main Authors: Miguel Ricou, Sílvia Marina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University 2020-03-01
• Series: Psychology in Russia: State of Art
• Subjects: reason; emotions; intuitions; decision making; ethical reasoning; psychology
• Online Access: http://psychologyinrussia.com/volumes/pdf/2020_1/Psychology_1_2020_2-10_Marina.pdf
• ISSN: 2074-6857; 2307-2202

Background. Rationality, emotions, and intuition all seem to underlie the decision-making process. In a profession such as psychology, it is crucial to improve the rational dimension of decision making. Ethical reasoning can be compared to moral decision-making, but it is also linked to professional judgment. In psychology and other professions, ethical reasoning seems to be the basis for the development of professional skills. Objective. Present and discuss the role that rationality, emotions, and intuition can play in people’s decision making, especially in the feld of psychological intervention. Design. A theoretical perspective is presented which takes into account the relevant literature in the feld. Results. We support the idea of fve fundamental preconditions for ethical reasoning: self-knowledge, excellent training, experience or supervision, humility, and intervision. We recommend that psychologists meet these conditions in their professional decision making in order to promote the best quality of professional practice. Conclusion. We can say that ethical reasoning is a professional moral decision. As professionals, we are primarily intuitive in our decision making, which is why we make decisions almost automatically; but our decisions are based on our professional experience. Psychologists should refect on and understand the processes involved in decision making in order to avoid conclusions based on their personal experiences.