Ethics Inventory the Ethics Awareness Inventory and Essay

Ethics Inventory

The Ethics Awareness Inventory and Psychology

There are few features that will define a person's life, experiences, interactions and self-image as pointedly as will one's ethical orientation. Indeed, the Ethics Awareness Inventory (EAI) is an instrument which allows the individual to effectively characterize his or her own distinct type of ethical orientation. In doing so, it also highlights the permeating relevance of this orientation in the areas of personal, professional, social and spiritual behavior. According to The Williams Institute (TWI)(1995), which issues the instrument, "the EAI presents individuals with a series of questions in a self-scoring inventory to assist them in developing a deeper understanding of their own ethical style, the ethical beliefs of others and some of the challenges they may experience when working with others of a different ethical perspective." (TWI, p. 1) In particular, within the context of the study of human psychology, it is absolutely imperative to be aware of these differences and knowledgeable in the most constructive ways of navigating these. Among other things, the EAI is constructive in helping the respondent determine his or her personal proclivities.

Role of Personal Ethics:

Understanding one's self better in these regards can help to refine one's understanding of the role played by personal ethics in interactions with clients in psychological setting. To this end, I determined through the EAI that my ethical orientation is driven by character, both that within myself and that within those around me. This is essential to the work of the psychology professional, particularly given the primacy of adherence to doctrines of conduct in the field. A professional Code of Conduct should be informed by a certain instinctual comprehension of that which is ethically expected both within one's professional and personal life. As Collack (2007) indicates, those individuals that are driven by character will "tend to look at virtues and ask themselves 'what is good to be rather than what is good to do' (Williams, L.,2002). Thus, we try to achieve moral excellence by concentrating on one's virtues. It is not enough to simply comply with current ethical standards; one must have integrity, honesty, benevolence, justice, honor, and wisdom to be ethical. Simply put, a mere compliance with laws, regulations, and customs does not make anyone ethical. The person must also have a good character and continually strive to be morally good." (Collack, p. 1) This is a standard that is incumbent upon the psychology professional, who must…