Assignment: Write a 3-page essay answering the questions below. Your essay must go through each of the 3 stages of decision making. Use 12-point Times New Roman font, double-space.

This is an essay. You may use headers to answer each question, but your answers need to be in paragraph form.

Note: A title page does not count toward the 3-page minimum and is not needed.

This assignment is due Sunday, October 14 by 11:59 pm to Blackboard.

Worth 100 points.

1. Can you legally run the story about Modulo’s problems at UCLA? Explain why or why not?

2. Should you run the story? What are the ethical issues to consider when deciding on whether to run the story?

Also, be sure to apply the “Three Stages of Ethical Decision Making” in your essay as you examine the situation.

Who could be impacted by a decision to run the story? Who could be impacted by a decision to not run the story?

3. As news director it is your decision. What would you do, run the story or not run the story?

4. Why? (What is the justification for your decision?)

The main ethical issue that might arise from the session between the counselor and the delusional patient is the potential for the practitioner to place her need over those of the client. It is a common challenge for counselors to understand the limits of their competencies and prevent their ego from interfering with their work. In the context, the insistence of the patient to continue the therapeutic relationship with the counselor might make her violate Section A.12 of the ACA Code of Ethics since she has told her of her inability to handle her case. According to the ACA (2014), counselors do not abandon or neglect their patient after termination or referral but make appropriate arrangements for continuation of treatment. I believe it would be beneficial if the counselor could explain to the client that referral is in the client’s best interest. I learned from this week video clip that we have to be very careful when we want to suggest a referral to the client.

2. Meanwhile, the guidelines of the ACA Code of Ethics would influence the approaches that I would use to handle a situation that involves the refusal of my client to reject referral when her therapeutic needs are outside my competency area. First, I would discontinue the counseling relationship despite the unwillingness of the client to consult a competent practitioner for her condition since my acceptance of her desires or wishes would amount to a violation of Section A.11.a of the ACA Code of Ethics. Secondly, I will engage in pre-termination counseling by highlighting the referral options available to the client before recommending the most appropriate service provider to the patient, which is an action that is consistent with Section A.11.c of the same regulation. Finally, I will ensure that all the clinical and administrative processes are completed for both client and practitioner to ensure the continuation of treatment services.

3. In conclusion, my effort to improve my competence in dealing with a delusional patient would entail the acquisition of appropriate education and training in this specialty. Once the appropriate level of knowledge is acquired, it is essential to attend to the under the supervision of an experienced practitioner until the level of competence for this new specialty meets the minimum standard for the profession.

The main ethical issue in this role play is the concern of the counselor practicing outside of her boundaries of competence. The two standards that are most relevant include C.2.a. and A.11.a. C.2.a., Boundaries of Competence, may be violated if the counselor continues to see this client without obtaining the proper training to work with delusions. A.11.a, Competence with Termination and Referral, applies because the counselor needs to understand when it is appropriate to make a referral. In this case, I believe the client’s presenting problem needs to take priority, and it is more than a mere concern of the client’s values.

2. In a similar situation, the first thing I would do is speak to my supervisor. Especially in the early stages of one’s training, I believe it is always acceptable to seek consultation from a supervisor when there is uncertainty. If my client completely refused the idea of a referral, I would highly suggest the option of having a co-counselor as the video role play suggested. If the client only wanted to speak with me during a session, I would suggest the client see a professional who works with delusions, in addition to continuing counseling. As much as I would want to help this client in the manner they select, in order to balance the principles of nonmaleficence and beneficence, I believe it is in the best interest of the client to see an additional professional with greater competence.

3. To improve my own competence, I would begin by seeking consultation with a professional who is experienced in this area. I would also work on continuing education to improve my counseling skills by reading literature on delusions and attending workshops.

Part 1

400-600 words

At the community mental health center you are assigned to counsel an adult client who has Major Depressive Disorder, recurrent with psychotic features as well as Borderline Personality Disorder. She is a 55-year-old who also has addiction issues. She is beginning to lash out at her family because she feels abandoned by them. She stopped taking her prescribed psychotropic medications a year ago. This has triggered her utilization of drugs and alcohol. She is becoming increasingly depressed, isolated, sleeps 14 hours per day, and overeats the rest of the day. She tells you that she has stopped all socializing and needs to get back into life again so that she can cope with her mental illness and work through her abandonment issues. She is willing to attend whatever groups you think will help her.

You will take this case to your next team meeting to discuss with your colleagues before presenting the information to the client. Be sure to include the following in your discussion:

• Provide 2 goals for the client.
• Identify 2-3 objectives per goal.
• Present at least 2 types of group therapy you could use to assist this client effectively, and explain how you would utilize the chosen groups.
• Identify one potential benefit and one potential drawback of each of the type of therapy selected.

Social influence is pervasive. Understanding mechanisms by which our own behavior is influenced can help us intentionally shape the behavior of others. In this discussion, we will consider various forms of social influence by creating an intervention designed to address a particular concern in one of many real world settings.

To inform your thinking on this topic, begin by reading “Harnessing the Science of Persuasion” (Cialdini, 2001), “Social Influence: Compliance and Conformity” (Cialdini & Goldstein, 2004), “Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance” (Festinger & Carlsmith, 1959), “Behavioral Study of Obedience” (Milgram, 1963), and “Attribution Versus Persuasion as a Means for Modifying Behavior” (Miller, Brickman, & Bolen, 1975).

Then, imagine yourself as a consultant in one of the following scenarios. You are responsible for developing a plan to modify behavior, which will be based on social psychological insight. Select one of the following options and design a program, supporting your answer with scholarly and peer-reviewed sources. Explain to the individual in the scenario, in layperson’s terms, relevant theory and research that addresses the social psychological variables involved. Summarize a clear intervention strategy, formulating advice regarding future behavior.

• A business executive seeks assistance in creating a comprehensive plan to market a product. [You may choose the product.]
• A lawyer is requesting insight regarding jury behavior in order to achieve more favorable trial outcomes.
• A prominent member of the community is considering a run for political office and would like advice regarding successful campaign strategies.
• A doctor is concerned about rising rates of illness due to personal behavior and wishes to provide appropriate counsel to patients in order to change behavior for the better. [You may specify the type of illness or behaviors, as necessary.]
• A substance abuse counselor is alarmed by recent statistics on drug and alcohol use amongst younger and younger children and would like to design a targeted program to address this issue.
• Other (as provided/approved by your instructor)

Your initial post should be 500-1000 words in length and must contain at minimum required course resources as applicable. Additional credible references are encouraged.L

Need to be done by tonight at 11. In this module, you will apply your understanding of the scientific method, critical thinking, rationality and reflective judgment to a real-world event depicted in a documentary on the 2004 Dover, PA court case regarding the teaching of creationism in a public middle school. You will acquire a better understanding of scientific theories and hypotheses and how science differs from other approaches to the natural world.

Instructions:

STEP 1: To successfully complete this learning unit, watch this episode (in its entirety) from the NOVA series: Judgment Day Video

Or you can read the transcript here: Judgment Day Transcript

STEP 2: Write a 250-350 word (maximum) brief report on the Dover PA case. In your brief report, address all 3 issues below.

Make sure to refer to information presented throughout the video, that is, your report should make clear that you watched the entire video.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

This is a Brief Report, not an essay so please address each question directly– you do not need to include introductory information, etc.

Make sure to address all three of the questions as posed. Recall that an essential first step in critical thinking is identifying and clarifying the question and then addressing it. Doing this will serve you very well in the future. For example, if an employer asks you for a report on a particular issue, or asks you a particular question in a job interview, it is essential that you actually answer the question as posed.

Producing a beautiful answer that does not actually address the questions as posed is a common error that college students make. Please keep this in mind as you are responding to the following questions:

1. Cite evidence of pre-reflective and reflective judgment as they were expressed by the participants in the Dover trial.

2. Briefly describe what the central issue in the case was and the Judge’s ruling and why he ruled as he did.

3. Identify likely examples of cognitive dissonance experienced by the participants in the Dover trial and also how they may have resolved their dissonance.