Effects of the Problem-Solving Approach in Ethics Training

Abstract

This study tested a specific training model in ethical decision making. Fifty-nine undergraduate students in counseling, social work, and child and youth care participated and were randomly assigned to 3 groups. A treatment group received a 3-hr ethical decision-making workshop and responded to a case vignette containing ethical dilemmas. Two control groups responded to the vignette without prior workshops: 1 group was aided by brief instructions and workshop handouts; another group, by brief instructions only. Written responses were scored for decision-making quality on the Tymchuk Rating Scale. The treatment group scored significantly higher than did either control group on decision-making quality; there was no significant difference between the scores of the control groups.