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The application of virtue ethics to the practice of counseling psychology

Fry, Heather Lynn
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1121745359

Abstract Details

2005, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Psychology.
The increasingly diverse populations served by psychologists has led to an increase in the importance of acknowledging cultural factors in both practice and research. The practice of virtue ethics encourages professionals to develop a conscious awareness of their morals from a multicultural perspective, and to strive to attain a worldview that does not perpetuate the beliefs and values of mainstream culture. Although scholars within the field acknowledge the complimentary nature of virtue ethics to current ethical standards, the integration of virtue ethics into the training and practice of psychology has produced more theoretical discussion than empirical research. Accordingly, the purpose of the current study is to replicate the findings of Fry (2002) using a sample of licensed, practicing psychologists and to examine the empirical relationship between the two constructs within virtue ethics that have been identified as the essential components to developing a psychology sensitive to cultural, racial, and social diversity and moral decision-making. More specifically, the present study examined the likelihood of psychologists to actually demonstrate the virtues of benevolence and respectfulness in everyday behaviors and to distinguish such practitioners from those who may possess knowledge of such virtues, but choose not to act upon them. A battery consisting of four measurement scales and nine demographic questions was administered to 190 licensed, practicing psychologists from the membership Divisions 17 and 29 of The American Psychological Association. Benevolence, but not respectfulness, was found to be a significant positive predictor of greater sensitivity to multicultural issues among respondents. Unlike the previous empirical study by Fry (2002), no group differences were observed across gender, racial/ethnic identity, age, degree, or theoretical orientation of psychologists. Several hypotheses are discussed that may explain the results of the present study. Implications of the results address the integration of virtue ethics into the training and practice of culturally competent counseling psychologists. Limitations of the present study and suggestions for future research in the area of virtue ethics are discussed.
Don Dell (Advisor)
83 p.
Psychology, Clinical
Counseling Psychology; Virtue Ethics; Multicultural Competency; Race; Ethnicity; Moral Standards

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Fry, H. L. (2005). The application of virtue ethics to the practice of counseling psychology [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1121745359

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Fry, Heather. The application of virtue ethics to the practice of counseling psychology. 2005. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1121745359.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Fry, Heather. "The application of virtue ethics to the practice of counseling psychology." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1121745359

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1121745359
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© 2004, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.