Avoiding exploitive dual relationships: A decision-making model.

Abstract

Ethical principles provide general guidelines for professional behavior. Unfortunately, these principles are not adequate for practical decision-making. One ethical principle which generates frequent consternation is that of avoiding dual relationships. Some models have been developed to address this problem, but they are typically general and not especially helpful when specific ethical dilemmas arise. The principle of avoiding dual relationships is briefly reviewed, and problems with the principle are noted. This article presents a specific decision-making model to avoid exploitive dual relationships; the model's uses and limitations are critically examined. Avoiding dual relationships is an ethical injunction which frequently generates dilemmas for psychologists. Ethical principles provide general guidelines for professional conduct, but often provide little or no specific guidance for practical decision-making. This article reviews the relevant literature and presents a specific decisionmaking model for avoiding exploitive dual relationships. Examples of its use and pertinent limitations are noted.