Gavazzi, J. (2026)
Forthcoming
On Board with Psychology.
A pdf is here.Abstract
Ethical fading is the gradual and often unconscious process by which psychologists lose sight of the ethical dimensions of their decisions, while still believing they are acting virtuously. This occurs when personal values, emotional needs, or self-interest (like financial pressures or a desire for efficiency) begin to overshadow professional ethical codes and clinical judgment, leading to a rationalization of actions that ultimately compromise patient autonomy, beneficence, and nonmaleficence. Key mechanisms driving this decline include motivated moral reasoning, decision framing, ethical blindness, and cognitive dissonance reduction. To combat ethical fading, the article recommends cultivating ethical vigilance, reintegrating personal and professional values, managing personal vulnerabilities, and using structured ethical decision-making models to ensure ethical considerations remain central to clinical practice.
