Involuntary Clients, Pro-social Modelling and Ethics

Abstract

Workers with involuntary clients influence the behaviour of their clients. One of the methods by which workers influence their clients relates to the way they model, encourage or reinforce their comments and behaviours. Practitioners may be aware or unaware of this process and of the extent to which it can impact on clients. This paper describes the process of modelling and reinforcement and discusses some of the ethical issues it raises. It suggests some guidelines by which the process may be undertaken in an ethical manner and recommends the use of the ethics of care and concept of human dignity as additional theoretical resources to assist in working with this client group.

Keywords:

• Involuntary Clients
• Ethics of Care
• Modelling
• Pro-social Modelling
• Dignity

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Chris Trotter

Chris Trotter is Associate Professor of Social Work at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

Tony Ward

Tony Ward is Professor of Psychology in the School of Psychology at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand