Praxis SLP Licensure Exam

The SLP’s application of a method favoring the majority in an intervention reflects which of the following principles?

1. Justice

2. Common good

3. Utilitarianism

4. Deontology

The correct answer is: Utilitarianism

The application of a method that favors the majority in intervention aligns with the principle of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism focuses on actions that maximize overall happiness or benefit for the greatest number of people. In this framework, the primary goal is to produce the maximum overall good or welfare. When a speech-language pathologist (SLP) chooses an intervention strategy that benefits the majority of clients, they are essentially adhering to this ethical principle by prioritizing outcomes that yield the highest level of advantage for the larger population they serve. In contrast, other principles emphasize different aspects of ethical practice. For instance, justice centers around fairness and equitable treatment, which may not always favor the majority. The principle of common good refers to actions that benefit the community as a whole, but it does not necessarily equate to maximizing utility for the majority. Deontology, on the other hand, focuses on the adherence to duty and moral rules rather than outcomes or consequences, which contrasts with the utilitarian approach of evaluating the overall results of actions.