Stunningly, for a profession that has called for evidence-based approaches to its applied practice for decades (e.g., APA, 2006), there is a significant dearth of model-driven empirical research regarding how clinical psychologists actually make decisions when ethical issues arise (Grace et al., 2020). We hope to fill that gap. 

Our initial task is to conduct a systematic literature review (according to PRISMA guidelines; Page et al., 2021) of peer-reviewed, published empirical studies across the major health care professions investigating Rest’s Component I in the process of moral behavior (Rest, 1982; 1983; 1984; 1986; 1994). Our aim is to bring some clarity and consensus to the definition and operationalization of this first component. We hope that with that accomplished, we may open a robust path to model-driven empirical research into the ethical decision-making processes of clinical psychologists.