1. Understanding: Describe each of the following terms in your own words: Ethics, Values, Laws, Morals and Beliefs.
Ethics- A group of moral principles that people follow.
Values-Our standards, principles and judgment of what is important in life.
Laws- Rules and actions that are formally recognized as being enforced by a controlling authority.
Morals-Principles that we consider right or wrong.
Beliefs-Something we believe and accept to be true.
1. Distinguishing: Compare and Contrast the terms within each of the following sets of terms:
a. Ethics and Values
Both Ethics and Values are behavior rules; however values are rules that we make decisions about right and wrong. People may have the same values, but the individual usually decides where each value ranks in their own life. Ethics are rules that are adopted by a group. These two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but professional they are very two distinct terms. One of the main differences is that values are identified by someone’s sense of “what is good” and ethics is identified by “what is right”. Our priorities and ideals are what we consider to be our values and ethics are the rules of behavior that is based on these priorities (Barsky, 2010, p.2).
b. Ethics, laws, and agency policies
Most laws are based on ethics. Also laws are enacted and enforced by the state and legislated by an external body (Barsky, 2010, p.4). Agency policies are created by the agency and enacted by an agency. They are similar to laws because a group is enforcing policies but laws affect a large group (city, state, country) and agency policies only affect the people within the agency. In many cases they are not intended to be formalized whereas laws and ethics are, but there are some agencies policies that are specifically suppose to.
c. Ethical problems, ethical dilemmas, and ethical breaches
Ethical problems are situations that involve an ethical issue and an ethical dilemma is a specific type of ethical problem where it becomes difficult to respond to (Barsky, 2010, p.6). Ethical dilemmas can be created when ethics, values, morals, laws and rules do not give precise guidelines. An ethical breach differs because it is a violation of an ethical rule, where an ethical dilemma might not have a clear-cut answer. In other words ethical dilemmas arise when there is a chance that people differ on what they think is the appropriate behavior. With an ethical breach it is not so difficult to come to a conclusion because it is very clear and many types in writing what the person violated.
d. Ethics and morals
Morals are similar to ethics because they distinguish between right and wrong behavior. People can adopt both morals and ethics from families, organizations, religions, cultures, etc. According to Barsky (2010), morals are considered “first-order convictions” because the individual is guiding their understandings about right and wrong without attempting ti reflect why certain behaviors are good and bad. Ethics are considered “second-order convictions” because they require the person to reflect on their own values and morals so they can determine what behaviors are considered good or bad.
e. Professional ethics and personal ethics
Professional ethics are rules that guide professionals in their decisions and choices that they make on a professional capacity. Personal ethics are rules that guide people in their private life (Barsky, 2010, p.5). In many situations your personal and private obligations differ. You can give advice in your personnel life, however as a professional, especially a social worker, you are not to give advice. Professional ethics are usually more formal than personnel ethics. Most ethics are written down and followed in a professional setting, however you usually don’t write down the ethics you follow in your personal life.
f. Values, feelings, and belief’s
Beliefs are “an understanding of a particular phenomenon” (Barsky, 2010, p.7). They can be affected by your values. Feelings are also affected by values and beliefs. Feelings are an emotion or response in an individual whereas values are ideals that not only an individual can aspire too, but also families, groups, organizations and communities. People have all 3 of these things, values, feelings and beliefs. They just may differ within each person. It is also common for people to use the word feel when they really mean think or believe. It is also very important for a social worker to be aware of their values, feelings and beliefs so they don’t impose them on their client.
Exercise 1.5
3. Confirm that you have read your syllabus and course map in its entirety and that you understand the policies. If you have any questions about the course, please post them on your Weebly.
I have read the syllabus and went over the voicethread and understand the policies and what is expected this semester.
References
Barsky, A.E. (2010). Ethics and values in social work. New York: Oxford University Press.
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