Ethics and Values

Question 1

What is ethics?

Answer 1

“A system of moral principles and perceptions about right versus wrong and the resulting philosophy of conduct that is practiced by an individual, group, profession or culture” (Barker,1991 pp246 & 77).

Question 2

Human service values (3):

Answer 2

• Respect for persons.
• Social justice.
• Professional integrity.

Question 3

Practitioners prioritising personal needs over ethical practice may…

Answer 3

• Be overly helpful.
• Avoid hostility.
• Be too nurturing or be quite controlling.
• Act as a rescuer.
• Be simplistic in their interventions.

Question 4

Four categories of ethical decision-making:

Answer 4

1. Personal intuition, personal values, personal moral position.
2. Ethical guidelines, rules or codes of conduct developed by professional organisations.
3. A code of ethics.
4. General ethical principles (e.g. autonomy, self-determination, beneficence, justice).

Question 5

10 Steps in ethical decisionmaking (Banks, 2006; O’Hara & Weber):

Answer 5

1. Identify conflict or dilemma.
2. Gather all relevant information.
3. Identify competing moral principles.
4. What are the rights and responsibilities of people involved in the situation?
5. Review the relevant ethical guidelines.
6. Consult with supervisor and colleagues.
7. Consider possible courses of action and their outcomes- what are the implications of each course of action?
8. Apply the test of universalism, publicity and justice.
9. Decide on the best possible course of action.
10. Implement the decision.