Social Work Values and Ethics

Question 1

what are the code of ethics and standards of practice?

Answer 1

ideals by which professionals actualize their professional practice, their duty of care for clients, and their relationships with colleagues and the community

Question 2

what is the CASW code of ethics?

Answer 2

provides consistent set of values, principles, and standards of conduct for all social workers across Canada

Question 3

what are cultural values?

Answer 3

reflect what a society believes is right or wrong

Question 4

what are the 6 key values in the CASW code of ethics?

Answer 4

1. respect for inherent dignity and worth of persons
2. pursuit of social justice
3. service to humanity
4. integrity
5. confidentiality
6. competence

Question 5

what are ethical dilemmas?

Answer 5

situations that involve an obligatory choice between two/more alternatives that are equally undesirable/unsatisfactory, ad a different ethical principle dictates each alternative

Question 6

what are the 3 conditions that must be present to be considered an ethical dilemma?

Answer 6

1. an individual must make a decision about which course of action is best
2. must have different courses of action to choose from
3. no matter what course of action is taken, some ethical principle is compromised

Question 7

what are values?

Answer 7

ideas we value/prize; often a feeling/affective component is associated with this

Question 8

what are ethics?

Answer 8

prepositional statements (standards) that members of a profession/group use to determine what the right course of action in a situation is

Question 9

what are morals?

Answer 9

behavioural code of conduct to which an individual ascribes; used to negotiate, support, and strengthen our relationship with others

Question 10

what is consequentialism?

Answer 10

an ethical theory that judges whether or not something is right by what its consequences are; judging the moral worth of the results of the actions and the actions themselves

Question 11

what are utilitarian ethics?

Answer 11

outcomes justify the means/ways to achieve it

Question 12

what are deontological/Kantian ethics?

Answer 12

duties/obligations are of prime importance

Question 13

what are laws and agency policies?

Answer 13

often involved in complex cases, and social workers are often legally obligated to take a particular course of action

Question 14

what are the types of ethical dilemmas?

Answer 14

1. absolute/pure ethical dilemma
2. approximate ethical dilemma

Question 15

what is an absolute/pure ethical dilemma?

Answer 15

when two/more ethical standards apply to a situation but are in conflict with each other

Question 16

what is an approximate ethical dilemma?

Answer 16

complicated situations that require a decision but may involve conflicts between values, laws, and policies

Question 17

what are the precautions and management of ethical dilemmas?

Answer 17

• review professional guidelines
• consult with colleagues
• ensure compliance with the law
• analyze before taking action

Question 18

what are the 3 ethical decision-making models?

Answer 18

1. Reamer’s
2. Mattson’s
3. Antle’s

Question 19

what is Reamer’s ethical decision-making model?

Answer 19

draws on arguments of moral philosophy, stressing the fundamental right of all human beings to freedom and well-being

Question 20

what is Mattson’s ethical decision-making model?

Answer 20

takes into account that social workers are influenced by their professional roles, practice experiences, individual perspectives and preferences, and cultural context

Question 21

what is Antle’s reflective model for ethical decision-making?

Answer 21

centers around the concepts of risk and risk tolerance

Question 22

what is at the core of professional identity and decision-making in Canadian social work?

Answer 22

the CASW code of ethics

Question 23

what are the 2 traditional approaches to ethics?

Answer 23

1. Kantian/deontological
2. Utilitarian