Running head: MORAL REASONING AND VALUES

Moral Reasoning and Values

Michelle Loding
Wayne State University
SW 3410
ID: ft4405
August 04, 2015
Moral Reasoning and Values
Morals are a very individual matter that is affected by numerous factors. Just one small
detail in a persons life can have emotional impact on the outcome of morals. Moral
development is defined as acquiring the values, feeling, and thoughts that lead to behaviors that
are consistent with standards of right or wrong. (Barker, 2014, p. 275). The problem with
developing morals is that everyone has different values of what is right or what is wrong. One
person may not take issue with calling into work when they are not sick, while the next person
could take offense because that is not what how to use a sick day. There are certain standards
that society agrees upon that help to morals to develop. Things like stealing, cheating, and lying
are, in general, very much frowned upon by the public. This is because of the morals that have
been cultivated for many years. Looking at Lawrence Kohlbergs theory of moral development,

he suggests that people progress through three levels of moral development, with each level
divided into two stages. (Barsky, 2010, p. 49). In order to move to the next stage of moral
development, the skills must be mastered at the current level. Since morals begin at a young age
there are biological, spiritual, psychological, and social factors that help to shape what is
considered moral. This is the hierarchy of needs according to Abraham Maslow. The base of the
needs is physiological; breathing, eating, and sleeping. The highest level of needs has to do with
problem solving, self-actualization, and morality. (McLeod, 2014).
Ethics is defined as 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, 2014, p. 146). So in order to develop a sense of ethics, there
must first be morals set in place. Morals help to drive what is then considered ethical. Morals
define personal character, while ethics stress a social system in which those morals are applied.
In other words, ethics point to standards or codes of behavior expected by the group to which the
individual belongs. (Kayne, 2015, para. 1). It is at times confusing to distinguish between the
two, but both influence the decision making process. A social worker needs to practice both of
these kinds of decision making while in the field and during evaluations. Just because something
is considered morally wrong, does not mean it is unethical.
Earlier psychological, spiritual, social, and biological factors that help to develop morals
was brought up. These are the things that shape what morality means to an individual. Looking
within myself, there are limited things that I find would affect my own moral judgements or
behavior when working with clients. Having taken all the classes that I have thus far, it has
opened me up to many different situations. A client having a different view on spirituality than I
do is welcomed by me. I enjoy learning about views that differ from the ones I grew up

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practicing. I understand some of the environments I will walk into will be less than ideal to me,
but know that is how some people chose to live their lives. Also, as social workers we will face
moral dilemmas with other social workers, but there is no reason a solution cannot be reached
with compassion and kindness. Everyones point does have validity to it, and all deserve the
respect to he heard. Influences that may affect moral decision making could be things like
judgements of others, prejudice, or discriminations. What should happen, though, is to allow the
ethical side to take over and decide what to do in a situation. Being fair, empathetic, and
benevolent should be a guiding force in making ethical decisions. Making a moral decision
regarding an ethical dilemma is a matter of being self-aware of ones own moral code and
keeping it in check. Ethical decision making is a process. ("Code of Ethics," 2008, p. 2). While
there is no exact code to follow, it is always in the best interest of everyone involved that the
social worker consider how the issues would be judged in a peer review process where the
ethical standards of the profession would be applied. ("Code of Ethics," 2008, p. 2). There could
be times when a social worker has to put aside what they would consider morally wrong and
make the right ethical choice.
Supporting a clients decision is what social work is all about. It is easy to say that if
involved in a case about a patient stopping medications, I would be on their side 100%. Now, if
actually put into the situation, I am not sure what my position would be. One of the core values
of social work is service. Social workers elevate service to others above self-interest. ("Code of
Ethics," 2008, p. 3). By sticking to the NASW Code of Ethics, I would have to put my personal
opinions to the side and state the facts to the client. This can be applied to just about any moral
or ethical situation. If a client wants to terminate a pregnancy, that is their prerogative, but I can

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also give them all the information on different choices. These kinds of dilemmas are about the
social work value of dignity and worth of a person.
Social workers treat each person in a caring and respectful fashion, mindful of individual
differences and cultural and ethnic diversity. Social workers promote clients socially
responsible self-determination. Social workers seek to enhance clients capacity and
opportunity to change and to address their own needs. Social workers are cognizant of
their dual responsibility to clients and to the broader society. They seek to resolve
conflicts between clients interests and the broader societys interests in a socially
responsible manner consistent with the values, ethical principles, and ethical standards of
the profession. ("Code of Ethics," 2008, p. 3).
When addressing a person or family of a different culture, I welcome the opportunity to learn. I
find it fascinating to learn of other culture or religions. I have not had much exposure to these
things and welcome traditions other than my own. I am willing to seek help when necessary in
order for me to better serve a family or person. There is an opportunity to learn every single day,
and I like that.
Since I have worked in the medical field as a medical assistant for many years now, I can
and do set professional boundaries. It is important to make it clear what you expect from a client
and what the client can expect from you from the start of the relationship. If a client is to act in
an inappropriate manner, a boundary reminder would be given. In certain situations it could be a
criminal act to let a boundary slide. The same with client confidentiality. With the medical
training I have received, it is a given with me that confidentiality will be maintained at all times.
There have been times when I have had to remind coworkers of what is considered confidential

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and when to stop talking about a certain person. You never know who someone else knows, so it
is of utmost importance to keep confidences of the clients.
Hopefully I am not put in a spot that I would have to challenge the law or rules of a
company, but if I was, I would strive to uphold what is right. I would take appropriate steps to
make any accusations valid and seek counsel from the proper channels. This goes in line with
dealing with an impairment of a colleague. Section 2.09 of the NASW Code of Ethics states,
(a) Social workers who have direct knowledge of a social work colleagues
impairment that is due to personal problems, psychosocial distress, substance abuse, or
mental health difficulties and that interferes with practice effectiveness should consult
with that colleague when feasible and assist the colleague in taking remedial action.

(b) Social workers who believe that a social work colleagues impairment interferes with
practice effectiveness and that the colleague has not taken adequate steps to address the
impairment should take action through appropriate channels established by employers,
agencies, NASW, licensing and regulatory bodies, and other professional organizations.
(p.10).
This code should be followed explicitly, and it is what I would do. First, talk to the person and if
no conclusion can be reached, it would be time to take other actions. I do believe I could be
vigilant about keeping my own behavior in check. I would do this by talking with coworkers and
taking time to self-reflect on my behavior.
Receiving an offer for a dream job would be wonderful. To be able to do what you love
is always a positive influence on your job performance. If it were to happen quickly and a new
employer wanted the position filled before the customary two week window, I would talk with

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everyone involved to come up with a solution. It would pose as an ethical dilemma for me
because it is reflects negatively on me if I leave a position without giving notice. Most
employers respect giving notice before vacating a spot in any work place.
Using negative or disparaging language is not acceptable when describing clients. By
doing so it does violate many of the core values of the code; importance of human relationships,
integrity, dignity and worth of a person, and service. Furthermore it would violate subsections in
the NASW Code of Ethics, for example, section 1.01 commitment to clients, and 1.06 conflicts
of interest. If someone is violating the code by talking bad about clients, they should be
approached about it in a friendly manner and find out what is going on. If the behavior
continued to occur, then it may be necessary to go to a supervisor. As with any job, burnout can
and does happen. When it does, it is time to take a step back and reflect on what is going on.
Seeking help would be a proactive step to getting back on track.
Operating in a transparent manner in a job is a double-edge sword. As a social worker,
being open and honest with the clients is what gains client trust. There may be some opinions or
observations that the client does not want to admit to or see on paper. At times such opinions
could cause a client to lose faith in the worker. If it is discussed at the first meeting about how
much the client will be privileged to see or read on their own file, then it should not pose a
problem later on in the relationship.
Morals, values, and ethics mean something different to everyone. All three affect each
other in how society is viewed or how to conduct oneself. Being a social worker means to make
sure there are strong morals and values in place so making the ethical decision is easier. It is
important to realize that not everyone will agree with certain morals or values, and to try to
understand why the other person feels the way they do.

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7
References

Barker, R. L. (2014). The social work dictionary (6 ed.). Washington, DC: NASW Press.
Barsky, A. E. (2010). Ethics and Values in Social Work. New York, New York: Oxford University
Press.
Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Retrieved from
http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/default.asp
Kayne, R. (2015). What is the Difference Between Ethics and Morals? Retrieved July 30, 2015,
from http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-the-difference-between-ethics-and-morals.htm
McLeod, S. A. (2014). Maslows Hierarchy of Needs. Retrieved from
www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html