RUNNING HEAD: MORAL REASONING VALUES PAPER

Shellisa Mitchell
Wayne State University
ft0464
SW 3410
Professor Schropshire
7/31/15

MORAL REASONING VALUES PAPER

Moral Reasoning can reflect ones ability to think differently in various situation or
circumstances about what is good or bad in decision making. The theories in chapter three
indicate moral reasoning according to Piaget, Kohlberg, Levine and Hewer is the basis for moral
behavior that develops through a series of stages from childhood and adulthood. Additionally,
according to Kohlbergs theory people progress through three levels of moral development
divides into two stages (Barsky, 2010, p.49). Moral reasoning reflects the ethics code of 1.05
Cultural Competence and Social Diversity because this reflect the ability to understand cultural
behaviors, ethical principles, and values of people from diverse cultures (NASW, 2008).
The differences between morals and ethics are both used to define what is right or wrong
in social work practice. They are sometimes used together to make moral and ethic decisions.
Morals indicate an own individual perception of what is right or wrong and ethics indicates the
standard in principles and code of conduct of a workplace or religious practices (Barsky, 2010,
p.3-4). The moral decision and the ethical decision making can differ because a social worker
makes a moral decision may assess the issues with their perceptions and personal beliefs to make
a conclusion. However, if a social worker just makes an ethical decision they will act on the
standard reflecting the code of ethics that is corresponding to their agency or a client cultural,
religious belief. This reflects standard 1.01 of NASW Code of Ethics a social workers primary
ethical responsibility is to the clients they are representing, and ethical code of 1.05 Cultural
Competence and Social Diversity (NASW, 2008).
Social Workers should be competent in the various types of decision making. Ethics and
morals reflect a social workers ability to make sound and clear decisions, and they both shows
how clients culture is essential to their behaviors in society. Everyone has a difference in the
biological factors can fosters the ability of a social worker to make effective decisions with their

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clients. Moreover, the worker should beware of the biological state of hungriness, thirstiness, and
being exhausted their ability to make ethical decisions. The psychological factor is important as
well that reflect the social workers attitudes, emotions and the mental capacity of making a good
choice (Barsky, 2010, p.48-9). The social and spirituality implements an ethical decision in
personal beliefs and understanding according to the cultural background experiences and
religious beliefs. The ethical code 1.01 a social workers primary ethical responsibility is to the
clients they are representing, the code of 1.05 Cultural Competence and Social Diversity and the
code 2.09 Impairment of Colleagues. Especially, the code 4.05 Impairment (NASW, 2008).
Social workers sometimes feel they are making a valid moral choice even when their
decision does not conform to ethical or moral standards. Most social workers assume they are
complying in a lawful concept and ethical concept, however, both concepts can differ in making
the right decision. Moreover, governments can create ethical laws that sometimes are not based
on ethics for social workers to make sound judgments. This reflects the core values of service
and social justice. The ethical codes that reflect these concepts are 6.04 Social and Political
Action, 1.04 Competence, and 1.05 Cultural Competence and Social Diversity (NASW, 2008).
The social worker influences that affect their moral decision making can be socioeconomic that
reflects their environments, culture, and religion. Social workers family and friends can shape
their perceptions of what is right or wrong about moral decisions. The social worker can be
guided in their ethical decision making by their standards in principles and codes about various
systems. Moreover, this applies to ethics codes 1.01 a social workers primary ethical
responsibility is to the clients they are representing, the code of 1.05 Cultural Competence and
Social Diversity and the code 2.09 Impairment of Colleagues. Especially, the code 4.05
Impairment (NASW, 2008).

MORAL REASONING VALUES PAPER

A social worker should address an ethical dilemma in terms of difficult situations that
conflicts with more than one code of ethics. One ethical dilemma for social workers could be a
clients decision to do the opposite from the advice the social worker implements to the client.
This scenario represents the NASW ethical code 1.02 Self-Determination, which the client has
every right to make their decisions.
I can support clients decisions, even when I believe those decisions are morally wrong
(but legal). Clients decision to stop medications, to terminate a pregnancy and to lie to an
employer. Because I respect the clients decision to make which complies with the NASW ethical
code 1.02 Self-Determination, which the client has every right to make their decisions. A client
who is of a different religious, racial, or ethnic background, I am willing to meet them on their
cultural ground.
In working with a newly emigrated Islamic family in which the role of the female in the
household may be more limited than in the United States, I would respect the interaction style.
Moreover, this applies to ethical code 1.05 Cultural Competence and Social Diversity, 1.01 a
social workers primary ethical responsibility is to the clients they are representing, and 6.01
Social Welfare. Yes, I am willing to take the time to read, or talk to more experienced colleagues
about work with clients with these differences. This complies with the ethical codes 4.02
Discrimination, 2.05 Consultation, and 2.03 Interdisciplinary Collaboration (NASW, 2008). I can
very well delineate clear and appropriate professional boundaries with clients, and I can
appropriately maintain client confidentiality no matter if it differs from my personal confidences
with family and friends. Because I will comply with the social work practices and standards
require of my services. Moreover, these scenarios apply to ethical codes 2.02 Confidentiality,
and 1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality.

MORAL REASONING VALUES PAPER

I believe that the rules within my organization or the laws of my state can contravene the
values of this profession. Such as social justice, or the accord of dignity to all, yes I would be
willing to engage in social and political action efforts to change. Social workers have the
obligation to ensure the well-being of their clients. Social workers advocates every day to
implement policy changes, and programs that will benefit their clients and society as a whole.
This analogy applies to the ethical codes 5.01 Integrity of the Profession, 6.01 Social Welfare,
6.02 Public Participation, 6.04 Social and Political Action and 1.01 Commitment to Clients
(NASW, 2008).
If you suspect that a colleague is so impaired, I definitely will intervene, and I can you be
vigilant about my behavior in this regard. Moreover, I will hold the primary focus of ensuring
my colleagues clients well-being. I would be respectful but address the matter with concern and
within ethical practices. This will be a violation of the code. If I am a failure to act because this
refers to ethical codes 2.09 Impairment of Colleagues, 2.10 Incompetence of Colleagues and 2.11
Unethical Conduct of Colleagues (NASW, 2008). If I received an offer of employment in your
dream job and the new employer is asked me to start by the end of the week. I would be an honor
to be recommended for the opportunity. However, this is a potential ethical dilemma. I definitely
would have to give my current employment two weeks notice to be compliant within the
company policy and to have a good rapport and recommendation at my current employer. The
new employer should allow the two-week notice and then pursue employment. This can reflect
dual relationships among employers clients that can indicate 1.06 Conflicts of Interest.
Burnout symptoms that suggest the use of disparaging language to describe clientsepithets, and crude descriptions this behavior is a violation of the ethical code 1.12 Derogatory
Language. Moreover, I would not tolerate this kind of behavior this will be addressed, and the

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person would be reprimanded. I have no problem practicing in a transparent manner especially in

a child welfare that is a closed explicit case with family involvement. My priority is the welfare
of the child and to ensure the best interest for the child life. I am confident in self-disclosure
because this is an empathic response and skill I learned in social practice. This represents ethical
codes 1.01 Commitment to Clients and 1.03 Informed Consent (NASW, 2008).

MORAL REASONING VALUES PAPER

References
Barksy, Allan E. (2010) Ethics and Values in Social Work: An Integrated Approach for a
Comprehensive Curriculum. NY: NY Oxford University Press.
Workers, N. A. (2008). NASW Code of Ethics (Guide to the Everyday Professional Conduct of
Social Workers). Washington, DC: NASW.