Darice Collier

SW 3410
Page 67
Question 2b.
Hello Class and Professor Bowers. My name is Darice Collier and I will be
discussing the factors affecting moral choices from page 67, Question 2b. It
reads
Social and Spiritual Factors
Charlottes moral decision making for wanting to buy her a kidney illegally may be
affected by her social and spiritual factors.
Social Factors
There are particularly 3 social factors that are important, which are moral
behavior, social learning, and social context. I will explain how each may have
affected Charlottes moral decision making.
1. Social Learning: The Social Learning theory suggests that people learn how to
behave from modeling significant people in their lives, such as parents, teachers,
or religious leaders (Barsky, 2010, p. 60). A significant person probably showed
Charlotte that when things do not work out legally, then it can be done illegally.
Modeling may consist of replicating and observing moral decisions and behaviors
(Barsky, 2010, p. 60).
2. Social Identity: The Social Identity theory suggests that people develop a sense
of who they are by identifying with particular social groups (Barsky, 2010, p. 60).
Charlotte may identify herself as a desperate patient and may adapt the ways of
that group. Once a person adopt the identity of a group that they have
categorized themselves as belonging to, the person will act in ways the person
thinks the group behave. Desperate patients will do anything possible to get the
help that is needed; therefore, Charlotte illegally tries to get a kidney.








3. Social Context: The ecological perspective of social work suggests, the
behavior of individuals must be understood in context of their social
environment, including family, neighborhood, cultural community, school,
workplace, health-care system, and criminal justice system (Barsky, 2010, p. 61).
Someone in Charlottes family could have convinced her to get a kidney illegally.
The health-system is not supporting her so this also has an impact upon her.

Spiritual Factors
Religion may or may not influence Charlottes moral decision making. Charlotte could believe
in God or Allah, or the laws included in a religion. Charlotte may not believe in God and feels
that she wants to get her kidney illegally. Charlotte could believe in God or religious laws, but
feel that her health is more important than following religious law.
My question to you is If Charlotte was a devout religious person, would she still seek a kidney in
this way?