Running head: MORAL REASONING

Summary
This assignment fulfilled the following competencies; 2.1.1 which calls for conducting
oneself as a professional social worker, 2.1.2 Apply social work ethical principles to guide
professional practice and 2.1.3 Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional
judgments.
In this assignment I was asked to write about moral reasoning, values and ethics. The
different theories of moral reasoning from our text book helped me to identify the theories I think
are the most accurate. I find that my beliefs are aligned with both Maslows Hierarchy and
Banduras Social Learning theory. It is difficult to let our behavior be guided by morals and
ethics when hungry or homeless, and I firmly believe that we learn our values and morals from
our families. I definitely learned my values, and ethics from my mother and my own decision
making, judgment and behavior is affected by those values and ethics. As it happens they are
much the same as the social work values and ethics, perhaps that is one reason why I was drawn
to social worker as a profession. I know that in my professional work I will not judge clients who
have differing values and ethics or try to influence them based on my own values and ethics.
Writing this paper also helped me to become more familiar with the Code of Ethics which
will help me to know what to do when faced with an ethical dilemma whether it involves a client
or colleague. The ability to think critically is required when faced with a decision concerning an
ethical dilemma. If needed I know I will be able to seek the help of a supervisor or other
experienced colleague and be guided by our professional Code of Ethics.

Running head: MORAL REASONING

Moral Reasoning
Lynda Reimer
SW 3410
Wayne State University

Running head: MORAL REASONING

Theories of moral and ethical decision making are important knowledge for social
workers. It will help them to better understand the moral choices made by their clients as well as
the ways in which they themselves make decisions. I will define and discuss several theories
presented in our text and further discuss the importance of the knowledge about morals and
ethics are to the social worker. I will then discuss my abilities to follow the values and ethics of
the social work profession.
According to the theory of Natural ethics, moral decisions are made based on a persons
needs. When a person is lacking in the basic necessities they are motivated to do whatever it
takes to obtain what they need. This is not to say that everyone who is hungry will steal food, but
for some that hunger can affect their moral decision making. Maslows Humanistic Theory of
needs states that an individual who has unmet physiological needs will not be capable of
advancing to higher levels of personal growth, which includes moral decision making. It makes
perfect sense to me that a person who is consumed with trying to obtain the basic necessities on a
daily basis may make decisions that are based on their need rather than moral beliefs.
Kohlbergs Theory of moral development suggests that individuals progress through
stages or reasoning. Beginning with the first stage, which he calls the Pre-conventional stage,
young children he says, will avoid behaviors because they fear being punished rather than
because they are wrong. In the second stage they will make decisions that suit their needs. In
the third stage of Conventional Reasoning, they begin to conform to what society says is moral
in an effort to be seen as a good person and then in the fourth stage to be more concerned with
following rules and the laws of society. The next stage is the Post-conventional. The fifth stage
begins in adolescence and continues through adulthood. In this stage the individual will compare
their decisions with the expectations of others, especially family, friends, and society. Kohlberg

Running head: MORAL REASONING

believed that few individuals make it to stage six where they would be more influenced by
ethical principles of society than by laws; they can view moral questions from other peoples
viewpoints. I believe Kohlbergs theory is helpful in understanding why individuals of differing
ages make the choices they do. It also aids in understanding why individuals membership in
groups can affect their decisions about right and wrong behavior. However, it is too general in
that it assumes that all individuals progress at the same rate, and I disagree with this.
Banduras Social Learning theory states that we learn how to behave by watching those
around us, especially family and others we are close to. I think this is especially true of children
who turn to their parents as models of how they should behave. This is how babies learn to walk
and talk, by observing others, so it makes sense that they would also learn other behaviors from
those same individuals. So if we want to understand why a person acts the way they do and
makes the choices they do, one of the things we should consider is the behaviors of their family
members
Tajfels Social Identity theory states the individuals develops their sense of identity from
the social groups with which they identify themselves. He believed that a persons behavior and
choices are affected by the groups they associate with and that it can change depending on which
group they are currently with. He further states that people may hold a positive view of their own
group called the in-group and a negative view of other groups or out-groups.
In our effort to understand why a client makes certain choices we need to consider why
and how they make those decisions. Decisions are affected by the families they grew up in, the
groups they currently associate with and the identity they assume while with that group, their
particular situation at the moment and whether they are affected by in-group, out-group ideas as

Running head: MORAL REASONING

this will affect how they treat others. Social workers should not assume that a clients decisions
are based on any one factor alone.
Morals are a set of guide lines that a person uses to determine right or wrong behavior,
generally based on the rules of the society in which they live. Ethics are principles of conduct
that you choose to follow, either in your personal life or as relates to an organization. Moral
decision making is affected by the rules and laws of society and our social groups. In ethical
decision making consideration of how a decision will affect everyone and everything is taken
into consideration, not just ourselves. Social workers need to know about both types because
they are important in understanding how a person comes to a decision.
Biological, psychological, social and spiritual factors can affect a social workers behavior
and moral decision making when working with clients. These needs should not be allowed to
interfere with decisions concerning clients. Social workers should ensure that they get enough
rest and dont skip meals. Hunger, thirst, and feeling tired can all affect the ability to concentrate
and make proper decisions. The same goes for psychological issues that a social worker may be
experiencing. Psychological issues should be addressed so as not to interfere with work with a
client. Emotions also need to be controlled, such as feelings of sadness, resentment, frustration,
fear, anger and hate. These can impede work with clients and could potentially cause harm.
Spiritual beliefs of the social worker should not come into play when working with clients. The
only spiritual or religious beliefs that matter are those of the client and those beliefs can be used
when working with the client. If the social worker has such strong beliefs that they cannot
ignore them, they should refer the client to another social worker. Even when the moral choices
of the client do not conform to those of the social worker, they must not try to judge the client by
their own beliefs. Social workers need to be aware of the biological, psychological, and spiritual

Running head: MORAL REASONING

factors that can affect their work with clients and be vigilant so as not to allow these factors to
interfere with their work.
An ethical dilemma occurs when there is no clear choice between which action is right or
wrong. The first step to dealing with an ethical dilemma is to gather all possible information
about the dilemma. When faced with an ethical dilemma a social worker should not try to make a
determination concerning the proper action to take without seeking the input of learned
colleagues, a supervisor, mentor, or an attorney. This not only ensures a variety of viewpoints
about the issue and the possible action that is required, but also that the social worker does not
apply their own moral views to the issue. Any effort to come to a decision should involve critical
thinking as well as various conflict management strategies in an effort to come to the best
solution possible.
When working with clients it is not my place to tell them what to do, only they can make
that decision. I can only help them to see all the options, I have no say in and should not try to
influence them to make the decision I think is correct. The final decision is theirs to make and I
will support my clients in whatever decisions they make. This is required of all professionals per
the core value of respect for the inherent dignity and worth of the person and section 1.02 of the
Code of Ethics.
I look forward to working with clients from many different religious, racial and ethnic
backgrounds. Learning about other religions, and cultures is something I have always found
interesting. My belief is that we should embrace and celebrate our differences rather than
allowing them to alienate ourselves from one another.
If the occasion should arise when I have a client whose background, or beliefs I know nothing
about, I will certainly educate myself by reading and talking not only to colleagues but to my

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client as well. If there is something I do not understand while in a session with a client, I see
nothing wrong with asking them to explain. It may even help the relationship with the client by
showing that I am interested in understanding who they are.
The sections of the Code of Ethics that relates to this topic is the core value of respect for the
dignity and worth of the person, as well as the importance of human relationships and Code 1.05
which addresses cultural competence and social diversity,
Having been in a therapeutic relationship, both individual and group, has helped me to
understand how important it is to maintain boundaries. Knowing myself and how much I value
being able to help others, I can say with no hesitation that I will not have a problem with
maintaining professional boundaries. This is not to say that I will not ever have the desire meet
with clients in a social setting, but I know that this would negatively affect my ability to help
them and I would not put the professional relationship in jeopardy. The core value of service, and
Code 1.06c- Conflicts of Interest refer to this issue.
Keeping information confidential is not something I have ever had a problem with. There
have been times when it was difficult to maintain a confidence, but I value the relationships I am
involved in and would not want to hurt anyone by sharing information that was meant to be
confidential. However, if that confidential information would cause physical harm to someone, I
would not hesitate to share the information with the proper party. The related Code is 1.07
Privacy and Confidentiality.

If I believe that organizational rules or state laws contradict the values of the social work
profession and/or my own values I would either join the effort for change or if necessary
instigate an effort to affect the changes needed. In fact, I have done so in the past. Most recently

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by circulating petitions in the effort to put the increase of the minimum wage on the ballot in
Michigan. The section of the Code that relates to this issue is 3.09 sections B, D, and E.
When suspecting that a colleagues work is being impaired due to alcohol or drugs or any
addiction my first response would be to talk privately with my colleague and discuss what is
happening and why I feel there is an issue. I would encourage them to obtain counseling and to
speak with supervision about taking time off for treatment. If the colleague denied that they have
an issue or did not take steps to address the issue I would have no choice but to let supervision
know about my concerns. The related Code is 2.09.
As far as my own behavior is concerned, I can only hope that I would recognize what is
happening and address it appropriately. Although there is a familial predisposition to addiction, I
believe the likelihood of an alcohol or drug addiction is very minimal in my case. I am an adult
child of an alcoholic and that is one reason why I am becoming a social worker. After seeking the
help of a therapist to address the issues related to my experience I decided that I wanted to help
others who share that experience. But, if I did develop an addiction, failure to address the
problem would be a violation of Code 4.05 regarding impairment.
The transition to new employment for any employee requires the common courtesy of
notice, usually at least two weeks. In social work I would think it may take longer because it is
necessary to inform clients of the social workers departure and to arrange for transfer to a new
worker. If a potential employer is asking for you to start before you have the chance to make
arrangements then you really should decline the position. I would not accept employment in an
agency that would expect me to leave my clients on a moments notice and I would tell them so.
In fact, I would file a complaint in hopes of the agency changing it position in the future.

Running head: MORAL REASONING

If I did receive an offer from an agency that I would need to inform my current employer and
work out an end date to my employment that would allow time to provide closure for my clients.
When informing my clients of my departure from the agency I would need to explore with them,
the options available and the risks and benefits of those options as stated in the Code section
1.16. Other parts of the Code that apply are sections 1.01 Commitment to Clients and 1.15
regarding Interruption of Services and 3.09 Commitments to Employers.
Speaking about clients in a derogatory manner is definitely a violation of the Code
section 1.12 and section 4.05 that addresses impairment. When suffering from burnout I would
think a leave of absence or an extended vacation would be in order. Otherwise, it would
probably call for a change of profession. As social workers we can avoid burnout by taking care
of our own physical and emotional needs. One of the things that can help is to have a mentor or a
therapist of our own that we can turn to with any issues that arise. Personally, I have both and
plan on maintaining these relationships throughout my career and life.
Are you willing to practice in as transparent a manner as possible? Ex. In cases where the client
is involuntary, such as child welfare are you willing to make the terms under which the case will
be closed explicit to the family?
In the case of the involuntary client and any client, for that matter, transparency is not
only necessary but required by the Code in section 1.03. Transparency means that you are not
only accountable for your actions but openly communicate all aspects of the terms of the
professional relationship. I will, of course, practice transparency in my professional work.

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10
References

Barsky, A., (2010). Ethics and values in social work: An integrated approach for a
comprehensive curriculum. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.