SOWK12014 — Week 1 Ethics and Social Work Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards defining fundamental ethical and professional concepts in social work from SOWK12014 Week 1.

Ethics

The study of right and wrong and how we should act when making decisions.

Aims of social work

To promote social change, social development, social cohesion, empowerment, liberation, human rights and social justice.

Virtue

A personal character quality that supports ethical practice, such as empathy, honesty or integrity.

Value

A belief about what is important or worthy, such as dignity, respect or social justice.

Ethical principle

A rule or guide for acting in a way that reflects our values, such as self-determination.

Ethical skills

Skills used to make and justify ethical decisions, including critical thinking, reasoning and reflection.

Ethical knowledge

Understanding the ethical principles, theories and processes that guide professional practice.

Context (in ethical practice)

People's circumstances, including culture, poverty, discrimination and access to resources, that affect their needs and choices.

Critical reflection

Questioning our beliefs, assumptions, decisions and the wider influences on a situation.

Ethical dilemma

A situation involving competing morally supported choices, where each option may have an undesirable outcome.

Ethical issue

A question or concern about fairness, justice, integrity or right and wrong in practice.

Ethical problem

A difficult moral decision where the right course of action is nevertheless clear.

Meta-ethics

Examining the meaning of moral concepts such as good, right and wrong.

Normative ethics

Theories and guidelines about how people ought to act.

Applied ethics

Applying ethical thinking to particular areas or issues.

Descriptive ethics

Studying people's moral beliefs and how they act on those beliefs.

Morals

Beliefs about what is right and wrong.

Micro vs. macro social work

Micro practice supports individuals and families; macro practice addresses wider social and structural issues.