Ethics Exam 1: Key Terms, Ethical Theories, and NASW Standards

Professional Values

The principles and standards that guide the behavior and decision-making of professionals in their work.

Roles

The expected behaviors and responsibilities associated with a particular position or function within a professional context.

Laws

Systematic rules created and enforced through social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior.

Morals

Personal beliefs about what is right and wrong, often shaped by cultural, religious, or societal influences.

Personal Values

Individual beliefs that guide a person's behavior and decision-making, often influenced by personal experiences and upbringing.

Professional Ethic

A set of standards and principles that govern the conduct of individuals in a professional setting.

Moral belief

A conviction regarding what is right or wrong, often based on ethical principles or personal values.

Ethical dilemma

A situation in which a person faces conflicting moral principles, making it difficult to choose the right course of action.

Ethical breach

A violation of ethical standards or principles, often resulting in harm or misconduct.

Agency policy

Guidelines and procedures established by an organization to govern its operations and the conduct of its employees.

Values clarification

A process of identifying and understanding one's own values and beliefs to make informed decisions.

Attitude components

Elements that make up an individual's attitude, including certainty, centrality, and extremity.

Six Social Work Core Values

The fundamental principles that guide social work practice, including service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.

Number of ethical standards in NASW Code of Ethics

The NASW Code of Ethics contains a total of 6 ethical standards.

When was the first NASW Code of Ethics written?

The first NASW Code of Ethics was written in 1960.

Paternalism

The practice of making decisions for others, often justified by the belief that it is in their best interest.

Ethical Absolutism

The belief that certain ethical principles are universally applicable and immutable, regardless of context.

Deontological Perspective

An ethical approach that focuses on the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions, rather than their consequences.

Ethical Relativism

The belief that moral standards are not universal and can vary based on culture, society, or individual circumstances.

Teleological Perspective

An ethical approach that evaluates the morality of actions based on their outcomes or consequences.

Ethical Egoist

An individual who believes that actions are morally right if they promote one's own self-interest.

Ethical Utilitarian

An individual who believes that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or utility.

Virtue Ethics

An ethical theory that emphasizes the role of character and virtue in moral philosophy, rather than rules or consequences.

Humanistic Ethics

An ethical approach that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, focusing on human welfare and dignity.

Communitarianism

An ethical perspective that emphasizes the importance of community and social relationships in shaping moral values.

Practical Ethics

A branch of ethics that focuses on applying ethical principles to real-world situations and dilemmas.

Ethics of Caring

An ethical framework that prioritizes relationships and the needs of others, emphasizing empathy and compassion.

Least Harm Principle

An ethical guideline that suggests choosing actions that cause the least harm to individuals or groups.

Act utilitarianism

A form of utilitarianism that assesses each individual action based on its consequences for overall happiness.

Rule utilitarianism

A form of utilitarianism that evaluates the morality of actions based on the consequences of following general rules.

Metaethics

The branch of ethics that examines the nature, meaning, and foundations of ethical principles and judgments.

Rank order of ethical principles

The hierarchy of ethical principles, including Autonomy and Freedom, Equality and Inequality, Least Harm, Privacy and Confidentiality, Protection of Life, Quality of Life, and Truthfulness and Full Disclosure.

Autonomy and Freedom

The ethical principle that emphasizes the right of individuals to make their own choices and decisions.

Equality and Inequality

The ethical consideration of fairness and justice in the treatment of individuals and groups.

Least Harm

The ethical principle that prioritizes actions that minimize harm to individuals and society.

Privacy and Confidentiality

The ethical obligation to protect personal information and respect individuals' rights to privacy.

Protection of Life

The ethical principle that emphasizes the importance of preserving and protecting human life.

Quality of Life

The ethical consideration of the overall well-being and life satisfaction of individuals.

Truthfulness and Full Disclosure

The ethical obligation to be honest and transparent in communication and interactions.