Assingments % - Ethics Autobiography

Ethics Autobiography (200 points): Each student will write an ethics autobiography as a way to understand how their own background affects their approach to ethics. Students should consider the following questions when writing their paper (don’t try to answer all of them):
What is your idea of right and wrong personal behavior, and where does this conception come from? What did you learn from your family of origin about right and wrong? What do you recall were the messages about ethnic or cultural groups different from yourself, and how they see right and wrong? What is your idea of right and wrong professional behavior, and where does this conception come from? What aspects of this profession strike you as being “not intuitive”? What are your top three values, and where do they come from? What are three personal needs that you think match well with the profession? What are three personal needs that you think might conflict with the profession? What morals are most important to you, and where do they come from? How do these align with or conflict with the ethics code and professional standards? How might the alignment or conflict influence your work with clients or students? (see citation below).
The paper should be a minimum of three pages in length.
*Please know that you should only disclose personal information you are comfortable with sharing.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Guide on Writing Your Ethics Autobiography

1. Understanding the Assignment Requirements

The task is to write an ethics autobiography, a reflective paper where you analyze how your personal background and experiences shape your views on ethics. You will address how your values, moral beliefs, and upbringing influence your approach to right and wrong, both personally and professionally.

Your autobiography should cover:

Your ideas of right and wrong personal behavior, including where this conception originates.
Insights into how your family shaped your moral views.
Your perspective on professional ethics and where your understanding of it comes from.
Your top three values and how they align with the profession.
Any potential conflicts between your personal needs and the demands of the profession.
Your moral code, how it fits with professional standards, and how this might affect your work.

The paper should be at least three pages long. It’s important to focus on your personal reflections and be honest in your responses.

2. Begin by Reflecting on Your Personal Background

Start by reflecting on the early stages of your life and how they shaped your ethical views. Some questions to help guide you:

What is your idea of right and wrong personal behavior? Think about the actions or behaviors you deem acceptable or unacceptable in your life. Are they guided by rules, principles, or how you feel about the situation?
Where did this conception come from? Consider the influences that shaped your view—your family, religion, community, or broader societal values. Were there specific experiences or lessons that influenced your moral compass?
What did you learn from your family of origin about right and wrong? Reflect on your family’s role in forming your ideas of ethics. What behaviors were encouraged or discouraged? Were there explicit discussions of ethics, or was it more about modeling behavior?

Use this section to provide personal anecdotes or insights into how your family impacted your sense of right and wrong.

3. Consider Cultural and Ethnic Perspectives

In this section, consider your experiences with diverse cultural or ethnic groups:

What messages did you receive about ethnic or cultural groups different from yourself? How did you perceive right and wrong from the perspectives of people from different cultural backgrounds? Were there any contrasts with your own upbringing or cultural context?
How do these different perspectives affect your views on ethics? Have these experiences helped you to think more broadly about ethical issues or made you more aware of cultural influences on moral decision-making?

This section allows you to explore the role of cultural diversity in your ethical understanding and how you engage with different perspectives.

4. Explore Professional Ethics and Values

Now, reflect on your professional values and ethics:

What is your idea of right and wrong professional behavior? Think about what constitutes ethical behavior in your future profession. How do you think professionals in your field should behave, and where does this conception come from (e.g., education, professional codes of ethics, mentors)?
What aspects of your profession seem “not intuitive”? Is there anything about your profession’s ethical expectations that surprises or challenges you? For example, how might professional ethics sometimes conflict with personal ethics?

You can also discuss:

Top three values: What values are most important to you in your professional life (e.g., honesty, integrity, empathy)? Where do these values come from—your upbringing, personal experiences, or cultural influences?
Three personal needs that match well with the profession: What aspects of your personality, values, or life experiences align with the ethical expectations of your chosen field?
Three personal needs that might conflict with the profession: Are there any personal traits or values you hold that could potentially clash with the professional standards in your field?

For example:

You may value independence and prefer making your own decisions, but a profession like teaching or counseling may require following specific codes or collaborating with a team.

5. Evaluate Your Moral Code and Professional Ethics Alignment

Now, turn to how your personal moral code aligns with or differs from the ethics code and professional standards:

What morals are most important to you? Think about your core moral beliefs (e.g., fairness, justice, respect for others). Where do they come from? Were they instilled by family, religion, or your own experiences?
How do these morals align with the professional ethics code? Do the values you hold conflict with the professional ethical standards, or do they align? Are there any areas where you foresee ethical dilemmas arising because of these differences?

This is where you’ll delve into the potential ethical conflicts or synergies between your personal beliefs and your chosen profession’s ethical codes. Reflect on how these conflicts might influence your work with clients or students in the future.

6. Conclusion

Conclude your autobiography by reflecting on:

The overall alignment or conflict between your personal ethics and your professional field’s ethics.
The importance of self-awareness in navigating ethical issues professionally.
How understanding your own ethical background can help you approach ethical challenges with greater clarity and empathy.

7. Formatting and Citations

Formatting: Use Times New Roman, size 12, with double-spacing and standard margins in Microsoft Word.
Citations: If you reference any outside materials, cite them in APA or Chicago Manual of Style. However, this paper is based on your personal reflections, so citations might not be necessary unless you refer to specific sources.

8. Proofreading and Submitting

Before submitting your ethics autobiography:

Proofread your paper for clarity, grammar, and punctuation.
Ensure your paper is well-organized and your arguments flow logically.
Double-check that you’ve addressed all aspects of the prompt, particularly the reflection on your personal and professional ethics.

By following this guide, you’ll be able to write a reflective and introspective ethics autobiography that provides insight into your personal values, professional aspirations, and ethical considerations. Good luck with your assignment!