The Catholic College of Agusan del Sur
Mt. Carmel College of San Francisco, Inc.
San Francisco, Agusan del Sur
Tel. No. (Philcom) (085) 839 – 2161/Bayantel (085) 343-8209
E-mail Address:
[email protected] MODULE No. 2
PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION
COMMUNICATION ETHICS
Module Introduction:
In this lesson, you will learn the Ethics in communication and find out that
there are different guidelines in communicating in an ethical manner and
guidelines for Ethical listening.
Week 2
LESSON NO. 2
LESSON TITLE COMMUNICATION ETHICS
DURATION/HOURS 3 hours
Specific Learning At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
Outcomes:
a. Explain the importance of ethical
communication;
b. Present and defend your opinions by making
ethical judgements on problems to be
presented, and
c. Illustrate sound judgement on issues to be
presented
d. Apply these ethical principles to their
communication process.
TEACHING LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Task 1: Independent learning
Answer this question based on your own understanding. (10 pts)
What do you think is the lesser of these two evils------helping the guilty, or punishing
the innocent?
Processing:
Page 1 of 5
DISCUSSION
ETHICS IN GENERAL
Ethics deals with the issues of right and wrong in human affairs. We are faced
with ethical dilemmas when we ask ourselves whether what we do is fair or unfair,
moral or immoral, honest or dishonest, and just or unjust. For example, is it okay to
copy the assignment of your classmate and submit your work as if you did it yourself?
Is it okay to cheat during examinations just so you can pass the subject? Is it okay to
tell your mom you have a school requirement even if you don’t just so she gives you
money? Is it okay to buy a stolen necklace at half the original price? Questions like
these bombard us every day, and however we respond to them will determine, in more
ways than one, the kind of a person that we are.
But why we should care about ethics? Why should we worry about whether what
we do is good or bad, when the outcome is seemingly good to us? You copy
assignment and you cheat, you can get agood grade. You lie to your mom about your
school requirement , you earn money. You buy a stolen necklace, you save money. But
try to flip the coin. How would you react if your teacher gives you a failing even when
you did well without aheating, just because she did not check your exam papers well?
How about if your mom does not give you money even when you have an urgent
school requirement, just because she prioritizes gambling? What about if your necklace
was stolen and was sold at half the original price? Surely you won’t feel good at all and
you might wonder what kind of individuals your teacher, your mother, and the thief are.
We need to care about ethics, then, because tthey benefit us in particular, and the
society in general. Surely, we will live in a better society if students are honest and
teachers are fair, children don’t lie and parents care for their children, and people don’t
steal. Moreover, we benefit from doctors who prioritize the health of patients over
money, from government leaders who are not corrupt, from police officers who protect
the citizens, etc.
ETHICS IN COMMUNICATION
As we have already discussed in lesson 1, communication is something what we
do every day. Since communication is an everyday activity, it should also observe
ethical standards because ethical communication gives rise to trust. Only when people
perceive us as ethical and trushworthy will be able to make them believe in what we
say. Brydon and Scott ( 2008) liste3d some norms for ethical communications:
BE TRUTHFUL
Truthfulness is fundamental to all forms of communication. Communicators who
are caught lying will lose their credibility and the goodwill of the audience, which are
essential to influencing them.
SHOW RESPECT FOR THE POWER OF WORDS
Words are powerful. They can make or break careers, launch wars, or bridge
peace, among others. For example, it is common for our government leaders to sit
down and discuss peace negotiations. And they do with words. One wrong statement
from a celebrity may cause his or her downfall.
INVOKE PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY
Communication ethics is a joint responsibility between the speaker and the
audience. For example, speakers should put themselves in the shoes of the listeners
and see if they are treating the listeners as they would like to be treated, with respect.
Page 2 of 5
DEMONSTRATE MINDFULNESS OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY
Ethical communicators construct their speeches being mindful of cultural
differences, which means being careful not to offend others with the things that they
say. Our practices and beliefs vary from culture to culture, but we can be both
respectful and mindful of other people’s culture without entirely accepting their cultural
practices.
TREAT PEOPLE AS ENDS, NOT MEANS
The best interest of the audience should be the ends sought by the speaker.
We should refrain from manipulating people just so we can achieve what we want. For
example, there are tv hosts who embarrass the interviewee on national television for
the sake of ratings.
Communication involves the sender and the receiver of the message. Ethical
communication, therefore, does not only involve the speaker. In this light, Lucas
( 2007) offers some guidelines for ethical listening.
GUIDELINES FOR ETHICAL LISTENING
BE COURTEOUS AND ATTENTIVE
Just as speakers have the ethical obligation to prepare for their speeches,
the listeners have ethical obligation to be courteous and attentive during the delivery of
the speech. How would you feel if nobody is seemingly interested to listen you while
you are giving your opening remarks? And you stayed up all nights to prepare for it.
You might fell frustrated, or angry perhaps. Therefore, you should extend the same
courtesy to the speaker that you expect when you deliver your speech.
AVOID PREJUDGING THE SPEAKER
Jumping to conclusion about the points of the speaker even before the
speech begins is one of the major barriers to effective listening. This doesn’t mean that
you have to agree with everything that the speaker says. Listen to the speaker even if
you don’t agree with him or her. Who knows, your initial disagreement will turn into
agreement, or perhaps the more that you listen, the more that you understand why you
don’t agree at all.
MAINTAIN THE FREE AND OPEN EXPRESSION OF IDEAS
A democratic society depends on the free and open expression of ideas.
Just keep in mind that ensuring a person’s right to express his or her ideas doesn’t
mean agreeing with those ideas.
TASK 2
Justify your answer based on this dilemma. ( 15 pts.)
THE PARTIALITY OF FRIENDSHIP
Jim has the responsibility of filling a position in his firm. His friend Paul has applied
and is qualified, but someone else seems even more qualified. Jim wants to give the job
to Paul, but he feels guilty, believing that he ought to be impartial. That’s the essence
of morality, he initially tells himself. This belief is, however, rejected, as Jim resolves
that friendship has a moral importance that permits, and perhaps even requires,
partially in some circumstances. So, he gives the job to Paul. Was he right?
Page 3 of 5
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
SYNTHESIS:
LET’S DIG DEEPER!
ETHICS deals with the issues of right and wrong of human affairs. In
communication, ethics is also important to observe while we are communicating which
each other every day. People will only believe in what we say if we are ethical and
trustworthy. Being honest of what we say is a big deal for us to be considered as a
person with integrity and credibility. That is why, we need to give importance and
should apply what are the norms and standards to follow in communication as well as
the guidelines for ethical listening.
Learning about these guidelines is not enough. It is more important to put it into
practice as we continue communicating different people of different cultures.
ASSESSMENTS TRUE OR FALSE: On the space provided before the
number, write the word TRUE if the statement is correct,
and FALSE if it is wrong.
_______1. People tend to trust us when they see us
ethical and trustworthy.
_______2. Communication ethics is the responsibility of
the speaker but not necessarily of the listener.
_______3. We may be able to solve problems through
communication.
_______4. Everyone has the right to express his/her
ideas, thus, the least that we can do as communicators is
to agree with those ideas.
_______5. We have to accept the cultural practices of
other people to show that we respect their culture.
_______6. Communication involves the sender and the
receiver of the message.
_______7. Jumping to conclusions about the points of the
Page 4 of 5
speakers even before the speech begins is not a barrier
to effective listening.
_______8. An Authoritative society depends on a free
and open expression of ideas.
_______9. Words can make or break relationships.
______10. Truthfulness is fundamental to all forms of
coomunication.
ASSIGNMENTS Write a short reflection of the lesson you learn from this
module. A minimum of two paragraphs. Use a separate
paper for this activity.
RESOURCES: Baradillo, Danilo G. et al. Purposive Communication.
2018. Mutya Publishing House, Inc. 105 Engineering
Road, Araneta University Village, Potrero, Malabon City
Rubric for Assignment :
REFLECTION RUBRIC
Category Description Point
Value
Mechanics Well-written and well-organized 5
Well written, clear organization, uses standard English Inadequate due to lack of 1
grammar, contains minor, if any, spelling errors organization, grammar, and/or major
spelling errors
MECHANICS – TOTAL POSSIBLE 2
Evidence of Critical Thinking Demonstrates critical thinking and the 3
Critical thinking includes application, analysis, synthesis ability to apply concepts.
and evaluation. Arguments are clear and show depth of Demonstrates some critical thinking 2
insight into theoretical issues, originality of treatment, and application of concepts
and relevance. May include unusual insights. Arguments Shows minor or incorrect application 1
are well supported. of concepts
CRITICAL THINKING – TOTAL POSSIBLE 3
Development of Ideas Well-developed; shows evidence of 3
Well-developed thoughts, ideas, and details, which reflection and/or metacognition; new
shows evidence of reflection, new ideas, and grasp of ideas introduced and reflects a good
concepts. grasp of concepts presented.
Shows some evidence of reflection, 2
but not well-developed; few new
ideas introduced but reflects a grasp
of concepts presented.
Not much thought or detail; shows 1
little evidence of reflection or grasp of
concepts; no new ideas introduced.
DEVELOPMENT OF IDEAS – TOTAL POSSIBLE 3
Timeliness Submitted by deadline 2
Submitting by stated due date Submitted no more than 24 hours 1
after deadline
Submitted more than 24 hours after 0
deadline or not submitted
TIMELINESS – TOTAL POSSIBLE 2
OVERALL TOTAL POSSIBLE FOR REFLECTION 10
Developed by:
MRS. JOVITH D. VILLANUEVA
Subject Teacher
Page 5 of 5
