Ethics In Communication
Applying the National Communication Association Ethical Communication Credo
The purpose of this activity is to discuss a primary influence in your own moral development that shaped your communication with others today. You will examine the principles stated in the National Communication Association Credo for Ethical Communication, and discuss how these might be applied to your own principles of ethical communication. This activity aligns with module outcome 1.
In Chapter 2 of your textbook, carefully review the contributions of Lawrence Kohlberg in The Six Stages of Moral Development. Examine the factors that Kohlberg says influences our moral development. Next, review the National Communication Association Credo for Ethical Communication. Take notes on how these principles might be applied in developing your own credo for communicating ethically with others.
Answer one of the following discussion questions below.
- Who or what was the most important influence on your moral development as you were growing up? Explain how this impacted your ethical beliefs and communication with other people.
- What do you feel are the three most important principles in the NCA Credo for Ethical Communication that would also be reflected in your own personal credo for communicating ethically with others? Explain why you feel these are the most important to you.
- Propose one additional principle (one that isn’t already listed on the NCA Credo) that you would like to see everyone practice in their ethical communication with others.
- While the NCA has a credo for ethical communication, there is no discussion of enforcement of those principles. Why do you think having such a credo is still important for its membership?
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Communication Ethics
Who was the most important influence on your moral development as you were growing up? Explain how this impacted your ethical beliefs and communication with other people.
The most important influence of my moral development was my father. While growing up, I would notice how my father was sensitive to the feelings of other persons. He would empathize with those in difficulties and also rejoice with those in celebratory moods. These aspects enabled me to learn how to put myself in others’ shoes. Consequently, I learned to interact with others well because they might be going through a lot of problems.