ETHICS AND THE COLLEGE STUDENT Essay

What is value-systems? Merriam Websters Dictionary defines ethics as morals or principles that Govern a persons or a groups behaviors or the branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles. In college students confront many ethical predicaments. This story will excuse the factors that affect a students ethical finish devising as well as the ethical decision devising put to work.The socializing process is a major influencing factor in our ethical decision making. While we argon children, we absorb behaviors and develop our morals and values. Our family is the biggest influence in developing our morals. For instance, proper use of grammar, the importance of education, and strong work ethic ar all values that family members help us to develop. Negative influences such(prenominal) as alcohol and drug abuse, poverty, and physical abuse can likewise shape our behaviors and attitudes. Peer pressure is also an authoritative factor college students face when making ethical ch oices. In a study make by UCLA, 52% of students said that peer pressure affected ethical choices they make (Yeung and Keup 2009). In addition, the same survey showed how students perceptions of peer beliefs and behaviors were the best predictors of their own ethical behavior.Under age imbibing, illegal drug use, and casual sex are some dilemmas that students must make choices about when they are attending college. In a review by Harris (1916), he states that small-scale age drinking had all but disappeared and drug use was unheard of in the aboriginal 1900s. But in a surveytaken by UCLA students in 2009 78% of students under the age of 21 admitted to drinking alcohol and 57% of all students admitted to using some type of illegal drug at least once (Yeung and Keup, 2009). In addition these students admitted that peerpressure was a major determining factor. This information shows that over the last decade underage drinking and drug use has increased amongst college students or the y priorities pay changed. hear also causes students to make unethical decisions. In another study done by UCLA 82% of students would consider plagiarizing, cheating on a test, or lying to a professor when in a stressful home like finals, mid-terms, or when face up academic probation (Yeung and Keup 2009).Social media also plays an important role in college students ethical decision making. In the book, Philosophy for the slew Ethics, Bruce D. Bruce writes that advertising and media can deceptive and persuasive (Bruce 2009 p.200). Bruce goes on to assign that sometimes the media blurs the distinct line between right and wrong and our jejuneness/young adults are most often the ones that have difficulty eyesight that line clearly (Bruce 2009 p.200).As stated previously, plagiarism is major dilemma that plagues college students. Stress, peer pressure, and social media are all factors that affect students when deciding whether or not to plagiarize. Young and Keup (2009) noticed t hat even though many college students estimate about plagiarizing when stressed, they felt it was morally wrong. They also discovered that students would rather deal food from the dining facility or even present thespian identification to enter a club rather that plagiarize. Most of the students in their study felt condemned or even guilty just thought about the fact.Time management and the ethical PEAS will aid students when facing ethical the ethical decision making process (Frame domesticate of Ethical finality devising, para 2-3). Students should set apart time for homework, study time, and extracurricular activities. Structure makes it easierto get things accomplished without the feeling of being rushed. Setting aside study time will give students adequate time to question so they will not feel the need to plagiarize they will be prepared. Students should also use the Ethical PEAS (Frame Work of Ethical Decision Making, para 2-3). As described in the Framework for Eth ical Decision-Making by Montana State University, PEAS is an acronym used when executing the ethical decision making processP What is the Problem?E What is the Evidence?A probe What guidelines or theories will help me in my process?S What is the tooth root to my problem?Some theories a student can use are (Frame Work of Ethical Decision Making, para 4)The Front Page newsprint TestWould you be comfortable if your actions were revealed on the front page of the paper?End/Means TestDoes and ethical goal (end) justify the course you get to that goal (means)?The Golden RuleDo unto others as you would have them do unto you.UtilitarianismWhat act or rule results in the greatest honest for the greatest number?Professional Standards of ConductFollow the rules, regulations, and codes set ahead you.In summary, college students must make ethical decisions daily. Stress, peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, the socialization process, and a persons morals and values all play a part in this process. If students exercise theethical decision making process it will make this process much easier. Ethical dilemmas will never go away. So, we must understand ourselves, how a far we are involuntary to go, and always try to do the right thing.ReferencesBruce, B.D. (2013). Philosophy for the Masses Ethics. procurable from https//www.smashwords.com/books/view/374071. Harris, G. (1916). Ethics of a College Student. The Harvard Theological Review, 9, (2), 190-200. Yeung, P.F., & Keup, J.R. (2009). Ethical Decision Making in College Choosing Between Right, Wrong, and the Space Between. Retrieved from http//cshe.berkeley.edu/. Montana State University. (2013). Frame Work for Ethical Decision-Making. Retrieved from http//montana.edu/teachlearn/TLResources/docuements.