STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE INFLUENCE OF ETHICS EDUCATION ON THEIR ETHICAL ENVIRONMENT AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This research aims to explore students’ perceptions of the influence of ethics education on their ethical environment and development of their professional identities. To meet the research aim, an instrument that covers hypothetical cases and scenarios of ethical behaviour based on Malaysia’s setting was adopted. The survey instrument helped to identify students’ interpretations and responses to the scenarios whether there are any legitimations of ethical actions. The results of this research revealed that the majority of students recognised the importance of ethics and they found learning ethics was helpful in improving their ethical understanding and developing their personal ethical values as well as their future professional development. However, practicing ethical values, including making ethical decisions was challenging as students perceived they were living in unethical environment. The respondents indicated that they were surrounded by unethical people, and for this reason, some of them disclosed that they would rather silent than reveal about unethical actions.