Ethical Reasoning and Cognitive Biases

Course Topics

• Ethical responsibilities in various professional practices will be examined.
• Ethical decision-making processes and frameworks will be covered.

Area of Ethical Responsibilities

• The ethical implications of decision-making and accountability will be a significant focus.

Learning Outcomes

• Understanding key concepts in ethics and ethical theories.
• Developing critical thinking skills to evaluate ethical dilemmas.
• Enhancing ability to identify ethical issues in professional contexts.

Barriers to Ethical Action

• Lack of awareness or understanding of ethical standards may prevent implementation.
• Bystander effect can lead to inaction; individuals may assume others will take action.

Bystander Effect

• A social psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help in an emergency when others are present, due to diffusion of responsibility.

Skills for Ethical Implementation

• Strong communication skills to discuss and resolve ethical dilemmas.
• Critical thinking to assess situations and make informed decisions.
• Empathy to understand the perspectives and impacts of decisions on others.

Influences on Ethical Misconduct Plans

• Organizational culture and policies can either support or hinder ethical behavior.
• Leadership commitment to ethics is crucial in shaping responses to misconduct.

Four Component Model

• The components of ethical thinking include moral awareness, moral judgment, moral intention, and moral action.
• A focus on "moral skill" is often not included as a component.

Definition of Ethics

• Ethics can be defined as a system of principles that guide behavior, determining what is right and wrong.

Purpose of Ethical Sensitivity

• Ethical sensitivity enables individuals to recognize ethical issues and understand their implications for various stakeholders.

Ethical Issues in Vignette

• Potential concerns may include exploitation of vulnerability, informed consent, and the role of autonomy in healthcare decisions.

Cognitive Bias - Reporting Data

• Confirmation bias might lead researchers to selectively report data that supports their hypothesis, ignoring contradicting evidence.

Cognitive Bias - Accepting Gifts

• The reciprocity bias may make it more challenging for workers to refuse gifts from clients, impacting professional boundaries.

Social Psychological Factor in Reporting

• Groupthink may discourage individuals from reporting unethical behavior to maintain harmony within a team.

Cognitive Bias - Data Manipulation

• Motivated reasoning can lead researchers to manipulate data, prioritizing perceived importance of their work over ethical standards.

Test your ethical reasoning skills and learn how cognitive biases can impact your decision-making process. Explore the work of Daniel Kahneman and his colleagues to gain insights into moral judgment.