Ethics Week 1: Utilitarianism vs Deontology

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Questions and Answers

What is a key characteristic of individuals who strongly identify with a cause or value?

They are less likely to demonstrate balancing behaviors. (correct)

They show lower consistency in prosocial behaviors.

They frequently overclaim credit for group contributions.

They often experience moral licensing effects.

Which of the following best describes implicit bias?

A deliberate discrimination towards disadvantaged groups.

Explicit prejudices that are openly acknowledged.

Unconscious attitudes that influence behavior and decisions. (correct)

Conscious decisions made to favor certain groups.

What does 'motivated blindness' refer to?

Ignoring facts because they complicate a desired outcome. (correct)

Noticing unethical actions because they are committed by third parties.

The inability to recognize facts due to lack of interest.

The tendency to notice unethical actions committed by oneself.

How does in-group favoritism affect resource allocation?

People preferentially allocate resources to individuals within their own group. Signup and view all the answers

What role does low identification with a value or cause play in behavior?

It often results in a higher tendency to slack off on commitments. Signup and view all the answers

What is a probable consequence of overclaiming credit in collaborative situations?

It leads to conflict among group members. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the Want/Should conflict?

Choosing rewards that are immediate versus delayed Signup and view all the answers

What effect does moral licensing have on individuals' subsequent actions?

It allows individuals to justify negative actions after positive ones. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor increases the likelihood of choosing options motivated by want over should?

Feeling depleted after previous decisions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes indirect blindness?

Failing to notice unethical behaviors committed by third parties. Signup and view all the answers

What best describes Outcome Fairness?

How well rewards are distributed based on merit Signup and view all the answers

How does process fairness affect individuals' acceptance of outcomes?

It makes individuals more likely to accept unfavorable results Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant factor that affects Want/Should conflicts related to cognitive resources?

Construal Level Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best explains Moral Licensing?

Justifying unethical behavior due to previous good deeds Signup and view all the answers

What role does communication play in achieving process fairness?

It ensures that people feel respected and informed Signup and view all the answers

What can result from increased cognitive load in decision-making?

Reduction in the variety of options considered Signup and view all the answers

What is one effect of joint evaluation of want/should options on decision-making?

More should options are typically chosen. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors can increase the likelihood of making should choices?

Being in a relaxed and happy mood. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a commitment device aimed at improving decision-making?

Imposing penalties for making want choices. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main psychological effect of moral licensing?

It allows individuals to justify poor choices by prior good actions. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of escalation of commitment, what is the impact of self-justification?

It can increase motivation to justify poor choices. Signup and view all the answers

How does confirmation bias influence decision-making during escalation of commitment?

It leads individuals to ignore contrary evidence. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between moral compensation and moral licensing?

Moral compensation occurs after moral licensing. Signup and view all the answers

What cognitive effect can arise from framing initial behaviors abstractly?

It can hinder recognition of concrete consequences. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Week 1

Utilitarianism and consequentialism consider outcomes for short and long-term decisions
Virtue ethics focuses on the actions of virtuous people
Moral Foundations Theory is a framework for evaluating ethical decisions
Care/Harm, Fairness/Cheating, Liberty/Oppression, Loyalty/Betrayal, Authority/Subversion, and Sanctity/Degradation are core moral concepts
Utilitarianism emphasizes maximizing overall societal good
Deontology focuses on duties and moral principles
Virtue Ethics focuses on character traits and how they shape actions

Utilitarianism (Consequentialism)

Focuses on the results or consequences of decisions and actions.
Aims to maximize benefits and minimize harm to society.
Calculates the net good for society overall (greatest good for the greatest number).

Deontology (Duty/Principle-based)

Judges actions based on broad, abstract principles or duties (honesty, responsibility, etc.).
Some principles are binding, regardless of consequences.

Virtue Ethics

Emphasizes character traits or habits (virtues).
Considers what a virtuous/good person would do.
Motivation and intentions also determine the goodness of a person's actions.

Week 2

Process Fairness (PF): Fairness in the process/procedures of making decisions
Outcomes Fairness (OF): Fairness of the outcome/rewards.
Factors affecting process and outcome fairness include: involvement, decisions, implementation, and communication.
Perceptual Gaps: discrepancy between outcomes and perception of those outcomes in decision making.

Week 3

Individual biases affect decision-making, including: want/should conflicts, cognitive load, construal level, depletion, and joint versus separate evaluation.

Week 4

Organisation Culture: Shared values and beliefs influencing employee behaviour.
Levels of Culture:
- Artefacts: visible symbols.
- Espoused Values: stated beliefs.
- Basic Assumptions: underlying beliefs.
Implicit Bias/Prejudice, In-Group Favoritism, Overclaiming Credit, Conflict of Interest, Motivated Blindness, Indirect Blindness, Overvaluing Outcomes are biases or issues affecting decision making.

Week 5

Corporate Governance: Control mechanisms for self-interested managers.
Board responsibilities include decision-making, oversight, advisory, approving strategy, and testing performance measures.

Independence:

Boards are expected to be independent, free from conflicts, and capable of opposing management when necessary.

Week 6

Board size and composition: Importance of having appropriate diversity of experience and qualifications.
Board independence: Absence of conflict of interest with the company or its management.
Ways to build trust: Similarity, increasing exposure, reciprocity, self disclosure.

Week 7

Enablers: Factors that facilitate speaking up and acting on values.
Allies, Mentors, Selection and sequencing of audiences, Critical importance of Information, and Questions not statements.

Week 9

Crisis Management: Standards and conduct required by firms for critical incidents.

Week 10

Crisis Management: understanding crises and how they affect organisations.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) issues are important to address during crises.

Week 11

How to approach a crisis - assess the situations and develop multiple viable solutions.
Execute quickly, and consider possible challenges.

Week 13

No content.

Trust Radar and Other Topics

Importance of Expertise, Empathy, Commitment, and Transparency in crisis responses.
Key considerations for dealing with crises, including assessing the situation, developing solutions, and executing quickly.

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of Ethics in this quiz focused on Week 1. Delve into key theories such as Utilitarianism, Consequentialism, Deontology, and Virtue Ethics. Assess core moral principles and their significance in ethical decision-making.