Deck 2: Ethical Decision Making: Personal and Professional Contexts

Question 1

There is a role for science and theoretical reason in any study of ethics.

Answer 1

True
Explanation: Given the general importance of determining the facts,there is a role for science (and theoretical reason)in any study of ethics.

Question 2

Within business,an organization's context sometimes makes it difficult for even the well-intentioned person to act ethically.

Answer 2

True
Explanation: Within business,an organization's context sometimes makes it difficult for even a well-intentioned person to act ethically.

Question 3

Ethical decisions cannot be made on economic grounds.

Answer 3

False
Explanation: It needs to be recognized that "business" or "economic" decisions and ethical decisions are not mutually exclusive.Just because a decision is made on economic grounds does not mean that it does not involve ethical considerations as well.

Question 4

A person's understanding of facts does not affect the degree of reasonability of his ethical judgements.

Question 5

The best environment for high quality ethical decision making involves "thin air thinking."

Question 6

Normative myopia occurs only in business.

Question 7

Which of the following is the second step of the ethical decision-making process?

A)Considering available alternatives
B)Making the decision
C)Identifying the ethical issues involved
D)Considering the impact of the on stakeholders

Question 8

Trying to understand another person's perspective of a situation usually leads to poor comparisons of alternatives for ethical decision making.

Question 9

The first step in making decisions that are ethically responsible is to consider all of the people affected by a decision,the people often called stakeholders.

Question 10

Inattentional blindness is the inability to recognize ethical issues.

Question 11

Consequences or justifications always override every other consideration when comparing alternatives for ethical decision making.

Question 12

Responsibility for the circumstances that can encourage ethical behavior and can discourage unethical behavior falls predominantly to the business management and executive team.

Question 13

In the ethical decision-making process,identify the steps that might arise in reverse order,depending on the circumstances.

A)Identifying relevant ethical issues;considering the impact of a decision on stakeholders
B)Determining the facts of the situation;identifying the impact of the decision on stakeholders
C)Identifying the impact of the decision on stakeholders;considering available alternatives
D)Determining the facts the situation;identifying relevant ethical issues

Question 14

A critical element of comparing and weighing the alternatives is the consideration of ways to mitigate,minimize,or compensate for any possible harmful consequences.

Question 15

Within a business setting,only the ethical implications of professional decision making should be considered.

Question 16

Kathy,your best friend and classmate,asks you to help her with a challenging ethical dilemma.Which of the following would be your first step in the decision-making process?

A)Identifying the ethical issue
B)Considering the available alternatives
C)Determining the facts of the situation
D)Making the decision

Question 17

Which of the following conditions makes issue identification the first step in the ethical decision-making process?

A)When the ethical predicament of the situation is hard to determine
B)When the responsibility for the decision lies with one person
C)When the issue is presented from the start
D)When the stakeholders in the decision cannot be determined

Question 18

Which of the following is the first step in making an ethically responsible decision?

A)Determining the facts of the situation
B)Considering the available alternatives
C)Monitoring and learning from the outcomes
D)Comparing and weighing alternatives

Question 19

Stakeholders include only those groups and/or individuals who take calls on internal decisions,policies,or operations.

Question 20

Issue identification becomes the first step of the ethical decision-making process when no ethical issue or dilemma is known to the decision maker at the beginning.

Question 21

The failure of decision makers to notice gradual variations over time is known as _____.

A)inattentional blindness
B)conscious incompetence
C)change blindness
D)rational ignorance

Question 22

_____ is one element that distinguishes good people who make ethically responsible decisions from good people who do not.

A)Normative myopia
B)Inattentional blindness
C)Change blindness
D)Moral imagination

Question 23

Jim resides close to Bunton Steel Co. ,a steel factory.The company has recently implemented changes to its pollution control policy that has adversely affected Jim and his family.This makes Jim a(n)_____ in the company's pollution control policy.

A)associate
B)stockholder
C)partner
D)stakeholder

Question 24

In an ethical decision-making process,moral imagination helps individuals make ethically responsible decisions.Identify the step in which moral imagination is critical.

A)Determining the facts
B)Considering the available alternatives
C)Identifying the ethical issues
D)Identifying and considering impact of decision on stakeholders

Question 25

_____ refers to shortsightedness about values.

A)Inattentional blindness
B)Normative myopia
C)Change blindness
D)Descriptive myopia

Question 26

Which of the following is true of inattentional blindness?

A)It occurs when someone deliberately avoids taking a decision about an unpleasant ethical issue.
B)It refers to the shortsightedness about values.
C)It distinguishes good people who make ethically responsible decisions from good people who do not.
D)It occurs when people pay specific attention to a particular element of a decision,while losing sight of other aspects of it.

Question 27

Focusing failures result in moments where we ask ourselves,"How could I have missed that?" According to Bazerman and Chugh,this phenomenon is known as:

A)change blindness.
B)descriptive ignorance.
C)inattentional blindness.
D)normative myopia.

Question 28

Which of the following is true of moral imagination?

A)It occurs when decision makers fail to notice gradual variations over time.
B)It denotes reasonable ethical judgments that a person makes without regard for facts.
C)It distinguishes good people who make ethically responsible decisions from good people who do not.
D)It refers to the positive impact a hypothetical decision is projected to have on the stakeholders involved in the decision.

Question 29

Which of the following causes inattentional blindness according to Bazerman and Chugh?

A)Perceptual differences
B)Moral exclusions
C)Perceptual barriers
D)Focusing failures

Question 30

In the ethical-decision making process,moral imagination is used by decision makers while _____.

A)considering the available alternatives
B)identifying the stakeholders
C)identifying the ethical issues involved
D)determining the facts of the situation

Question 31

If we are told specifically to pay attention to a particular element of a decision or event,we are likely to miss all of the surrounding details,no matter how obvious.According to Bazerman and Chugh,this phenomenon is known as _____.

A)inattentional blindness
B)descriptive ignorance
C)change blindness
D)normative myopia

Question 32

The omission known as change blindness occurs when _____.

A)decision makers fail to notice gradual changes over time
B)a sudden change is overlooked by decision makers
C)decision makers are adamant on maintaining status quo due to a fear of change
D)a decision maker wants to bring about a change on a whim

Question 33

"_____" include all of the groups and/or individuals affected by a decision,policy,or operation of a firm or individual.

A)Stakeholders
B)Shareholders
C)Employees
D)Owners

Question 34

Which of the following is the reason why normative myopia is especially liable to occur in a business context?

A)The fast paced world of business allows little time for contemplation on ethics.
B)Business attracts people from diverse backgrounds,which makes it difficult to identify ethical standards agreeable to everybody.
C)People are more likely to focus on the technical aspects of the task at hand in a business context,and thus,fail to recognize the ethical aspect.
D)Ethics can justifiably be allowed to take a backseat in a business context.

Question 35

In the ethical decision-making process,once one examines the facts and identifies the ethical issues involved,one should next _____.

A)make the decision
B)consider the available alternatives
C)monitor and learn from the outcomes
D)identify the stakeholders

Question 36

Which of the following statements commits the ethical oversight known as normative myopia?

A)"I skipped the red light because I was so involved in our debate."
B)"The only reason they did not notice the pilferage happening is because it involved the theft of such small quantities of goods over a long period of time."
C)"I hope Brad has learnt his lesson after getting drunk and crashing his car."
D)"I strongly believe in the saying,'finders keepers,losers weepers.'"

Question 37

In the ethical decision-making process,creativity in identifying options is also known as _____.

A)moral imagination
B)descriptive imagination
C)intentional deliberation
D)normative imagination

Question 38

The Arthur Andersen auditors did not notice how low Enron had fallen in terms of its unethical decisions over a period of time.According to Bazerman and Chugh,this omission is an example of _____.

A)inattentional blindness
B)descriptive ignorance
C)change blindness
D)normative myopia

Question 39

Identify the true statement about normative myopia.

A)It occurs when decision makers fail to notice gradual changes over time.
B)It refers to the shortsightedness about values.
C)It has only been observed to occur in business.
D)It only results from focusing failures.

Question 40

Missing a highway turn-off as a result of speaking on a cell phone while driving is an example of _____.

A)normative myopia
B)inattentional blindness
C)rational ignorance
D)change blindness

Question 41

Identify the social role from the following?

A)Student-body president
B)Manager
C)Citizen
D)Librarian

Question 42

Some writers have called the inability to recognize ethical issues while dealing with the financial aspect of business decisions _____.

Question 43

Which of the following considerations can sometimes override consequences when comparing and weighing alternatives for ethical decision making?

A)Ideas
B)Apprehensions
C)Principles
D)Assumptions

Question 44

A critical element of this step in the ethical decision-making process will be the consideration of ways to mitigate,minimize,or compensate for any possible harmful consequences or to increase and promote beneficial consequences.Which step is this?

A)Monitoring the outcomes
B)Considering available alternatives
C)Identifying the ethical issues
D)Comparing and weighing alternatives

Question 45

_____ occurs when decision makers fail to notice gradual changes over time.

Question 46

Which of the following elements is important not only to consider the obvious options with regard to a particular dilemma,but also the much more subtle ones that might not be evident at first glance?

A)Intentional deliberation
B)Descriptive imagination
C)Moral imagination
D)Normative imagination

Question 47

When making a decision,selecting the alternative that meets the minimum decision criteria is selected is known as _____.

A)normalcy bias
B)satisficing
C)optimism bias
D)flipism

Question 48

Which of the following explains the term "satisficing"?

A)Striving to select only the best alternative
B)Following simplified decision rules
C)Selecting the alternative simply because it is the easy way out
D)Selecting the alternative that meets minimum decision criteria

Question 49

Which of the following is a cognitive barrier to responsible,ethical decision making?

A)Choosing the alternative that meets maximum decision criteria
B)Considering unlimited alternatives
C)Following simplified decision rules
D)Selecting only the best option

Question 50

Identify the cognitive barrier which might appear to relieve us of accountability for a decision?

A)Looking for creative alternatives
B)Considering unlimited alternatives
C)Satisfying the maximum decision criteria
D)Using a simplified decision rule

Question 51

Putting ethics into practice requires not simply decision making,but _____ decision making.

Question 52

Identify the attitude which leads to an unexamined life not worth living according to Socrates?

A)Narcissism
B)Passivity
C)Cynicism
D)Satisficing

Question 53

When faced with a situation that suggests two clear alternative ways forward,we often consider only those two clear paths,missing the fact that other alternatives might be possible.Considering limited alternatives is a stumbling block to responsible action that can be categorized as a(n)_____.

A)personality barrier
B)perceptual barrier
C)cognitive barrier
D)individuality barrier

Question 54

Identify the institutional role from the following.

A)Spouse
B)Citizen
C)Sibling
D)Teacher

Question 55

Identify the step of the ethical decision-making process that involves predicting the likely,foreseeable,and the possible consequences to all the relevant stakeholders.

A)Comparing and weighing the alternatives
B)Making the decision
C)Identifying the ethical issues
D)Monitoring and learning from the outcomes

Question 56

Which of the following qualities would an effective decision maker display when considering the available alternatives for ethical decision making?

A)Reciprocal obligation
B)Servant leadership
C)Social entrepreneurship
D)Moral imagination

Question 57

The first step in the ethical decision-making process,when an individual is not presented with an issue from the start,is _____.

Question 58

Identify the final step in the ethical decision-making process?

A)Listing out the eventualities that may result from the decision
B)Monitoring and learning from outcomes
C)Corresponding with the stakeholders
D)Identifying new ethical dilemmas to tackle

Question 59

Which step in the ethical decision-making process occurs once you have considered how a decision affects stakeholders by comparing and weighing the alternatives?

A)Identifying the ethical issues involved
B)Monitoring and learning from outcomes
C)Making a decision
D)Identifying key stakeholders

Question 60

_____ differences surrounding how individuals experience and understand situations can explain many ethical disagreements.

Question 61

In an ethical decision-making process,creativity in identifying options is called "_____."

Question 62

Explain how the ethical decision-making process does not end with making a decision.

Question 63

What is moral imagination? How is it important?

Question 64

Explain the role of the sciences in the study of ethics.

Question 65

Give three examples each of social and institutional roles.

Question 66

Identify and describe the intellectual or cognitive stumbling blocks that can come in the way of responsible ethical decision.

Question 67

What is normative myopia?

Question 68

Explain the importance of moral imagination with an example.

Question 69

What is the test for ethical legitimacy in philosophical ethics?

Question 70

Explain the importance of determining the facts when making a responsible ethical decision.

Question 71

Identify the means for comparing and weighing alternatives.

Question 72

Outline the importance of "walking a mile in another's shoes" and associate it with the fifth step of the ethical decision-making process.

Question 73

Outline the thought process of responsible persons comparing and weighing alternatives while considering the effects of a decision on their own integrity and character.

Question 74

We tend to give in to _____ in our professional environments,both because we want to "fit in" and to achieve success in our organizations,and also because our actual thinking is influenced by our peers.

Question 75

Within a business setting,individuals must consider the ethical implications of both personal and professional decision making.Manager,teacher,and student-body president are examples of _____ roles.

Question 76

Elaborate on the concept of perceptual differences in ethics.

Question 77

What are the consequences of not looking at various perspectives and the interests of other people involved while making a responsible ethical decision?

Question 78

Selecting the alternative that meets minimum decision criteria is known as _____.

Question 79

A long tradition in philosophical ethics argues that a key test for _____ is whether or not a decision would be acceptable from the point of view of all parties involved.

Question 80

How does a business decision become an ethical one?