Deck 3: Deciding Whats Right: a Psychological Approach

Question 1

Training, whether in groups, peer to peer, or using DVD to deliver the content, has been shown to be ineffective in helping employees become ethically aware.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Ethical conflict is almost exclusively influenced by individual differences.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Managers must structure the work environment to support ethical conduct and this includes ensuring that reward systems are aligned with the ethics of the firm.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

With the advent of technology, fewer people look to others in their social environment for guidance in ethical dilemma situations.

Question 5

In Kohlberg's theory, adherence to any principle qualifies as "principled" thinking.

Question 6

According to cognitive moral development theory, t level II (labeled the conventional level and including stages 3 and 4), the individual is still externally focused on others but is less self‐centered and has internalized the shared moral norms of society or some segment like a family or work group.

Question 7

Neutral language can be used to make an unethical action seem less problematic.

Question 8

Gilligan's claims that females were more likely to use a "morality of care" received a great deal of attention, but the applicability of her ideas to adults working in business organizations is quite limited.

Question 9

According to cognitive moral development theory, a level I individual (labeled the conventional level and including stages 1 and 2) has developed beyond identification with others' expectations, rules, and laws to make decisions more autonomously.

Question 10

Kohlberg argued that the higher the reasoning stage, the more ethical the decision.

Question 11

According to Kohlberg, as individuals move forward through the sequence of stages they are cognitively capable of comprehending all reasoning stages below and above their own.

Question 12

According to cognitive moral development theory, the actual moral decision is not as important as the reasoning process used to arrive at it.

Question 13

When describing a situation, the type of language used does not affect moral awareness.

Question 14

An effective way to avoid decision-making weaknesses and biases is to become aware of them and to incorporate steps into decision-making that are explicitly aimed at reducing their impact.

Question 15

There are major differences in levels of moral reasoning between men and women.

Question 16

In organizations, individuals high on Machiavellianism are significantly more likely to have unethical intentions and to engage in unethical behavior including accepting kickbacks.

Question 17

If an individual does not recognize that he or she is facing an ethical dilemma, then ethical judgment is likely not to occur.

Question 18

The preconventional principled thinker looks to justice and rights‐based principles to guide ethical decision making.

Question 19

An organization led by a leader high in cognitive moral development establishes a much stronger ethical climate in the organization.

Question 20

With moral justification, individuals will reduce personal accountability by thinking of their actions as resulting from an authority figure's dictates.

Question 21

Reference : Matching Kohlberg's Levels of Moral Reasoning (options may be used more than once)
a) Stage 1
b) Stage 2
c) Stage 3
d) Stage 4
e) Stage 5
f) Stage 6
Considers the possibility of changing the law for socially useful purposes.

Question 22

Reference : Matching Key Terms and Descriptions (options may be used more than once)
a) confirmation bias
b) illusion of optimism
c) illusion of control
d) illusion of superiority
Tendency to underestimate risks because of the belief that we are in charge of what happens.

Question 23

Which of the following is false?

A) Moral reasoning can be increased through training.
B) A more-principled individual is less likely to cheat.
C) When an organization's leader is characterized by high moral development, the entire ethical climate of the organization is stronger.
D) Employee satisfaction and commitment are not related to the leader's moral development.

Question 24

A _______ person recognizes that rules and laws often exist for good reason, and she follows them because the social system works better when everyone does that.

A) Stage 3
B) Stage 6
C) Stage 4
D) Stage 1

Question 25

The _______ of an issue is higher when the consequences for others are potentially large, the consequences are relatively immediate and likely to occur, and the potential victims are psychologically or physically close to the decision maker.

A) moral intensity
B) idealism
C) locus of control
D) Machiavellianism

Question 26

At work, you are driven by living up to what is expected by peers and people close to you. You can be described at what stage of Kohlberg's Cognitive Moral Development Model?

A) Stage 3
B) Stage 6
C) Stage 4
D) Stage 1

Question 27

Reference : Matching Kohlberg's Levels of Moral Reasoning (options may be used more than once)
a) Stage 1
b) Stage 2
c) Stage 3
d) Stage 4
e) Stage 5
f) Stage 6
Focused on following the rules or laws that are designed to promote the common good.

Question 28

Most adults are at the ____________ level of cognitive moral development and their action is ____________.

A) Conventional; based on avoidance of punishment.
B) Conventional; based on what others think, say, and do.
C) Postconventional; based on the best outcome for society.
D) Postconventional; based on their religion or guiding principles.

Question 29

According to cognitive moral development theory, individuals move to a higher reasoning stage:

A) Every time they encounter a more difficult ethical dilemma.
B) When there is a contradiction between his or her current moral reasoning stage and the next higher one.
C) As they grow older.
D) None of these. An individual's level of moral reasoning does not change after he or she becomes an adult.

Question 30

As a new hire at ABC Manufacturing, Susan's focus is on sticking to rules to avoid punishment. Susan can be described at what stage of Kohlberg's Cognitive Moral Development Model?

A) Stage 3
B) Stage 6
C) Stage 4
D) Stage 1

Question 31

Reference : Matching Key Terms and Descriptions (options may be used more than once)
a) confirmation bias
b) illusion of optimism
c) illusion of control
d) illusion of superiority
Unconscious distortion of information in order to maintain a positive self-image.

Question 32

Reference : Matching Kohlberg's Levels of Moral Reasoning (options may be used more than once)
a) Stage 1
b) Stage 2
c) Stage 3
d) Stage 4
e) Stage 5
f) Stage 6
"You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."

Question 33

Which of the following is false?

A) Lawrence Kohlberg developed the cognitive moral development theory by studying male adult behavior.
B) The cognitive moral development theory focuses primarily on how people decide what course of action is morally right.
C) Cognitive moral development is an individual difference that impacts the way people think about an ethical dilemma.
D) Individuals can comprehend and use all stages of reasoning below their own.

Question 34

At what stage of Kohlberg's Cognitive Moral Development Model, what is right is judged in terms of a "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" reciprocal relationship?

A) Stage 3
B) Stage 5
C) Stage 2
D) Stage 4

Question 35

Reference : Matching Kohlberg's Levels of Moral Reasoning (options may be used more than once)
a) Stage 1
b) Stage 2
c) Stage 3
d) Stage 4
e) Stage 5
f) Stage 6
Focused on interpersonal trust and social approval.

Question 36

Reference : Matching Key Terms and Descriptions (options may be used more than once)
a) confirmation bias
b) illusion of optimism
c) illusion of control
d) illusion of superiority
Tendency to attend to the information that endorses the decision we prefer.

Question 37

Reference : Matching Key Terms and Descriptions (options may be used more than once)
a) confirmation bias
b) illusion of optimism
c) illusion of control
d) illusion of superiority
Tendency to overestimate the likelihood of good future events.

Question 38

Research has found that people are more likely to be ethically aware, to recognize the ethical nature of an issue or decision, if all of these things happen EXCEPT:

A) if they believe that their peers will consider it to be ethically problematic.
B) if ethical language is used to present the situation to the decision maker.
C) if the decision is seen as having the potential to produce serious harm to others.
D) if superiors in the organization do not see it as an issue but subordinates do.

Question 39

Reference : Matching Kohlberg's Levels of Moral Reasoning (options may be used more than once)
a) Stage 1
b) Stage 2
c) Stage 3
d) Stage 4
e) Stage 5
f) Stage 6
Focused on avoiding punishment.

Question 40

At which stage of Kohlberg's Cognitive Moral Development Model, the emphasis is still on rules and laws because these represent the recognized social contract, but this stage thinker is willing to question the law and to consider changing the law for socially useful purposes?

A) Stage 3
B) Stage 5
C) Stage 2
D) Stage 4

Question 41

Roger believes that his success at work is primarily the result of his own efforts and hard work. Roger can be characterized by:

A) high internal locus of control
B) high external locus of control
C) Stage 2 moral reasoning
D) Stage 4 moral reasoning

Question 42

As a physician, Leonard believes that he is a highly educated and informed individual who makes the right decisions for the optimal care of the patients. To learn about new medicines, along with three other physician friends, Leonard routinely takes "dinner and outing events" offered by drug representatives to very nice resort locations. Leonard argues that he is an ethical individual and such gifts do not sway him in prescribing drugs for his patients. This is an example of which of the following barriers to good ethical judgement?

A) Illusion of control
B) Escalation of commitment
C) Illusion of morality
D) Confirmation trap

Question 43

________ refers to when unethical behavior is thought to be okay because it contributes to some socially valued outcome.

A) Diffusion of responsibility
B) Moral justification
C) Attribution of blame
D) Displacement of responsibility

Question 44

Anytime when a decision goes wrong, Taylor's standard response is "my team made the decision." This is an example of which of these moral disengagements?

A) Diffusion of responsibility
B) Moral justification
C) Attribution of blame
D) Displacement of responsibility

Question 45

If you use the argument, "it's their own fault" when people get hurt or are victimized by bad corporate decisions, you are prescribing to which of these moral disengagements?

A) Diffusion of responsibility
B) Moral justification
C) Attribution of blame
D) Displacement of responsibility

Question 46

As a new real estate agent, Marcia wanted to believe that buying a large property is always better for investment. She researches and finds the supportive documents for this claim about how people enjoy large space and appreciation of large property prices. This is an example of which of the following barriers to good ethical judgement?

A) Illusion of control
B) Escalation of commitment
C) Illusion of morality
D) Confirmation trap

Question 47

Sally attributes her success at work to luck. Sally can be characterized by:

A) high internal locus of control
B) high external locus of control
C) Stage 2 moral reasoning
D) Stage 4 moral reasoning

Question 48

After seeing the price of the stock decline precipitously and the stock exchange declaring the stock as a junk investment, Jason buys significantly more number of shares in that company hoping that dollar cost averaging will help when the price rises. This is an example of which of the following barriers to good ethical judgement?

A) Illusion of control
B) Escalation of commitment
C) Illusion of morality
D) Confirmation trap

Question 49

Which of these terms is used to describe individuals who act in self-interested, opportunistic, deceptive, and manipulative ways to win no matter what the cost or how it affects other people?

A) Relativism
B) Idealism
C) Locus of control
D) Machiavellianism

Question 50

Those with higher __________ are more likely to avoid pressure to violate social norms because _____________.

A) internal locus of control; they typically act at the postconventional level of moral reasoning.
B) external locus of control; they believe in luck.
C) internal locus of control; they believe they are in charge of their own fate.
D) external locus of control; they typically act at the postconventionl level of moral reasoning.

Question 51

Which of the following is true?

A) People's locus of control is relatively stable, but can change over time.
B) People are born with a particular locus of control.
C) People are either internal or external. Locus of control is not a continuum.
D) People with high external locus of control believe their life is a product of their own efforts.

Question 52

Which of the following is true?

A) Cognitive biases are the result of trying to reduce uncertainty and simplify the world.
B) Cognitive biases are an individual difference and do not affect all human beings in the same way.
C) Business executives and students are generally reserved about their knowledge of the facts.
D) People are generally good at thinking of the consequences of their decisions outside of their immediate family and friends.

Question 53

When Alexus uses "My boss made me do it" line for accepting low or no credit scores on credit card and loan applications than what the company rules are, she is prescribing to which of these moral disengagements?

A) Diffusion of responsibility
B) Moral justification
C) Attribution of blame
D) Displacement of responsibility