Deck 3: Deciding Whats Right: a Psychological Approach

Question 1

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.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

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

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Ethical conflict is almost exclusively influenced by individual differences.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Reference: Matching Kohlberg's Levels of Moral Reasoning
a) Stage 1
b) Stage 2
c) Stage 3
d) Stage 4
e) Stage 5
f) Stage 6
Focused on avoiding punishment.

Question 5

Reference: Matching Kohlberg's Levels of Moral Reasoning
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 6

Reference: Matching Kohlberg's Levels of Moral Reasoning
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 7

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.

Question 8

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

Question 9

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 10

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

Question 11

Reference: Matching Kohlberg's Levels of Moral Reasoning
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 12

Reference: Matching Kohlberg's Levels of Moral Reasoning
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 13

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.

Question 14

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

Question 15

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

Question 16

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

Question 17

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

Question 18

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

Question 19

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

Question 20

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

Question 21

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 22

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 23

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 24

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 25

Reference: Matching Key Terms and Definitions
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 26

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 27

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 28

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 29

Reference: Matching Key Terms and Definitions
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 30

Reference: Matching Key Terms and Definitions
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 31

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 32

A person's emphasis on ethical principles being dependent on the situation rather than being applicable to all situations refers to which of these?

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

Question 33

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 34

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 the above. An individual's level of moral reasoning does not change after he or she becomes an adult.

Question 35

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 36

Reference: Matching Key Terms and Definitions
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

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 38

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.