Amity Institute of Behavioural & Allied Sciences

Behavioural science
Course Code: BSU-443
Values & Ethics For Personal & Professional Development 
Introduction

Ms. Jennifer Chandani

Assistant Professor
AIBAS

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Ethics
• Ethics
– A code of moral standards of conduct for what is
“good” and “right” as opposed to what is “bad” or
“wrong”.
• Ethical Behavior
– That which is “right” or “good” in the context of governing
moral code.
– Ethical behavior is value driven
 Amity Institute of Behavioural & Allied Sciences
ETHICS

Values

• Values
– Broad beliefs about what is appropriate behavior
– In ethics, value denotes the degree of importance
of some thing or action, with the aim of
determining what actions are best to do or what
way is best to live or to describe the significance of
different actions. 
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Moral, Ethics & Values

• A person who knows
the difference between right and wrong and
chooses right is moral.
• A person whose morality is reflected in his
willingness to do the right thing – even if it
is hard or dangerous –
is ethical. Ethics are moral values in
action.
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• Morals are dictated by society, culture or

religion while Ethics are chosen by the person
himself which governs his life. 
• Morals are concerned with principles of right
and wrong. On the contrary, ethics stresses on
right and wrong conduct.

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PURPOSES OF VALUES
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Ethics
• Ethical behavior is values driven.
• What is considered ethical varies among moral
reasoning approaches.
• What is considered ethical can vary across cultures.
• Ethical dilemmas arise as tests of personal ethics and
values.
• People have tendencies to rationalize unethical
behaviors.
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General Accepted by a Personal “The

Values majority as Values operationalization
reflecting the of general values
basic in personal life of
orientation of a each individual”.
given society.
Ex. Sense of
nationhood, Ex. Honesty,
enlightened and fairness,
useful citizenship, charitableness,
democratic way of courtesy and
life, and self-discipline
humanism.
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Implication in Students life

 As parents and educators, we should all advocate the
teaching of moral values for the following reasons:
• 1. Preparing Students For Future Roles In Society.
• 2. Many Parents Aren't Teaching Moral Values.
• 3. There is Too Much Violence and Dishonesty in Society.
• 4. To Counter Bad Influences in Society.
• 5. Moral Values Will Stick With Us For Life.

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Moral Reasoning
• Moral Reasoning
– Reasons for various ethical practices
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Ethics and Culture

• Cultural Relativism
– Suggest that there is no one right way to behave; cultural
context determines ethical behavior
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Ethics and Culture

Excerpt From Universal Declaration of Human Rights
United Nations
• Article 1—All human beings are born free and equal in dignity
and right
• Article 18—Everyone has the right to freedom of thought,
conscience, and religion
• Article 19—Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and
expression
• Article 23—Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of
employment, to just and favorable conditions of work
• Article 26—Everyone has the right to education
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An Ethic Based on Individuals

• Individuals:
– Have equal political rights
– Deserve to be treated fairly
– Have the right to live as they want, as long as they do not
harm the rights of others
• This includes the right to live badly
• A good society is one that treats individuals fairly and
protects their rights. This requires:
– Efficient, non-corrupt government and business
– A clean, non-toxic environment
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An Ethic Based on Relationships, Family and

Community
• Relationships, Families, and Communities require
– Loyalty
– Honor
– Friendship
– Humility
– Self-sacrifice
– A clean, non-toxic environment
• A good individual has the qualities that promote
stable, long-lasting relationships, families, and
communities.
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Factors That Affect Ethical and Unethical Behavior

Exhibit 5.7
5–15
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Stages of Moral Development

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Individual Characteristics Affecting

Ethical Behaviors
• Values
– Basic convictions about what is right or wrong on
a broad range of issues
• Stage of Moral Development
– A measure of an individual’s independence from
outside influences
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Individual Characteristics
• Personality Variables
– Ego strength
• A personality measure of the strength of a person’s convictions
Locus of Control
A personality attribute that measures the degree to which people believe they
control their own life.

• Internal locus: the belief that

you control your destiny.
•External locus: the belief that
what happens to you is due to luck or
chance.
Determinants of Issue Intensity
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5–19
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Ethical Leadership
• Managers must provide a good role model by:
– Being ethical and honest at all times.
– Telling the truth; don’t hide or manipulate information.
– Admitting failure and not trying to cover it up.
– Communicating shared ethical values to employees through
symbols, stories, and slogans.
– Rewarding employees who behave ethically and punish those
who do not.
– Protecting employees (whistleblowers) who bring to light
unethical behaviors or raise ethical issues.
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Drivers of Unethical
Strategies and Business Behavior
• The view that “the business of business is business,
not ethics”
• Overzealous pursuit of personal gain,
wealth, and other self-interests
• Heavy pressures on company managers
to meet or beat earnings targets
• A company culture that places profits and good
performance ahead of ethical behavior.
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ETHICS

Rationalizing Unethical Behavior

Four reasons:
• 1. “What I’m doing is not really illegal.”
• 2. “My behavior is in everyone’s best
interests.”
• 3. “Nobody will ever find out what I’ve
done.”
• 4. “The organization will protect me.”
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Characteristics of a Moral Manager

• Dedicated to high standards of ethical behavior in
– Own actions
– How the company’s business is to be conducted
• Considers it important to
– Be a steward of ethical behavior
– Demonstrate ethical leadership
• Pursues business success
– Within confines of both letter and spirit of laws
– With a habit of operating well above what laws require
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Characteristics of an Immoral Manager

• Actively opposes ethical behavior in business
• Willfully ignores ethical principles in making decisions
• Views legal standards as barriers to overcome
• Pursues own self-interests
• Is an example of capitalistic greed
• Ignores interests of others
• Focuses only on bottom line – making one’s numbers
• Will trample on others to avoid being trampled upon
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How do I know when a business problem

involves ethics?
• When the issue is not covered by the law
• If it raises moral problems for you or a
member of the team
• When a correct and incorrect response is not
clear
• If you are forced to consider where your
obligations and duties lie.
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Ethical Dilemmas or Landmines

• Like unexploded bombs, must be defused before
they blow up in our faces
– Company expectations for employee commitment
– Pressure from managers and co-workers
– Opportunities for unethical behavior
– Internal pressure in the form of personal ambitions
– External forces such as family needs
• Personal reputations, legal standing, company’s
public name are at risk
• Much is at stake for companies and individuals in
facing ethical dilemmas
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THANK YOU

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