IB9ZC-15 Behavioural Ethics
Introductory description
The aim of this module is to provide students with insights into human behaviour that can be easily translated into actions they can take to create more ethical environments.
Module aims
Building on theoretical models and empirical evidence from philosophy, economics and psychology, the module will explore various methods of measuring and evaluating ethical behaviour as well as show how people are often influenced, subconsciously, by psychological biases, organizational and social pressures, and situation factors that impact decision making and can lead to unethical action. It will familiarise students with recent research developments in behavioural ethics and the possible implications for theory and policy raised by these developments.
The module is aimed at both those who wish to follow the MSc in Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics Track) as well as those who wish to follow the MSc in Behavioural and Economic Science (Science Track).
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Week 1: Introduction to Behavioural Ethics: Why ethics?
Week 2: Unethical Behaviour in the Lab and the Field
Seminar: Evaluating Experimental Paradigms
Group A: 2 hours
Group B: 2 hours
Week 3: Unethical Behaviour and Incentives
Week 4: Bounded Ethicality I: Self-serving Biases, Motivated Beliefs, Attribution Error & Class Test #1
Week 5: Bounded Ethicality II: Cognitive Errors, Framing, Loss Aversion, Moral Myopia
Seminar: Debates
Group A: 2 hours
Group B: 2 hours
Week 6: The role of Social Norms, Culture and Institutions in Shaping Ethics
Week 7: Ethical decision making in groups: Diffusion of Responsibility, Pivotality, Complicity
Seminar: Project Drop-in Session
Group A: 2 hours
Group B: 2 hours
Week 8: Organizational Ethics: Corruption, Whistleblowing, Power, Leadership & Class Test #2
Week 9: Ethics in CSR and Nudging
Seminar: Project Presentations
Group A: 2 hours
Group B: 2 hours
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Understand when and why people cross ethical boundaries
- Acquire an in-depth account of the cutting-edge experimental approaches to study ethics
- Understand that ethical choices are not made in isolation, but are part of social interaction
- Critically evaluate research on behavioural ethics
- Explore the degree to which empirical data can distinguish between competing theories
- Demonstrate good communication skills when writing reports, presenting findings and structuring arguments
Indicative reading list
Much of the reading will be in the form of published papers or working papers, but several texts/collections of readings will be used:
Abeler, J., Nosenzo, D., & Raymond, C. (2019). Preferences for truth‐telling. Econometrica, 87(4), 1115-1153.
Bazerman, M. H., & Gino, F. (2012). Behavioral ethics: Toward a deeper understanding of moral judgment and dishonesty. Annual Review of Law and Social Science, 8, 85-104.
Bazerman, M. H., & Tenbrunsel, A. E. (2011). Blind spots: Why we fail to do what's right and what to do about it. Princeton University Press.
Bowles, S. (2016). The moral economy: Why good incentives are no substitute for good citizens. Yale University Press.
Drumwright, M., Prentice, R., & Biasucci, C. (2015). Behavioral ethics and teaching ethical decision making. Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education, 13(3), 431-458.
Gerlach, P., Teodorescu, K., & Hertwig, R. (2019). The truth about lies: A meta-analysis on dishonest behavior. Psychological bulletin, 145(1), 1.
Meibauer, J. (Ed.). (2018). The Oxford Handbook of Lying. Oxford Handbooks.
Harvard Business School Cases. Catalog. Use the search window to find ethics cases.
Subject specific skills
- Critically analyse the basic assumptions built into specific psychological and economic models of ethical behaviour
- Critical evaluation of experimental data; assessing the external validity of lab findings
- Show an ability to use experimental techniques appropriately for answering a research question and testing of specific hypotheses
Transferable skills
- Articulating reasoned arguments around ethics
- Use behavioural insights to create an environment which encourages more ethical behaviour
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 9 sessions of 2 hours (12%) |
| Seminars | 4 sessions of 2 hours (5%) |
| Private study | 49 hours (33%) |
| Assessment | 75 hours (50%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
To include preparation for lectures and seminars and assessment
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 50% | 37 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
Essay on a topic related to ethics |
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| Class test | 20% | 15 hours | No |
|
Short answer questions based on topics covered during 4 weeks |
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| Class test | 20% | 15 hours | No |
|
Short answer questions based on topics covered during 4 weeks |
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| Group debate | 10% | 8 hours | No |
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Students will debate a controversial ethical issue in teams. Details of the format will be discussed in class. Assessment will be based on the quality of the moral arguments provided by each team. |
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Feedback on assessment
Feedback will be provided both in-class during case discussion plus written feedback.
Courses
This module is Optional for:
- Year 1 of TPSS-C8P7 Postgraduate Taught Behavioural and Economic Science (Science Track)
- Year 1 of TECS-C8P8 Postgraduate Taught Behavioural and Economics Science (Economics Track)