Showing papers on "Situational ethics published in 1989"

Situational Ethnicity and Consumer Behavior

Abstract: The role of situational ethnicity in consumption behavior is examined, and the relationship between ethnicity and consumption is argued to be affected by the situational contexts in which choices are made. Situational effects are proposed to operate through changes in the level of felt ethnicity and in the relationship between felt ethnicity and behavior. An empirical study demonstrates these effects by showing the impact of two situational dimensions—social surroundings and antecedent conditions—on ethnic food choices.

The role of sympathy and altruistic personality traits in helping: a reexamination.

Abstract: The purposes of this study were (a) to examine the role of social evaluative concerns in the self-report of sympathy and in the relation of sympathy to helping; and (b) to determine the role of "altruistic personality" traits and situationally induced vicarious emotional responses in the intention to help. Dispositional and situational self-reports of sympathy and other vicarious emotional reactions were obtained for persons who also were given the opportunity to assist a needy other. Moreover, dispositional measures of concern with social evaluation and an altruistic orientation were obtained, and a bogus pipeline manipulation was instituted for half the study participants. Both dispositional and situational self-reported sympathy were positively related to helping, as were other personality indices viewed as reflecting altruistic characteristics. The relations for the dispositional indices of sympathy were not due solely to social evaluative concerns or to other egoistic concerns. The effects on intended helping of dispositional sympathy, perspective taking, and the tendency to ascribe responsibility for others to the self appeared to be both direct and mediated by situational sympathetic responding. Finally, situational sadness did not mediate the effects of sympathetic responsiveness.

Enduring Gender Differences in Political Interest: The Impact of Socialization and Political Dispositions

Abstract: Although women now vote in national elections at the same rate as men, they are still less politically interested. Using regression analysis and two new scales to tap an orientation toward women's place in the public arena (Traditional Feminine Role Scale) and political interest (Political Apathy Scale), this article seeks to test the utility of the three standard explanations for women's political orientations (situational, structural, and sex-role socialization) in understanding the continuing "gender gap" in political interest. Other than education, situational and structural factors are found to have minimal explanatory capacity. Aside from education, political dispositions far outstrip situational and structural factors as predictors of attentiveness. Strongest support for the impact of socialization is provided by the different predictors of interest among different age groups. Among women under 30 education is less important as a predictor than is partisanship. Among women over 45, the Traditional ...

Managers, values, and executive decisions: An exploration of the role of gender, career stage, organizational level, function, and the importance of ethics, relationships and results in managerial decision-making

Abstract: A study of 513 executives researched decisions involving ethics, relationships and results. Analyzing personal values, organization role and level, career stage, gender and sex role with decisions in ten scenarios produced conclusions about both the role of gender, subjective values, and the other study variables and about situational relativity, gender stereotypes, career stages, and future research opportunities.

Context and the Development of Metaphor Comprehension

Abstract: Metaphor comprehension is seen as an interactive process that takes place between a metaphorical linguistic input and the linguistic and situational context in which it occurs. Children are capable of using the information provided by the linguistic and situational context to make inferences about the meaning of metaphorical sentences. Context helps children decide when a linguistic input should be interpreted nonliterally and provides children with clues about the metaphor's implied meaning. It appears that young children can profit more from a situational context than a linguistic context in interpreting metaphors and that reliance on both the situational and linguistic contexts decreases with increases in the knowledge base. Further research is needed to clarify the processes whereby children use contextual information in order to construct the meaning of a metaphor.

Why People Copy Software and Create Computer Viruses

Abstract: Individual and situational variables are examined as factors in the behavior of computer users, namely copying of software programs and destruction of computer data by distributing destructive programs viruses. The results of this research indicate that situational independent variables do explain much of the variance in copying of software, but individual variables do not. However, the individual variable of sex is strongly related to the dependent variable of distributing destructive programs. Relatively few situational variables are related. The fact that software copying has no perceptible impact on fellow computer users, whereas spreading viruses has a serious, destructive impact, suggests that the perceived impact on others may provide a clue as to when individual variables are dominant and when situational variables predominate. Thus, this study provides some evidence in support of the model proposed and suggests that both a developmental and situational approach to the behavior of computer users may be appropriate.

Personal signals in spontaneous teaching practice

Abstract: When experienced teachers respond at the moment to situational complexities, it is a complex phenomenon of adaptation. At a surface level these spontaneous actions can be described as immediate responses to cues [from the students, the teachers, or elsewhere in the environment]. An in‐depth examination of spontaneous teaching practice, however, reveals how complex and personal is this phenomenon of adaptation. Examples of spontaneous teaching practice and excerpts from two teachers’ explicated understandings are used to delineate each teacher's uniqueness in personal theory and practice, and to illustrate how these teachers implicitly work to maintain a sense of “rightness” in their teaching. The notion of a signal, as a personal cue acting at the belief level, is developed to explain what it means for a teacher to “just know” when something is or is not working or does or does not feel right.

Developing Effective Knowledge-Based Systems: Overcoming Organizational and Individual Behavioral Barriers

Abstract: This article deals with the situational theory of management and develops situational guidelines for managers planning knowledge-based system development and introduction within their organizations. It includes a discussion of two specific company situations and the different ways in which the general approaches to implementing knowledge-based systems are applied to meet the unique situational requirements of each company.

Situational Effects on the Decisions of Adolescent Offenders to Carry Out Delin-quent Acts. Relations to Moral Reasoning,Moral Goals, and Personal Constructs

Abstract: Society has an obvious interest in understanding the individual and situational factors which contribute to delinquent behavior in adolescents. The present study, of largely cognitive and social psychological orientation, investigates a variety of such factors in two groups of adolescent boys — the one consisting of boys with overt problems of delinquency, and the other of boys not known to possess such problems. The aspects of behavior examined include moral reasoning and moral development level, goal priorities and values, the manner of evaluating the wrongness of various delinquent acts, the personal constructs used in assessing significant others, the readiness to carry out delinquent acts of various types, and the dependence of this on situational factors. The study’s point of theoretical departure is the question of the applicability to delinquent behavior of Kohlberg’s theory of moral development (Kohlberg, 1969, 1976, 1981, 1984; Kohlberg . Freundlich, 1973; Kohlberg, Levine . Hewer, 1983). Various of the factors other than moral development level considered here are ones, of seeming relevance to delinquent behavior, about which Kohlberg’s theory has relatively little to say or which work within the framework of his theory has tended to neglect.

Social meaning of personal computers for managers and professionals: methodology and results

Abstract: The social meaning of personal computers for 34 managers and professionals was measured using a situational approach. The results, in general, indicated a positive perception towards computers within the context of their work situations. The methodology was developed in an attempt to overcome some of the difficulties of traditional measures of attitudes. The advantages and the limitations of the method, as well as the process by which impressions are formed, are discussed.

Contradictory goals, different expectations: towards an explanation of cross-situational specificity in social behavior

Abstract: The lack of cross-situational consistency, i.e., cross-situational specificity has usually been treated as “error” in social sciences. A theory of cross-situational specificity is needed, and some elements of such a theory are provided here. Behavior is explained by the goals people have, the means they can use to reach the goals, and the values placed upon consequences. Based on expectancy-value models, it is shown how several different behavior-outcome relationships can interact in a given situation and how this can help explain apparent cross-situational inconsistency.

The manager as kierkegaard's ‘knight of faith’: Linking ethical thought and action

Abstract: Because uncertainty is a fact of organizational life, an understanding of ethical behavior is important to the development of organizational science. Studies of ethical decision making have tended to emphasize either the individual role or situational variables. A more realistic perspective might be gained by a revision of Kohlberg's interactionist model.

Relations and membership: Foundations for ethical thinking in social work

Abstract: The purpose of this concept paper is to reframe the nature of obligation in social work from one externally derived from situational and societal expectations to one which is intrinsic to human sociality and to the helping relationship. The implications of concepts of relations and membership, as foundations for ethical thinking in social work are explored. Implicit in these concepts is a picture of human good, the good life, the worth of the person, the normative nature of all relations, and thus, the inherently normative in social work as professional activity.

Sex Differences in Moral Decision Making.

Abstract: Gilligan's theory, which identifies two distinct orientations of moral decision-making, care and justice, was extended in this study. Moral dilemmas were used to ascertain percentages of care-,b4sed responses versus justice based. responses in 40 men and 39 women. Based. on previous research, it was predicted that byincreasing the level of importance of a given situation and the degree of difficulty in reaching a decision, one would find significant increases in percentages of total care responseS in both men and women. It was also _predicted that in decisions of lesser importance, men would tend to rely on a justice orientation while women -would operate more from a care orientation. Results yielded support_for all but the' latter of thesepredictions. These-findings deViate somewhat from predictions based-on Gilligan's theory that these orientations are predominantly sex-specific. Thus it is clear that the two orientations do in fact exist, but it is less clear under what circumstances sex differences may exist. Further research that focuseS on -situational differences and their relationo the responses of men and women is needed to clarify this issue. (References are included.) (Author) * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * from the original document. * Sex Differences in Moral Decision Making Elizabeth 'Vera Ohio -State University Irwin P. Levin University of "Iowa Running Head: Moral Decision Making U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) Xis document has been reproduced as received from the person or 'organization originating It. O Minor changes nave been made to Improve reproduction Quality, Pants of view or opinions stated in t his doctn merit do not necessarily represent official OE RI position or policy. "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY fi/Zotie722 /11TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)."

A Search for Self-Renewal in School Systems: Modes of Participation.

Abstract: In an investigation of school system self-renewal, teachers' modes of participation are viewed in accordance with three dimensions: (a) favoring change versus resisting change, (b) active versus passive attitude, and (c) task orientation versus self-orientation. A typology of teachers' response and participation modes in self-renewal is noted, comprising (a) the activists, (b) the arrogant anti-leaders, (c) the conservatives, (d) the helpless fatalists, (e) the insecure, (f) the impatient-impulsives, (g) the authentically committed, and (h) the floating indifferents. Implications of these response modes, considering situational demands, are discussed.

Health leaders of tomorrow: a descriptive analysis.

Abstract: The dramatically changing environment of the health care executive prompted the current survey of graduate students in health administration The survey examined the types of attitudes and values that may influence students' future leadership style and ethical decision making A self-administered questionnaire was designed to provide descriptive information as well as to allow comparisons with recent surveys of practitioners and peers and with other research Respondents to the survey, conducted in the fall of 1986, included nearly half of the full-time students in 56 participating AUPHA graduate programs and one-quarter of the part-time students (N = 1,764) Students' characteristics such as age, sex, religious preference, work experience, and career aspirations were assessed in relation to their social philosophy on health issues, instrumental and terminal values, attitudes toward achievement, and degree of idealism versus relativism in moral reasoning The typical student was a twenty-seven-year-old white female with a stated religious preference who expected in ten years to be associated with a multi-institutional system or consulting firm Her social philosophy showed concern for the rising cost of health care on the consumer and an emphasis on self-help Self-respect and honesty are her highest values; her ethical ideology had components of high idealism and relativism, which is indicative of a situational decision-making style Work orientation and mastery were both above average sources of achievement motivation for her, whereas competitiveness was about average When group differences in attitudes and values were evaluated, however, sex was the highest predictor, followed by age, expectation of becoming a CEO, and self-assessed potential for success Although there was substantial agreement between students' and practitioners' attitudes and values, some differences were found Implications for future research are discussed, as well as issues relating to education for health administrators

The Situational Imperative: A Predictive Model of Foreign Policy Behavior

Abstract: Hudson, V. M., Hermann, C. F., Singer, E. The Situational Imperative: A Predictive Model of Foreign Policy Behavior. Cooperation and Conflict, XXIV, 1989, 117-139.Foreign policy behaviors, defined in terms of the intensity of affect and commitment an actor conveys to external recipients using various instruments of statecraft, are explained in terms of a situational model. The model represents an externally-defined predisposition that will influence any group of policy-makers to act in a certain way once they recognize a specific foreign problem. In addition to different types of situations, the model includes as its variables the configuration of roles assumed in a situation by other international entities. It also includes a set of relationships, each capable of assuming different values, that exist between the actor and other role occupants. For each type of situation a decision logic is developed and expressed in a decision tree. Each branch of the decision tree constitutes a hypothesis about the conf...

Communication, semiotics and the mediating role of the technical writer

Abstract: The author addresses the topic 'how computer manuals come to mean what they mean' from an interdisciplinary perspective. M.A.K. Halliday (1978) offers a useful analysis of three functions of language, ideational, interpersonal, and textual, and their corresponding situational elements of field, tenor, and mode. These reflect the semiotic nature of language. Field of discourse includes the activities and actions of users and contains a web of meanings into which both manual and documentation fall. reciprocity is achieved when both meet the 'mutuality of expectations' of users. Users derive meaning and contribute to it be virtue of their place within such cultural and situational contexts, and language use serves a symbolic boundary signifying community membership. The manual and the technology it represents enter into and cannot escape this cultural coding process, a process which shapes the perceptions of all who share the environment. Neither a detailed description of the tasks performed by a user nor the steps required to complete these tasks tell us anything about the social semiotic process which takes place in an office or factory. This presents a major challenge to usability testers. >

Toward New Perspective of the Action Theory : Situational Model

Abstract: Social Theory on acts has been criticized to assume over-socialized person.'Interpretive paradigm'tried to compose alternative theory which conceptualize creativeness and spontaneousness to conquer the defeat. But this effort is not successful because spontaneousness can not be predicted by any rule by its definition and it is impossible to consider any theory without a rule. But the problem of over-socialized person is important for theorizing changing process of norms as well as for drawing more realistic relations between acts and norms. Establishing total spontaneousness and freedom of individuals is not necessary.What we need is to constitute a model which proves 2 hypotheses. (1) A norm does not define the act decisively. (2) Acts may change the norm.'Interpretive paradigm'is suggestive. It shows that we constitute the reality of the situation and define what norm exists in each situation by our each act, while'normative paradigm'assumes a given norm. Interpretive paradigm is a model which contains situation as a mediate factor between act and norm.But the'interpretive paradigm'has contradictions, too. First, it can not deny that the ultimate meta norm determines the acts selecting norms. Second, changes of norms in the situation does not mean changes of norms in the society. The paradigm does not make it clear those differences, neither shows how situational changes can be a universal one. However there is a way to solve these problems. Taking a viewpoint of actor instead of ultimate determinism, we can see the process of the rules coming out through reflections.Norms can be changed by these reflections. We have to think of the conditions on which they occur, studying how heterogeneous society appears through the interaction of the situation.