Eight Moral Disengagement Mechanisms

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distortion of consequences

After people engage in deplorable acts, they can ease their conscience by ignoring or distorting the harm caused by their conduct. feel that the consequences are neglible or inconsequential; of little concern

Deontology

Approach to ethics that judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to rules. Described as duty or obligation, because rules 'binds you to your duty'

moral justification

Reframing unethical acts being in the service of a greater good

euphemistic labeling

Using "cosmetic" words to make the behavior sound acceptable

diffusion of responsibility

allows one to circumvetn personal accountability for misconduct under conditions where such misconduct might additionally be attributed to several others

theory of moral disengagement

although most people know their right from wrong, they are also able to mentally justify their own bad behavior through various mechanisms of rationalization and justification.

attribution of blame

assigning responsibility for one's actions to the victims themselves

dehumanization

characterizing potential victims as being devoid of human qualities, in sum reducing personal identification of targets of misconduct and negating the need for basic human consideration

utilitarianism

idea that the goal of society should be to bring about the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people

advantageous comparison

people compare their own behavior to more reprehensible behavior and thus make their own behavior seem more okay

displacement of responsibility

some people can readily depart from their moral principles if they feel that a recognized authority sanctions their behavior and takes responsibility for it


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