Empirical research on ethics: the influence of social roles on decisions and on their ethical justification

Abstract: "Two questionnaire studies try to answer the question if different social roles lead to different decisions and justifications concerning ethical problems. In study I participants were asked to decide either on an economic or a medical problem while going into a related social role, in study II role expectations were asked for. The decision had to be justified by weighing the importance of four classical ethical positions: hedonism, intuitionism, utilitarianism, and deontology. The results show that decisions and their justifications are dependent on social roles and partly on the context. The effect which is interpreted as stemming from social standardization is greater for role behavior. The differences between role behavior and expectation indicate a misunderstanding crucial for group decisions." (author's abstract)

Object Details

• Alternative title: Empirische Ethikforschung: der Einfluss sozialer Rollen auf Entscheidungen und deren ethische Berechtigung
• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource, 33 S.
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Veröffentlichungsversion

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Hamburger Forschungsberichte zur Sozialpsychologie (HaFoS) ; Bd. 61

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Philosophie

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Hamburg
• (when): 2005
• Creator: Witte, Erich H. ; Heitkamp, Imke
• Contributor: Universität Hamburg, Fak. für Erziehungswissenschaft, Psychologie und Bewegungswissenschaft, FB Psychologie, Arbeitsbereich Sozialpsychologie

Further information

• URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-361983
• Rights: Open Access unbekannt; Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:20 AM CEST