Although the field does not have a precise starting point, its development can be traced through important milestones in psychology, sociology, and related disciplines.
It begins with ancient philosophical studies of ethics, where thinkers such as Aristotle considered the nature of virtue and the good life.
Over time, as society developed and became more complex, researchers in various fields began to study the psychological bases of ethical behavior.
For example, Aristotle asserts in Book II of the Nicomachean Ethics, the man who possesses character excellence will tend to do the right thing, at the right time, and in the right way.
The moral philosophy of the 18th century philosopher Immanuel Kant, characterized by the principles of rationality, autonomy and universalizability, serves as the cornerstone of the historical trajectory of behavioral ethics.
Bystander intervention describes the phenomenon where ethical behavior is far harder to display because of what is learned from social institutions such as family, school, and religion.
Traditional economic theory often assumes that individuals are rational actors who make decisions by carefully weighing costs and benefits to maximize their own self-interest.
Historically, philosophical perspectives on morality have primarily relied on theoretical analysis and introspection, often with minimal consideration of real-life human conduct.
[14] Socio-cultural factors, including social norms and group dynamics, significantly influence moral behavior, underscoring the limitations of solely individualistic and rational perspectives.
[15] This holistic approach considers how social contexts, psychological biases, and emotional responses intertwine to shape ethical decision-making.
Variations of the original problem have been proposed, leading to more blame or guilt being placed on the decision-maker, causing individuals to deviate from the expected response of pulling the lever.
[19] Based on the extant body of ethics course books and course plans from fields such as medicine, teaching, accounting, and journalism, "moral reasoning" - along with associated skills - is often an established objective.
One key aspect of behavioral ethics in justice is the recognition of cognitive biases that can shape individuals' perceptions of fairness and influence their decision-making.
Conversely, perceptions of injustice have been associated with detrimental outcomes, including increased turnover rates and engagement in counterproductive behaviors such as theft and unethical conduct, which unfortunately are not uncommon occurrences within organizational settings.
This understanding can inform efforts to promote fairness, equity, and ethical conduct within legal systems, ultimately contributing to the realization of justice for all individuals within society.
It's important for those making decisions about public health to carefully consider these factors and use clear guidelines to ensure that their policies are fair and truly beneficial for everyone.
Researchers in ethical behavior emphasize the responsibility of physicians and medical practitioners to clearly communicate with patients about their condition and treatment options, without bias.
[38] Research results have further shown "that people low in moral character are likely to eventually dominate cheating-enabling environments, where they then cheat extensively".
[39] Unethical behavior in the workplace is a very important and consequential issue that has the ability to decrease employee morale and productivity of the individual, group, or company in many organizations.
[41] Examples of unethical behavior in business and environment can include:[42] Scott Thompson the former CEO of Yahoo!, was accused and found guilty of embellishing his resume.
CEOs have significantly higher ethical standards to maintain and resultingly, Thompson was quickly replaced by Ross Levinsohn on an interim basis.
[46] Unethical behavior within the context of justice encompasses a wide range of actions that contravene moral principles or legal norms, often resulting in harm or injustice to others.
One example of unethical behavior in the realm of justice is corruption, where individuals abuse their positions of power or authority for personal gain or advantage.
This can include bribery, embezzlement, or extortion, all of which undermine the impartiality and legitimacy of legal institutions and erode public trust in the fairness of the justice system.
Another example is the abuse of discretion by legal professionals, such as judges or prosecutors, who may engage in biased decision-making or selective enforcement of laws based on personal prejudices or external influences.
Despite the model's premise, real-world behaviors frequently demonstrate departures from rationality due to various cognitive, social, and emotional factors.
Social factors, such as peer pressure or organizational culture, can also play a significant role in promoting or condoning unethical conduct, even among individuals who may otherwise prioritize ethical considerations.
Moreover, emotional factors, such as fear, greed, or anger, can cloud individuals' judgment and lead them to prioritize short-term gains over long-term ethical considerations.
Overall, while the rational actor model provides a theoretical framework for understanding decision-making, it often fails to capture the complexities of human behavior, particularly in the realm of ethics.
Unethical behavior in practice highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of decision-making processes, one that considers the interplay of cognitive, social, and emotional factors in shaping individuals' ethical judgments and actions.