Moral Disengagement in Science and Business Students: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Cases of unethical business practices and technical failures have been extensively reported. It seems that actions are often taken by individuals with little apparent concern for those affected by their negative outcomes, which can be described as moral disengagement. This study investigates levels of moral disengagement demonstrated by business and science undergraduate students. Results indicate higher levels of moral disengagement in men than in women, but few significant differences between students majoring in business and those majoring in science.

Keywords:

• gender differences in ethicality
• moral disengagement
• technical failures
• undergraduate business students
• undergraduate science students
• unethical business practices