An Ethical Dilemma (Scenario)

question 104

Multiple Choice

An Ethical Dilemma (Scenario)
Max Proffit, director of research and development for NexGen Products Company, has learned that a new material has been developed in his department that will help reduce production costs without any accompanying loss in quality. He has discussed the potential savings with his two assistants, Angel Lee and Moe Gaines, as well as the vice-president of product development, Rush Onward. Angel has stated her opposition to the use of the new material because its durability and fire-resistant properties have not been fully tested nor certified by the company's third-party testing laboratory. Moe argues that the initial tests that their R&D department has run indicated minimal problems with both durability and fire resistance. Rush stated that he has been in several meetings lately where the need to increase earnings-per-share has been repeatedly emphasized by the company president. Rush has told Max that a decision has to be made within the week about the use of the new material in NexGen's products.
-If Max believes that the new material should be certified by the lab before it is used in the company's products,and therefore he resists the impulse to approve its use prematurely to help increase the company's earnings-per-share,he probably ________.

• A)is a whistle-blower
• B)has high ego strength
• C)is operating at the preconventional stage of moral development
• D)is showing social responsiveness

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Definitions:

Mental Strategies

Techniques or approaches used to enhance cognitive processes such as memory, problem-solving, and learning.

Preoperational Thinking

A stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development where children from about 2 to 7 years old develop memory and imagination, but do not yet think logically.

Cognitive Abilities

The mental skills and capacities for learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and processing information.

Theory Of Mind

The ability to attribute mental states—beliefs, intents, desires, emotions, knowledge—to oneself and to others and to understand that others have beliefs, desires, and intentions that are different from one's own.