What is "ethical disengagement"?

The concept of "ethical disengagement" refers to the process by which individuals distance themselves from their moral standards, allowing them to engage in or accept unethical behavior without experiencing guilt or remorse. This psychological mechanism enables a person to justify their actions, effectively disconnecting their behavior from their ethical beliefs.

In contexts where one might face difficult decisions, ethical disengagement can manifest as rationalization of unethical choices. For example, a person might convince themselves that their actions are not harmful or that the circumstances warrant such behavior, thus alleviating their moral conflict. This allows individuals to act in ways that they otherwise might find unacceptable, contributing to a culture where unethical behavior becomes normalized.

The other choices do not accurately capture the essence of ethical disengagement. Promoting ethical guidelines or enhancing cooperation among employees suggests positive actions aligned with ethical behavior, while resigning from a challenging position does not reflect disengagement from ethics but rather a form of avoidance. Each of these options highlights actions that reflect adherence to ethical standards rather than the distancing from them characteristic of ethical disengagement.