Read Thinning Diet Industry case study and chapter 16, Ethics of persuasion, from our textbook. Answer the questions below by yourself. Next, work with a partner to reach agreement on those questions, using examples from the case and theoretical approaches to ethics/concepts to support your position. Finally, write up your final answers (consensus) and explain whether it was hard to reach the agreement and why (1-2 pages). Only one person submits the assignment on Thursday, April 8 through Self-Assign on huskyct by 11:59pm. The paper should follow APA* style of formatting, including the title page with a title in bold, your names, course and section #, university’s name, professor’s name and due date, References, and in-text citations. Do not use 1st person, since both of you are answering the questions. 1.Assume the role of the ‘weight counselor’ with a quick weight-loss program. The National Institute of Health (1993) concluded that ‘virtually all dieters regain 2/3 of their weight within a year and all of it within 5 years'(p.490). Given that finding, what would be an ethical way to sell your quick-weight loss product? Would focus on health foods, heart disease prevention, and exercise help to avoid unethical issues of rapid weight loss programs (such as health risks)? Explain your answer on the basis of any ethical approach mentioned in ch 16 (e.g., situational ethics, consequentialism, utilitarianism, free market ethics, etc). 2.Think about the ways to advertise quick weight-loss products. Is it ethical for the celebrity to promote a product about which they don’t have much expertise? Or which they don’t use themselves? Are the weight-loss ads misleading? Use evidence from the case and the textbook to support your position. *APA format for the Thinning Diet Case study: Jennings, M. (2006). Business Ethics. Case Studies and Selected Readings. (5th ed.). Mason, Ohio: Thomson/ South-Western. The Ethics of Persuasion Chapter 16 Ethics ? A study of moral conduct, value judgments on what is right or wrong Persuasion is unethical in most cases. A. Strongly Agree B. Moderately Agree C. Neutral D. Moderately Disagree E. Strongly Disagree ? Ethics of persuasion ? ? ? Persuasion cannot give answers to what is morally right or wrong Persuasion research is focused on the means Persuasion researchers are ethically responsible for the knowledge they uncover and pass along. Persuasion as a Tool ? ‘The means of persuasion themselves are ethically neutral’. (McCroskey, 1972) ? ? ? ? ? But ! Can be misused Deception Fear appeals Coercion Ingratiation Is the use of _____ ever ethically justifiable and, if so, under what conditions or circumstances? The motives color the means ‘Good’ Motive or End ategy or Means ‘Evil’ Motive or End Use of deception Trying to conceal a birthday Trying to swindle an elderly party from the person in person out of his or her life whose honor the party is savings being given Use of fear appeals Trying to convince a child never to accept a ride from a stranger Threatening to demote an employee for refusing a superior’s sexual advances Use of ingratiation Trying to cheer up a friend who is depressed about a grade on a test Lavishing attention on a dying relative in an effort to inherit money from the relative Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Ethical approaches ? Ends v.s. means ? ? Consequentialism ? ? ? You have moral obligations despite of the outcome Amoralism (Machiavellianism) ? ? ? Weight the pro and cons of your actions Actions that produces the greatest balance of good over bad are ethical Deontological systems- duty ethics ? ? Is the method of influence justified by the outcome? Do it if you can get away with it (laws, social ostracism) Decisions are based on your self-interest Situational ethics (relativism) ? There are no moral absolutes, no ethical maxims. It’ll depend on the situation. Ethical approaches (cont.) ? Universalism ? ? Egalitarianism (the Golden rule) ? ? ? — let the buyer beware Little or no restraint on persuasive messages Receivers are responsible for critically evaluating messages Utilitarianism ? ? Treat others as they would treat themselves Free market ethics ? ? Treat others as you would have them treat you The Platinum Rule ? ? There are universal laws for everyone. Certain universal human right must be honored. The greatest good for the greatest number of people Virtue ethics ? Based on personal character (What kind of person do I want to be?) Ethical Persuasion Is based upon: ? Respect ? ? Reaffirm the other person’s sense of self-worth Equality and reciprocity Equal status in the persuasive communication ? Do not call list: https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx ? ? Tolerance ? Patience and openness to other’s points of view Vulnerable audiences ? ? ? ? ? Children Patients with terminal illnesses Elderly citizens New immigrants, non-English speakers Low income people How can you make sure you’re being ethical when attempting to persuade highly vulnerable audiences? Deception Honesty is the best policy. A. Strongly agree B. Moderately agree. C. Neither agree nor disagree D. Moderately disagree E. Strongly disagree ? Seiter, Bruschke, and Bai (2002) asked to rate the acceptability of lies in China and US ? ? Selfish benefits v.s. benefits to others Ethics and Threats ? When you were growing up, how often your parents used threats of punishment to make you comply? A. On a regular basis B. Sometimes C. Once and it was enough D. Never Use of Threats ? ? ? ? ? ? May create a state of psychological distress Promotes status differences, inequality May damage and destroy the relationship Can trigger aggression Must be carried out from time to time Teaching others to rely on threats Ethics and Fear appeals ? ? ? ? Is it ethical to promote a ‘culture of fear’? A. Yes B. No C. May be How to use Fear appeals ethically ? ? ? Only if the hazards are genuine Use specific recommendations on how to cope with the dangers Use recommendations on what people should do (perceived efficacy) Purchase answer to see full attachment Tags: utilitarianism Ethical Approach Quick weight loss product print media sources weight loss advertisements User generated content is uploaded by users for the purposes of learning and should be used following our company’shonor code & terms of service.
