Final answer:
Reminders reduce unethical behavior primarily through 'Priming', which psychologically prepares individuals to act ethically. This preemptive measure is different from cognitive dissonance, which involves adjusting one's beliefs or behaviors after acting unethically to alleviate internal conflict.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reminders about how to make ethical decisions can reduce unethical behavior largely through a process known as Priming. Priming refers to the psychological phenomenon where exposure to certain stimuli influences a person's response to subsequent stimuli, without the individual being conscious of the connection. In this context, it helps bring ethical considerations to the forefront of consciousness, making individuals more likely to act in ethical ways.
Cognitive dissonance is a relevant concept here as well, but it is more about the internal conflict individuals feel when their actions do not align with their attitudes or beliefs. To alleviate the discomfort of cognitive dissonance, people may adjust their beliefs or behaviors to restore harmony. However, this is a reactive rather than preventative measure against unethical behavior, whereas priming acts as a preventative cue by setting an ethical framework in mind beforehand.