Final answer:
Ethical Conflict Behaviors occur when there is a discrepancy between multiple actions and their ethical outcomes, affecting the integrity of studies, workplace fairness, and personal decision-making. These include unethical research practices, unfair treatment responses in the workplace, and the internal conflict experienced through cognitive dissonance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ethical Conflict Behaviors are exhibited when individuals face situations where they have to choose between multiple actions, each of which has ethical implications. Ethical conflicts can arise in various contexts, such as in sociological studies, workplaces, and personal decision-making processes. For instance, a researcher collecting data in a community may disregard ethical guidelines, compromising the integrity and reliability of the study's data. This behavior is unethical because it can misrepresent the community being studied and potentially harm the participants.
In the context of workplace dynamics, Greenberg and Barling's studies highlight that unfair treatment can provoke reactions such as theft and aggression, which are examples of unethical responses to perceived inequity. Moreover, conflicting theories of human freedom and ethical behavior indicate that without clarity in ethical standards, holding individuals accountable for their actions becomes challenging. The dichotomy between strategic and expressive actions, as described by Kreps and Thornton, further delves into the notion that not all strategic behavior, such as goal-oriented actions like studying or campaigning, is inherently moral.
Cognitive dissonance, as defined by Festinger, shows the psychological discomfort experienced when there is a misalignment between one's beliefs and behaviors, highlighting an internal ethical conflict. Furthermore, while moral reasoning might suggest a particular ethical stance, real-life decisions and behaviors can diverge, exemplifying the complexity of moral development and behavior.