1. Learning Activity (LA) 1 In essay format, address the questions that follow the “Gray Matters” Case Study on pages 34-36 of our e-Text. Devote at least one paragraph to each question and focus on tying your answers to the questions together, so that your essay reads like a unified ethical analysis/ethical argument that addresses the case study.

To foster ethical discussion and understanding in the workplace, the Lockheed Martin Company developed a quiz for employees called “Gray Matters.” The quiz is multiple choices, with a range of points awarded (or subtracted) depending on the response. Subsequently, the approach has been adopted by a wide range of corporations. Here’s a typical question matched with its possible answers and the corresponding points: Six months after you hired an assistant accountant who has been working competently and responsibly, you learn that she departed from the truth on her employment application: she claimed she had a college degree when she didn’t. You’re her manager; what should you do? 1. Nothing because she’s doing her job just fine. (-10 points) 2. Bring the issue to the human resources department to determine exactly how company policy determines the situation should be handled. (10 points) 3. Fire her for lying. (5 points) 4. Carefully weigh her work performance, her length of service, and her potential benefit to the company before informing anyone of what happened or making any recommendations. (0 points) QUESTIONS The three principle components of business ethics are facts, values, and arguments. What are the facts pertinent to an ethical evaluation of this case? Is there any information not contained in the question that The three principle components of business ethics are facts, values, and arguments. What are the facts pertinent to an ethical evaluation of this case? Is there any information not contained in the question that you’d like to have before making a decision about what should be done? 2. From the facts and information provided, can you sketch a set of values and chain of reasoning justifying the answer that the quiz’s original authors sanctioned as the right one? (Leave the decision in the hands of HR department and existing company policy.) 3. You get some points for C (firing her). What values and reasoning may lead to that determination?

4. According to the quiz authors, the worst answer is A. Maybe they’re wrong, though. What values and reasoning may lead to the conclusion that doing “nothing because she’s doing her job just fine” is an excellent response? 5. One of the most important questions about a situation’s facts is “who’s involved?” o Would it be reasonable to say that, ethically, this is an issue just between you and the woman who you hired after she lied on her résumé? o If you expand the answer about who’s involved to include other workmates at the company, as well as the company’s clients and shareholders, does that change the ethical perspective you have on what should be done with the lying (but capable) coworker? 6. What’s the difference between morality and ethics? o Would you categorize response B (bring the issue to HR to determine exactly how company policy determines the situation should be handled) as leading to a decision more based on morality or more based on ethics? Explain. o Would you categorize response D (carefully weigh her work performance, her length of service, and her potential benefit to the company before informing anyone of what happened or making any recommendations) as leading to a decision more based on morality or ethics? Explain.you’d like to have before making a decision about what should be done? 2. From the facts and information provided, can you sketch a set of values and chain of reasoning justifying the answer that the quiz’s original authors sanctioned as the right one? (Leave the decision in the hands of the HR department and existing company policy.) 3. You get some points for C (firing her). What values and reasoning may lead to that determination? 4. According to the quiz authors, the worst answer is A. Maybe they’re wrong, though. What values and reasoning may lead to the conclusion that doing “nothing because she’s doing her job just fine” is an excellent response? 5. One of the most important questions about a situation’s facts is “who’s involved?” o Would it be reasonable to say that, ethically, this is an issue just between you and the woman who you hired after she lied on her résumé? o If you expand the answer about who’s involved to include other workmates at the company, as

well as the company’s clients and shareholders, does that change the ethical perspective you have on what should be done with the lying (but capable) coworker? 6. What’s the difference between morality and ethics? o Would you categorize response B (bring the issue to HR to determine exactly how company policy determines the situation should be handled) as leading to a decision more based on morality or more based on ethics? Explain. o Would you categorize response D (carefully weigh her work performance, her length of service, and her potential benefit to the company before informing anyone of what happened or making any recommendations) as leading to a decision more based on morality or ethics? Explain.

Respond to each question in one well-developed paragraph.  Support your response by integrating and citing (APA style) information from the week’s readings. Provide a full reference for in-text citations

1. What is the difference between optimal aging and successful aging? Why are these two concepts often associated and why is optimal aging preferred? What is optimal aging? 

2. What factors account for the significant increase in the aging population in the last century? What is the effect of this increase on society both in the short term and long term?  How is the aging process affected by gender, ethnicity, marital status, and social class?

3.  Which theory (theories) do you believe best explains the process of aging, both biologically, psychology, and sociology? Support your response.

Choose one of the two topics below to use for this discussion.  Please make sure your initial post is 2-3 paragraphs in length.  Feel free to use supporting documentation (other resources) as well.

1

Discuss some ways in which psychology is being applied to the general public and everyday problems. 

2

Think of examples of when you feel you can successfully multitask and when you can’t.  Discuss what aspects of the tasks or the situation seem to influence divided attention performance.   How accurate do you think you are in judging your own multitasking ability?

3

Look up “Doogie mice” on the Web.  These mice have been genetically altered so that they express a particular gene that plays an important role in memory.  As a result, the mice remember better and therefore seem smarter.  What is your impression of the “Doogie mice?” Could this hold the answer for creating smarter humans?  Is this something that warrants further study, in other animals or eventually humans?

4

Which of the five reasons for forgetting do you think explains the majority of incidences of forgetting?  Why? Can you think of any examples in your own life?

5

How important is metamemory (metacognition about memory)?  Is this a useful topic for college students to understand?  If you had to describe metamemory to a college student in order to help him/her understand his/her own memory processes, on what would you focus?  What aspects of metamemory are most important for college students to be aware of?

6

For many years, scientists have debated whether primates can learn a language system similar to human language.  Do some online research and see what articles you can find pertaining to it.  Discuss your findings and impressions.

7

Do you think you could become a better decision-maker as a result of your readings this week?  Why and how?

8

You are tasked to do an in-service for middle-aged people who want to learn about the concept of “successful aging.”  How would you describe this idea?  What components would you emphasize?  What would you recommend they do in order to achieve this goal?  Is this a realistic goal for most people?