Are Age and Ethics Related?

Abstract

Ethical values of 171 college students at California State University, Chico, were measured, using a subset of the Rokeach (1968, 1971) Value Survey. Nonparametric statistical analysis, four value measures, and four different consistent tests of significance and probability showed, surprisingly, that the younger students were more ethical than the older students. College students under 21 scored significantly higher ethically on three out of the four measures. Younger college students valued equality, freedom, and honesty more than their older classmates did. Surprisingly also, the younger students were significantly more concerned with being helpful and intellectual and were less involved in pursuing an exciting life and in social recognition than were the older students.

Ethical Dilemmas Confronting Dentists in Queensland, Australia

“…75 38 Restoration options (patient may change their mind). 19 10 Endodontics and crowns although they are unlikely options. Overhanging margins with chronic periodontal involvement are discovered in an emergency patient whose usual dentist is on vacation.…”

“…With age comes a greater familiarity with professional norms and a reluctance to disrupt the status quo. 19,20 Even though the results of ethical tests may differ with age, the general direction of the results are similar for both young and old. 20 Ethical differences are rarely correlated with gender in studies of health professionals, 22,23 although males tend to express greater confidence in their ability to make sound ethical judgements.…”

“…Older professionals have an increased interest in ethics, place a higher importance on ethical behaviour, have stronger ethical attitudes (they are less likely to conceal errors or falsify reports), and are more conservative and more inflexible in their views. [16][17][18][19][20][21] Notwithstanding these results, or perhaps because of their uncompromising approach, older dentists report experiencing fewer ethical problems than do younger dentists. 3 One reason offered for the age differences is that the security of an established career and financial stability of an older professional reduces the pressure to compromise principles.…”

“…18,24 However, in non-relational ethical situations, e.g., in concealing errors or falsifying reports there are no significant gender differences. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Gender differences are observed within all age groups but differences narrow with increasing age and whilst findings are not uniform, females are generally reported as being more scrupulous in respecting ethical principles. 7,20,21 Ethical behaviour does not vary significantly with religious affiliation.…”

Segmenting the market through the determinants of involvement: The case of fair trade

“…Age is a common segmentation criterion. Sikula and Costa (1994a) found, for instance, that younger students are more ethical than older ones (especially on the values equality, freedom, and honesty). Applied to fair trade, Baranzini (2005) found that the age bracket 35-45 is more disposed to buy ethically labeled products and is more informed about fair trade products.…”