In Module 2, we introduce the role of salience and cognitive biases in ethical decision-making. We will examine how our attention is involuntarily drawn to specific stimuli, ranging from sensory cutes to vivid memories, and how this selective focus shapes our judgments. We will explore concepts such as the availability heuristic, hindsight bias, and anchoring effects, as well as how motivated reasoning and confirmation bias can distort our evaluation of risks and moral choices. By analyzing classic developmental tests like the Sally-Anne task alongside real-world examples in legal, financial, and everyday contexts, learners will gain insight into how salience influences what we notice, remember, and ultimately decide.

Module 3 focuses on the pervasive influence of motivated reasoning and self-serving biases in ethical decision-making. We will examine how preexisting beliefs shape the intake of new evidence and how individuals tend to favor information that confirms their desired conclusions. Through a series of experiments and real-world examples, learners will explore phenomena such as the self-serving bias, confirmation bias, and the just world hypothesis. The module culminates with practical strategies, such as “consider the opposite” and accountability interventions, that help mitigate these biases and promote more objective, value-aligned decision-making.

Module 4 introduces the decision matrix as a systematic tool for multi-attribute decision making. By breaking down complex, holistic judgments into discrete, measurable components, this module demonstrates how to disaggregate factors such as teamwork, sales performance, reliability, and leadership potential in managerial and hiring contexts. Students will learn how to assign appropriate weights to different attributes, aggregate granular judgments mechanically, and reduce the influence of salience and bias. Ultimately, the module equips learners with strategies to align decisions more closely with their organizational values and ethical priorities.