Ability Quote by Albert Bandura
“It's in our ability to selectively engage and disengage our moral standards, and it helps explain how people can be barbarically cruel in one moment and compassionate the next.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Moral Disengagement: How People Do Bad Things, Albert Bandura, 1999
Moral standards can be turned on or off, allowing people to act cruelly in one moment and kindly in another.
In simple terms: People can switch moral behavior quickly.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when moral disengagement occurs.
Themes
morality
psychology
behavior
cognitive dissonance
Mood
reflective
concerned
analytical
Type
ethical
psychological
observational
When to use this quote
- workplace conflict
- political rhetoric
- military orders
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
moral disengagement
self‑justification
situational ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What triggers your moral disengagement?
- How can you maintain consistent ethics?
A Different Perspective
Moral flexibility can be exploited, leading to ethical lapses.
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