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WGU C182 OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT ETHICS IN TECHNOLOGY COMPETENCY REVIEW FILE RELIABLE
WGU
WGUC182 OBJECTIVE
C182 ASSESSMENT
OBJECTIVE ETHICS
RESPONSES
ASSESSMENT IN TECHNOLOGY
ETHICS INMASTER KEYCOMPETENCY
TECHNOLOGY EXAMPREP
COMPETENCY CORRECT
CERTIFICATION
WGU C182
ANSWERS Objective
EXPERT Assessment
GUIDE ANSWERS
EVALUATION QUESTIONS CORRECT
Ethics in Technology (2026/2027)
Comprehensive Technology Ethics & Professional Responsibility
Competency Assessment
Western Governors University | 60 Multiple-Choice Questions | 120 Minutes | Passing Score: 75%
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This objective assessment evaluates your competency in the ethical principles, frameworks, and
professional responsibilities essential for technology practitioners. The 60 multiple-choice questions
span seven domains including ethical decision-making models, privacy and data protection,
intellectual property rights, cybersecurity ethics, emerging technology challenges, and legal versus
ethical distinctions. Read each question carefully, consider all four options, and select the single best
answer for each item.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Domain 1: Ethical Frameworks & Decision-Making Models (Questions 1–11)
1. According to utilitarian ethical theory, the morality of an action is determined by:
A. The intention behind the action regardless of its consequences
B. Whether the action produces the greatest good for the greatest number
C. Whether the action adheres to a universal moral rule or duty
D. Whether the action reflects the virtuous character of the person performing it
Correct Answer: B
Utilitarianism, primarily associated with Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, evaluates actions
based on their outcomes — specifically whether they maximize overall happiness or well-being.
Options A, C, and D describe deontology, Kantian duty-based ethics, and virtue ethics, respectively,
which are distinct frameworks.
2. Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative requires that an individual:
A. Act in a way that maximizes personal happiness and minimizes personal suffering
B. Act only according to maxims that one could will to become universal laws
C. Act in a way that is culturally acceptable within one's own society
D. Act in a way that produces the most favorable consequences for stakeholders
Correct Answer: B
Kant's categorical imperative is the foundational principle of deontological ethics. It demands that
we act only on rules that we could consistently will everyone to follow. Option A reflects
utilitarianism, option C reflects ethical relativism, and option D reflects consequentialism.
3. Virtue ethics differs from rule-based ethical frameworks in that it primarily focuses
on:
A. The consequences of actions rather than the actions themselves
B. The character and moral virtues of the person performing the action
C. Universal duties and obligations that apply to all rational beings
D. Legal compliance and regulatory adherence in professional settings
Correct Answer: B
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Virtue ethics, rooted in Aristotle's philosophy, emphasizes moral character and virtues such as
courage, honesty, and wisdom rather than rules or consequences. Options A and C describe
consequentialism and deontology respectively. Option D addresses legal rather than ethical
frameworks.
4. Ethical relativism asserts that moral principles are:
A. Universal and apply identically across all cultures and societies
B. Derived from divine authority and religious texts
C. Grounded in rational analysis and logical deduction
D. Dependent on cultural norms, societal values, and individual perspectives
Correct Answer: D
Ethical relativism holds that morality is not absolute but varies across cultures and contexts. This
contrasts with ethical universalism (option A), divine command theory (option B), and Kantian
rationalism (option C).
5. In a step-by-step ethical analysis, the FIRST step should be to:
A. Identify all stakeholders who may be affected by the decision
B. Gather all relevant facts and information about the situation
C. Evaluate the available options against established ethical frameworks
D. Consult organizational policies and legal requirements
Correct Answer: B
Before any ethical evaluation can occur, one must first understand the situation by gathering
relevant facts. Identifying stakeholders, evaluating options, and consulting policies are all
important subsequent steps, but they depend on an accurate understanding of the facts.
6. The doctrine of double effect, often discussed in technology ethics, holds that an
action with both good and bad consequences is morally permissible only if:
A. The bad effect is intended as a means to achieve the good effect
B. The good effect outweighs the bad effect in a simple cost-benefit analysis
C. The bad effect is not intended, is proportionate, and no better alternative exists
D. The action is legally permissible regardless of its moral implications
Correct Answer: C
The doctrine of double effect, originating in Catholic moral theology but widely applied in
technology ethics, requires that the harmful consequence is foreseen but not intended, that the good
effect is not achieved through the bad effect, and that the bad effect is proportionate. Option A
describes the opposite of the doctrine's requirement.
7. A software engineer discovers that a feature they developed could inadvertently
enable discrimination against disabled users. Applying a utilitarian framework, the
engineer should:
A. Ignore the issue because the feature was approved by management and meets requirements
B. Report the issue immediately because fixing it maximizes overall well-being by preventing
harm
C. Wait for users to file complaints before taking any action
D. Fix the issue secretly without informing anyone to avoid conflict
Correct Answer: B
Utilitarianism requires maximizing overall good and minimizing harm. Reporting and addressing
the discriminatory effect prevents harm to disabled users, producing the greatest net benefit.
Options A, C, and D either ignore harm, delay remediation unnecessarily, or bypass proper
accountability.
8. Which of the following best describes the concept of 'moral agency' in technology
ethics?
A. The ability of an organization to enforce compliance with industry regulations
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WGU C182 OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT ETHICS IN TECHNOLOGY COMPETENCY REVIEW FILE RELIABLE
WGU
WGUC182 OBJECTIVE
C182 ASSESSMENT
OBJECTIVE ETHICS
RESPONSES
ASSESSMENT IN TECHNOLOGY
ETHICS INMASTER KEYCOMPETENCY
TECHNOLOGY EXAMPREP
COMPETENCY CORRECT
CERTIFICATION
WGU C182
ANSWERS Objective
EXPERT Assessment
GUIDE ANSWERS
EVALUATION QUESTIONS CORRECT
Ethics in Technology (2026/2027)
Comprehensive Technology Ethics & Professional Responsibility
Competency Assessment
Western Governors University | 60 Multiple-Choice Questions | 120 Minutes | Passing Score: 75%
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This objective assessment evaluates your competency in the ethical principles, frameworks, and
professional responsibilities essential for technology practitioners. The 60 multiple-choice questions
span seven domains including ethical decision-making models, privacy and data protection,
intellectual property rights, cybersecurity ethics, emerging technology challenges, and legal versus
ethical distinctions. Read each question carefully, consider all four options, and select the single best
answer for each item.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Domain 1: Ethical Frameworks & Decision-Making Models (Questions 1–11)
1. According to utilitarian ethical theory, the morality of an action is determined by:
A. The intention behind the action regardless of its consequences
B. Whether the action produces the greatest good for the greatest number
C. Whether the action adheres to a universal moral rule or duty
D. Whether the action reflects the virtuous character of the person performing it
Correct Answer: B
Utilitarianism, primarily associated with Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, evaluates actions
based on their outcomes — specifically whether they maximize overall happiness or well-being.
Options A, C, and D describe deontology, Kantian duty-based ethics, and virtue ethics, respectively,
which are distinct frameworks.
2. Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative requires that an individual:
A. Act in a way that maximizes personal happiness and minimizes personal suffering
B. Act only according to maxims that one could will to become universal laws
C. Act in a way that is culturally acceptable within one's own society
D. Act in a way that produces the most favorable consequences for stakeholders
Correct Answer: B
Kant's categorical imperative is the foundational principle of deontological ethics. It demands that
we act only on rules that we could consistently will everyone to follow. Option A reflects
utilitarianism, option C reflects ethical relativism, and option D reflects consequentialism.
3. Virtue ethics differs from rule-based ethical frameworks in that it primarily focuses
on:
A. The consequences of actions rather than the actions themselves
B. The character and moral virtues of the person performing the action
C. Universal duties and obligations that apply to all rational beings
D. Legal compliance and regulatory adherence in professional settings
Correct Answer: B
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Virtue ethics, rooted in Aristotle's philosophy, emphasizes moral character and virtues such as
courage, honesty, and wisdom rather than rules or consequences. Options A and C describe
consequentialism and deontology respectively. Option D addresses legal rather than ethical
frameworks.
4. Ethical relativism asserts that moral principles are:
A. Universal and apply identically across all cultures and societies
B. Derived from divine authority and religious texts
C. Grounded in rational analysis and logical deduction
D. Dependent on cultural norms, societal values, and individual perspectives
Correct Answer: D
Ethical relativism holds that morality is not absolute but varies across cultures and contexts. This
contrasts with ethical universalism (option A), divine command theory (option B), and Kantian
rationalism (option C).
5. In a step-by-step ethical analysis, the FIRST step should be to:
A. Identify all stakeholders who may be affected by the decision
B. Gather all relevant facts and information about the situation
C. Evaluate the available options against established ethical frameworks
D. Consult organizational policies and legal requirements
Correct Answer: B
Before any ethical evaluation can occur, one must first understand the situation by gathering
relevant facts. Identifying stakeholders, evaluating options, and consulting policies are all
important subsequent steps, but they depend on an accurate understanding of the facts.
6. The doctrine of double effect, often discussed in technology ethics, holds that an
action with both good and bad consequences is morally permissible only if:
A. The bad effect is intended as a means to achieve the good effect
B. The good effect outweighs the bad effect in a simple cost-benefit analysis
C. The bad effect is not intended, is proportionate, and no better alternative exists
D. The action is legally permissible regardless of its moral implications
Correct Answer: C
The doctrine of double effect, originating in Catholic moral theology but widely applied in
technology ethics, requires that the harmful consequence is foreseen but not intended, that the good
effect is not achieved through the bad effect, and that the bad effect is proportionate. Option A
describes the opposite of the doctrine's requirement.
7. A software engineer discovers that a feature they developed could inadvertently
enable discrimination against disabled users. Applying a utilitarian framework, the
engineer should:
A. Ignore the issue because the feature was approved by management and meets requirements
B. Report the issue immediately because fixing it maximizes overall well-being by preventing
harm
C. Wait for users to file complaints before taking any action
D. Fix the issue secretly without informing anyone to avoid conflict
Correct Answer: B
Utilitarianism requires maximizing overall good and minimizing harm. Reporting and addressing
the discriminatory effect prevents harm to disabled users, producing the greatest net benefit.
Options A, C, and D either ignore harm, delay remediation unnecessarily, or bypass proper
accountability.
8. Which of the following best describes the concept of 'moral agency' in technology
ethics?
A. The ability of an organization to enforce compliance with industry regulations
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