WGU D333 Ethics in Technology OA (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Objective
Assessment | Technology Ethics
1. Which of the following best defines ethics in the context of information
technology?
A) The personal feelings an individual has about right and wrong
B) A code of behavior that is defined by the group to which an individual
belongs
C) The legal requirements established by government regulatory agencies
D) The financial principles that guide corporate investment decisions
Correct Answer: A code of behavior that is defined by the group to which an
individual belongs
Rationale: Ethics refers to the principles of right and wrong that govern the
behavior of individuals or groups, and is defined by the group to which an
individual belongs. Morals are personal principles, while laws are external
regulations. This distinction is foundational to understanding professional
ethics in technology.
2. What is the primary distinction between ethics and morals?
A) Ethics are personal beliefs, while morals are group-defined codes of
conduct
B) Ethics are group-defined codes of conduct, while morals are personal
principles
C) Ethics are legally enforceable, while morals are voluntary
D) Ethics and morals are identical concepts
Correct Answer: Ethics are group-defined codes of conduct, while morals are
personal principles
,Rationale: Ethics is a code of behavior defined by the group to which an
individual belongs, while morals are the personal principles upon which an
individual bases decisions about right and wrong. Ethics represents external,
shared standards, whereas morals are internal and personal.
3. Which term refers to a habit that inclines people to do what is acceptable?
A) Virtue
B) Vice
C) Integrity
D) Morality
Correct Answer: Virtue
Rationale: A virtue is a habit that inclines people to do what is acceptable,
while a vice is a habit of unacceptable behavior. Integrity is the quality of
being honest and morally principled, acting consistently with one's values.
4. A person who acts in accordance with a personal code of ethics, even
when no one is watching, is demonstrating:
A) Virtue
B) Morality
C) Integrity
D) Compliance
Correct Answer: Integrity
Rationale: Integrity is the quality of being honest, upright, and morally
principled. It involves consistency between one's actions, beliefs, and values,
and adherence to ethical principles even when faced with challenges or
temptations.
,5. According to the textbook for D333, which three specific changes have
been brought about by computer technologies that create unique ethical
challenges?
A) Speed, accuracy, and efficiency
B) Invisibility factor, malleability, and complexity
C) Globalization, digitization, and automation
D) Connectivity, scalability, and interoperability
Correct Answer: Invisibility factor, malleability, and complexity
Rationale: Computer technologies have brought about changes including the
"invisibility factor" described by James Moor, which stems from the fact that
computing operations are often invisible to users. The malleability and
complexity of digital systems create unique ethical challenges not present in
other technologies.
6. Which of the following is a normative statement?
A) The company's servers are running at 75% capacity
B) Organizations should protect customer data from unauthorized access
C) The data breach occurred at 3:00 AM
D) The software update was installed on all workstations
Correct Answer: Organizations should protect customer data from
unauthorized access
Rationale: Normative statements express value judgments about what ought
to be, using words like "should" or "ought". Descriptive statements describe
what is, without expressing a value judgment.
, 7. What is the "invisibility factor" of computing technologies, as described by
James Moor?
A) The fact that computers are physically hidden from view
B) The fact that computing operations and algorithms are often invisible to
users and decision-makers
C) The fact that computer code is written in invisible ink
D) The fact that technology companies operate in secrecy
Correct Answer: The fact that computing operations and algorithms are often
invisible to users and decision-makers
Rationale: The invisibility factor refers to the fact that computing operations
and the reasoning behind algorithms are often hidden from users, making it
difficult to identify and address ethical issues. This invisibility can lead to
unintended consequences and makes accountability more challenging.
8. Why does the D333 course argue that computing professionals have a
particular responsibility to consider ethical issues?
A) Because they are legally required to do so
B) Because they have specialized knowledge and their decisions affect many
people
C) Because they are the highest-paid employees in organizations
D) Because they are the only ones who understand technology
Correct Answer: Because they have specialized knowledge and their
decisions affect many people
Rationale: Computing professionals have a particular responsibility to
consider ethical issues because they possess specialized knowledge and
their decisions can have wide-ranging impacts on individuals, organizations,
and society. This professional responsibility is a key theme in the course.
Assessment | Technology Ethics
1. Which of the following best defines ethics in the context of information
technology?
A) The personal feelings an individual has about right and wrong
B) A code of behavior that is defined by the group to which an individual
belongs
C) The legal requirements established by government regulatory agencies
D) The financial principles that guide corporate investment decisions
Correct Answer: A code of behavior that is defined by the group to which an
individual belongs
Rationale: Ethics refers to the principles of right and wrong that govern the
behavior of individuals or groups, and is defined by the group to which an
individual belongs. Morals are personal principles, while laws are external
regulations. This distinction is foundational to understanding professional
ethics in technology.
2. What is the primary distinction between ethics and morals?
A) Ethics are personal beliefs, while morals are group-defined codes of
conduct
B) Ethics are group-defined codes of conduct, while morals are personal
principles
C) Ethics are legally enforceable, while morals are voluntary
D) Ethics and morals are identical concepts
Correct Answer: Ethics are group-defined codes of conduct, while morals are
personal principles
,Rationale: Ethics is a code of behavior defined by the group to which an
individual belongs, while morals are the personal principles upon which an
individual bases decisions about right and wrong. Ethics represents external,
shared standards, whereas morals are internal and personal.
3. Which term refers to a habit that inclines people to do what is acceptable?
A) Virtue
B) Vice
C) Integrity
D) Morality
Correct Answer: Virtue
Rationale: A virtue is a habit that inclines people to do what is acceptable,
while a vice is a habit of unacceptable behavior. Integrity is the quality of
being honest and morally principled, acting consistently with one's values.
4. A person who acts in accordance with a personal code of ethics, even
when no one is watching, is demonstrating:
A) Virtue
B) Morality
C) Integrity
D) Compliance
Correct Answer: Integrity
Rationale: Integrity is the quality of being honest, upright, and morally
principled. It involves consistency between one's actions, beliefs, and values,
and adherence to ethical principles even when faced with challenges or
temptations.
,5. According to the textbook for D333, which three specific changes have
been brought about by computer technologies that create unique ethical
challenges?
A) Speed, accuracy, and efficiency
B) Invisibility factor, malleability, and complexity
C) Globalization, digitization, and automation
D) Connectivity, scalability, and interoperability
Correct Answer: Invisibility factor, malleability, and complexity
Rationale: Computer technologies have brought about changes including the
"invisibility factor" described by James Moor, which stems from the fact that
computing operations are often invisible to users. The malleability and
complexity of digital systems create unique ethical challenges not present in
other technologies.
6. Which of the following is a normative statement?
A) The company's servers are running at 75% capacity
B) Organizations should protect customer data from unauthorized access
C) The data breach occurred at 3:00 AM
D) The software update was installed on all workstations
Correct Answer: Organizations should protect customer data from
unauthorized access
Rationale: Normative statements express value judgments about what ought
to be, using words like "should" or "ought". Descriptive statements describe
what is, without expressing a value judgment.
, 7. What is the "invisibility factor" of computing technologies, as described by
James Moor?
A) The fact that computers are physically hidden from view
B) The fact that computing operations and algorithms are often invisible to
users and decision-makers
C) The fact that computer code is written in invisible ink
D) The fact that technology companies operate in secrecy
Correct Answer: The fact that computing operations and algorithms are often
invisible to users and decision-makers
Rationale: The invisibility factor refers to the fact that computing operations
and the reasoning behind algorithms are often hidden from users, making it
difficult to identify and address ethical issues. This invisibility can lead to
unintended consequences and makes accountability more challenging.
8. Why does the D333 course argue that computing professionals have a
particular responsibility to consider ethical issues?
A) Because they are legally required to do so
B) Because they have specialized knowledge and their decisions affect many
people
C) Because they are the highest-paid employees in organizations
D) Because they are the only ones who understand technology
Correct Answer: Because they have specialized knowledge and their
decisions affect many people
Rationale: Computing professionals have a particular responsibility to
consider ethical issues because they possess specialized knowledge and
their decisions can have wide-ranging impacts on individuals, organizations,
and society. This professional responsibility is a key theme in the course.
