Solutions Graded A+
Normalization of Deviance - Answer: The tendency to come to consider behavior that varies from either
design or good engineering practice as acceptable
Proper Engineering Decision - Answer: a decision that should be made by an engineer according to
engineering or ethical standards, especially w.r.t. protecting the public and property
Proper Management Decision - Answer: decision that should be made by managers because it involves
factors affecting the well-being of the organization and does not force engineers to compromise their
own technical or ethical standards.
Groupthink - Answer: groups come to agreement at the expense of critical thinking. Illusion of
invulnerability to failure, Us-versus-them attitude, Exclusion of external contrary views, Illusion of
morality, Shifting blame to outsiders, Self-censorship, Illusion of unanimity, Pressure to silence dissenter
The Problem of Many Hands - Answer: A group of people is jointly responsible for an outcome,although
it is difficult or impossible to assign responsibility toeach individual member of the group.
Space shuttle - Answer: Goal was to reduce cost. Resusable orbiter, 3 main engines, and solid rocket
motors. Very expensive though
Challenger Disaster - Answer: 1986. O-ring joint blow-by caused joint failure in rocket booster. Too cold
of temperatures
Challenger issues - Answer: Thiokol found issue. O-ring erosion found.
Roger Biosjoly - Answer: Thiokol engineer who said immediate action needed to be taken for O-ring.
Held teleconference. was asked to prove o rings WEREN'T ready
,Challenger manager statement to Lund - Answer: "take off engineering hat and put on management
hat"
Challenger causes - Answer: Normalization of deviance (problems accepted), PMD made instead of PED,
lack of conveying facts upward to management, problem of many hands
Columbia disaster - Answer: 2003. Warnings of foam shredding beforehand. Foam insulation fell off and
damaged shuttle. NASA ignored engineers requests for more photos after launch. Ship burned up on
reentry.
Whistleblowing - Answer: Going outside of normal channels, outside the chain of command, usually to
address an immoral, illegal, or dangerous situation. Can be Internal or external. Must always be justified.
DeGeorge's whistleblowing criteria - Answer: HARM PREVENTION:
1) Causes serious harm to people/society
2) Has been brought to attention of superiors
3) No action taken to remedy
4) Documentation of issue
5) Good reason to believe disclosure will prevent or avoid wrongdoing
Davis's whistleblowing Criteria - Answer: COMPLICITY AVOIDANCE:
1) Issue derives from your work at organization
2) You are voluntary member of organization
3) Group is involved in serious moral wrongdoing
4) Your work will contribute to the wrong if you don't reveal what you know
5) 3 and 4 are justified
6) 3 and 4 are true
Columbia organizational causes - Answer: PED vs PMD, normaliation of deviance, groupthink, many
hands
, William Wulf diversity arguments - Answer: 1) fairness, 2) numbers (not enough people), 3) quality of
engineering
NSPE Code of Ethics diversity - Answer: "Engineers shall treat all persons with dignity, respect, fairness
and without discrimination."
Triangle of actions/thoughts - Answer: responses <> acts <> beliefs <> responses
Diversity - Answer: categorizations that impact employment outcomes such as job opportunities,
treatment in the workplace, and promotion prospects—irrespective of job-related skills and
qualifications.
Inclusion - Answer: employee perceptions that their unique contribution is appreciated and full
participation is encouraged.
In-group - Answer: a social group with which an individual identifies as a member
Distorted triangle of thoughts/actions - Answer: prejudice > discrimination > stereotypes
Origins of Implicit Bias - Answer: - Cognitive Factors (Categorization, Confirmation bias, external vs.
Internal attributions, Out-group homogeneity)
- Affective Factors (In-group favoritism and out-group denigration, Preference for homogenous social
circles, Perceived status threat, Desire to maintain status quo)
A&M climate - Answer: white said higher positive than nonwhite. General campus said attitude toward
women was better than engineering
Engineers of color - Answer: had to prove selves more, less desirable assignments
Gender in engineering - Answer: women engineers earned less, promoted less, less challenging
assignments, penalties for children, not CEOs