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Incrementalism | Ethics Defined
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Incrementalism | Ethics Defined

Incrementalism and Unethical Behavior

Understanding Incrementalism

  • Definition of Incrementalism: Incrementalism refers to a gradual process where individuals may unintentionally slide into unethical behavior by making small compromises that escalate over time.
  • Example of Accounting Fraud: Many instances of accounting fraud begin with minor adjustments, such as "fudging" small numbers, which can grow larger and more significant over time.
  • Perception of Small Changes: Human brains struggle to recognize small changes, leading to a lack of awareness regarding the ethical implications of these incremental decisions.
  • Desensitization to Unethical Behavior: Continuous exposure to unethical actions can desensitize individuals, making such behaviors seem routine and normal.
  • Moral Blindness: Over time, people may lose sight of the immorality or illegality associated with their actions due to this desensitization.
Video description

Incrementalism is the slippery slope whereby people’s actions evolve from small, technical violations to larger, more significant wrongs. This video is part of Ethics Defined, an animated library of more than 50 ethics terms and concepts from Ethics Unwrapped, available at https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/glossary For free videos and teaching resources on ethics and leadership, visit http://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/ Ethics Unwrapped is a free online educational program produced by the Center for Leadership and Ethics at The University of Texas at Austin. It offers an innovative approach to introducing complex ethics topics that is accessible to both students and instructors. For more videos, case studies, and teaching materials, visit http://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/ A complete playlist of Ethics Unwrapped videos available on YouTube may be found at: http://bit.ly/2lzF71u © 2017 The University of Texas at Austin. All Rights Reserved.