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Civic debates have long focused on the variation of behavior that accompanies social classes. A common observation is that members of the higher social classes exhibit unethical conduct more frequently than those in the lower heights. Trautmann, de Kuilen and Zeckhauser (2012) base their argument on the premise of rising income inequality in society, where wealth and power are skewed to a small portion of the population. The powerlessness of the poor to rise above this challenge has resulted in a permanent boundary between those in the top and lower tiers of life. In this sense, unethical behavior is attributed to the poor income distribution in the world today.

The poor are bound to engage in socially unacceptable behavior to survive. Piff et al. (2012) postulate that the members of the upper classes behave unethically because of the greater access to resources, freedom, and autonomy from the other classes. In other words, the upper classes have financial power that gives them the capacity to escape the consequences of immoral conduct. Question 2 Police subculture is a summation of all the beliefs, attitude and conducts retained by the members of law enforcement. According to Lee et al. (2013), police have exhibited paranoia, treating the public as untrustworthy and potentially hostile.

On the surface, this conduct might bring out a sense of solidarity, but the ethical implications are dire. Police subculture, according to Lee et al. (2013), advocates for secrecy, continually viewing the public as the enemy causing alienation, and the ability to use and justify violence. The outcome of such conduct in law enforcement includes reduced accountability, increased corruption and a force that is incapable of detecting violent officers. Police officers, who were hired, trained and took an oath to protect justice and fairness, end up corrupt. The unconscientious behavior is attributed to upholding the subculture and its values that have caused a significant number of police force members to deviate from the just path.

Misconduct in law enforcement is on the rise as police officers take on bribes to forego legal actions and penalties to be rendered to individuals and organizations. Finding ways to minimize the penetration of police subculture is an excellent way to start reducing misconduct and unethical behavior in law enforcement. References Lee, H., Lim, H., Moore, D. D., & Kim, J. (2013). How police organizational structure correlates with frontline officers’ attitudes toward corruption: a multilevel model. Police Practice and Research, 14(5), . doi:10.1080/.2011.635483 Piff, P. K., Stancato, D. M., Cote, S., Mendoza-Denton, R., & Keltner, D. (2012). Higher social class predicts increased unethical behavior. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(11), . doi:10.1073/pnas. Trautmann, S., Van de Kuilen, G., & Zeckhauser, R. (2012). Social Class and (Un)ethical Behavior: Evidence from a Large Population Sample. PsycEXTRA Dataset. doi:10.1037/e

Paper For Above instruction

Societal debates concerning the behaviors associated with different social classes have persisted over decades, particularly focusing on the ethical conduct exhibited by individuals across these strata. A crucial aspect of this discourse is understanding whether social position influences ethical behavior and the factors underlying such tendencies. This essay explores the relationship between social class and unethical conduct, drawing on contemporary research and theoretical frameworks, as well as examining the influence of police subculture on ethical behavior within law enforcement agencies.

Research by Trautmann, de Kuilen, and Zeckhauser (2012) emphasizes the role of economic inequality in shaping ethical behaviors among social classes. They argue that rising income disparity, where wealth concentrates in the hands of a small elite, leads to a moral divide, with the less privileged engaging in behaviors perceived as ethically unacceptable primarily as a survival mechanism. This phenomenon is rooted in the perception that limited upward mobility and economic insecurity amplify the propensity for unethical actions among the impoverished, given their constrained opportunities and socio-economic pressures. The authors suggest that societal structures that perpetuate income inequality can exacerbate unethical conduct across all levels, but especially among those with less economic security, who may resort to morally questionable means to improve their circumstances (Trautmann, de Kuilen, & Zeckhauser, 2012).

Conversely, other scholars contend that individuals in higher social classes are more inclined toward unethical conduct due to their access to resources and perceived immunity from consequences. Piff et al. (2012) posit that the privileged enjoy social and financial autonomy that facilitates morally questionable behavior without fear of repercussions. The authors' experiments demonstrate that individuals of higher socio-economic status are more likely to engage in unethical practices such as cheating or deception, attributing this trend to their sense of entitlement and reduced sympathy for others’ welfare. The disparity in power and resources arguably engenders an environment where unethical behavior becomes a rational choice, especially when coupled with societal reinforcement that normalizes or overlooks misconduct among elites.

Within the law enforcement sector, police subculture significantly influences officers’ attitudes towards ethics and misconduct. Lee et al. (2013) describe police subculture as a collective set of beliefs and attitudes that develop within law enforcement agencies. This subculture often fosters paranoia, suspicion, and an adversarial view of the community, with officers perceiving the public as untrustworthy and potentially hostile. Such beliefs can justify justification of aggressive tactics or corruption, breeding an environment where unethical behavior is tacitly accepted or minimally sanctioned. Lee et al. note that this subculture promotes secrecy and alienation, which hinder accountability and facilitate misconduct, including bribery, abuse of authority, and violence (Lee et al., 2013).

The impact of police subculture transcends individual actions, shaping organizational norms that sustain unethical practices. When officers internalize these norms, misconduct becomes normalized, and efforts to uphold justice and fairness are undermined. Consequently, addressing the ingrained aspects of police subculture is critical in reducing corruption and unethical behavior within law enforcement. Strategies such as fostering transparency, emphasizing accountability, and transforming organizational norms could mitigate the influence of harmful subcultures and restore public trust in law enforcement agencies.

In conclusion, social class significantly correlates with unethical behavior, influenced by economic inequalities and social power dynamics, as well as institutional cultures such as police subculture. Both external socio-economic factors and internal organizational norms shape individuals’ propensity for moral and immoral conduct. Understanding these complex interactions is essential for developing policies aimed at promoting ethical behavior across societal and institutional contexts, thereby fostering a more just and equitable society.

References

• Lee, H., Lim, H., Moore, D. D., & Kim, J. (2013). How police organizational structure correlates with frontline officers’ attitudes toward corruption: a multilevel model. Police Practice and Research, 14(5). doi:10.1080/.2011.635483
• Piff, P. K., Stancato, D. M., Cote, S., Mendoza-Denton, R., & Keltner, D. (2012). Higher social class predicts increased unethical behavior. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(11). doi:10.1073/pnas.2012.
• Trautmann, S., Van de Kuilen, G., & Zeckhauser, R. (2012). Social Class and (Un)ethical Behavior: Evidence from a Large Population Sample. PsycEXTRA Dataset. doi:10.1037/e