MENTAL FRAMES, UNDERSTANDING

FRAMEWORKS AND PRINCIPLES

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this lesson, student will be able to;

A. Identify the definition of Mental Frames and the purpose of it.

B. Understand the concept of Frameworks and Principles
C. Learn the difference of the Three Frameworks
D. Distinguish the Basic Principle of Ethics

I. Introduction.

Perspectives are used in modern psychology to provide researchers and students

with tools for approaching problems and answering questions. In this topic, we try to
understand what human perspectives are and how we come to conclusions about the
decisions and actions we take based on our perspectives. These are referred to as mental
frames—a point of reference that we use when making decisions. These mental frames
can then be used as a common denominator to explain why we act and make decisions
the way we do, and how ethical these actions and decisions are based on the frameworks
and principles we adhere to. In the discussion, we’ll delve deeper into mental frames/
frameworks and the different principles related to mental framing.

1.1. Basic meaning of Frames, Framing, and Mental Framing

1.2. Significance of Mental Framing
1.3. Understanding Frameworks
1.4. The Three Frameworks: Their Pros and Cons
1.5. Ethical Principles
1.6. Basic Principles in Ethics
1.7. Conclusion
1.1. Basic meaning of Frames, Framing, and Mental Framing

FRAMES
• Are mental models or a "frame" of reference that guide a person's actions in a given
situation.

FRAMING
• Describes how the frame of reference through which people view ethical (and other)
issues influences their responses to the issues.

MENTAL FRAMING
• Is how you perceive any given situation and occurs when you position your thoughts in
such a way that you persuade yourself of the importance of difficult situations.

Mental framing then refers to how we approach a problem. It includes the preconceptions we
bring to the table based on previous experiences and teachings, and it serves as the context in
which we view people, objects, tools, processes, businesses, relationships, and other things.
1.2. Significance of Mental Framing

Why mental framing is important?

Our mental framing can have a tremendous influence on our attitudes and
performance. So, it is important to have the right framing so that the actions we will do
will be morally and ethically correct. The mindset of a person is a powerful thing, forming
our fundamental assumptions about life and ourselves. It determines how we react to the
world and how hard we work to achieve our purpose. Hence, framing deliberately
establishes a boundary between what is and not relevant within particular situation. For
instance, a fixed mindset holds that one's abilities and intelligence are fixed and
unchangeable, and that they cannot be developed. As a result, they devote little time to
expanding and improving themselves and their abilities. Others, on the other hand, have
a growth mindset and believe that abilities can be developed and improved through
perseverance and effort. Aside from mental framing and a growth mindset, incorporating
mental framing can have a direct impact on how you perceive others in your life and the
world around you. This means, your mindset is a big contributor to the everything you do.
In effect, this mindset can transform how you perceive something as right or wrong.
1.3. Understanding Frameworks

Making good ethical decisions necessitates a trained sensitivity to ethical issues

as well as a practiced method for exploring the ethical aspects of a decision and weighing
the factors that should influence our choice of action. It is critical to have a method for
making ethical decisions. Ethical frameworks are perspectives that can be used to
determine which course of action will result in the most moral outcome.

1.4. The Three Frameworks: Their Pros and Cons

THE CONSEQUENTIALIST FRAMEWORK

- The Consequentialist framework focuses on the future consequences of potential

courses of action, taking into account the people who will be directly or indirectly
affected. We inquire about the desirable outcomes in a given situation, and ethical
behavior is defined as whatever achieves the best results. The person employing
the Consequences framework wishes to do the most good.

PROS

- One of the benefits of this ethical framework is that focusing on the outcomes of
actions is a pragmatic approach. It is useful in situations involving a large number
of people, some of whom may benefit from the action. Consequentialism is an
appealing ethical approach because it provides clear and practical guidance - at
least in situations with predictable outcomes.

CONS

- On the other hand, because it is not always possible to predict the consequences
of an action, some actions that are expected to have positive outcomes may
actually harm people. Furthermore, people may react negatively to the use of
compromise, which is an inherent part of this approach, and they may object to the
implication that the end justifies the means. It also does not include a declaration
that certain things are always wrong, because even the most heinous actions can
result in a positive outcome for some people, and this framework allows these
actions to be ethical.
THE DUTY FRAMEWORK
- In the Duty framework, we focus on our duties and obligations in a given situation,
as well as our ethical obligations and what we should never do. Doing one's duties
and doing the right thing is defined as ethical behavior, and the goal is to perform
the correct action.

PROS
- This framework has the advantage of establishing a set of rules with consistent
expectations for all people; if an action is ethically correct or a duty is required, it
would apply to everyone in a given situation. This fairness promotes treating
everyone with equal dignity and respect. This framework also emphasizes
following moral rules or duty regardless of outcome, so it allows for the possibility
that one acted ethically even if the outcome is negative. As a result, this framework
works best when there is a sense of obligation or when we need to consider why
duty or obligation mandates or forbids certain courses of action.

CONS
- This framework, however, has limitations. First, it may appear cold and impersonal
in that it may necessitate actions that are known to cause harm, even if they are
strictly in accordance with a particular moral rule. It also does not provide a method
for determining which duty we should follow in a situation where two or more duties
conflict. It can also be rigid in its application of the concept of duty to everyone,
regardless of personal circumstances.

THE VIRTUE FRAMEWORK

- We try to identify the character traits (either positive or negative) that might
motivate us in a given situation using the Virtue framework. We are concerned with
who we should be and what our actions reveal about our character. We define
ethical behavior as doing what a virtuous person would do in the same situation,
and we strive to develop similar virtues.

PROS
- Obviously, this framework is useful in situations where the question of what kind
of person one should be arises. It allows for a wide range of behaviors to be called
ethical as a way of making sense of the world, as there may be many different
types of good character and many paths to developing it.
CONS
- Although this framework takes into account a wide range of human experience, it
also makes it more difficult to resolve disagreements because virtuous traits are
often more contentious than ethical actions. Furthermore, because the framework
focuses on character, it is not particularly effective at assisting someone in
determining what actions to take in a given situation or determining the rules that
would guide one's actions.
 Figure. Table about differences of the Three Frameworks discussed above.

1.5. Ethical Principles

Ethical principles do not provide a straightforward guide that guarantees the

making of an ethically correct decision, nor can they offer guidance about ranking when
the principles appear to conflict with one another. Instead, they point only to
considerations that should be weighed when making decisions.

1.6. Basic Principles in Ethics

AUTONOMY

- The duty to respect and promote individuals' choices in achieving what they believe
is in their best interests. It is restricted if it interferes with the best interests of
others. Respect for confidentiality and privacy is also part of this duty.
BENEFICENCE

- A charitable, merciful, or kind act is the broad definition of beneficence. It implies

doing good to others and elicits a wide range of moral obligations. Beneficent acts
can be performed from a position of obligation, meaning more than what is owed,
or from a position of supererogation, meaning more than what is owed. The
obligation to act in the best interests of the patient, client, or resident at all times.

NON-MALEFICENCE

- The duty to do no harm, and to protect the others from harm. Included in this duty
is to maintain one´s professional competence.

JUSTICE
- Giving each person what he or she deserves, or, in more traditional terms, giving
each person his or her due, is what justice entails. Justice and fairness are closely
related concepts that are frequently used interchangeably today.

1.7. Conclusion

Mental framing gives us an idea how individuals are influenced with the actions
they demonstrate. And it gives justification as to what makes these action ethically or
morally right or wrong. The frameworks that a person carries also dictate the kind of action
they would execute, and these frameworks determines the rightness of their action.
Moreover, the basic principles are the considerations we can weigh down when
confronted with situations we need to decide upon. These three are crucial in
understanding how humans think, decide, and act. In ethics, it’s a reference on how
humans think whether they may seem right or wrong.

Prepared by:

ABULOG, JHAMAE ROSE M.

B.S.Ed. Social Studies 2