Data framing and aversions are the most used methods by people who wish to convince the decision of the involved audience in favor of particular options. Data manipulation is a form of cognitive bias that manipulates the decision makers into basing their decisions on the options that have certainty gain over probability gain. Manipulating information misleads the decision makers based on the intuitive perception shaped by the way the information is presented and this could lead to making the wrong decision (Roller, 2001). In addition, data framing is a psychological bias that denies the audience a chance to evaluate the effect of the information by weighing its strengths and weaknesses thus altering the ethical process of decision making.
Using data framing as a way of influencing the decisions of the top management is unethical and therefore should be avoided. Instead of manipulating the decision makers through shifting the way the information is understood, it is recommendable to present the information logically the way it is and let the audience make informed decisions regardless of whether the anticipated results of the framed information could benefit the organization (Druckman, 71). This involves presenting all the facts of the information and let the audience evaluate the positive and negative sides of the facts presented to them. In this case, the vice president of the human resource department should present the information collected from the employees in the accurate and a logical way without framing it in such a way that will influence the upper management favor a certain decision as per the VP’s preference. The VP should instead present his argument on the data collected in a logical manner whilst providing various logical statements that will enable the decision makers critically evaluate the information hence making informed decision.
Works Cited
Druckman, J. Using credible advice to overcome framing effects". Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization. doi:10.1093/jleo/17.1.6217: (62–82),2001b.
Roller, Colleen. How Anchoring, Ordering, Framing, and Loss Aversion Affect Decision Making. UX Matters, March 2001. Retrieved from: www.uxmatters.com/mt/archives/2011/03/how-anchoring-ordering-framing-and-loss-aversion-affect-decision-making.php#top.
