The Interplay of Self-control, Reward Processing, and Ethical-Decision Making; Information Security and neural oscillations
Date
2025-05
Authors
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
This study explored the neural and behavioral correlates of ethical decision-making, with
a specific focus on the roles of self-control and reward processing. In the modified Information
Security Paradigm (ISP), participants were asked to imagine they were an IT specialist under
emotional and financial stress while making decisions about ethical and non-ethical behavior.
Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure brain activity (self-control) across different
frequency bands during decisions-making, capturing real-time cognitive and emotional
responses. Behavioral findings showed that while most participants preferred ethical choices, this
tendency weakened under high-reward conditions. EEG analyses revealed elevated delta and
theta power during morally complex decisions, especially in frontal regions associated with
cognitive control and conflict processing. Additionally, individual differences in self-control and
self-centeredness were found to influence decision outcomes. Participants were more likely to
endorse control (“non-ethical”) behaviors than clearly unethical actions. Neurophysiologically,
feedback‐locked delta power was significantly greater following wins than losses, whereas theta
power was elevated in loss trials relative to wins. Importantly, both frontal delta activity and
individual differences in self‐control independently predicted ethical decision-making, showing
their distinct contributions to moral behavior. These findings emphasize the importance of both
personal traits and contextual pressures in shaping ethical behavior. The results offer
understanding into how organizations might better support ethical decision-making in
high-stakes environments such as cybersecurity through targeted interventions and training.