Reflective analysis of ethical practices through manipulation and social responsibility in design: a Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Abstract- This systematic literature review aims to analyze ethical practices related to manipulation and social responsibility in design in order to identify pedagogical approaches that foster more conscious, empathetic, and socially responsible practice. The methodology used the PIO model, focused on undergraduate and graduate graphic design students, and was based on a corpus of 20 academic sources indexed in Scopus and Web of Science since 2021. The results indicate that although students develop a critical attitude and a high level of ethical awareness, they face a significant gap between awareness and practical action, since in commercial dilemmas they prioritize client needs over ethically sound decisions. Therefore, the review emphasizes the need to renew the curriculum through active methodologies such as reflective pedagogy, values-based education, and challenge-based learning, which are essential for training designers capable of questioning profit-driven logic and avoiding deceptive practices.