INTRODUCTION

The contributions of those in the field of psychology to society are in part based upon trust. The public places its trust in psychologists for their capacity to offer scientific knowledge and services that contribute to individual and social welfare. The public trusts psychologists to use acceptable scientific methods and to honestly report their research results. The legal system trusts psychologists to provide accurate and unbiased expert testimony during court proceedings. Finally, clients place their trust in psychologists who provide psychotherapy to maintain confidentiality, practice within the limits of their competence, and to give quality care. Psychologists who publish false results, violate confidentiality, or testify in court or practice in areas outside their training competence jeopardize the public trust in psychology as a discipline.

Professional ethics is concerned with doing what is right. In the discipline of psychology, doing what is right is associated with conducting oneself in ways that aspire to satisfy a number of moral principles. For example, psychologists make a commitment to conduct themselves in ways that maximize benefits and avoid harms to those with whom they work. They promote honesty in psychological science, teaching, and practice and strive to fulfill their role responsibilities to society. Finally, they treat people fairly and respect the dignity and worth of all with whom they work. In effect, psychologists are “active moral agents committed to the good and just practice and science of psychology” (Fisher, 2003, p. 237).