Ethics from a global perspective

Abstract

The increasing globalization of our world has created a state where it is incumbent upon psychologists and relevant professionals to view psychological ethics from a global perspective. Professionals may encounter new challenges in the application of ethical principles when they work abroad or with different cultures at home. Such challenges will likely require knowledge, understanding, thinking, flexibility and creative problem-solving on the part of the psychologist, as he or she reframes what it means to behave professionally in the context of a local culture. By contrast, there are ethical principles that transcend specific cultures and can be applied globally. This is not to say, however, that ethical behaviors and standards that affirm the value of local cultures can also be applied globally to the discipline of psychology. Actually, those who have tried to do this, have failed. For example, a Task Force on Ethics was set up by the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) in 1990 with the aim of producing a common ethical code for psychologists in Europe. As stated in Lindsay, Koene, Øvereeide, and Lang (2008, p. 10), “It was evident at the first meeting of the Task Force in Copenhagen 1990, however, that this aspiration was unrealistic. A number of associations had their own codes, but not all. These codes had much similarity (Lindsay, 1992) but there were also a number of significant differences, mainly with detail rather than principle […]. Nevertheless, each had been devised by the association in question to meet their specific requirements, and a common code might not ensure this occurred. Furthermore, in many cases (e.g., BPS) a vote of members was needed to change the code. Hence, it was decided that a common code was too difficult to achieve.” (Lindsay et al., 2008, p. 10). Furthermore, a question arises not only as to whether or not establishing international ethical behavioral standards is feasible, but also as to whether it is desirable and in the best interest of worldwide societies. Perhaps what is needed is not a common code of ethics that includes enforceable standards of behavior, but a better understanding of the differences in the local and regional application of ethical principles across cultures. Cultures have much to learn from each other. The current chapter elucidates the role of professional ethics in the discipline of psychology through a review of the emergence and development of ethics documents in psychology, and an examination of the contribution and significance of a universalist approach to ethics in a globalizing world. The chapter closes with a discussion on the gradual evolution and future of ethics in professional psychology from a global perspective.