Ethics

The ethics of psychology are complicated, even for the people who are bound by them.

For example, if someone is HIV-positive and hasn't told his or her sexual partner, does the therapist have a duty to warn the partner?

Or what if your client is fleeing from an abuser that both she and you believe will kill her and her children if she doesn't "disappear"—and you're placed on the stand in a courtroom under oath and asked where she went? Do you tell and possibly put her and the children in danger, or do you refuse to answer or even perjure yourself and face the strong possibility that you'll end up in jail?

Ethics in Fiction

Researchers argue that few films have managed to flawlessly portray ethical and appropriate behavior, though I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977), Ordinary People (1980), and Good Will Hunting (1997) are often lauded.

Portrayal of inappropriate behavior is fine, since it does happen; media psychologists worry more about messages being sent that inappropriate or unethical behavior is okay.

The pages below explore common ethical dilemmas therapists face in both real life and fiction. There are multiple references to Information on Psychologists' Ethical Code with links to individual sections of the Code.

The Ethics of