Ethics in I-O Psychology

Spring 2009


 

Instructor: Dr. Stephen Vodanovich

 

Text: Lowman, R. L. (2006).  The ethical practice of psychology in organizations. American Psychological

Association: Washington, DC.

 

~ Primary Learning Objectives ~

 

Students will be able to:

 

1)  Develop and give presentations on contemporary, important ethical topics in the field of I/O Psychology.

 

2)  Summarize and evaluate the array of ethical issues covered in the course.

 

3)  Discuss and evaluate case studies in terms of adherence to professional guidelines (e.g., APA)

 

4)  Evaluate, in detail, the impact of ethical issues for individuals, organizations, and society.

 

5)  Logically summarize a given perspective on an ethical issue and identify the strengths and

     weaknesses of contrary positions.

 

~ Approximate Timeline ~
Date
Topic
Presenter
1/6

Introduction/Overview

>>>  APA Ethical Principles  of Psychologists and Code of Conduct  ||  html version   ||  .pdf version

 
1/13

Reporting of Test Results

 

Steve Vodanovich

Case PowerPoint Slides

1/20 

Drug Testing

Crandford, M. (1998).  Drug testing and the right to privacy: Arguing the ethics of workplace drug testing. Journal of Business Ethics, 17 (16), 1805-1815.   Link

 
1/27

Genetic Testing

MacDonald, C., & Williams-Jones, B.  (2002).  Ethics and genetics: Susceptibility testing in the workplace.                 Journal of Business Ethics, 35, 235-241.  Link

 
2/3

Personnel Selection

Lowman cases:

2 [Validation Efforts with Small Sample Sizes]
3 [Test Validation Strategies]

 
2/10

Personnel Selection

Lowman cases:

Personnel Screening for Emotional Stability

Developing International Selection Systems

  
2/17

Personnel Selection

Lowman cases:

11 [Assessment Center Records]
12 [Maintaining Confidentiality and Objectivity]

  
2/24

Organizational Diagnosis and Intervention

Lowman cases:

14 [Layoff Notifications]

15 [Survey Reveals Sexual Harassment]

  
3/3

Maintaining Confidentiality

Lowman cases: 

18 [Confidentiality and survey reporting]

20 [Conflicting obligations in survey research]

23 [Confidentiality of interview data]

 
3/10
No Class (Spring Break) 
  
3/17

Organizational Diagnosis and Intervention

Lowman cases:

26 [Sharing of Management Development Results]
27 [Disposition of Psychological Reports]

  
3/24

Managing Consulting Relationships

Lowman cases:

28 [Conflict of interests and roles]

29 [Accurately Reporting Research Results]

 
3/31

Managing Consulting Relationships

Lowman cases:

32 [Dual relationships]

33 [Pressures to Implement Psychological Programs Too Soon]

 
4/1

Research and Academic Issues

36 [The Ethics of Reviewing and of Being Reviewed]
37 [Honoring Agreements in Data Collection and Usage]

  
4/8

Research and Academic Issues

Lowman cases:

43 [When Testimony Would Be Compelled]
44 [Reporting Back Data from Research Studies]

 
4/15

Ethics of Professional Behavior

Lowman cases:

52 [ Responding to Allegations of Misconduct]
53 [The Ethics of Voluntary Professional Activities]

  
4/22

Ethics of Professional Behavior

Lowman cases:

57 [Evaluating Colleagues' Competencies]
58 [Confronting Unethical Behavior]

  

 

~ Responsibilities and Grading Criteria ~

 

For each topic, one or more students will be responsible to give a short presentation (possibly based on additional outside readings) and to lead a discussion on the assigned topic. Those not presenting are responsible for reading any assigned material and to be active in the discussion of issues. 

 

Grades will be based on the quality of presentations (70%) and participation in class discussions (30%).

 

Class attendance is required.  Each unexcused absence will result in half of a letter grade reduction in the final grade