Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists (Fourth Edition)
The Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists (Fourth Edition) serves as a foundational resource for I-O psychology professionals, offering a clear and thoughtful framework for ethical decision-making. Grounded in core principles such as respect for dignity, responsible caring, integrity, and responsibility to society, the Code supports practitioners in addressing the ethical considerations that arise in organizational settings. It provides useful guidance on topics relevant to I-O practice, including assessment, confidentiality, informed consent, and the use of emerging technologies. From the perspective of the Committee on the Advancement of Professional Ethics, the Code remains an important reference for maintaining professionalism and ethical consistency across diverse workplace contexts.
Integrating CSR and Behavioral Ethics:
CSR and Circles of Moral Regard The Corporate Social Responsibility Summit, SIOP
This session, Integrating CSR and Behavioral Ethics: CSR and Circles of Moral Regard, presented at the Corporate Social Responsibility Summit at SIOP, explores how behavioral ethics can inform and enhance corporate social responsibility efforts. By examining how individuals and organizations define and act on their “circles of moral regard,” the session highlights the psychological processes that influence ethical decision-making and stakeholder consideration. For I-O psychologists, this discussion offers valuable insights into how CSR initiatives can be shaped by underlying ethical frameworks and how expanding moral regard can support more inclusive and socially responsible organizational practices.
Ethical Dilemma Stimulus Cards
The Ethical Dilemma Stimulus Cards, prepared by the Committee for the Advancement of Professional Ethics of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, are a practical ethics training tool specifically designed for people working in the industrial-organizational psychology community in both academic and applied settings. Based on common ethical issues identified by SIOP Fellow Deirdre Knapp (2010) and organized around SIOP Fellow Joel Lefkowitz’s (2017) five paradigms of ethical action, the cards present a wide range of dilemmas that reflect real-world challenges in I-O work. The interactive format encourages thoughtful discussion and reflection, making it well suited for ethics workshops, classroom settings, or professional development sessions. By engaging with these scenarios, individuals and groups can deepen their understanding of ethical principles and improve their ability to navigate complex situations with greater confidence and clarity.
Additional Resources
Situating Ethical Behavior in the Nomological Network of Job Performance
Chapter 6, Toward More Complex Ethical Models, by SIOP Fellow Rodney Lowman and Stewart Cooper, offers a thoughtful examination of the limitations of traditional ethical frameworks in applied psychology and advocates for more nuanced models that reflect the complexity of real-world practice. The authors argue that ethical decision-making in fields like industrial-organizational psychology often involves competing obligations, contextual factors, and evolving standards that require more flexible and integrative approaches. This chapter is a valuable resource for I-O psychologists seeking to move beyond rule-based ethics and engage with models that account for ambiguity, stakeholder dynamics, and long-term consequences in professional practice.
Toward More Complex Ethical Models: Unfinished Business
SIOP Member Teresa Russell provides valuable insights for I-O psychology professionals by offering a standardized set of ethical performance dimensions that can be integrated into various organizational practices, such as performance management, training, and job analysis. By incorporating these dimensions, professionals can better assess and promote ethical behavior within organizations.
