OBSTACLES TO ADDRESSING PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT

The Ethical Principles exhort psychologists ''to encourage ethical beh avior by students, supervisees, employees, and colleagues, as appropri ate'' (American Psychological Association, 1992, P. 1599). In spite of a clear directive to attempt resolution of unethical conduct by colle agues, research indicates that satisfactory resolution or actual repor ting of misconduct is infrequent. This paper will address some of the forces that discourage psychologists from dealing responsibly and appr opriately with professional misconduct by colleagues. The goals of thi s paper are to promote understanding of factors that interfere with th e effective resolution of ethical misconduct, to identify possible sig ns of reluctance to address misconduct, and to propose strategies to c ombat those forces that keep us in silent collusion with colleagues wh o engage In unethical practices. A flowchart of steps for addressing p ossible misconduct by a colleague is provided; and educational, organi zational, and professional considerations are discussed. (C) 1998 Else vier Science Ltd.