Bending the Arc of North American Psychologists' Moral Universe Toward Communicative Ethics and Social Justice

Social contextual and social justice perspectives on North American psychologists' conceptions of ethical ideals and prescribed practices show that interpersonal, organizational-institutional, and sociopolitical systems are dimly represented on our moral landscape. In this critical review I first examine conceptions of ethical decision-making from cognitive and interpersonal angles, noting the operation of nonrational phenomena and conversational processes and promoting a communicative conception of ethical decision-making. Next, I consider how the discourse on the concepts and practice of ethics addresses both the social conditions of our employment and the challenges of maintaining professional-personal boundaries on ethical conduct. Lastly, I assess the ways in which psychologists discuss ethical issues that arise from our espoused commitments to enhancing human welfare, responsibility to society, and social justice. I argue that certain historical trends in psychology's culture reduce our moral vision of practicing the principle of justice to social reforms that sustain the status quo. I conclude by questioning how we can shift the transit of our ethical discourse and practice toward communicative ethics and social justice.