Hedgehogs, foxes, and the evolving social contract in psychological science: Ethical challenges and methodological opportunities

This article is addressed primarily to new researchers who feel burdened by an expanding body of ethical rules and regulations. Moral dilemmas proliferate as researchers try to strike a balance between ethical accountability and the technical demands of scientific practices. The challenge is to expand existing knowledge and abide by an evolving social contract that is responsive to current ethical sensitivities. This article illustrates dilemmas faced by researchers, examines some of the events leading up to the present situation, and shows how researchers might exploit this situation so that science and society can both benefit.