A Call for Ethical Standards and Guidelines for Cross-Cultural Research Conducted by American Psychologists

In light of expansive globalization, the lack of ethical guidelines regulating the cross-cultural international research of American psychologists reflects an emerging ethical challenge. The American Psychological Association (APA) code of ethics (2002) is silent on ways to cope with cross-cultural ethical dilemmas, and the Universal Declaration of Ethical Principles for Psychologists (Gauthier, 2008 ), though a useful framework for shedding light on the issue, offers no practical recommendations for researchers. Considering the cross-cultural ethical gaps that exist, in this chapter we provide examples of ethical dilemmas faced by American psychologists conducting cross-cultural international research, such as dilemmas with institutional approval, informed consent, participant inducement, research involving deception, and the dissemination of research results. We conclude with a “Call to Action” and present frameworks that may aid in the APA's development of a code of ethics specific to American psychologists who conduct cross-cultural international research.