CONCLUSION

The development of personality tests is one of the most important applications of personality research. But using personality tests in ways that affect people’s lives raises a host of important ethical issues, as does the process of psychological research—or any kind of science. Busy researchers don’t often spend much time worrying about ethical issues. Their life is complicated enough already. But regardless of what you are doing all day, it is worthwhile to step back once in a while and ask yourself two questions: (1) Why am I doing this? (2) Are these good reasons? This duty extends beyond examining your own actions. As a citizen, it is important to keep close watch on the activities of schools, police departments, doctors, businesses, governments, and, yes, scientists. People usually have good intentions, but nobody can really be trusted to police oneself.