Society for Consumer Psychology

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Code of conduct

The Society for Consumer Psychology’s primary mission is to grow and advance consumer psychology as a scientific discipline. SCP strives to achieve this goal through the promotion and support of research in consumer psychology, the professional development of consumer psychologists, the mentoring of doctoral students and junior faculty, the fostering of an international presence, the promotion of diversity in consumer psychology, and the increase and diffusion of consumer psychological knowledge through meetings, professional interactions, and publications. To this end, it is the policy of SCP that ALL conference/ event participants (both members and non-members, including attendees, guests, staff, contractors, and exhibitors; applies to all conference activities including sessions, tours, meetings, receptions, and other related on- or off-site events) conduct themselves in a way that aligns with its primary mission. Specifically, participants agree to treat one another with dignity, respect, integrity and consideration, in order to foster and maintain a professional and collegial environment within the Society. To attend SCP conferences and events, you must agree to comply with this policy.

Expected Behaviors:

  • Communicate openly with respect and consideration for others, valuing a diversity of views and opinions.
  • Avoid personal attacks directed toward other attendees, guests, staff, contractors and exhibitors.
  • Be mindful of your surroundings and your fellow participants. Alert staff if you notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress.
  • Respect the rules and policies of the conference / event facility.
  • Do not make recordings or take photographs during presentations.
  • Turn off any ringers or otherwise disrupting devices during presentations and poster sessions.

Unacceptable Behaviors:

  • Behaviors considered unacceptable can include a single intense and severe act or multiple persistent or pervasive acts that are demeaning, abusive, offensive, or create a hostile professional or workplace environment.
  • Harassment may include unwanted sexual solicitation, physical advance, or verbal or non-verbal conduct that is sexual in nature. This includes but is not limited to suggestive, inappropriate or intimidating behavior and language, unwelcome jokes or comments, unwanted touching or attention, stalking, harassing photography or recording, exposure to offensive or sexually-oriented images, and aggressive physical behavior. Such actions will not be tolerated.
  • Participants are also expected to avoid any inappropriate actions and/or statements based on individual characteristics such as age, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, physical appearance, body size, marital status, nationality, political affiliation, ability status, educational background, or any other characteristic protected by law. It may also include threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts; circulation of written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility toward an individual or group; epithets, slurs, or negative stereotyping based on group identity. Again, such actions will not be tolerated.
  • Any verbal or physical actions and/or statements that create an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for any SCP participant is not permitted. Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above unacceptable behaviors is likewise prohibited. The harassment of and discrimination toward others, especially those where an asymmetry of power exists (such as junior colleagues, doctoral students, or conference staff), undermines the principles of scholarship at the heart of our activities and is inconsistent with our ideals. Consequently, discrimination and harassment are considered by SCP to be serious forms of professional misconduct.

If a participant experiences or observes inappropriate actions and/or statements in violation of this code of conduct policy, they should immediately report those activities to SCP Executive Director, Eric Yorkston (e.yorkston@tcu.edu) (817-528-7676) or to the conference co-chairs of the current event, either in person or by leaving a message for them at the Registration Desk. If the event is one without a Registration Desk, please contact Eric Yorkston, SCP Executive Director, immediately via phone (817-528-7676). If the violation occurs during the conference or event but reporting occurs after the conference or event has closed, please contact SCP Executive Director, Eric Yorkston.

SCP may take any action to address those who violate our principles. Penalties may include verbal warning, ejection from the meeting/event without refund, suspension from attending future meetings, and/ or any other measures SCP deems appropriate with respect to the conference and/ or its journals (e.g., reporting to the Department Chair, Dean, Title IX coordinator at the institution of the individual who has engaged in the misconduct). If a participant wishes to discuss a concern about harassment or discrimination and needs help in identifying options, including referrals to formal channels with investigatory powers, please contact SCP Ombuds, Professor Barbara Kahn (kahn@wharton.upenn.edu) (215-898-5404).

Retaliation for complaints of inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated and are also subject to SCP action.

Note that notifying SCP does not constitute or replace a notification to local law enforcement and all violations of the law should be immediately reported to local law enforcement.