Honor killing as a dark side of modernity: Prevalence, common discourses, and a critical view

Honor killing is a serious social problem in some countries that is yet to be adequately explained and addressed. We start with an overview of the conceptualization of this phenomenon and review its global prevalence. We argue that honor killing cannot be fully explained by focusing only on religion and sexism. We present a feminist Durkheimian analysis of honor killing as a form of informal social control and argue that honor killing represents a ‘dark side of modernity’ in which the systematic marginalization and stigmatization of minorities and social groups have led them to rely more on traditional honor codes as a kind of informal social control, exacerbating honor crimes. We discuss how a more effective approach to combat honor killing requires not only addressing the issues of sexism and religious fundamentalism, but also the systematic exclusion and stigmatization of local groups and minorities.

Honorable Mismatch

The non-toleration requirement of military school honor codes requiring cadets to report their peers for honor violations is developmentally inappropriate for adolescents in terms of the state of their brain development and emotional maturity because it makes neurological and psychological demands on teens attending military prep schools—many not of their own choosing—that are beyond their developmental and emotional capabilities in several areas. This requirement extends beyond the ken of either the scope of the mission of military prep schools or the neurological and psychological developmental abilities of the adolescent students attending them. Research also shows that it is largely ineffective in reducing honor offenses. To enhance the effectiveness, schools can modify the self-policing aspect by replacing the non-toleration requirement with something more developmentally appropriate while still meaningful, adopt an honor continuum that allows for growth, and implement an honor development approach that contains positive reinforcement and encourages continuous development.

Psychology Students’ Understanding of Ethics and Application of Ethical Principles

Background: The American Psychological Association (APA) has called on undergraduate psychology programs to embed training in ethics throughout their curricula. Although guidelines and resources exist, research on students’ understanding of and ability to apply the discipline’s ethical principles is limited. Objective: The purpose of this study was to learn more about psychology students’ perceptions of their undergraduate training in ethics, understanding of what it means to behave ethically, and competence at applying ethical principles. Method: Forty-four psychology students rated their undergraduate coursework and fieldwork training in ethics, described what it means to be ethical, and proposed a department honor code. Responses were independently coded using a rubric based on APA’s five ethical principles. Results: Participants reported that their undergraduate training gave them an adequate understanding of ethics. The majority included at least three ethical principles in their descriptions of ethical behavior but fewer than three principles in their proposed honor codes. Upper-level students rated their fieldwork training in ethics significantly higher than lower-level students. Participants with higher ratings of fieldwork training in ethics included significantly more ethical principles in their honor codes. Conclusion: Findings support APA’s call to embed training on ethics throughout the undergraduate curriculum.

Honor-Related Violence in the Netherlands

What has the Dutch police learned about violence in the name of the family honor over the years? In the first paragraph, authors will deal with the question: What is violence in the name of the family honor? And what has the Dutch police done to curb this particular form of violence? The second paragraph addresses the question: What tools do the Dutch police have for dealing with this form of violence and helping vulnerable groups in society? The most important lesson that the Dutch Police have learned is that this form of violence has many faces. It might be a threat or have a lethal outcome. Next to that, ancient honor codes are capable of tapping into modern times: offenses against the honor of the family do not only take place in ‘real life' so to speak, but also online. In the early days in The Netherlands, violence in the name of family honor was often associated with migrants of Turkish decent, but nowadays the police also see cases in other communities.

A Shared Identity

This chapter looks at the dissemination of these ethics by America’s colleges through honor codes, disciplinary measures, books, and classroom lessons. American schools became instrumental in establishing a commonality of thought and a sense of camaraderie based upon honor culture that helped to translate into unity during the Revolution. The lessons taught in classes and the rules that governed the colleges became a continuing guide and foundation for the progression of honor as an ethical concept throughout early America. This is the first study of its kind and shows how early college rules would directly impact the patriots’ behavior during the Revolution.

Effectiveness and Content of Corporate Codes of Ethics as a Model for University Honor Codes

Reports of unethical behavior in the corporate, governmental, and academic settings are gaining attention. At least 50-70% of students have engaged in academic misconduct. Some colleges and universities have codes of conduct while others do not. However, the implementation of an effective code can deter academic dishonesty. This article discusses how corporate codes of ethics can be used as models for implementing university honor codes. Effective corporate codes of ethics have certain characteristics, are communicated appropriately, are accompanied by training, and become part of the culture of the organization. These elements and strategies can be applied by universities in order to deter cheating and other unethical behaviors.