In a few short months, one experienced researcher's misconduct ruined the careers of several promising young scholars. What lessons may we learn from this episode?

First, we learn that ethics involves emotions. We are saddened by Dr. Goodwin's behavior; we are frightened by the consequences of a researcher who cuts corners; we are embarrassed for the senior scholar who lets the pressure to succeed warp her judgment. And we are chastened to see the researcher dissembling when first confronted with her misdeeds.

Ethics involves positive as well as negative emotions. We cheer the students for their courage. We admire them for not being intimidated by closed doors or faculty whispers in the hallway. We approve of the fact that they did not look the other way or take the easy route out. When they were told to relax, they took strength from each other. When they were told to lighten up, they encouraged each other. We find ourselves hoping we will do likewise in similar circumstances.

To the extent that Dr. Goodwin is an inappropriate research model for us, we react to her the way we react to the villain in a drama. Goodwin appears as a "heel," the counterpart to Mary Allen and her friends roles as "heros."

As we will now see, positive and negative role models may be found in almost every discipline.