The American Psychological Association’s
Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
Seminar in Psychology
April 2019
The American Psychological Association’s
Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
consists of an:
Introduction
Preamble and Five General Principles (A-E)
• not themselves enforceable rules
• helps to arrive at an ethical course of action.
Specific Ethical Standards
• written broadly
• are not exhaustive
• needs interpretation and application
Topic 1
The Introduction discusses the intent, organization, procedural considerations, and scope of application of the Ethics Code.
Introduction
The Preamble and General Principles are aspirational goals to guide psychologists toward the highest ideals of psychology.
P.F.G.P
The Ethical Standards set forth enforceable rules for conduct as psychologists.
Specific Ethical Standards
Ethics Code applies only to psychologists’ activities that are part of their scientific, educational, or professional roles as psychologists.
Areas covered include but are not limited to:
• clinical
• counseling
• school practice of psychology
• research
• teaching
• supervision of trainees
• public service
• policy development
Topic 2
• social intervention
• development of assessment instruments
• conducting assessments
• educational counseling
• organizational consulting
• forensic activities
• program design and evaluation
• administration
Topic 3
- Membership in the APA commits members and student affiliates to comply with the standards of the APA Ethics Code and to the rules and procedures used to enforce them.
- Lack of awareness or misunderstanding of an Ethical Standard is not itself a defense to a charge of unethical conduct.
- The procedures for filing, investigating, and resolving complaints of unethical conduct are described.
Topic 4
- APA may impose sanctions on its members for violations of the standards of the Ethics Code, including termination of APA membership, and may notify other bodies and individuals of its actions including state psychological associations, other professional groups, psychology boards, other state or federal agencies, and payors for health services.
- In the process of making decisions regarding their professional behavior, psychologists must consider this Ethics Code in addition to applicable laws and psychology board regulations
Preamble
- Psychologists are committed to increasing scientific and professional knowledge of behavior.
- Psychologists respect and protect civil and human rights and the central importance of freedom.
- This Ethics Code provides a common set of principles and standards upon which psychologists build their professional and scientific work.
- Requires a personal commitment and lifelong effort to act ethically; to encourage ethical behavior by students, supervisees, employees, and colleagues; and to consult with others concerning ethical problems.
Topic 5
General Principles
- General Principles, as opposed to Ethical Standards, are aspirational in nature.
- Their intent is to guide and inspire psychologists toward the very highest ethical ideals of the profession.
- General Principles, in contrast to Ethical Standards, do not represent obligations
Topic 6
Principle A:
Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
- Psychologists strive to benefit those with whom they work and take care to do no harm.
- Safeguard the welfare and rights of those with whom they interact professionally
- Resolve these conflicts in a responsible fashion that avoids or minimizes harm.
- Alert to and guard against personal, financial, social, organizational, or political factors that might lead to misuse of their influence.
- Psychologists strive to be aware of the possible effect of their own physical and mental health on their ability to help those with whom they work.
Principle B:
Fidelity
and
Responsibility
Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility
- Psychologists establish relationships of trust with those with whom they work.
- Psychologists uphold professional standards of conduct, clarify their professional roles and obligations, accept appropriate responsibility for their behavior, and seek to manage conflicts of interest that could lead to exploitation or harm.
- Psychologists consult with, refer to, or cooperate with other professionals and institutions to the extent needed to serve the best interests of those with whom they work.
- Psychologists strive to contribute a portion of their professional time for little or no compensation or personal advantage.
Principle C: Integrity
- Psychologists seek to promote accuracy, honesty, and truthfulness in the science, teaching, and practice of psychology.
- In these activities psychologists do not steal, cheat, or engage in fraud, subterfuge, or intentional misrepresentation of fact.
- Psychologists strive to keep their promises and to avoid unwise or unclear commitments.
Principle C:
Integrity
Principle D:
Justice
Principle D: Justice
- Psychologists recognize that fairness and justice entitle all persons to access to and benefit from the contributions of psychology and to equal quality in the processes, procedures, and services being conducted by psychologists.
- Psychologists exercise reasonable judgment and take precautions to ensure that their potential biases, the boundaries of their competence, and the limitations of their expertise do not lead to or condone unjust practices.
Principle E:
Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity
Principle E: Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity
- Psychologists respect the dignity and worth of all people, and the rights of individuals to privacy, confidentiality, and self-determination.
- Psychologists are aware of and respect cultural, individual, and role differences, including those based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status, and consider these factors when working with members of such groups.