Ethics Code 2017 - American Psychological Association (APA)

1 ETHICAL PRINCIPLES. OF PSYCHOLOGISTS. AND. code OF CONDUCT. Adopted August 21, 2002. Effective June 1, 2003. (With the 2010 Amendments to Introduction and Applicability and Standards and , Effective June 1, 2010). With the 2016 Amendment to Standard Adopted August 3, 2016. Effective January 1, 2017. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF PSYCHOLOGISTS. AND code OF CONDUCT. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION AND APPLICABILITY Discussing the Limits of Client/Patient, Student, and PREAMBLE Confidentiality Subordinate Research Participants Recording Dispensing With Informed Consent GENERAL PRINCIPLES Minimizing Intrusions on Privacy for Research Principle A: Beneficence Disclosures Offering Inducements for Research and Nonmaleficence Consultations Participation Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility Use of Confidential Information Deception in Research Principle C: Integrity for Didactic or Other Purposes Debriefing Principle D: Justice Humane Care and Use of Animals 5.

2 Advertising and Other Public Principle E: Respect for People's Rights in Research Statements and Dignity Reporting Research Results Avoidance of False or Deceptive ETHICAL STANDARDS Statements Plagiarism 1. Resolving Ethical Issues Statements by Others Publication Credit Misuse of Psychologists' Work Descriptions of Workshops and Duplicate Publication of Data Conflicts Between Ethics and Law, Non-Degree-Granting Educational Sharing Research Data for Verification Regulations, or Other Governing Programs Reviewers Legal Authority Media Presentations 9. Assessment Conflicts Between Ethics and Testimonials Bases for Assessments Organizational Demands In-Person Solicitation Use of Assessments Informal Resolution of Ethical Informed Consent in Assessments 6. Record Keeping and Fees Violations Release of Test Data Documentation of Professional Reporting Ethical Violations Test Construction and Scientific Work and Cooperating With Ethics Committees Interpreting Assessment Results Maintenance of Records Improper Complaints Assessment by Unqualified Persons Maintenance, Dissemination, Unfair Discrimination Against Obsolete Tests and Outdated Test and Disposal of Confidential Records Complainants and Respondents Results of Professional and Scientific Work 2.

3 Competence Withholding Records for Test Scoring and Interpretation Boundaries of Competence Nonpayment Services Providing Services in Emergencies Fees and Financial Arrangements Explaining Assessment Results Maintaining Competence Barter With Clients/Patients Maintaining Test Security Bases for Scientific and Professional Accuracy in Reports to Payors and 10. Therapy Judgments Funding Sources Informed Consent to Therapy Delegation of Work to Others Referrals and Fees Therapy Involving Couples or Personal Problems and Conflicts Families 7. Education and Training 3. Human Relations Design of Education and Training Group Therapy Unfair Discrimination Programs Providing Therapy to Those Served Sexual Harassment Descriptions of Education and by Others Other Harassment Training Programs Sexual Intimacies With Current Avoiding Harm Accuracy in Teaching Therapy Clients/Patients Multiple Relationships Student Disclosure of Personal Sexual Intimacies With Relatives Conflict of Interest Information or Significant Others of Current Third-Party Requests for Services Mandatory Individual or Group Therapy Clients/Patients Exploitative Relationships Therapy Therapy With Former Sexual Partners Cooperation With Other Assessing Student and Supervisee Sexual Intimacies With Former Professionals Performance Therapy Clients/Patients Informed Consent Sexual Relationships With Interruption

4 Of Therapy Psychological Services Delivered to Students and Supervisees Terminating Therapy or Through Organizations 8. Research and Publication amendments to the 2002. Interruption of Psychological Services Institutional Approval ethical principles of 4. Privacy and Confidentiality Informed Consent to Research psychologists and code of Maintaining Confidentiality Informed Consent for Recording conduct in 2010 and 2016. Voices and Images in Research Effective June 1, 2003 (as amended 2010, 2016). Effective January 1, 2017 1. Copyright 2017 by the American Psychological Association . 0003-066X. Introduction and Applicability In addition, APA may take action against a member after his The American Psychological Association 's (APA's) or her conviction of a felony, expulsion or suspension from Ethical Principles of Psychologists and code of Conduct an affiliated state Psychological Association , or suspension or (hereinafter referred to as the Ethics code ) consists of an loss of licensure.

5 When the sanction to be imposed by APA. Introduction, a Preamble, five General Principles (A-E), is less than expulsion, the 2001 Rules and Procedures do not and specific Ethical Standards. The Introduction discusses guarantee an opportunity for an in-person hearing, but gen- the intent, organization, procedural considerations, and erally provide that complaints will be resolved only on the scope of application of the Ethics code . The Preamble and basis of a submitted record. General Principles are aspirational goals to guide psycholo- The Ethics code is intended to provide guidance for gists toward the highest ideals of psychology. Although the psychologists and standards of professional conduct that can Preamble and General Principles are not themselves en- be applied by the APA and by other bodies that choose to forceable rules, they should be considered by psychologists adopt them.

6 The Ethics code is not intended to be a basis of in arriving at an ethical course of action. The Ethical Stan- civil liability. Whether a psychologist has violated the Eth- dards set forth enforceable rules for conduct as psycholo- ics code standards does not by itself determine whether gists. Most of the Ethical Standards are written broadly, in the psychologist is legally liable in a court action, whether a order to apply to psychologists in varied roles, although the contract is enforceable, or whether other legal consequences application of an Ethical Standard may vary depending on occur. the context. The Ethical Standards are not exhaustive. The fact that a given conduct is not specifically addressed by an The American Psychological Association 's Council of Representatives ad- Ethical Standard does not mean that it is necessarily either opted this version of the APA Ethics code during its meeting on August 21, ethical or unethical.

7 2002. The code became effective on June 1, 2003. The Council of Represen- tatives amended this version of the Ethics code on February 20, 2010, effec- This Ethics code applies only to psychologists' ac- tive June 1, 2010, and on August 3, 2016, effective January 1, 2017. (see p. 16. tivities that are part of their scientific, educational, or profes- of this pamphlet). Inquiries concerning the substance or interpretation of sional roles as psychologists. Areas covered include but are the APA Ethics code should be addressed to the Office of Ethics , American Psychological Association , 750 First St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. not limited to the clinical, counseling, and school practice This Ethics code and information regarding the code can be found on the of psychology; research; teaching; supervision of trainees; APA website, The standards in this Ethics code public service; policy development; social intervention; will be used to adjudicate complaints brought concerning alleged conduct occurring on or after the effective date.

8 Complaints will be adjudicated on development of assessment instruments; conducting as- the basis of the version of the Ethics code that was in effect at the time the sessments; educational counseling; organizational consult- conduct occurred. The APA has previously published its Ethics code , or amendments there- ing; forensic activities; program design and evaluation; and to, as follows: administration. This Ethics code applies to these activities across a variety of contexts, such as in person, postal, tele- American Psychological Association . (1953). Ethical standards of psycholo- gists. Washington, DC: Author. phone, Internet, and other electronic transmissions. These American Psychological Association . (1959). Ethical standards of psycholo- activities shall be distinguished from the purely private con- gists.

9 American Psychologist, 14, 279-282. duct of psychologists, which is not within the purview of the American Psychological Association . (1963). Ethical standards of psycholo- gists. American Psychologist, 18, 56-60. Ethics code . American Psychological Association . (1968). Ethical standards of psycholo- Membership in the APA commits members and stu- gists. American Psychologist, 23, 357-361. American Psychological Association . (1977, March). Ethical standards of dent affiliates to comply with the standards of the APA Ethics psychologists. APA Monitor, 22-23. code and to the rules and procedures used to enforce them. American Psychological Association . (1979). Ethical standards of psycholo- Lack of awareness or misunderstanding of an Ethical Stan- gists. Washington, DC: Author. American Psychological Association .

10 (1981). Ethical principles of psycholo- dard is not itself a defense to a charge of unethical conduct. gists. American Psychologist, 36, 633-638. The procedures for filing, investigating, and resolving American Psychological Association . (1990). Ethical principles of psycholo- complaints of unethical conduct are described in the current gists (Amended June 2, 1989). American Psychologist, 45, 390-395. American Psychological Association . (1992). Ethical principles of psycholo- Rules and Procedures of the APA Ethics Committee. APA gists and code of conduct. American Psychologist, 47, 1597-1611. may impose sanctions on its members for violations of the American Psychological Association . (2002). Ethical principles of psycholo- standards of the Ethics code , including termination of APA gists and code of conduct. American Psychologist, 57, 1060-1073.