Ethics
Ethics are the standards that members of a profession must follow. In psychology, APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct lays out standards for psychologists and identifies behaviors that deserve punishment. The code includes sections on clinical practice, research and publication.
Adapted from the Encyclopedia of Psychology
What You Can Do
- Potential ethical violations
Know your rights and your psychologist's responsibilities, so that you and your psychologist can work together to avoid problems.
Getting Help
News
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Ethical decisions influenced in gender-specific ways in virtual world
May 15, 2010, Medical News Today
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Internet is challenging traditional boundaries between patients, doctors
April 12, 2010, The Boston Globe
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Shocking TV experiment sparks ethical concerns
March 26, 2010, NPR
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American Psychological Association Amends Ethics Code to Address Potential Conflicts Among Professional Ethics, Legal Authority and Organizational Demands
February 24, 2010
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APA Council of Representatives Directs Change in its Ethics Code to Prevent So-Called Nuremberg Defense
August 5, 2009
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Don't Let Corporate Power, Financial Influence Compromise Science/Profession of Psychology, APA Task Force Warns
December 10, 2007
Monitor on Psychology Articles
- Reproductive care goes global
January 2010
- A terminally ill patient's last request
November 2009
- Termination and abandonment: A key ethical distinction
September 2009
- Disability as an ethical issue
June 2009
Books
- Essential Ethics for Psychologists
August 2010
- Ethical Dilemmas in Fertility Counseling
March 2010
- APA Ethics Code Commentary and Case Illustrations
December 2009
- Ethics in Plain English
January 2005
APA Offices and Programs
- APA Ethics Office
APA's Ethics Office supports the Ethics Committee in adjudicating ethics complaints, offers educational workshops and seminars, provides ethics consultations, and serves as a resource to APA members.
- Research Ethics
Activities and initiatives in research ethics by APA's Science Directorate.