Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct9183365

Preamble and Common Principles are not themselves enforceable rules, they should be considered by psychologists in arriving at an ethical course of action. The Ethical Requirements set forth enforceable rules for conduct as psychologists. Most of the Ethical Requirements are written broadly, in order to apply to psychologists in varied roles, although the application of an Ethical Standard may vary based on the context. The Ethical Requirements are not exhaustive. The reality that a offered conduct is not particularly addressed by an Ethical Standard does not mean that it is necessarily either ethical or unethical.

This Ethics Code applies only to psychologists' activities that are part of their scientific, educational, or professional roles as psychologists. Areas covered consist of but are not limited to the clinical, counseling, and school practice of psychology study teaching supervision of trainees public service policy improvement social intervention improvement of assessment instruments conducting assessments educational counseling organizational consulting forensic activities program design and evaluation and administration. This Ethics Code applies to these activities across a variety of contexts, such as in individual, postal, telephone, internet, and other electronic transmissions. These activities shall be distinguished from the purely private conduct of psychologists, which is not inside the purview of the Ethics Code.

Membership in the APA commits members and student affiliates to comply with the requirements 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 in the current Rules and Procedures of APA Ethics Committee. APA might impose sanctions on its members for violations of the standards of the Ethics Code, including termination of APA membership, and might notify other bodies and people of its actions. Actions that violate the requirements of the Ethics Code may also lead to the imposition of sanctions on psychologists or students whether or not they are APA members by bodies other than APA, including state psychological associations, other professional groups, psychology boards, other state or federal agencies, and payors for health services. In addition, APA may take action against a member after his or her conviction of a felony, expulsion or suspension from an affiliated state psychological association, or suspension or loss of licensure. When the sanction to be imposed by APA is much less than expulsion, the 2001 Guidelines and Procedures do not assure an chance for an in-individual hearing, but usually offer that complaints will be resolved only on the basis of a submitted record.

The Ethics Code is intended to offer guidance for psychologists and requirements of expert conduct that can be applied by the APA and by other bodies that choose to adopt them. The Ethics Code is not intended to be a basis of civil liability. Whether or not a psychologist has violated the Ethics Code standards does not by itself figure out whether the psychologist is legally liable in a court action, whether or not a contract is enforceable, or whether or not other legal consequences occur.

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