THE APA’S CODE OF

ETHICS
29-10-22
• The American Psychological Association (APA) publishes the
Ethical Principles of Clinical Psychologists and Code of
Conduct which outlines aspirational principles as well as
enforceable standards that psychologists should use when
making decisions.
• The APA first published their ethics code in 1953 and has
been continuously evolving the code ever since.
• The APA code of ethics is composed of key principles and
ethical standards.
• The principles are intended as a guide to help inspire
clinical psychologists as they work in their profession,
whether they are working in mental health or research.
• The standards, on the other hand, are expectations of
conduct that can lead to professional and legal
complications when violated.
• As Nicholas Hobbs, who served as an APA president and head
of one of the committees that designed the standards
explained, the purpose of the code is not to keep dishonest
people out of trouble.
• It serves as an aid to help ethical psychologists make real-
world decisions in their daily practice.
THE FIVE ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

• Not all ethical issues are clear- cut, but the APA strives
to offer psychologists guiding principles to help them make
sound ethical choices within their profession.
PRINCIPLE A: BENEFICENCE AND NON-
MALEFICENCE
• The first principle of the APA ethics code states that
psychologists should strive to protect the rights and
welfare of those with whom they work professionally.
• This includes the clients they see in clinical practice,
animals that are involved in research and experiments, and
anyone else with whom they engage in professional
interaction.
• This principle encourages psychologists to strive to
eliminate biases, affiliations, and prejudices that might
influence their work. This includes acting independently in
research and not allowing affiliations or sponsorships to
influence results.
PRINCIPLE B: FIDELITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

• The APA also suggests that psychologists have a moral

responsibility to help ensure that others working in their
profession also uphold high ethical standards. This
principle suggests that psychologists should participate in
activities that enhance the ethical compliance and conduct
of their colleagues.
• Serving as a mentor, taking part in peer-review, and
pointing out ethical concerns or misconduct are examples of
how this principle might be put into action.
PRINCIPLE C: INTEGRITY

• In research and practice, psychologists should never attempt

to deceive or misrepresent. In research, deception can
involve fabricating or manipulating results in some way to
achieve desired outcomes.
• Psychologists should also strive for transparency and
honesty in their practice.
• When deception is used in research (which may involve the
use of colleagues or not fully revealing the true nature of
the research), clinical psychologists must make efforts to
alleviate the effects.
• This type of research deception must be justified, and the
possible gains must balance potential drawbacks. The use of
deception should be minimal, not result in distress, and be
disclosed at the earliest possible opportunity.
PRINCIPLE D: JUSTICE

In its broadest sense, justice relates to a responsibility to

be fair and unbiassed. This principle states that people have
a right to access and benefit from advances that have been
made in the field of psychology. It is important for clinical
psychologists to treat people equally.
PRINCIPLE E: RESPECT FOR PEOPLE'S RIGHTS AND
DIGNITY

• Clinical Psychologists should respect the right to dignity,

privacy, and confidentiality of those they work with
professionally. They should also strive to minimize their
own biases as well as be aware of issues related to
diversity and the concerns of populations.
• For example, people may have specific concerns related to
their age, socioeconomic status, race, gender, religion,
ethnicity, or disability.
ETHICAL STANDARDS

• The 10 standards found in the APA ethics code are

enforceable rules of conduct for clinical psychologists
working in clinical practice and academia.
• These standards tend to be broad in order to help guide the
behavior of psychologists across a wide variety of domains
and situations.
• They apply to areas such as education, therapy, advertising,
privacy, research, and publication.
RESOLVING ETHICAL ISSUES

• This standard of the APA ethics code provides information

about what psychologists should do to resolve ethical
situations they may encounter in their work. This includes
advice for what researchers should do when their work is
misrepresented and when to report ethical violations.
COMPETENCE

• It is important that clinical psychologists practice within

their area of expertise. When treating clients or working
with the public, Clinical psychologists must make it clear
what they are trained to do as well as what they are not
trained to do.
• This standard requires that in an emergency, professionals
may provide services even if it falls outside the scope of
their practice in order to ensure that access to services is
provided.
HUMAN RELATIONS

• Clinical Psychologists frequently work with a team of other

mental health professionals. This standard of the ethics
code is designed to guide psychologists in their
interactions with others in the field.
• This includes guidelines for dealing with sexual harassment,
discrimination, avoiding harm during treatment, and avoiding
exploitative relationships.
PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

• This standard outlines clinical psychologists’

responsibilities with regards to maintaining patient
confidentiality.
• Clinical Psychologists are obligated to take reasonable
precautions to keep client information private.
• However, the APA also notes that there are limitations to
confidentiality. Sometimes clinical psychologists need to
disclose information about their patients in order to
consult with other mental health professionals.
ADVERTISING AND OTHER PUBLIC
STATEMENTS
• Psychologists who advertise their services must ensure that
they accurately depict their training, experience, and
expertise. They also need to avoid marketing statements that
are deceptive or false.
• This also applies to how clinical psychologists are
portrayed by the media when providing their expertise or
opinion in articles, blogs, books, or television programs.
When presenting at conferences or giving workshops,
psychologists should also ensure that the brochures and
other marketing materials for the event accurately depict
what the event will cover.
RECORD KEEPING AND FEES

• Maintaining accurate records is an important part of a

clinical psychologist’s work, whether the individual is
working in research or with patients. Clients’ records
include case notes and other diagnostic assessments used
during treatment.
• In terms of research, record keeping involves detailing how
studies were performed and the procedures that were used.
• This allows other researchers to assess the research and
ensures that the study can be replicated.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• This standard focuses on expectations for behavior when

psychologists are teaching or training students.
• When creating courses and programs to train other clinical
psychologists and mental health professionals, current and
accurate evidence-based research should be used.
RESEARCH AND PUBLICATION

• This standard focuses on ethical considerations when

conducting research and publishing results.
• For example, the APA states that psychologists must obtain
approval from the institution that is carrying out the
research, present information about the purpose of the study
to participants and inform participants about the potential
risks of taking part in the research.
ASSESSMENT

• Psychologists should obtain informed consent before

administering assessments.
• Assessments should be used to support a clinical
psychologist’s professional opinion, but psychologists
should also understand the limitations of these tools.
• They should also take steps to ensure the privacy of those
who have taken assessments.
THERAPY

• This standard outlines professional expectations within the

context of providing therapy.
• Areas that are addressed include the importance of obtaining
informed consent and explaining the treatment process to
clients.
• Confidentiality is addressed, as well as some of the
limitations to confidentiality, such as when a client poses
an immediate danger to himself or others.
ETHICAL CODE VIOLATIONS

• What happens if a psychologist violates a standard in the

APA ethics code?
• After a report of unethical conduct is received, the APA may
disapprove the psychologist, or the individual may have his
or her APA membership revoked.
• Complaints may also be referred to others, including state
professional licensing boards.
• State psychological associations, professional groups,
licensing boards, and government agencies may also choose to
impose sanctions against the psychologist.
• Health insurance agencies, state and federal payers of
health insurance claims may also pursue action against
professionals for ethical violations related to treatment,
billing, or fraud.
• Illegal activity may be prosecuted in the criminal courts.
• If this results in a felony conviction, the APA may take
further actions including suspension or expulsion from state
psychological associations and the suspension or loss of the
clinical psychologist's license to practice.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Because clinical psychologists often deal with extremely

sensitive or volatile situations, ethical concerns can play
a big role in professional life.

Key Ethical Issues

• The most significant ethical issues include the following:
CLIENT WELFARE

• Due to the role, they serve, clinical psychologists often

work with individuals who are vulnerable due to their age,
disability, intellectual ability, and other concerns.
• When working with these individuals, psychologists must
always strive to protect the welfare of their clients.
INFORMED CONSENT

• Psychologists are responsible for providing a wide range of

services in their roles as therapists, researchers,
educators, and consultants.
• When people are acting as consumers of psychological
services, they have a right to know what to expect.
• In therapy, obtaining informed consent involves explaining
what services are offered, what the possible risks might be,
and the patient’s right to leave treatment.
• When conducting research, informed consent involves letting
participants know about any possible risks of taking part in
the research.
CONFIDENTIALITY

• Therapy requires providing a safe place for clients to

discuss highly personal issues without fear of having this
information shared with others or made public.
• However, sometimes a psychologist might need to share some
details such as when consulting with other professionals or
when they are publishing research.
COMPETENCE

• The training, education and experience of clinical

psychologists is also an important ethical concern.
• Clinical Psychologists must possess the skill and knowledge
to properly provide the services that clients need.
• For example, if a clinical psychologist needs to administer
a particular assessment in the course of treatment, they
should understand both the administration and interpretation
of that specific test.