The American Psychological Association (APA) is the largest professional organization of psychologists in the United States. The APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (hereinafter referred to as the “Ethical Principles”) is the official code of ethics for psychologists in the United States. The Ethical Principles are designed to promote ethical behavior among psychologists and to protect the welfare of their clients, students, research participants, and other affected individuals.
The Ethical Principles are divided into six general principles:
- Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence Psychologists strive to benefit their clients and to avoid harming them.
- Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility Psychologists are faithful to their clients, students, research participants, and other affected individuals and responsible for their actions.
- Principle C: Integrity Psychologists strive to be honest and fair in their professional work.
- Principle D: Justice Psychologists treat all individuals with respect and avoid discrimination.
- Principle E: Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity Psychologists respect the rights and dignity of their clients, students, research participants, and other affected individuals.
- Principle F: Responsibility to Society Psychologists are aware of their professional and scientific responsibilities and strive to use their knowledge and skills for the benefit of society.
The Ethical Principles are further divided into specific ethical standards that provide more detailed guidance on how psychologists should behave in their professional work. There are over 100 ethical standards in the Ethical Principles.
One of the ethical standards in the Ethical Principles that caught my attention is Standard 3.04, Avoiding Harm. This standard states that psychologists “take reasonable steps to avoid harming their clients/patients, students, supervisees, research participants, organizational clients, and others with whom they work, and to minimize harm where it is unavoidable.”
I found this standard to be interesting because it highlights the importance of psychologists taking steps to protect the welfare of those with whom they work. Psychologists have a duty to do no harm, and this standard reminds them of their responsibility to take steps to prevent harm from occurring.
Another ethical standard that caught my attention is Standard 8.02, Informed Consent to Research. This standard states that psychologists obtain informed consent from research participants before conducting research on them. Informed consent means that the research participants are given information about the research, including the purpose of the research, the procedures that will be used, and the risks and benefits of participating in the research.
I found this standard to be interesting because it highlights the importance of psychologists respecting the autonomy of research participants. Research participants have the right to decide whether or not to participate in research, and psychologists have a duty to obtain their informed consent before conducting research on them.
The Ethical Principles are an important resource for psychologists in the United States. They provide guidance on how psychologists should behave in their professional work and protect the welfare of those with whom they work.
