Ethics

Beneficence & nonmaleficence
Fidelity & responsibility
Integrity
Justice
Respect for person’s rights & dignitity

General principles (A-E)

Beneficence & nonmaleficence

Psychologists strive to benefit those with whom they work and take care to do no harm. In their professional actions, psychologists seek to safeguard the welfare and rights of those with whom they interact professionally and other affected persons, and the welfare of animal subjects of research. When conflicts occur among psychologists' obligations or concerns, they attempt to resolve these conflicts in a responsible fashion that avoids or minimizes harm. Because psychologists' scientific and professional judgments and actions may affect the lives of others, they are alert to and guard against personal, financial, social, organizational, or political factors that might lead to misuse of their influence. Psychologists strive to be aware of the possible effect of their own physical and mental health on their ability to help those with whom they work.

Fidelity & responsibility

Psychologists establish relationships of trust with those with whom they work. They are aware of their professional and scientific responsibilities to society and to the specific communities in which they work. Psychologists uphold professional standards of conduct, clarify their professional roles and obligations, accept appropriate responsibility for their behavior, and seek to manage conflicts of interest that could lead to exploitation or harm. Psychologists consult with, refer to, or cooperate with other professionals and institutions to the extent needed to serve the best interests of those with whom they work. They are concerned about the ethical compliance of their colleagues' scientific and professional conduct. Psychologists strive to contribute a portion of their professional time for little or no compensation or personal advantage.

Integrity

Psychologists seek to promote accuracy, honesty, and truthfulness in the science, teaching, and practice of psychology. In these activities psychologists do not steal, cheat or engage in fraud, subterfuge, or intentional misrepresentation of fact. Psychologists strive to keep their promises and to avoid unwise or unclear commitments. In situations in which deception may be ethically justifiable to maximize benefits and minimize harm, psychologists have a serious obligation to consider the need for, the possible consequences of, and their responsibility to correct any resulting mistrust or other harmful effects that arise from the use of such techniques.

Justice

Psychologists recognize that fairness and justice entitle all persons to access to and benefit from the contributions of psychology and to equal quality in the processes, procedures, and services being conducted by psychologists. Psychologists exercise reasonable judgment and take precautions to ensure that their potential biases, the boundaries of their competence, and the limitations of their expertise do not lead to or condone unjust practices.

Respect for people’s rights & dignity

Psychologists respect the dignity and worth of all people, and the rights of individuals to privacy, confidentiality, and self-determination. Psychologists are aware that special safeguards may be necessary to protect the rights and welfare of persons or communities whose vulnerabilities impair autonomous decision making. Psychologists are aware of and respect cultural, individual, and role differences, including those based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status, and consider these factors when working with members of such groups. Psychologists try to eliminate the effect on their work of biases based on those factors, and they do not knowingly participate in or condone activities of others based upon such prejudices.

Misuse of psychologists’ work
Conflicts between ethics & law, regulations, & other legal authority
Conflicts between ethics & organizational demands
Informal resolution of ethical violations
Reporting ethical violations
Cooperating with ethics committees
Improper complaints
Unfair discrimination against complainants & respondents

Section 1: Resolving ethical issues (8)

Boundaries of competence
Providing services in emergencies
Maintaining competence
Bases for scientific & professional judgments
Delegation of work to others
Personal problems & conflicts

Section 2: Competence (6)

Only provide services within boundaries of competence
Obtain training or consultation if needed (esp for diversity)

Boundaries of competence

Unfair discrimination
Sexual harassment
Other harassment
Avoiding harm (or torture)
Multiple relationships
Conflict of interest
Third-party requests for services
Exploitative relationships
Cooperation with other professionals
Informed consent (or assent)
Psychological services delivered through organizations
Interruption of psychological services

Section 3: Human relations (12)

Maintaining confidentiality
Discussing limits of confidentiality
Recording
Minimizing intrusions on privacy
Disclosures (including mandated)
Consultations with colleagues
Use of confidential info for didactic purposes

Section 4: Privacy & confidentiality (7)

Avoiding false or deceptive statements
Statements by others (promotions/ads)
Descriptions of workshops & educational programs
Media presentations
Testimonials
In-person solicitation

Section 5: Advertising & other public statements