Pyschology Expert - Question Package 1

2010 Amendments to the 2002 “Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct”

The following amendments to the 2002 “Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct” (the Ethics Code; American Psychological Association, 2002) were adopted by the APA Council of Representatives at its February 2010 meeting. The changes involve the last two sentences of the final paragraph of the Introduction and Applicability section and Ethical Standards 1.02 and 1.03. The amend- ments became effective June 1, 2010. A history of these amendments to the Ethics Code is provided in the “Report of the Ethics Committee, 2009” in this issue of the Amer- ican Psychologist (American Psychological Association, Ethics Committee, 2010).

Following are a clean version of the revisions and a version indicating changes from the 2002 language (in- serted text is underlined; deleted text is crossed out). The full Ethics Code with the amendments is available at www.apa.org/ethics; a print copy may be obtained from the APA Ethics Office.

Final Amendments

INTRODUCTION AND APPLICABILITY

If psychologists’ ethical responsibilities conflict with law, regulations, or other governing legal authority, psycholo- gists make known their commitment to this Ethics Code and take steps to resolve the conflict in a responsible manner in keeping with basic principles of human rights.

1.02 Conflicts Between Ethics and Law, Regulations, or Other Governing Legal Authority

If psychologists’ ethical responsibilities conflict with law, regulations, or other governing legal authority, psycholo- gists clarify the nature of the conflict, make known their commitment to the Ethics Code, and take reasonable steps to resolve the conflict consistent with the General Princi- ples and Ethical Standards of the Ethics Code. Under no circumstances may this standard be used to justify or de- fend violating human rights.

1.03 Conflicts Between Ethics and Organizational Demands

If the demands of an organization with which psychologists are affiliated or for whom they are working are in conflict with this Ethics Code, psychologists clarify the nature of the conflict, make known their commitment to the Ethics Code, and take reasonable steps to resolve the conflict consistent with the General Principles and Ethical Stan- dards of the Ethics Code. Under no circumstances may this

standard be used to justify or defend violating human rights.

Original Language With Changes Marked

INTRODUCTION AND APPLICABILITY

If psychologists’ ethical responsibilities conflict with law, regulations, or other governing legal authority, psycholo- gists make known their commitment to this Ethics Code and take steps to resolve the conflict in a responsible manner. If the conflict is unresolvable via such means, psychologists may adhere to the requirements of the law, regulations, or other governing authority in keeping with basic principles of human rights.

1.02 Conflicts Between Ethics and Law, Regulations, or Other Governing Legal Authority

If psychologists’ ethical responsibilities conflict with law, regulations, or other governing legal authority, psycholo- gists clarify the nature of the conflict, make known their commitment to the Ethics Code, and take reasonable steps to resolve the conflict consistent with the General Princi- ples and Ethical Standards of the Ethics Code. If the conflict is unresolvable via such means, psychologists may adhere to the requirements of the law, regulations, or other governing legal authority. Under no circumstances may this standard be used to justify or defend violating human rights.

1.03 Conflicts Between Ethics and Organizational Demands

If the demands of an organization with which psychologists are affiliated or for whom they are working are in conflict with this Ethics Code, psychologists clarify the nature of the conflict, make known their commitment to the Ethics Code, and to the extent feasible, resolve the conflict in a way that permits adherence to the Ethics Code. take rea- sonable steps to resolve the conflict consistent with the General Principles and Ethical Standards of the Ethics Code. Under no circumstances may this standard be used to justify or defend violating human rights.

REFERENCES

American Psychological Association. (2002). Ethical principles of psychol- ogists and code of conduct. American Psychologist, 57, 1060 –1073.

American Psychological Association, Ethics Committee. (2010). Report of the Ethics Committee, 2009. American Psychologist, 65, 483– 492.

493July–August 2010 ● American Psychologist © 2010 American Psychological Association 0003-066X/10/$12.00 Vol. 65, No. 5, 493 DOI: 10.1037/a0020168

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