APA Ethical Code

Question 1

General Principles of Ethics

Answer 1

Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
Fidelity and Responsibility
Integrity
Justice
Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity

Question 2

Standard 1

Answer 2

Resolving Ethical Issues

Question 3

Standard 2

Answer 3

Competence

Question 4

Standard 3

Answer 4

Human Relations

Question 5

Standard 4

Answer 5

Privacy and Confidentiality

Question 6

Standard 5

Answer 6

Advertising and other Public Statements

Question 7

Standard 6

Answer 7

Record Keeping and Fees

Question 8

Standard 7

Answer 8

Education and Training

Question 9

Standard 8

Answer 9

Research and Publication

Question 10

Standard 9

Answer 10

Assessment

Question 11

Standard 10

Answer 11

Therapy

Question 12

Amendments were made to the 2002 original code of conduct in ___ and ____

Answer 12

2010, 2016

Question 13

The first recorded formal incorporations of ethics into the health professions were in the

Answer 13

Hippocratic Oath (5th century)

Question 14

Landmark ethical problem cases

Answer 14

Watson’s Little Albert
Milgram’s Bathrooms
ZImbardo’s Prison
Nuremberg Code

Question 15

Standard 1: Resolving Ethical Issues

Answer 15

Formal/Informal Resolutions
Failure to comply
Misuse of Work
Conflicts with (xyz)

Question 16

1.01 Misuse of Psychologists Work

Answer 16

If psychologists learn of misuse or misrepresentation of their work, they take reasonable steps to correct or minimize the misuse or misrepresentation.

Question 17

1.06 Cooperating with Ethics Committee

Answer 17

Psychologists cooperate in ethics investigations, proceedings, and resulting requirements of the APA or any affiliated state psychological association to which they belong. In doing so, they address any confidentiality issues. Failure to cooperate is itself an ethics violation. However, requesting deferment of adjudication of an ethics complaint pending the outcome of litigation does not alone constitute noncooperation.

Question 18

1.04 Informal Resolution

Answer 18

When psychologists believe that there may have been an ethical violation by another psychologist, they attempt to resolve the issue by bringing it to the attention of that individual if an informal resolution appears appropriate. The intervention does not violate any confidentiality rights that may be involved.

Question 19

1.05 Formal Resolution

Answer 19

Suppose an apparent ethical violation has substantially harmed or is likely to harm a person or organization substantially and is not appropriate for informal resolution or is not resolved properly in that fashion. In that case, psychologists take further action appropriate to the situation. Such action might include referral to state or national professional ethics committees, state licensing boards, or the relevant institutional authorities. This standard does not apply when an intervention violates confidentiality rights or when psychologists have been retained to review the work of another psychologist whose professional conduct is in question.

Question 20

Standard 2: Competence

Answer 20

Boundaries
Emergency Providing
Maintaining
Delegation of Work

Question 21

2.01 Boundaries of Competence

Answer 21

(a) Psychologists provide services, teach, and conduct research with populations and in areas only within the boundaries of their competence based on their education, training, supervised experience, consultation, study, or professional experience.
(c) Psychologists planning to provide services, teach, or conduct research involving populations, areas, techniques, or technologies new to them undertake relevant education, training, supervised experience, consultation, or study.

Question 22

2.02 Providing Services in Emergencies

Answer 22

In emergencies, when psychologists provide services to individuals for whom other mental health services are unavailable and for which psychologists have not obtained the necessary training, psychologists may provide such services to ensure that benefits are not denied. The services are discontinued as soon as the emergency has ended or appropriate services are available.

Question 23

2.03 Maintaining Competence

Answer 23

Psychologists undertake ongoing efforts to develop and maintain their competence.

Question 24

2.05 Delegation of Work

Answer 24

Psychologists who delegate work to employees, supervisees, or research or teaching assistants or who use the services of others, such as interpreters, take reasonable steps to (1) avoid delegating such work to persons who have multiple relationships with those being served that would likely lead to exploitation or loss of objectivity; (2) authorize only those responsibilities that such persons can be expected to perform competently based on their education, training, or experience, either independently or with the level of supervision being provided; and (3) see that such persons perform these services competently.

Question 25

2.06 Personal Problems or Conflicts

Answer 25

(a) Psychologists refrain from initiating an activity when they know or should know that there is a substantial likelihood that their problems will prevent them from competently performing their work-related activities.
(b) When psychologists become aware of personal problems that may interfere with their performing work-related duties adequately, they take appropriate measures, such as obtaining professional consultation or assistance, and determine whether they should limit, suspend, or terminate their work-related duties.

Question 26

Standard 3: Human Relations

Answer 26

Multiple Relationships
Avoiding Harm
Informed Consent

Question 27

Standard 4: Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 27

Maintaining
Discussing Limits
Disclosures

Question 28

Standard 5: Advertising and Other Public Statements

Answer 28

Avoiding false/deceptive statements

Question 29

Standard 6: RecordKeeping and Fees

Answer 29

Maintaining, disseminating and disposing of records
Withholding Records for Non-payment
Documentation

Question 30

Standard 7: Education and Training

Answer 30

accuracy in teaching
assessing student/supervisee performance

Question 31

Standard 8: Research and Publication

Answer 31

informed consent in research
deception
debriefing

Question 32

Standard 9: Assessment

Answer 32

bases for assessment
informed consent
interpreting assessment results
explaining assessment results
release of test data
test security

Question 33

Standard 10: Therapy

Answer 33

informed consent
group therapy
interruption of therapy
termination of therapy

Question 34

3.04 Avoiding Harm

Answer 34

(a) 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 foreseeable and unavoidable.
(b) Psychologists do not participate in, facilitate, assist, or otherwise engage in torture, defined as any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person or in any other cruel, inhuman, or degrading behavior that violates 3.04a.

Question 35

3.05 Multiple Relationships

Answer 35

(a) multiple relationships occur when a psychologist is in a professional role with a person and (1) at the same time is in another role with the same person, (2) is in a relationship with a person closely associated with or related to the person with whom the psychologist has the professional relationship, or (3) promises to enter into another relationship in the future with the person or a person closely associated with or related to the person.
A psychologist refrains from entering into multiple relationships if the multiple connections could reasonably be expected to impair the psychologist’s objectivity, competence, or effectiveness in performing their functions as a psychologist or otherwise risks exploitation or harm to the person with whom the professional relationship exists. Multiple connections that are not reasonably expected to cause impairment, risk exploitation, or damage are not unethical.
(b) If a psychologist finds that, due to unforeseen factors, potentially harmful multiple relationships have arisen, the psychologist takes reasonable steps to resolve it with due regard for the best interests of the affected person and maximal compliance with the Ethics Code.
(c) When psychologists are required by law, institutional policy, or extraordinary circumstances to serve in more than one role in judicial or administrative proceedings, at the outset, they clarify role expectations and the extent of confidentiality, and after that, as changes occur.

Question 36

3.10 Informed Consent

Answer 36

(a) When psychologists conduct research or provide assessment, therapy, counseling, or consulting services in person or via electronic transmission or other forms of communication, they obtain the informed consent of the individual or individuals using language that is reasonably understandable to that person or persons except when conducting such activities without authorization is mandated by law or governmental regulation or as otherwise provided in this Ethics Code.
(b) For persons who are legally incapable of giving informed consent, psychologists nevertheless (1) provide an appropriate explanation, (2) seek the individual’s consent, (3) consider such persons’ preferences and best interests, and (4) obtain appropriate permission from a legally authorized person, if such substitute consent is permitted or required by law. When consent by a legally authorized person is not permitted or required by law, psychologists take reasonable steps to protect the individual’s rights and welfare.
(c) When psychological services are court-ordered or otherwise mandated, psychologists inform the individual of the nature of the anticipated services, including whether the services are court-ordered or mandated and any limits of confidentiality, before proceeding. (d) Psychologists appropriately document written or oral consent, permission, and assent.

Question 37

4.01 Maintaining Confidentiality

Answer 37

Psychologists have a primary obligation and take reasonable precautions to protect confidential information obtained through or stored in any medium, recognizing that the extent and limits of confidentiality may be regulated by law or established by institutional rules or professional or scientific relationships.

Question 38

4.02 Discussing the Limits of Confidentiality

Answer 38

(a) Psychologists discuss with persons (including, to the extent feasible, persons who are legally incapable of giving informed consent and their legal representatives) and organizations with whom they establish a scientific or professional relationship (1) the applicable limits of confidentiality and (2) the foreseeable uses of the information generated through their psychological activities.
(b) Unless it is not feasible or is contraindicated, the discussion of confidentiality occurs at the outset of the relationship and after that as new circumstances may warrant.
(c) Psychologists who offer services, products, or information via electronic transmission inform clients/patients of the risks to privacy and limits of confidentiality.

Question 39

4.05 Disclosures

Answer 39

(a) Psychologists may disclose confidential information with the appropriate consent of the organizational client, the individual client/patient, or another legally authorized person on behalf of the client/patient unless prohibited by law.
(b) Psychologists disclose confidential information without the consent of the individual only as mandated by law or where permitted by law for a valid purpose such as to (1) provide needed professional services; (2) obtain appropriate professional consultations; (3) protect the client/patient, psychologist, or others from harm; or (4) obtain payment for services from a client/patient, in which instance disclosure is limited to the minimum that is necessary to achieve the purpose.

Question 40

5.01 Avoidance of False or Deceptive Statements

Answer 40

(a) Public statements include but are not limited to paid or unpaid advertising, product endorsements, grant applications, licensing applications, other credentialing applications, brochures, printed matter, directory listings, personal resumes or curricula vitae, or comments for use in media such as print or electronic transmission, statements in legal proceedings, lectures, and public oral presentations, and published materials. Psychologists do not knowingly make public statements that are false, deceptive, or fraudulent concerning their research, practice, or other work activities or those of persons or organizations with which they are affiliated.
(b) Psychologists do not make false, deceptive, or fraudulent statements concerning (1) their training, experience, or competence; (2) their academic degrees; (3) their credentials; (4) their institutional or association affiliations; (5) their services; (6) the scientific or clinical basis for, or results or degree of success of, their services; (7) their fees; or (8) their publications or research findings. (c) Psychologists claim degrees as credentials for their health services only if those degrees (1) were earned from a regionally accredited educational institution or (2) were the basis for psychology licensure by the state in which they practice.

Question 41

6.01 Documentation of Professional and Scientific Work and Maintenance of Records

Answer 41

Psychologists create, and to the extent the records are under their control, maintain, disseminate, store, retain, and dispose of documents and data relating to their professional and scientific work to (1) facilitate the provision of services later by them or by other professionals, (2) allow for replication of research design and analyses, (3) meet institutional requirements, (4) ensure accuracy of billing and payments, and (5) ensure compliance with the law.

Question 42

6.02 Maintenance, Dissemination, and Disposal of Confidential Records of Professional and Scientific Work

Answer 42

(a) Psychologists maintain confidentiality in creating, storing, accessing, transferring, and disposing of records, whether written, automated, or in any other medium.
(b) If confidential information concerning recipients of psychological services is entered into databases or systems of records available to persons whose access has not been consented to by the recipient, psychologists use coding or other techniques to avoid the inclusion of personal identifiers.
(c) Psychologists make plans to facilitate the appropriate transfer and protect the confidentiality of records and data in the event of psychologists’ withdrawal from positions or practice.

Question 43

6.03 Withholding Records for Non-Payment

Answer 43

Psychologists may not withhold records that are requested and needed for a client’s/ patient’s emergency treatment solely because payment has not been received.

Question 44

7.03 Accuracy in Teaching

Answer 44

(a) Psychologists take reasonable steps to ensure that course syllabi are accurate regarding the subject matter, bases for evaluating progress, and the nature of course experiences. This standard does not preclude an instructor from modifying course content or requirements when the instructor considers it pedagogically necessary or desirable, so long as students are made aware of these modifications in a manner that enables them to fulfill course requirements.
(b) When engaged in teaching or training, psychologists present psychological information accurately

Question 45

7.06 Assessing Student and Supervisee Performance

Answer 45

(a) In academic and supervisory relationships, psychologists establish a timely and specific process for providing feedback to students and supervisees. Information regarding the process is provided to the student at the beginning of supervision.
(b) Psychologists evaluate students and supervisees based on their performance on relevant and established program requirements.

Question 46

8.02 Informed Consent to Research

Answer 46

(a) When obtaining informed consent as required, psychologists tell participants about (1) the purpose of the research, expected duration, and procedures; (2) their right to decline to participate and to withdraw from the research once participation has begun; (3) the foreseeable consequences of declining or withdrawing; (4) reasonably foreseeable factors that may be expected to influence their willingness to participate such as potential risks, discomfort, or adverse effects; (5) any future research benefits; (6) limits of confidentiality; (7) incentives for participation; and (8) whom to contact for questions about the research and research participants’ rights. They provide an opportunity for the prospective participants to ask questions and receive answers.
(b) Psychologists conducting intervention research involving the use of experimental treatments clarify to participants at the outset of the research (1) the experimental nature of the treatment; (2) the services that will or will not be available to the control group(s) if appropriate; (3) how assignment to treatment and control groups will be made; (4) available treatment alternatives if an individual does not wish to participate in the research or wishes to withdraw once a study has begun; and (5) compensation for or monetary costs of participating including, if appropriate, whether reimbursement from the participant or a third-party payor will be sought.

Question 47

8.07 Deception in Research

Answer 47

(a) Psychologists do not conduct a study involving deception unless they have determined that deceptive techniques are justified by the study’s significant prospective scientific, educational, or applied value and that effective nondeceptive alternative procedures are not feasible.
(b) Psychologists do not deceive prospective participants about research reasonably expected to cause physical pain or severe emotional distress.
(c) Psychologists explain any deception that is an integral feature of the design and conduct of an experiment to participants as early as is feasible, preferably after their participation, but no later than after the data collection, and permit participants to withdraw their data.

Question 48

8.08 Debriefing

Answer 48

(a) Psychologists provide a prompt opportunity for participants to obtain appropriate information about the research’s nature, results, and conclusions. In addition, they take reasonable steps to correct any misconceptions that participants may have of which the psychologists are aware.
(b) If scientific or humane values justify delaying or withholding this information, psychologists take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of harm.
(c) When psychologists become aware that research procedures have harmed a participant, they take reasonable steps to minimize the harm.

Question 49

9.01 Bases for Assessment

Answer 49

(a) Psychologists base the opinions in their recommendations, reports, and diagnostic or evaluative statements, including forensic testimony, on information and techniques sufficient to substantiate their findings.
(b) Except as noted in 9.01c, psychologists provide opinions of the psychological characteristics of individuals only after they have examined the individuals adequately to support their statements or conclusions. When, despite reasonable efforts, such an examination is not practical, psychologists document the efforts they made and the result of those efforts, clarify the probable impact of their limited information on the reliability and validity of their opinions, and appropriately limit the nature and extent of their conclusions or recommendations.
(c) When psychologists conduct a record review or provide consultation or supervision and an individual examination is not warranted or necessary for the opinion, psychologists explain this and the sources of information on which they base their conclusions and recommendations.

Question 50

9.11 Maintaining Test Security

Answer 50

Test materials refer to manuals, instruments, protocols, and test questions or stimuli and do not include test data as defined in Standard 9.04, Release of Test Data. Psychologists make reasonable efforts to maintain the integrity and security of test materials and other assessment techniques consistent with law and contractual obligations and in a manner that permits adherence to this Ethics Code.

Question 51

9.10 Explaining Assessment Results

Answer 51

Regardless of whether the scoring and interpretation are made by psychologists, by employees or assistants, or by automated or other outside services, psychologists take reasonable steps to ensure that explanations of results are given to the individual or designated representative unless the nature of the relationship precludes provision of a description of results (such as in some organizational consulting, pre-employment or security screenings, and forensic evaluations). This fact has been clearly explained to the person being assessed in advance.

Question 52

9.06 Interpreting Assessment Results

Answer 52

When interpreting assessment results, including automated interpretations, psychologists take into account the purpose of the assessment as well as the various test factors, test-taking abilities, and other characteristics of the person being assessed, such as situational, personal, linguistic, and cultural differences, that might affect psychologists’ judgments or reduce the accuracy of their interpretations. They indicate any significant limitations of their interpretations.

Question 53

9.04 Release of Test Data

Answer 53

(a) Test data refers to raw and scaled scores, client/patient responses to test questions or stimuli, and psychologists’ notes and recordings concerning client/ patient statements and behavior during an examination. Those portions of test materials that include client/patient responses are included in the definition of test data. Under a client/patient release, psychologists provide test data to the client/patient or other persons identified in the release. However, psychologists may refrain from releasing test data to protect a client/patient or others from substantial harm, misuse, or misrepresentation of the data or the test, recognizing that in many instances release of confidential information under these circumstances is regulated by law.
(b) In the absence of a client/patient release, psychologists provide test data only as required by law or court order.

Question 54

10.02/10.03 Therapy Involving Couples, Families or Groups

Answer 54

(a) When psychologists agree to provide services to several persons who have a relationship (such as spouses, significant others, or parents and children), they take reasonable steps to clarify at the outset (1) which of the individuals are clients/patients and (2) the relationship the psychologist will have with each person. This clarification includes the psychologist’s role, the probable uses of the services provided, or the information obtained.
(b) If it becomes apparent that psychologists may be called on to perform potentially conflicting roles (such as family therapist and then witness for one party in divorce proceedings), psychologists take reasonable steps to clarify and modify or withdraw from parts appropriately.
When psychologists provide services to several persons in a group setting, they describe at the outset the roles and responsibilities of all parties and the limits of confidentiality.

Question 55

10.09 Interruption of Therapy

Answer 55

When entering into employment or contractual relationships, psychologists make reasonable efforts to provide for orderly and appropriate resolution of responsibility for client/patient care if the employment or contractual relationship ends, with paramount consideration given to the welfare of the client/patient.

Question 56

10.10 Terminating Therapy

Answer 56

(a) Psychologists terminate therapy when it becomes reasonably clear that the client/patient no longer needs the service, is not likely to benefit, or is harmed by continued service.
(b) Psychologists may terminate therapy when threatened or otherwise endangered by the client/patient or another person with whom the client/patient has a relationship.
(c) Except where the actions of clients/patients or third-party payors are precluded before termination, psychologists provide pre-termination counseling and suggest alternative service providers as appropriate.