Ethics Office

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Ethics Code Task Force

Drafting a transformational APA Ethics Code

The Ethics Code Task Force (ECTF) is engaged in the process of drafting a transformational new Ethics Code. That Code will retain those aspects of our Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (“Ethics Code” or “Code”) that serve the public and our discipline and profession well.  The goal is an Ethics Code that remains a leading practical resource regarding ethics for psychological science, education, and practice.

The ECTF reports to the Ethics Committee. The ECTF consists of 10 ethics experts, including a public member and an early career psychologist (listed below).  The Ethics Committee’s Chair and Board of Directors’ liaison participate as liaisons. 

There is significant opportunity for public comment during the process. Upon completion of the ECTF’s work and approval by the Ethics Committee, the final version of a revised Ethics Code will be submitted to the Council of Representatives for adoption as the APA Ethics Code.

Learn more about the members of the ECTF in the APA press release.

Updates on Ethics Code Revisions from ECTF chair

Accomplishments to date

  • Foundational work: Review of Environmental Scan; Review of International Codes/UDEP; Discussion of transformational charge; Informal factor analysis of current principles text/section.
  • Workgroups on format, definitions, Introduction, Preamble, and Principles; and Definitions Decision on general format of new Code.
  • Workgroups on Introduction, Principles, and Definitions Initial drafts of Introduction & Definitions Initial formulation of list of new principles.
  • Survey of APA groups regarding current Principles.
  • Completion of working draft of Introduction.
  • Initial discussion of Sections for Standards. 
  • Individual Division meetings at Convention.
  • Review of population and subject matter guidelines to inform new Code Draft of principles section with text.
  • Informal feedback from APA groups, EMPAs, and ASPPB regarding draft principles section. 
  • Review of feedback regarding draft principles section Identification of topics for Sections of Standards.

Members

  • Chair: Linda Campbell, PhD 
  • Vice chair: Mark Leach, PhD 
  • Anita B. Brown, PhD 
  • Cyndie M. Buckson, PsyD 
  • Melanie Domenech Rodríguez, PhD 
  • Rodney Lowman, PhD 
  • Greg E. Manship, Bioethics, MDiv (non-psychologist public member) 
  • Gayle Skawen:nio Morse, PhD 
  • Melissa Tehee, JD, PhD 
  • Linda M. Woolf, PhD
  • Board of Directors Liaison: Tamara S. Lyn, PhD, ABPP (2024)

Opportunity to provide information to ECTF


The ECTF is providing an opportunity for those who wish to offer information and observations you would like the ECTF to consider as it revises the Code, through our form.

Provide Your Feedback


The form works best through Google Chrome. The ECTF will consider the information and observations that you provide throughout the process of revising the Code. Due to the large number of responses received, the ECTF will not be able to provide a personalized response to specific information or observations provided by individuals.

Find out more about the ECTF’s work

Meeting summaries

Informing and gathering feedback from APA members

Throughout the process of revising the APA Ethics Code, the ECTF has provided information via various avenues and solicited feedback (PDF, 127KB) regarding its work.

Please consider bookmarking this page to follow the work of the ECTF and attending the ECTF’s Town Hall meeting to be held at the APA 2024 convention in August. The ECTF Chair, Linda Campbell, PhD, and Vice chair, Mark Leach, PhD, will present the work of the ECTF and invite members to offer feedback and comments.

Last updated: August 2024Date created: 2018