Standards
As these terms are used in APA policy, “standards” include any criteria, protocols, or specifications for conduct, performance, services, or products in psychology or related areas, including recommended standards. Standards are considered to be mandatory and may be accompanied by an enforcement mechanism.
Guidelines
As these terms are used in APA policy, “guidelines” include pronouncements, statements, or declarations that suggest or recommend specific professional behavior, endeavor, or conduct for psychologists or for individuals or organizations that work with psychologists. In contrast to standards, guidelines are aspirational in intent.
Clinical practice
Clinical practice guidelines provide recommendations based on an independent systematic review of the research on treatments for specific disorders or health conditions.
Education
Education guidelines concern such matters as educational policy, assessment, program and curriculum development, and instruction.
Professional practice
Professional practice guidelines are designed to guide psychologists in practice regarding particular roles, populations, or settings, and are supported by the current scholarly literature but do not focus upon specific disorders or treatments.
* Developed by APA’s Practice Directorate to aid psychologists in their practice with special populations.
Public interest
Public interest guidelines and standards provide psychologists with the rationale and guidance for advancing multiculturalism, diversity, and social justice in psychological education, research, and practice.
* Developed by APA’s Public Interest Directorate to aid psychologists in their practice with special populations.
Science
Science guidelines provide guidance to psychologists who conduct research with both human and nonhuman animals or who are engaged in psychological testing and assessment, in a variety of settings.