1. Chapter 1: A Code of Ethics for Psychology: How Did We Get Here?
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

2. Beginnings
First APA Committee on Ethical Standards for Psychologists appointed in 1947
Second committee identified major ethical themes emerging from incidents submitted by APA members.
Final draft of code adopted by APA in 1952 and published in 1953
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

3. The Purpose of an Ethics Code
APA Ethics Code revisions have been guided by the following objectives
Establishing the integrity of a profession
Education and professional socialization
Public trust
Enforcement value
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

4. Aspirational Principles and Enforceable Standards
Ethical Code documents can take one of three forms
Aspirational code
Educational code
Enforceable code
1992 Revision of the Ethics Code – first to make a clear distinction between aspirational principles and specific ethical standards subject to enforcement by APA and other organizations
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

5. The 2010 Amendments The Controversy Over Psychologists’ Involvement in Inhumane Military Interrogations
Controversy regarding psychologists in consultative roles to interrogation and information-gathering processes for national security-related purposes
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

6. The 2010 Amendments The Controversy Over Psychologists’ Involvement in Inhumane Military Interrogations
June 1, 2010 – APA voted to amend Standards 1.02 and 1.03 to address this issue; prohibited psychologists from “engaging in activities that would justify or defend violating human rights” (APA, 2010b, 2010c, 2015d)
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

7. Format and Distinctive Features of the APA Ethics Code
Why does the Ethics Code separate General Principles from Enforceable Standards?
The General Principles impart core moral values reflecting the highest ideals of the profession
The 151 standards are cast in behaviorally specific language, and can therefore be enforced by the APA Ethics Committee and other organizations that adopt the Code
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

8. Format and Distinctive Features of the APA Ethics Code
General and Area-Specific Standards
General standard sections
Resolving Ethical Issues
Competence
Human Relations
Privacy and Confidentiality
Advertising and Other Public Statements
Record Keeping and Fees
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

9. Format and Distinctive Features of the APA Ethics Code
General and Area-Specific Standards
Specialized activities sections
Education and Training
Research and Publication
Assessment
Therapy
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

10. Format and Distinctive Features of the APA Ethics Code
Are Standards relevant to Teaching, Research, Assessment, and Therapy restricted to their Specific Sections in the Code?
No! Standards within the first six general sections apply to all psychological activities
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

11. Format and Distinctive Features of the APA Ethics Code
Where are Standards that apply to Activities in Forensic Psychology?
Forensic psychologists must conform to the relevant general and area-specific standards
Forensic- or court-related activities are explicitly mentioned in Standards 2.01f, 3.05c, 3.10c, 9.01a, 9.03c, 9.04b, 9.10, 9.11, and 10.02b
The forensic icons and case illustrations throughout the book are meant to assist in quickly identifying standards applicable to forensic work.
For more information regarding forensic activities, see Hot Topics at the end of Chapters 4, 8, and 12.
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

12. Format and Distinctive Features of the APA Ethics Code
Where are Standards that Apply to Work with and within Organizations?
Psychologists working in industry, consulting, or delivering services to other organizations should refer to Standard 3.11, Psychological Services Delivered To or Through Organizations
Other standards that explicitly refer to work for or within organizations include 1.03, 3.07, 5.01, 8.05, and 9.03
The industrial-organizational icons and case illustrations throughout the book are meant to assist in quickly identifying standards applicable to organizational settings.
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

13. Format and Distinctive Features of the APA Ethics Code
Where are Standards that apply to Psychologists’ Involvement with Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)?
Psychologists’ involvement with HMOs is addressed in standards throughout the Ethics Code
Implications of HMOs for standards on record keeping and fees are discussed in Chapter 9
Involvement with HMOs is also relevant to standards on privacy and confidentiality and standards on informed consent
The HMO icons and case illustrations throughout the book are meant to assist in quickly identifying standards applicable to work involving HMOs.
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

14. Format and Distinctive Features of the APA Ethics Code
Where are Standards that apply to Psychologists’ Responsibilities under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and their Involvement in Integrated Care Settings?
See Chapter 5 under Standard 2.03, Maintaining Competence and Standard 2.04, Bases for Scientific and Professional Judgments
The organizational icons throughout the book are meant to assist in quickly identifying standards applicable to work in these settings.
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

15. Format and Distinctive Features of the APA Ethics Code
Are the Standards relevant to Psychologists Working in the Military, Law Enforcement, and Correctional Facilities?
Work of military and correctional psychologists is addressed in relevant standards across the Ethics Code
Military and correctional contexts often raise unique ethical challenges when the requirements of the Ethics Code are in conflict with laws and organizational policies (see Standards 1.02 and 1.03)
The military/correctional psychology icons throughout the book are meant to assist in quickly identifying standards and case examples applicable to these contexts.
The value of self-care for military as well as other psychologists is discussed in Hot Topic “The Ethical Component of Self-Care” in Chapter 3.
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

16. Format and Distinctive Features of the APA Ethics Code
Is Sufficient Attention given to Responsibilities of Administrators of Psychology Programs and Psychology Faculty?
The Ethics Code devotes a separate section to standards designed to highlight responsibilities of university administrators and faculty, and to strengthen protections for students
Relevant standards include 7.01, 7.02, 7.04, 7.06, 7.05a, 7.05b, 7.07, 8.04, and 8.12c
See the Hot Topic “Ethical Supervision of Trainees” in Chapter 10 and Case 7 in Appendix B (“Handling Disparate Information for Evaluating Trainees”).
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

17. Format and Distinctive Features of the APA Ethics Code
Does the Ethics Code Specifically address Internet and Other Electronically Mediated Research and Services?
Throughout the code, standards are applicable to these activities and mediums
Specific references include 3.10a, 4.02c, 5.01a, and 5.04
Applications of standards to electronic media appear in “Digital Ethics” features throughout the book.
The electronic media icons throughout the book are meant to assist in quickly identifying discussions regarding the application of standards to work using electronic media.
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

18. Format and Distinctive Features of the APA Ethics Code
Informed Consent for Research, Assessment, and Therapy
Primary means of ensuring the rights and welfare of those with whom psychologists work
General standard on informed consent provides direction on the nature of information that must be included in all informed consent procedures
Steps for protecting the rights of children and adults with cognitive impairments who are legally unable to provide consent (see Standard 3.10, Informed Consent)
The Hot Topic in Chapter 6 examines specific applications of informed consent standards to adults with impaired decisional capacity.
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

19. Format and Distinctive Features of the APA Ethics Code
Dispensing with Informed Consent
Informed consent may be waived in specific situations
Refer to Standards 3.10a, 8.05, 9.03a, and 10.01
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

20. Format and Distinctive Features of the APA Ethics Code
Are there Ethical Standards Specific to Issues of Individual and Cultural Diversity?
Principal D (Justice) and Principal E (Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity) are reflected in enforceable standards designed to ensure the fair treatment of all
See the Hot Topics “Multicultural Ethical Competence” (Chapter 5) and “Ethical Issues for the Integration of Religion and Spirituality in Therapy” (Chapter 13).
The diversity icon helps readers locate discussions in the book on how other standards should be applied to individual and group differences
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

21. Format and Distinctive Features of the APA Ethics Code
Are there Ethical Standards Specific to Issues of Individual and Cultural Diversity? (Cont’d)
Enforceable standards are designed to protect individuals and groups regardless of age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, or socioeconomic status
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

22. Format and Distinctive Features of the APA Ethics Code
What is the Distinction between the APA Ethics Code and Specific APA Guidelines?
Guidelines endorsed by scientific and professional psychological organizations may be useful in applying the Ethics Code to everyday activities
Specific APA guidelines are not listed in the current Code
Guidelines are cited throughout the book to illustrate best ethical practices in a given area.
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

23. Format and Distinctive Features of the APA Ethics Code
Under the Ethics Code, are Psychologists Obligated to Report Ethics Code Violations of Others?
An informal resolution may be appropriate (see Standard 1.04)
Formal reporting is required if an ethical violation has or is likely to result in substantial harm, informal resolution is not appropriate, and the reporting would not violate confidentiality rights (see Standard 1.05)
Also refer to Standards 1.07 and 1.08 regarding reporting complaints
Fisher C. B., Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. © 2016, SAGE Publications.