The APA Ethics Committee is undertaking a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of the entire Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (“Ethics Code” or “Code”) and recommend revisions as appropriate. The last comprehensive review and revision of the Ethics Code was completed 15 years ago. As part of this process, the Ethics Committee is establishing an Ethics Code Task Force (“ECTF”). The ECTF is a committee of the Ethics Committee, will report to the Ethics Committee, and the Code revision will be a product of the Ethics Committee. The final version of the Code revision will be submitted to the Council of Representatives for adoption as the APA Ethics Code.
Consistent with APA’s mission to serve the public welfare, the Ethics Committee views this revision as an opportunity for the Association to provide forward thinking, visionary leadership and guidance that is based in clear values and ethical decision-making. The Committee reviewed environmental scan results, held discussions with and received written feedback from relevant stakeholders that established themes and emerging issues not reflected in the current Code. These included:
- The need for a more collectivist approach that considers contextual, cultural, family and societal factors (not just focused on the individual)
- The importance of a clear social justice and human rights emphasis
- Guidance for the broad range of work setting expectations that impact psychologists’ roles and behaviors
- The impact of internationalization of psychology and increasing globalization
- The impact and challenges related to ongoing advances in technology
- Changes in diversity of the US population and the increasing recognition that the meaning and implementation of ethics is affected by sociohistorical context and culture
Charge
While retaining those aspects of our Ethics Code that serve the public and our discipline and profession well, the charge of the ECTF is to create a Code that is visionary and transformational and that remains a leading practical resource regarding ethics for psychological science, education, and practice.
Composition
The ECTF will be composed of 9 individuals, including psychologists and at least one member from the public.
Nomination Process
The Committee seeks psychologists and non-psychologists (public members) who have extensive subject matter expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- Professional Ethics experience
- Collectivist/other epistemological/human rights ethics perspectives
- Moral and ethical decision-making
- Technology, social media and other emerging areas
- Legal issues and implications of ethical standards
- Demonstrated expertise in ethics applications within diverse settings, work activities, and populations
Attention will be given to individual and cultural diversity and to the diversity of ECTF members’ work settings and professional activities.
Please self-nominate, or nominate by sharing this information with individuals whom you believe have the relevant expertise. Service on the ECTF is a multi-year commitment that is likely to involve at least two face to face meetings in Washington, DC as well as numerous additional conference calls and individual work throughout each year. ECTF members will be expected to participate in the conference calls and face-to-face meetings. Travel expenses will be covered by APA. The first face-to-face meeting will be held Friday, November 17 and Saturday, November 18, 2017.
Individuals who wish to serve on the ECTF should provide the following materials:
- A letter that describes the candidate’s expertise, personal experience and vision of an ethics code that addresses the charge, themes and subject areas described above (not to exceed 750 words)
- Current curriculum vitae
Note that letters of reference of nominees from other individuals will not be considered.
Nominees’ materials will be reviewed by the Ethics Committee as well as representatives from the APA Board of Directors and Council Leadership Team. ECTF members will be selected by the Ethics Committee and approved by the APA Board of Directors.
The deadline for application materials is Friday, June 23, 2017. Application materials should be submitted electronically to Lindsay Childress-Beatty, JD, PhD, Acting Director of the Ethics Office, at ECTFNominations@apa.org. Please call Ms. Daisy Clipper at (202) 336-5999 in the event of difficulties regarding email transmissions. For other questions regarding the ECTF, Dr. Childress-Beatty can be reached at LChildress-Beatty@apa.org or 202-312-6493.