Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists

"Every psychologist, clinician or academic, whose intention is to behave ethically, vastly increases the odds of success by reading and applying Dr. Celia Fisher’s cogent, thoughtful and practical guide to the Ethics Code."

--Dorothy W. Cantor, Psy.D., Past-President, American Psychological Association,
Independent Practice

"The process of revising the code was a labor of love undertaken by Celia Fisher who was the wise and sensitive expert leader of a large working group dedicated to developing ethical standards, principles, aspirations and practical advice for protecting the rights and integrity of clients, patients and research participants. "Decoding the Ethics Code" is the perfect introduction for anyone interested infully understanding andutilizing these ethical concerns….It is must reading for everyone concerned about navigating the pathsbetween the rights of individuals and the needs of science, practice and society."

--Philip G. Zimbardo, Ph.D., Past-President, American Psychological Association,
Stanford University

"Decoding The Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists is a valuable resource that I’ve placed next to my dictionary, APA publication manual, texts on statistics, and other references I reach for several times a week. Given the editorial cycle of the ethical code, the book will represent money well spent for at least the next 10 years."

-ETHICS & BEHAVIOR

"Fisher has crafted an insider's guide to the complex document that delineates our ethical conduct in all domains of practice, research, and teaching. . . . Never before has it been so easy to find what you are looking for in the code. . . . The decoding operation goes well beyond a simple conversion from the 1992 to 2002 versions. Readers also get a thoughtful commentary on the thinking that guided the framers of the new version, and will also guide future interpreters of the code. It is a valuable tool, indeed."

-CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGY

Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists introduces psychologists to the 2002 American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. The book helps psychologists apply the Ethics Code to the constantly changing scientific, professional, and legal realities of the discipline. Author Celia B. Fisher addresses the revised format, choice of wording, aspirational rationale, and enforceability of the code and puts these changes into practical perspective for psychologists.

The book provides in-depth discussions of the foundation and application of each ethical standard to the broad spectrum of scientific, teaching, and professional roles of psychologists. This unique guide helps psychologists effectively use ethical principles and standards to morally conduct their work activities, avoid ethical violations, and, most importantly, preserve and protect the fundamental rights and welfare of those whom they serve.

Decoding the Ethics Code features easy reference to a wide range of information, including

• Clear examples of behaviors that would comply with or violate enforceable standards
• A brief overview of the history behind the Ethics Code, enforcement of the code, professional liability issues, and the relationship between ethics and law
• Flagging of standards that represent significant new directions in ethics regulation and enforcement as compared with the previous code
• Integration throughout the text of the implications of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for compliance with numerous standards
• Easy identification of standards relevant to forensic practice, school psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, use of the Internet, prescription privileges, military and police psychology, and managed care

Decoding the Ethics Code will help new and established psychologists, psychology professors, students in graduate psychology programs, other mental health professionals, and the public understand and apply the new Ethics Code to their unique circumstances.

About the Author

Celia B. Fisher, Ph.D., is director of the Fordham University Center for Ethics Education and Marie Doty University Chair in Psychology. Under her direction as Chair of the APA’s Ethics Code Task Force, the committee undertook the arduous task of revising the code, reviewing more than 1,300 comments and several legal reviews over a five-year period. Fisher is serving on the Department of Human Health and Services Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Human Research Protections.

To read a sample chapter from Decoding the Ethics Code, click on “Additional Materials” in the left column under "About This Book" or simply click here.