Contents of the APA Council Policy Manual

February 2007

This is the table of contents of the Council Policy Manual, which contains the current policies of the American Psychological Association. The organization of the manual follows the same major subject headings and sequence that is used in the agenda books of the Council of Representatives. Council actions are listed in chronological order with the earliest dated policies coming first. Each chapter heading below is a link to that chapter of the Council Policy Manual, and each item below is a link to the text of that policy in the Council Policy Manual.

II. Elections, Awards, Membership and Human Resources

Elections

1975 – Policy to include a list of men, women and minority groups serving as editors in the Council of Editors’ annual report
1980 – Policy that Central Office conducts the ballot for electing SPTA Council Representatives
1982 -- General Principles Dealing with the APA Election Process
1990 – Policy reminding divisions and SPTAs to be active in alerting their memberships about the apportionment ballot
1990 – Policy regarding Council representatives seeking positions on APA boards and committees
1996 – Policy requiring an orientation meeting for new Council represenatatives one day prior to the start of Council.
1999 – Policy that president-elect candidates who are not current members of Council will not be reimbursed for their participation in the plenary session of Council
2000 – Policy urging boards and committees to develop strategies to get new people involved in governance
2004 – A three-year trial (2005-2007) in which ethnic minority representatives will be reimbursed for their expenses associated with attending Council

Awards

No active policies.

Membership

1980 – Guidelines for divisions to follow with regard to Fellows nominations
1989 – Students fees received between September and December are applied to the following year although they are immediately accepted as affiliates.
1991 – A candidate for initial Fellow status should select one nominating division.
1992 – The Membership Committee’s charge was extended to include recruitment and retention activities
1993 – Required endorsements dropped from membership application process
1994 – Required application fee dropped and expanded dues phase-in goes from 3 to 4 years
1994 – Policy on journal costs for dues-exempt members
1994 – Required endorsement dropped from the student application process
1996 – Dual Membership Proposal
1998 -- Collection of Information about the Representation of Women, Ethnic Minorities, Gay Men, Lesbians and Bisexuals, and Individuals with Disabilities in APA Governance

Human Resources

1993 – Reporting requirements on APA Affirmative Action
1994 -- Procedures for Governance-Staff APA Interactions
1995 – Action response to Affirmative Action Report by CEO put in place
1995 -- Governance-Staff Interactions Principles and Guidance

III. Ethics

2002 -- Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
2006 -- Resolution Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
2007 -- Reaffirmation of the APA Position against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and Its Application to Individuals Defined in the United States Code as “Enemy Combatants”

IV. Board of Directors -- Part 1

1957 – Emergency action by the Board
1994 – Location of retreat meetings
2000 -- Resolution to Endorse a Comprehensive Mission of the National Institute of Mental Health
2001 -- APA Resolution on Racism and Racial Discrimination A Policy Statement in Support of the Goals of the 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance

IV. Board of Directors -- Part 2

2002 -- Resolution on Terrorism
2003 – Adoption, support, or endorsement of documents, resolutions or policies of another organization
2004 – Identifying Priorities
2005 -- Psychological Needs of our Troops, Veterans, and Their Families
2005 -- Health Care for the Whole Person: Vision and Principles
2006 – Doctorate as minimum entry into the professional practice of psychology
2006 -- Mental Disability and the Dealth Penalty
2006 – Impact of Elementary and Secondary Zero Tolerance Policies
2006 – Linking Directorate Activities with APA Priorities
2006 -- Workforce Analysis
2007 -- The Psychological Needs of U.S. Military Service Members and Their Families

V. Divisions and State, Provincial, and Territorial Associations

1959 – Philosophy for creating new divisions
1961 – Psychologists should be encouraged to join at least one division of their choice.
1968 – Use of division expertise
1978 – Division journals
1984 – Disbursement of dues and assessments to divisions
2003 -- Principles for the Validation and Use of Personnel Selection Procedures, 4th Edition

VI. Organization of APA

1970 – Policy providing that annual reports from the Treasurer, Recording Secretary, and Executive Officer be in written form
1985 – Policy prohibiting smoking in the Council room when Council is in session.
1990 – Policy that mandates the Committee on Structure and Function of Council to hold a debriefing session for outgoing representatives.
1991 – Policy on periodic review of committees by their parent board
1994 – Policy on seating/space at Council meetings
1994 – Policy on indemnification of officers, governance members and staff
2000 – Guidelines for Council Resolutions

VII. Publications and Communications

1949 – Management of the Association’s Journals
1970 – Policy on the Psychological Bulletin vs. Psychological Review
1971 – Advertising in APA Journals
1971 – Complimentary Subscriptions
1984 – Policy on the advertising of doctoral programs
2000 -- Freedom of Scientific Inquiry and Presentation of Research Results

VIII. Convention Affairs

1956 – Policy that the Board of Directors determines the site of the APA annual convention
1958 – Policy on the length of the annual convention
1958 – Policy regarding the designation of division program chairs
1958 – Policy that all convention programming must be submitted through a division
1958 – Policy regarding the listing of authors on joint papers
1958 – Policy on listing of convention sessions
1958 – Policy on business meetings and presidential addresses for organizations not an integral part of APA
1961 – Policy on reimbursement of non-APA guest speakers at convention
1982 -- Guidelines on Physical and Social Accessibility
1988 – Policy on using laws that criminalize consensual adult sexual behaviors as criteria in selecting convention sites
1992 – Policy on scheduling dates of the annual convention

IX. Educational Affairs

1971 – Policy on improving the teaching of psychology at the precollege level
1976 – Policy on encouraging doctoral programs that will build on the masters degree
1976 – Policy on encouraging respecialization training programs
1977 – Policy on the use of the term “Professional Psychologist”
1977 -- Guidelines for the Use of Human Participants in Research or Demonstrations Conducted by High School Students
1981 -- Guidelines for the Specialty and Training and Certification of Secondary School Teachers of Psychology
1982 – Policy on respecialization education and training
1984 – Policy on needed education and training to teach psychology at the postsecondary level
1985 – Policy on undergraduate curiculum in psychology
1986 -- Principles of Good Practice in Continuing Education
1991 -- Ethical Guidelines for the Teaching of Psychology in the Secondary Schools
1992 -- Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure of the American Association of University of Professors (from 1960)
1992 -- Guidelines for Conditions of Employment of Psychologists (originally approved in 1986)
1992 -- Guidelines for the Evaluation of the Education and Training of Clinical, Counseling, and School psychologists
1992 -- Resolution on Representation of Graduate Students within Programs and Departments Responsible for Educating and Training Students of Psychology
1993 – Policy that provides membership status in TOPPS to all high school teacher affiliates
1994 -- Principles for Quality Undergraduate Education in Psychology
1994 -- Resolution on Teaching Enhancement Programs for Graduate Students
1994 – Policy on half-time internships
1994 -- Resolution on Attracting Ethnic Minority Students to the Study of Psychology
1995 -- Principles for the Recognition of Specialties in Professional Psychology and Principles for the Recognition of Proficiencies in Professional Psychology
1996 -- Taxonomy for Post Doctoral and Continuing Education and Training in Psychology
1996 -- Procedures for Recognition of Specialties and Proficiencies in Professional Psychology
1998 -- Resolution on the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards Reciprocity Agreement
1998 -- Proficiency in Professional Psychology: Geropsychology
1998 -- Use of the Term "Clinical” in Specialty and Proficiency Titles
2000 -- Specialty in Professional Psychology: Behavioral Psychology
2001 -- Specialty in Professional Psychology: Forensic Psychology
2001 -- Proficiency in Professional Psychology: Psychopharmacology
2001 -- Proficiency in Professional Psychology: Psychological Treatment of Alcohol and Other Psychoactive Substance Disorders
2002 -- Specialty in Professional Psychology: Forensic Psychology: Family Psychology
2002 -- Memorandum of Understanding between the APA and CPA for Concurrent Accreditation of Doctoral Training Programs and Predoctoral Internship Training Programs in Professional Psychology
2003 -- Proficiency in Professional Psychology: Sport Psychology
2003 -- Proficiency in Professional Psychology: Assessment and Treatment of Serious Mental Illness
2003 – Continuation of Industrial and Organizational Psychlogy as a Specialty
2003 – Continuation of Clincial Neuropsychology as a Specialty
2004 -- Developing and Evaluating Standards and Guidelines Related to Education and Training in Psychology: Context, Procedures and Criteria
2004 – Continuation of Clinical Health Psychology as a Specialty
2005 -- Standards and Criteria of the Sponsor Approval System
2005 – Continuation of Clinical Geropsychology as a Proficiency
2005 -- Guidelines for Education and Training at the Doctoral and Postdoctoral Level in Consulting Psychology/Organizational Consulting Psychology
2005 -- National Standards: The Teaching of High School Psychology
2005 – Continuation of Biofeedback: Applied Psychophysiology as a Proficiency
2005 – Continuation of Clinical Child Psychology as a Specialty
2005 -- Continuation of Counseling Psychology as a Specialty
2005 -- Continuation of Clinical Psychology as a Specialty
2005 -- Continuation of School Psychology as a Specialty
2006 -- Approval of Sponsors of Continuing Education for Psychologists Policies and Procedures Manual
2006 – Continuation of Psychoanalysis in Psychology as a Specialty
2006 -- Need for Diversity in Accreditation
2006 – APA Policies for Accreditation Governance
2006 – Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major
2006 -- Guidelines and Principles for Accreditation of Programs in Profesional Psychology
2007 -- Policy Regarding Concurrent Accreditation with Canada
2007 -- Resolution in Support of Education for Sustainable Development

X. Professional Affairs -- Part 1

1956 – Psychologists in Public Programs
1965 – Psychology as a Independent Science and Profession
1978 – Psychological Treatment as Part of the Professional Preperation of a Psychologist
1986 – Use of Aversive Techniques in Treating Alcoholism
1986 -- On Drug and Alcohol Treatment as Sub-issues of 'Substance Abuse'
1986 – Application of Hypnosis
1986 – Use of “Dr.”
1987 – Collaboration with Professional Nursing
1987 -- General Guidelines for Providers of Psychological Services
1988 – Managed Healthcare Programs
1989 – Psychology’s Role in Diagnosis, Assessment, Training and Treatment of Mental Retardation (Division 33)
1989 – Impaired Psychologists
1990 -- Resolution on Licensing for Psychoanalysts
1991 -- Guidelines on Hospital Privileges: Credentialing and Bylaws
1992 -- Statement on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse
1992 -- Removal of Licensure Exemptions for Psychologists in Public Health Care Programs
1992 -- APA Position Statement on Managed Care and Utilization Review
1994 -- Guidelines for Child Custody Evaluations in Divorce
1994 -- Comprehensive and Coordinated Psychological Services for Children: A Call for Service Integration
1994 -- Supervisors for Psychological Services in Schools
1994 -- Veterans Affairs (VA) Psychology
1995 -- Resolution Concerning "Mental Health Consumer Protection Acts"
1995 -- Resolution on Prescription Privileges for Psychologists
1995 -- Strategies to Promote Increased Public Understanding of the Independent Practice of Psychology
1995 -- Guidelines for Engaging in the Contractual Provision of Psychological Services in Schools
1996 -- Recognition of Health Service Providers
1996 -- Managed Care Accessibility and Reimbursement Criteria
1997 -- Follow-up to the “Principles for the Provision of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatment Services: A Bill of Rights”
1997 -- Disaster Response Network
1998 -- Guidelines for Psychological Evaluations in Child Protection Matters
1998 -- Guidelines for the Evaluation of Dementia and Age-Related Cognitive Decline
1998 -- APA Activities Bearing on Licensure Challenges

X. Professional Affairs -- Part 2

1999 -- Changing U.S. Health Care System
1999 -- Resolution on Stigma and Discrimination against People with Serious Mental Illness and Severe Emotional Disturbance
2000 -- Practice Parameter: Screening and Diagnosis of Autism
2000 -- Criteria for Evaluating Treatment Guidelines
2001 -- Criteria for Practice Guideline Development and Evaluation
2002 -- Policy on Challenges to the Doctoral Standard for Psychology
2003 -- Health Service Psychologists as Primary Health Care Providers
2003 -- Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Older Adults
2004 -- APA Resolution on Outpatient Civil Commitment
2005 -- Determination and Documentation of the Need for Practice Guidelines
2005 -- Evidence-based Practice in Psychology
2007 – Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Girls and Women
2007 -- Record Keeping Guidelines
2007 -- Reclaim the Distinctiveness of the Term “Psychology”
2007 -- APA Principles for Health Care Reform

XI. Scientific Affairs

1950 – APA Response to Dianetics
1965 -- Research Findings Belong in the Public Domain
1977 -- Guidelines for the Use of Human Participants in Research or Demonstrations Conducted by High School Students
1981 – Impact of Selective Reduction of Support for "Social Research"
1982 – Support of Evolution and Opposition to Creationism
1983 – Support for Science Education in Grades K-12
1985 – Support for the Free Exchange of Scientific Information
1987 -- Guidelines for the Use of Drugs in Research by Psychologists
1991 -- Resolution on Research on Sexual Behavior
1994 -- Facilitated Communication
1994 -- Resolution on Cigarette Smoking
1996 -- Statement on the Disclosure of Test Data
1997 -- Decade of Behavior
1999 – The Universality of Science
1999 -- Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing
2003 -- Guidelines for the Use of Animals in Behavioral Projects in Schools (K-12)
2004 -- Code of Fair Testing Practices in Education
2007 -- Resolution Rejecting Intelligent Design as Scientific and Reaffirming Support for Evolutionary Theory
2007 -- Academic Boycotts as Violations of Academic Freedom and Disruption of Scientific Exchange

XII. Public Interest -- Part 1

1969 – Abortion
1972 – Political Dissent
1975 – Corporal Punishment
1975 – Discrimination against Homosexuals
1975 -- Psychological Treatment in Prison Settings
1975 -- Equal Rights Amendment
1976 -- Child Custody or Placement
1977 -- Child Custody Determination
1980 -- Termination of Pregnancy
1981 -- Discrimination against Teachers Based on Sexual Orientation
1982 -- Nuclear Arms
1982 -- Guidelines on Physical and Social Accessibility
1984 -- Mentally Impaired Offenders
1985 – Boxing
1986 -- Guidelines for Conditions of Employment by Psychologist
1986 – AIDS
1986 -- Homeless Mentally Ill and Functionally Disabled
1986 -- Use of Polygraph Testing
1987 -- AIDS Education
1987 -- Homosexuality
1987 -- Motor Vehicle Trauma
1988 – AIDS
1988 -- Guidelines for Avoiding Sexism in Psychological Research
1988 -- Violence against Children by Governments
1989 -- Special Education and Related Services for Children with Conduct Disorders
1989 -- Reproductive Choice
1990 -- English only Initiatives
1990 -- Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Ethnic and Culturally Diverse Populations
1990 -- Homelessness
1990 -- Priorities for Persons with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness
1991 -- Use of Anatomically Detailed Dolls in Forensic Evaluations
1991 -- Legal Liability Related to Confidentiality and the Prevention of HIV Transmission
1991 -- Neuropsychological Assessment and HIV Infection
1991 -- U.S. Department of Defense Policy on Sexual Orientation and Advertising in APA Publications
1991 -- Substance Abuse by Pregnant Women
1992 -- Legal Access to Sterile Injection Equipment by Drug Users
1992 -- Use of Psychology to Market Tobacco Products
1992 -- Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youths in the Schools
1992 -- Rust v. Sullivan Supreme Court Decision
1993 -- NIOSH
1994 -- Firearm Safety and Youth
1994 -- Violence in Mass Media
1995 -- Psychological Needs of Children Exposed to Disasters
1996 -- APA Resolution on School Drop-Out Prevention
1996 -- Sexuality Education
1996 -- Urban Life and Residence
1996 -- Social Practices that Induce Violence
1997 -- Full Participation for Psychologists with Disabilities
1997 -- Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation
1998 -- Legal Benefits for Same-Sex Couples

XII. Public Interest -- Part 2

1998 -- Immigrant Children, Youth, and Families
1998 -- Mandatory Minimum Drug Sentencing Regulations
1999 – Opposing Child Sexual Abuse
1999 -- Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity
1999 -- Male Violence against Women
2000 -- Poverty and Socioeconomic Status
2000 -- Guidelines for Psychotherapy with Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Clients
2001 -- Assisted Suicide
2001 -- End of Life Issues and Care for Adults
2001 -- Death Penalty in the United States
2002 -- Ageism
2002 -- Guidelines on Multicultural Education, Training, Research, Practice and Organizational Change for Psychologists
2003 -- Maltreatment of Children with Disabilities
2004 -- HIV Prevention Strategies Involving Legal Access to Sterile Injection Equipment
2004 -- Sexual Orientation and Military Service
2004 -- Children's Mental Health
2004 -- Bullying Among Children and Youth
2004 -- Sexual Orientation and Marriage
2004 -- Sexual Orientation, Parents, and Children
2005 -- Hate Crimes
2005 -- Empirically Supported Sex Education and HIV Prevention Programs for Adolescents
2005 -- 2005 White House Conference on Aging
2005 -- Violence in Video Games and Interactive Media
2005 -- Anti-Semitic and Anti-Jewish Prejudice
2006 -- Drug Abuse Treatment to Prevent HIV among Injecting Drug Users
2006 -- Prejudice, Stereotypes, and Discrimination
2006 – Report of the Working Group on Psychotropic Medications for Children and Adolescents
2006 – Report of the Task Force on Socioeconomic Status
2007 – Resolution on Opposing Discriminatory Legislation and Initiatives Aimed at Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Persons
2007 – Report of the Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls
2007 -- Resolution on Religious, Religion-Based and/or Religion-Derived Prejudice
2007 -- Anti-Semitic and Anti-Jewish Prejudice (2005 policy amended in 2007)

XIII. Ethnic Minority Affairs

1993 – Ethnic Minority Education
2001 -- Racial and Ethnic Bias/Profiling in Law Enforcement and Security Activities
2005 -- APA Resolution Recommending the Retirement of American Indian Mascots, Symbols, Images, and Personalities by Schools, Colleges, Universities, Athletic Teams and Organizations
2005 – Resolution on Enhancing Diversity in APA
2006 – Three-year Trial of Having Four Ethnic Minority Associations as Observers to Council
2007 – Resolution to Enhance Ethnic Minority Recruitment, Retention and Training in Psychology
2007 -- Reimbursement Policy for Ethnic Minority Members of Council

XIV. International Affairs

1975 – Psychologists who are Political Refugees
1977 -- Zionism as a Form of Racism
1977 – Support for the IUPsyS Resolution Concerning the Use of Psychiatric Diagnosis in the Suppression of Political Dissent
1980 -- Support for the Rights of Psychologists in Other Countries
1985 -- Free Exchange of Ideas
1986 -- Oposition to Torture
1987 -- Human Rights
1987 -- Seville Statement on Violence
1989 -- United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
2001 -- APA Resolution on UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention's Optional Protocols
2004 -- Resolution on Culture and Gender Awareness in International Psychology

XV. Central Office

1993 -- Public Policy Activities
1998 -- Environmental Responsibility

XVI. Financial Affairs

1978 – APA as a Responsible Investor
1992 – Staff Compensation Oversight
2000 – Member Dues Increases Linked to the CPI-U
2001 – Financial Updates on Directorates
2002 -- Affiliate Dues Increases Linked to the CPI-U
2003 -- Real Estate Cash Flow Principles
2006 -- “Responsible Spending" Policies
2007 -- Statement of Investment Policy, Objectives, and Guidelines APA Long Term Portfolio
2007 – 2008-2010 Financial Forecast and Net Asset Allocation Plan