Policy Statements

APA Policies

Interrogations and Ethics

• Report on APA's Ongoing Efforts to Implement the Petition Resolution Policy
• Timeline of APA Policies & Actions Related to Detainee Welfare and Professional Ethics in the Context of Interrogation and National Security

  The American Psychological Association's position on torture is clear and unequivocal: Any direct or indirect participation in any act of torture or other forms of cruel, degrading or inhuman treatment or punishment by psychologists is strictly prohibited.

• American Psychological Association Amends Ethics Code to Address Potential Conflicts Among Professional Ethics, Legal Authority and Organizational Demands

  Adds Language Reiterating that ‘Under No Circumstances’ May Standards Be Used to Justify Violating Human Rights

• APA Council of Representatives Directs Change in its Ethics Code to Prevent So-Called Nuremberg Defense

  The APA Ethics Committee has said that no defense for torture will ever be acceptable within the APA ethics adjudication process.

• 2008 APA Petition Resolution Ballot

  In early June 2008, APA received such a petition with the required number of signatures of full members in good standing concerning the issue of whether psychologists may work in certain settings that involve the detention of individuals. In September, this measure passed by a vote of 8,792 to 6,157.

• 2008 APA Petition Resolution Ballot - Pro Statement

  The pro statement concerning the issue of whether psychologists may work in certain settings that involve the detention of individuals.

• 2008 APA Petition Resolution Ballot - Con Statement

  The con statement concerning the issue of whether psychologists may work in certain settings that involve the detention of individuals.

• 2008 APA Petition Resolution Ballot - Rebuttal to the Pro Statement

  The rebuttal to the pro statement.

• 2008 APA Petition Resolution Ballot - Rebuttal to the Con Statement

  The rebuttal to the con statement.

• Petition on Psychologists’ Work Settings - Questions and Answers

  In September 2008, voting members of the American Psychological Association received a ballot concerning the issue of psychologists’ work settings. This document answers general questions about the balloting process.

Health Care Reform

• APA Statement on Senate Passage of Health Care Reform Legislation

  The American Psychological Association commends the U.S. Senate for its historic passage of legislation that holds the promise of more comprehensive coverage for Americans with health insurance and provides new options for those without.

• Five Questions on Health Care Reform For James H. Bray, PhD, President of the American Psychological Association

  APA believes that every American should have access to quality health care that includes mental and behavioral health promotion, screening and referral, prevention, early intervention, treatment and wellness services across the lifespan.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues

• Insufficient Evidence that Sexual Orientation Change Efforts Work, Says APA

  Practitioners should avoid telling clients they can change from gay to straight

• Sexual Orientation & Military Service

  The American Psychological Association opposes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation believes the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Pursue” policy discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation, and has caused many qualified personnel to be involuntarily separated from military service solely because of their sexual orientation.

• In re Matter of Adoption of X.X.G. and N.R.G.

  APA’s brief addresses the following: 1) homosexuality is a normal variant of human sexual orientation and the vast majority of gay and lesbian individuals lead happy, healthy, well-adjusted, and productive lives; 2) a large number of children are currently being raised by lesbians and gay men; and 3) lesbian and gay parents do not differ from heterosexuals in their parenting skills.

• Varnum v. Brien

  The brief states that allowing same-sex couples to marry would give them access to the legal, social, and economic support that already facilitate and strengthen heterosexual marriages as well as end the antigay stigma imposed by the State through its same-sex marriage ban.

• In re. Marriage Cases, 43 Cal.4th 757

  APA’s amicus brief provided extensive psychological research on key points, including how sexual orientation is related to the gender of partners to whom one is attracted—meaning that prohibiting same-sex marriage discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation, rather than just imposing disparate burdens on gay people.