Unifying APA and APAPO
In his March 2018 "Update From the CEO," Dr. Arthur C. Evans Jr. argues for a closer relationship between the APA Practice Organization (APAPO) and the nonprofit APA. He is "proud to say that we have built a solid reputation on Capitol Hill and with federal agencies" and seeks to transcend "federal tax law [that] limits the extent to which we can advocate for the policy issues psychologists care about."
Although the captioned photograph identifies Dr. Evans as CEO of APA, he is simultaneously CEO of APAPO. The APA Board likewise doubles as the APAPO Board, fostering conflicts of fiduciary responsibility. A 2016 class action lawsuit against APA resulted in a $9 million settlement to claimants for APA's deceptive collection of funds for APAPO.
Dr. Evans's effort "to ensure that psychology and psychologists have a strong voice in policy decision-making" ignores the fact that influence runs both ways, and the federal government has the upper hand. APA Ethics Code Standard 8.05 illustrates the asymmetrical power relationship: "Psychologists may dispense with informed consent … where otherwise permitted by law or federal or institutional regulations."
Unification of APA and APAPO for federal policy advocacy further diminishes the crucial distinction between advancement of psychology and advancement of psychologists and corporate interests. Consulting psychologists on defense contracts owe first allegiance to their corporations, not to psychological ethics or even national security.
The March 2018 Joint Membership Agreement, requiring APA members to fund APAPO, facilitates APA's pandering to government. APA and APAPO should have distinct CEOs, boards and revenues.
Jean Maria Arrigo, PhD
Member of APA Divisions 19, 26 and 48
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