PAP Ethics Code

• The Universal Declaration was adopted unanimously by the General Assembly of the International Union of Psychological Science in Berlin on July 22, 2008 and by the Board of Directors of the International Association of Applied Psychology in Berlin on July 28, 2008
• The Universal Declaration speaks of a common moral framework that guides and inspires Psychology practitioners worldwide towards the attainment of the highest ethical ideals in their professional and scientific work
• Psychology practitioners recognize that they carry out their activities within a larger social context
• Psychology practitioners recognize that the lives and identities of human beings, both individually and collectively, are connected across generations, and that there is a reciprocal relationship between human beings and their natural and social environments
• Psychology practitioners are committed to placing the welfare of the society and its members above self-interest
• Adherence to ethical principles in the context of their work contributes to a stable society which in turn enhances the quality of life for all human beings
• The objectives of the Universal Declaration are to provide a moral framework and generic set of ethical principles for Psychology organizations worldwide
• Objectives of the Universal Declaration

  • Evaluate the ethical and moral relevance of Codes of Ethics
  • Guide the development or evolution of Codes of Ethics
  • Encourage global thinking about ethics, while also encouraging action that is sensitive and responsive to local needs and values
  • Speak with a collective voice on matters of ethical concern
• The Universal Declaration describes ethical principles that are based on shared human values
• The Universal Declaration reaffirms the commitment of the Psychology community to help build a better world where peace, freedom, responsibility, justice, humanity, and morality prevail
• The principles and values in the Universal Declaration are general and aspirational rather than specific and prescriptive
• Application of the principles and values must be able to recognize local or regional differences in order to ensure their relevance to local or regional cultures, customs, beliefs, and laws
• Every Psychology organization is encouraged to keep this Universal Declaration in mind and to propagate the same through teaching, education, and other measures to promote respect for and observance of, its principles and related values in the various activities of its members
• Interpersonal relationships


  • Enhance potential benefits
  • Reduce potential harm
• Self-knowledge


  • Awareness of how one's values, experiences, culture, and social context might influence one's actions and interpretations
• Respect for the Dignity of Persons and Peoples

  The most fundamental and universally recognized ethical principle that cuts across geographical and cultural boundaries, and professional disciplines
• Respect for the dignity of persons


  • Recognizes the inherent worth of all human beings, regardless of perceived or real differences in social status, ethnic origin, gender, capacities, or other such characteristics
  • All human beings are worthy of equal moral consideration
• Respect for the dignity of peoples


  • Different cultures, ethnicities, religions, histories, social structures and such other characteristics of peoples are integral to the identity of their members as these give meaning or significance to their lives
  • The continuity of peoples and cultures over time connects the peoples of today with the peoples of past generations and the need to nurture future generations
• Ways respect for the dignity of persons and peoples is expressed

  • Respect for the unique worth and inherent dignity of all human beings
  • Respect for the diversity among persons and peoples
  • Respect for the customs and beliefs of cultures, to be limited only when a custom or a belief seriously contravenes the principle of respect for the dignity of persons or peoples or causes serious harm to their well-being
  • Free and informed consent, as culturally defined and relevant for individuals, families, groups, and communities
  • Privacy of individuals, families, groups, and communities
  • Protection of confidentiality of personal information of individuals, families, groups, and communities
  • Fairness and justice in the treatment of persons and peoples
• Competent Caring for the Well-Being of Persons and Peoples

  • Involves working for their benefit and, above all, of doing no harm to them
  • Includes maximizing benefits, minimizing potential harm, and offsetting or correcting harm
  • Requires the application of knowledge and skills that are appropriate to the nature of a situation within the social and cultural context
  • Requires the ability to establish interpersonal relationships that enhance potential benefits and reduce potential harm
  • Requires adequate self-knowledge of how one's values, experiences, culture, and social context might influence one's actions and interpretations
• Values related to Competent Caring for the Well-Being of Persons and Peoples

  • Active concern for the well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities
  • Ensuring that no harm is done to individuals, families, groups, and communities
  • Maximizing benefits and minimizing potential harm to individuals, families, groups, and communities
  • Correcting or offsetting harmful effects that have occurred as a result of their activities
  • Developing and maintaining competence
  • Self-knowledge regarding how their own values, attitudes, experiences, and social contexts influence their actions, interpretations, choices, and recommendations
  • Respect for the ability of individuals, families, groups, and communities to make decisions for themselves and to care for themselves and each other
• Integrity


  • Vital to the advancement of scientific knowledge and to the maintenance of public confidence in the discipline of Psychology
  • Based on honesty, and on truthful, open and accurate communication
  • Includes recognizing, monitoring, and managing potential biases, multiple relationships, and other conflicts of interest that could result in harm and exploitation of persons or peoples
• Values related to Integrity

  • Honesty, and truthful, open and accurate communication
  • Avoiding incomplete disclosure of information unless complete disclosure is culturally inappropriate, or violates confidentiality, or carries the potential to do serious harm to individuals, families, groups, or communities
  • Maximizing impartiality and minimizing biases
  • Not exploiting persons or peoples for personal, professional, or financial gain
  • Avoiding conflicts of interest and declaring them when they cannot be avoided or are inappropriate to avoid
• Professional and Scientific Responsibilities to Society

  • Psychology functions as a discipline within the context of human society
  • Responsibilities include contributing knowledge about human behavior and to the persons' understanding of themselves and others, and using such knowledge to improve the condition of individuals, families, groups, communities, and society
  • Responsibilities also include conducting its affairs within the society in accordance with the highest ethical standards, and encouraging the development of social structures and policies that will benefit all persons and peoples
• Values related to Professional and Scientific Responsibilities to Society

  • The responsibility to increase scientific and professional knowledge in ways that allow the promotion of the well-being of society and all its members
  • The responsibility to use Psychological knowledge for beneficial purposes and to protect such knowledge from being misused, used incompetently, or made useless
  • The responsibility to conduct its affairs in ways that are ethical and consistent with the promotion of the well-being of society and all its members
  • The responsibility to promote the highest ethical ideals in the performance of scientific, professional and educational activities of its members
  • The responsibility to adequately train its members as regards their ethical responsibilities and required competencies
  • The responsibility to develop its ethical awareness and sensitivity, and to be as self-correcting as possible