Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

This Code sets forth principles of professional conduct developed to safeguard the welfare of consumers of psychological services. the integrity of the profession. Following the general principles which operate in all situations, a number of sections expand on and identify specific applications.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

1. Responsibility:

Psychologists remain personally responsible for the professional decisions they take.

1. Psychologists are expected to take cognizance of the foreseeable consequences of their actions and to make every effort to ensure that their services are used appropriately.

2. In working with organizations, whether as employees or consultants, psychologists shall have ultimate regard for the highest standards of their profession.

2. Competence:

Psychologists shall bring to and maintain appropriate skills and learning in their areas of professional practice.

1. Experience psychologists must not misrepresent their competence, qualifications, training or

2. Psychologists shall refrain from offering or undertaking work or advice beyond their professional competence.

3. Propriety:

The welfare of clients, students, research participants and the public; and the integrity of the profession; shall take precedence over a psychologist's self interest and over the interests of the psychologist's employer and colleagues.

1. Psychologists must respect the confidentiality of information obtained from persons in the course of their work as psychologists. They may reveal such information to others only with the consent of the person or the person's legal representative, except in those unusual circumstances in which not to do so would result in clear danger to the person or to others. Psychologists must inform their clients of the legal or other contractual limits of confidentiality.

2. Psychologists shall refrain from any act which would tend to bring the profession into public disrepute.

Last Modified December 19, 2007