Ethics Issue of our Time:
Psychologists and Torture

Members of the American Psychological Association are bound by the professional ethics of the organization.  In the last several years, there has been a debate both within the organization and outside, about the role of psychologists in national security settings that use torture.  Many psychologists criticized the APA’s previous position and called for change.  In September 2008, the voting membership of the APA supported by a majority vote, a petition which stated that psychologists may not work in settings where people are held outside of, or against, either international law or the U.S. constitution.

 

Follow the links below for more information.

 

The APA Membership Petition Resolution on Detainee Settings September 2008:

http://www.apa.org/releases/petition0908.html

 

The Amendment to 2007 APA Resolution:

http://www.apa.org/monitor/2008/04/torture.html

 

The APA 2007 Resolution: Reaffirmation of the American Psychological Association 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”

http://www.apa.org/governance/resolutions/councilres0807.html

 

Commentary on the APA Resolution by ‘Psychologists for Social Responsibility’:

http://www.psysr.org/about/programs/humanrights/chronology.php

 

Timeline of APA Policies & Actions Related to Detainee Welfare and Professional Ethics
in the Context of Interrogation and National Security:

http://www.apa.org/releases/timeline.html