Code of Ethics for Psychologists
Professional Relationship Termination
Psychologists shall terminate a professional relationship when its objectives have been met. Either party may also terminate the relationship if the service is deemed unnecessary, if its extension does not benefit the client, or if the client wishes to exercise their right to change professionals. In such cases, the psychologist will provide information about alternative services and facilitate the transfer of responsibility to other professionals when appropriate.
Research in Psychology
Design and Conduct: Psychologists must adhere to accepted scientific standards and criteria in research to preserve the development of psychology as a science.
Participant Welfare: Psychologists must protect the welfare and rights of research participants.
Informed Consent: Psychologists must obtain express written informed consent from participants, especially when research may jeopardize their privacy, such as involving records, films, or recordings. Participants should be informed of potential unintended effects and their scope, obtaining written consent from participants or legal representatives as appropriate.
Participant Withdrawal: Research subjects have the right to terminate their participation at any time. The psychologist must take appropriate action to mitigate any undesirable effects resulting from the study.
Institutional Authorization: Research in public or private institutions requires authorization from the appropriate authority, informing them of the research goals, meaning, and scope.
Research Assistants: When using research assistants, psychologists retain full responsibility and must directly supervise their staff.
Animal Welfare: Research involving animals requires full respect for animal welfare regulations.
Relationship with the Community or Society
Psychologists demonstrate social responsibility in their professional conduct and contribute to societal development and the scientific advancement of their field.
Public Participation
- Scientific Basis: Public lectures, exhibitions, or social media interviews must have a scientific basis, specialty backing, and content appropriate for the intended audience.
- Educational Objectives: Participation should fulfill educational objectives or provide qualified opinions on public interest issues.
- Guidance and Referral: Refrain from making diagnoses, prognoses, or therapeutic indications in public forums. Offer general advice or guidance and suggest appropriate community resources when necessary. Never disclose or discuss diagnoses or treatment of identified patients, as this violates professional secrecy and confidentiality.
- Accurate Information: Avoid providing misleading or false information regarding training, experience, competence, qualifications, affiliations, services, results, or publications.
- Ethical Consistency: All public statements must align with this Code of Ethics.
Professional Certification
- Credentials: Display only undergraduate or validated degrees from recognized universities.
- Post-Graduate Certification: Post-graduate certifications should reflect systematic studies, preferably from institutions specializing in psychologist training, with the prerequisite of a psychologist title.