American Psychological Association

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  American Psychological Association logo

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  The American Psychological Association headquarters in Washington, D.C.

American Psychological Association

The American Psychological Association (APA) is a leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. With over 120,000 members, including researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students, the APA is the largest association of psychologists worldwide.

History

The APA was founded in July 1892 at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. The founding members aimed to advance psychology as a science and profession. The first president of the APA was G. Stanley Hall, a prominent psychologist and educator.

Mission

The mission of the APA is to promote the advancement, communication, and application of psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives. The organization works to achieve this mission through advocacy, education, and the dissemination of psychological research.

Structure

The APA is governed by a Council of Representatives and a Board of Directors. The Council of Representatives is the legislative body of the APA, while the Board of Directors is responsible for the administration and management of the association.

Divisions

The APA is organized into 54 divisions, each focusing on a specific area of psychology. These divisions provide a forum for members to discuss issues related to their specific interests and to promote research and education in their fields.

State and Provincial Associations

In addition to its divisions, the APA is affiliated with state and provincial psychological associations across the United States and Canada. These associations work to advance psychology at the local level.

Publications

The APA publishes a wide range of scholarly journals, books, and other resources. Some of its most well-known publications include the "American Psychologist" and the "Journal of Applied Psychology." The APA also publishes the "Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association," which is widely used as a guide for writing and formatting research papers in the social sciences.

Ethical Guidelines

The APA has established a set of ethical guidelines known as the "Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct." These guidelines provide a framework for ethical behavior and decision-making in the practice of psychology.

Advocacy

The APA engages in advocacy efforts to influence public policy and legislation related to psychology and mental health. The organization works to promote the interests of psychologists and to ensure that psychological research and practice are considered in policy decisions.

Related pages

• Psychology
• G. Stanley Hall
• American Psychologist
• Journal of Applied Psychology
• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association