ABSTRACT
A remarkable organization—one that had earned so much respect and influence since its founding in 1892, had pioneered an extraordinary new method for creating its first ethics code, had emphasized ethics throughout the organization—found itself confronting a major ethics scandal. Confronting the scandal effectively required both ethical resolve and moral courage. How the American Psychological Association (APA) addressed this scandal and dedicated itself to strengthening its ethics holds useful lessons for strengthening ethics in organizations and individuals, for steering clear of missteps, and for recovering from ethical stumbles. These lessons show us constructive steps that draw on research and history. What APA learned from the unfolding scandal led the organization to formally “apologize for this stain on our collective integrity,” to “acknowledge that that these events have cast a pall on psychology and psychologists in all countries, with the potential to negatively affect perceptions of the integrity of our discipline worldwide,” and to commit to taking steps “resetting our moral compass.” APA’s straightforward apology and commitment to change stand in sharp and positive contrast to those organizations described in Chapter 1 that denied or downplayed their responsibility and accountability.
