<P> The American Psychological Association (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (for short, the Ethics Code, as referred to by the APA) includes an introduction, preamble, a list of five aspirational principles and a list of ten enforceable standards that psychologists use to guide ethical decisions in practice, research, and education . The principles and standards are written, revised, and enforced by the APA . The code of conduct is applicable to psychologists in a variety of areas across a variety of contexts . In the event of a violation of the code of conduct, the APA may take action ranging from termination of the APA membership to the loss of licensure, depending on the violation . Other professional organizations and licensing boards may adopt and enforce the code . </P> <P> The first version was published by the APA in 1953 . The need for such a document came after psychologists were taking on more professional and public roles post-World War II . A committee was developed and reviewed situations submitted by psychologists in the field who felt they had encountered ethical dilemmas . The committee organized these situations into themes and included them in the first document which was 170 pages in length . Over the years, a distinction was made between aspirational principles and enforceable standards . Since, there have been nine revisions with the most recent published in 2002 and amended in 2010 . </P>

Who wrote the code of ethics for psychology