<P> The American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association (both known by the acronym APA) are sometimes distinguished as "the bigger APA" (American Psychological Association) and "the little APA" (American Psychiatric Association) because of their relative membership sizes . </P> <P> The APA has task forces which issue policy statements on various issues of social import such as the APA position on psychology of abortion; APA position on human rights (concerning issues such as detainee welfare, human trafficking, and rights for the mentally ill); APA position on IQ; APA position on treating homosexuality (sexual orientation change efforts); and APA position on men and women (gender differences). </P> <P> APA is a corporation chartered in the District of Columbia . APA's bylaws describe structural components that serve as a system of checks and balances that ensure democratic process . The organizational entities include: </P> <Ul> <Li> APA President . APA's president is elected by the membership . The president chairs the Council of Representatives and the Board of Directors . During his or her term of office, the president performs such duties as are prescribed in the bylaws . </Li> <Li> Board of Directors . The board is composed of six members - at - large, the president - elect, president, past - president, treasurer, recording secretary, CEO, and the chair of the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS). The Board oversees the association's administrative affairs and presents an annual budget for council approval . </Li> <Li> APA Council of Representatives . The council has sole authority to set policy and make decisions regarding APA's roughly $60 million annual income . It is composed of elected members from state / provincial / territorial psychological associations, APA divisions and the APA Board of Directors . </Li> <Li> APA Committee Structure: Boards and Committees . Members of boards and committees conduct much of APA's work on a volunteer basis . They carry out a wide variety of tasks suggested by their names . Some have responsibility for monitoring major programs, such as the directorates, the journals and international affairs . </Li> </Ul>

The american psychological association publishes its first code of ethics