American Psychological Association

Mission

The mission of the APA is to advance psychology as a science and profession and as a means of promoting health, education, and human welfare through the application of science to practice and policy. To achieve this goal, the APA (a) promotes research in psychology and the improvement of research methods and conditions, (b) encourages and advocates for psychology in all its branches and forums, (c) establishes the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics for members of the APA, (d) promotes ongoing improvement of the qualifications and usefulness of psychologists through education and recognition of achievement, and (e) promotes the dissemination of scientific knowledge through meetings, professional contacts, reports, papers, discussions, and publications.

Organizational Structure

The APA governance structure employs a complex system of checks and balances that can be difficult [Page 26]to comprehend. The APA is chartered in the District of Columbia, and because the charter trumps the association's bylaws, the charter limits what the organization can do in the public policy and advocacy realm to promoting psychology in the public interest. A constitution and bylaws were ratified by the membership more than 50 years ago and remain virtually unchanged today. The primary structural components of the APA include the council of representatives, the board of directors, officers, standing boards and committees, and the central office staff, including a chief executive officer. The members of the APA exercise their power through direct vote and through the election of members to serve on the council of representatives. The primary constituencies from which the representatives are elected are the divisions, which are an integral part of the association, and the state and provincial psychological associations, which are affiliates. The APA divisions include a Division of Evaluation, Measurement and Statistics (Division 5). Much of the work of the Association is done on a volunteer basis by the members of the boards, committees, and ad hoc task forces and working groups. The committees carry out a wide variety of tasks, as indicated by some of their titles: ethics, psychological tests and assessments, membership, and accreditation, to name a few.

The chief executive officer is responsible for the management and staffing of the central office and for running the business aspects of the APA. With nearly 500 employees, the central office provides staff support for all boards and committees; runs one of the largest scientific publishing houses in the world; invests in stocks; manages real estate; and interacts with private, state, and federal agencies and organizations. Member dues represent only 16% of the revenues needed to run the APA.