American Psychological Association

The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States and Canada. The association primarily focuses on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses, including mental retardation and substance-related disorders. Its services include encouraging the development and application of psychology in the broadest manner; promoting research in psychology, the improvement of research methods and conditions, and the application of research findings; improving the qualifications and usefulness of psychologists by establishing high standards of ethics, conduct, education, and achievement; and increasing and disseminating psychological knowledge through meetings, professional contacts, reports, papers, discussions, and publications. The association was founded in 1844 and is based in Arlington, Virginia. Today, APA has nearly 130,000 members and 54 divisions in subfields of psychology.

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