“Sport Psychology” is a term used to refer to the psychological aspects of sport, physical recreation, physical education, exercise, health, and related physical activities. The International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP) is dedicated to the development and professionalization of the field of sport psychology from a global perspective. The following ethical principles are guidelines that regulate ISSP professionals in sport psychology to act responsibly and ethically in the provision of services to insure the dignity and welfare of individuals, athletes, professionals, volunteers, administrators, teams, and the general public. These ethical standards are expressed in general terms in order that they can be applied to sport psychologists engaged in varied roles. The application of the ethical standards may vary depending upon the context (i.e., country and organization). The ethical standards outlined in this statement are not exhaustive, and the fact that conduct is not addressed by these principles does not indicate that ISSP endorses it as either ethical or unethical.
It is the individual responsibility of each sport psychologist to aspire to the highest possible standards of conduct. It is expected that each sport psychologist will act in accordance with, and not violate, the values and rules described in the ethical principles, as well as the values and norms of one’s culture.
The material in this statement is based in large part on previously developed guidelines by: The American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, the British Association of Sports Sciences – Sport Psychology Section Code of Conduct, and the Ethical Principles of the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology. Over 200 organizational ethics codes were examined and were influential in the preparation of this document.
