解釋
美國心理協會（American Psychological Association）《APA 道德原則 7.3章節》規定：“在沒有直接對病人進行診斷、及未獲得病人本人或其法定監護人允許的情況下，職業心理醫師不能對病人的情況發表專業評論。”
原文："On occasion psychiatrists are asked for an opinion about an individual who is in the light of public attention or who has disclosed information about himself/herself through public media. In such circumstances, a psychiatrist may share with the public his or her expertise about psychiatric issues in general. However, it is unethical for a psychiatrist to offer a professional opinion unless he or she has conducted an examination and has been granted proper authorization for such a statement"
美國《Fact》雜誌曾刊登過一篇關於美國參議員Barry Goldwater的文章：
"The Unconscious of a Conservative: A Special Issue on the Mind of Barry Goldwater."
“揭秘一位保守黨人的潛意識：Barry Goldwater內心世界特刊”
其中有對該參議員的心理分析，此後美國心理協會即加入了此道德原則。
此原則沒有官方名稱，因Barry Goldwater（巴里金水）而得名。
