03_Human Relations

Question 1

Situations in which psychologists have the right to refuse to provide services

Answer 1

When they do not feel competent to serve, or to “difficult” individuals

It is more appropriate to refer someone who “stirs up trouble and feelings or anger in the therapist” in order to provide the most effective care

Question 2

Situations in which psychologists may terminate therapy

Answer 2

When threatened or otherwise endangered by client

or by someone client has a relationship with

Question 3

Sexual Harassment

Definition

Answer 3

Behaviors that are sexual in nature and are unwelcome, offensive, or create a hostile work / educational environment

Behaviors that would be recognized by a reasonable person as being abusive

Question 4

How many acts are necessary to constitute Sexual Harassment?

Answer 4

One severe act
or
Multiple Persistent/pervasive acts

Question 5

Establishing Unreasonableness of behavior when it’s not so clear-cut a case

Answer 5

Once a request has been made that defines a behavior as offensive, but the indivdual continues the behavior

E.g.: employee asks boss to stop commenting on her physical appearance–from that point, if boss does not not stop, they are vulnerable to a charge of sexual harassment

Question 6

Two Situations that constitute Sexual Harassment

Answer 6

Quid pro quo

Hostile Environment

Question 7

Sexual Harassment:

Hostile Environment

Answer 7

Sexually offensive behaviors that make it difficult for an employee to perform their job

Sexual gestures, jokes, remarks, pictures

Question 8

Two main risks associated with Multiple Relationships

Answer 8

Impaired objectivity, competence, or effectiveness

Exploitation or harm

Question 9

Multiple Relationships occur when a psychologist is a professional relationship with the person, and __________.

Answer 9

Has another relationship with that person
[or with somone closely associated/related]

Or promises to begin another relationship in the future

Question 10

When are multiple relationships permitted?

Answer 10

When they are not reasonably expected to cause impairment or risk exploitation or harm

Question 11

A therapist practicing in small town is engages in multiple relationships with current or previous clients for services because they are the only providers of the services.

Is this ethical?

Answer 11

Yes.

Multiple relationships of this kind are not prohibited

Question 12

Multiple Relationships:

“You first” Policy

Answer 12

Therapist should establish that client decides whether they acknowledge the therapist outside of the office

Question 13

When a potentially harmful multiple relationship has arisen due to unforeseen factors, the psychologist should…

Answer 13

Take reasonable steps to resolve it with to regard for the best interests of the affected person
[in maximal compliance with Ethics Code]

E.g. discussing potential conflicts with the client; seeking consultation

Question 14

Why shouldn’t a psychologist act as both an expert witness for the court and an advocate for the defendant?

Answer 14

There is likely to be a conflict between the goals of the legal system and the needs of the defendant

Question 15

Psychologist should not conduct evaluations in child protection cases when they have previously served as a therapist to the child or family.

When can they testify in court?

Answer 15

As fact or expert witnesses concerning therapeutic treatment of children or families

Question 16

Factors that Affect the Acceptability of a Multiple Relationship:

Power differential

Answer 16

Increased power differential = increased influence

= increased likelihood that relationship is unethical

Question 17

Factors that Affect the Acceptability of a Multiple Relationship:

Duration of the Relationship

Answer 17

The longer the relationship, the more dubious acceptability of the multiple relationship

Question 18

Factors that Affect the Acceptability of a Multiple Relationship:

Clarity of Termination

Answer 18

Relationship is less acceptable with increased likelihood that individual will desire additional professional services in the future

Question 19

Example when Large Power Differential existed but a multiple relationship is acceptable

Answer 19

Relationship with relatives of former patient

Treatment was brief and in a clearly-defined time period

Termination of professional relationship was unambiguous

Question 20

Three conditions that constitute Informed Consent

Answer 20

Capacity

Comprehension

Voluntariness

Question 21

Informed Consent:

Three Ongoing Comprehension concerns

Answer 21

Consent forms are often written at a reading level beyond the ability of many adults

Difficult to determine whether individuals with mild intellectual disability fully understand information

Individual from different cultural background may have different perception of health and illness, and may not fully understand what they are being told

Question 22

Informed consent:

Specific type of information that must be provided

Answer 22

Nature and anticipated course of therapy

Fees

Involvement of third parties

Limits of confidentiality

Question 23

Informed Consent:

Experimental or other emerging procedures

Answer 23

Developing nature of the treatment

Potential risks involved

Alternative treatments that may be available

Voluntary nature of their participation

Question 24

Informed consent:

Timing

Answer 24

As early as is feasible in the therapeutic relationship

Question 25

Informed Consent:

Formats of Documentation

Answer 25

Signed written form

Audio/video tape

A note in the clients record

Question 26

True or False?

If members of a certain cultural group regard verbal agreement to be sufficient, signed written consents are not necessary.

Answer 26

True

However, a signed written consent may be required by law or institutional regulation, depending on workplace

Question 27

Consent vs Assent

Answer 27

Assent: when individual is a minor, or other person not legally capable of giving consents

Psychologists provide individual with an explanation and seek assent (agreement)

Permission is obtained from legally authorized person

Question 28

When an adult client has not been legally declared incompetent, but the psychologist is uncertain about the client’s ability to provide informed consent, the psychologist should…

Answer 28

Proceed with caution

Seek consultation

Engage in a shared decision-making process with parents or other caregivers