Code Introduction, Standards 1 and 2 Flashcards
Question ID #12666: “Vicarious liability” is most likely to be a concern when a psychologist is acting in the role of:
Select one:
A.
supervisor.
B.
advocate.
C.
faculty member.
D.
radio talk show host.
he correct answer is A.
Under certain circumstances, supervisors may be legally responsible for the actions of their supervisees. The determination of vicarious liability ordinarily rests on the disparity in training and experience between the supervisor and supervisee and the level of responsibility the supervisor has for the supervisee’s actions.
Answers B, C, and D: Vicarious liability does not pertain to these roles. It only has relevance to the supervisor or employer roles a psychologist may take.
Question ID #12667: Pro bono services are ________ by the APA’s Ethics Code.
Select one:
A.
required
B.
encouraged
C.
prohibited
D.
not addressed
The correct answer is B.
Although the term “pro bono” is not used in the Ethics Code, General Principle B (Fidelity and Responsibility) states that psychologists “strive to contribute a portion of their professional time for little or no compensation or personal advantage.”
Answer A: Since the General Principles are aspirational (rather than mandatory), an implication of the above requirement is that pro bono services are encouraged or recommended—but not required—by the Ethics Code.
Answer C: This is not true. The code encourages the offering of pro bono services.
Answer D: While the code does not explicitly contain the term “pro bono,” the offering of services at little or no charge is advocated for in the code.
Question ID #12668: You receive a letter from the Ethics Committee asking for information about a former client who has filed a complaint against her current therapist. You stopped seeing the client over seven years ago. You should:
Select one:
A.
cooperate with the Committee’s request by sending it a copy of the client’s file.
B.
cooperate with the Committee’s request by sending it the information you believe is relevant to the case.
C.
cooperate with the Committee’s request by sending it the information you believe is relevant to the case after confirming the client has signed a release.
D.
inform the Committee that the information you have about the client is seven years old and that you’re ethically obligated not to forward it to them.
The correct answer is C.
Psychologists must cooperate fully with requests from the Ethics Committee. This issue is addressed in Standard 1.06 of the Ethics Code, which notes that, when responding to a request for information from the Ethics Committee, psychologists must “address any confidentiality issues.” Therefore, this answer is most consistent with the requirements of the Ethics Code.
Answer A: When responding to inquiries of this nature, psychologists are required to maintain client confidentiality by only disclosing relevant details.
Answer B: Doing so without the client’s permission conflicts with confidentiality requirements.
Answer D: The statement that you would be “ethically obligated not to forward it to them” is untrue.
Question ID #12669: You want to start treating clients who believe they have been abducted by aliens, but you have never worked with members of this population before. Your best course of action would be to:
Select one:
A.
start seeing these clients and consult with someone who is familiar with this population if you encounter any problems.
B.
start seeing these clients after establishing a consultative/supervisory relationship with a licensed psychologist with expertise in this area.
C.
consider taking a continuing education course related to the treatment of members of this population.
D.
see these clients only in emergency situations or if no one else is available in the community to see them.
The correct answer is B.
This issue is addressed by Standard 2.01 of the Ethics Code. Standard 2.01 requires psychologists to provide services only within the boundaries of their competence and to seek education, training, or supervision when necessary. When working with a new population, the best course of action is often obtaining consultation.
Answer A: Waiting for a problem to occur is never the best course of action.
Answer C: Seeking appropriate continuing education is certainly in line with the ethics code. However, simply considering doing so is not the best course of action.
Answer D: This would be ethical; however, it may not be the best course of action as seeking appropriate education, training, and/or supervision would allow you to ethically treat this population without these stipulations.
Question ID #12670: Dr. Marla Martin is asked to provide crisis intervention services to community members who were recently affected by a tornado that destroyed their homes. Dr. Martin does not have experience providing assistance to people who have been traumatized by a natural disaster, but there is no one else in the area who has experience and is available to see these individuals. As an ethical psychologist, Dr. Martin should:
Select one:
A.
provide services only if she is supervised by another professional who has experience with victims of a natural disaster.
B.
provide services to these individuals after taking a crash course related to the treatment of trauma survivors impacted by natural disasters.
C.
provide services to these individuals but stop when the crisis has ended or other services become available.
D.
refuse to provide the services.
The correct answer is C.
This issue is addressed in Standard 2.02 of the Ethics Code. Standard 2.02 states: “In emergencies when psychologists provide services to individuals for whom other mental health services are not available and for which psychologists have not obtained the necessary training, psychologists may provide such services in order to ensure the services are not denied. The services are discontinued as soon as the emergency has ended or appropriate services are available.”
Answer A: Supervision would not be required in this scenario.
Answer B: Seeking additional training/education is not required in this scenario.
Answer D: This is an ethical choice should Dr. Martin not feel comfortable treating this population. However, Standard 2.02 would allow her to treat this population temporarily.
Question ID #12671: Dr. Stan Sanchez is not getting along with his neighbor and finds that he has little patience and tends to get angry easily with therapy clients who resemble the man. To be consistent with the requirements of the APA’s Ethics Code, Dr. Sanchez should:
Select one:
A.
refer clients who resemble his neighbor to another therapist.
B.
inform clients who resemble his neighbor about his current situation and discuss their options with them.
C.
consult with another professional to determine the best course of action.
D.
monitor his behavior for signs of impaired objectivity and performance.
The correct answer is C.
This situation is addressed in Standard 2.06 of the Ethics Code. Standard 2.06 states that, when psychologists become aware that “personal problems may interfere with their performing work-related duties adequately, they take appropriate measures, such as obtaining professional consultation or assistance.”
Answer A: Referral may be appropriate but, before doing so, Dr. Martin would want to discuss this situation with a colleague to determine if that is the best course of action.
Answer B: Informing the client about his personal problem would not be an appropriate course of action.
Answer D: Monitoring his activity would not be sufficient since Dr. Martin is already aware that his problem with his neighbor is having an adverse impact on his effectiveness with some of his clients.
Question ID #12672: Dr. Samantha Stern is a psychologist who assists with hiring and promotion decisions at a mental health clinic. She recommends that one of the psychologists NOT be considered for promotion because of an unresolved charge of sexual harassment against him. Dr. Stern’s recommendation is:
Select one:
A.
consistent with the provisions of the Ethics Code.
B.
a violation of the provisions of the Ethics Code.
C.
ethical if her recommendation is consistent with the clinic’s HR policies.
D.
not addressed by the Ethics Code.
The correct answer is B.
This situation is explicitly addressed in Standard 1.08 of the APA’s Ethics Code. Standard 1.08 states: “Psychologists do not deny persons employment, advancement, admission to academic or other programs, tenure, or promotion, based solely upon their having made or their being the subject of an ethics complaint.”
Answer A: The opposite is true.
Answer C: This is not true. It is possible for the clinic’s HR policies to conflict with the Ethics code.
Answer D: This is specifically addressed in the ethics code.
Question ID #12714: Psychologists _______ acquire ________ and skills during the course of their career.
Select one:
A.
must, new knowledge
B.
should; supervision
C.
may, new knowledge
D.
will, rewards
The correct answer is A.
It is not uncommon for psychologists to acquire new knowledge and skills during the course of their careers; and, in fact, to be consistent with Standards 2.01 and 2.03, psychologists must do so.
Answers B, C, and D: These present incorrect statements.
