EPPP -Ethics Flashcards
Psychologists can use animals in research if what 2 conditions are met?
1. It is in compliance with current federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and with professional standards; 2. Reasonable efforts are made to minimize discomfort, infection, illness, and pain to animals
Psychologists are required to work within the boundaries of their \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, which can be based on their education, training, supervised experience, consultation, study, or professional experience.
Competence
What course of action should you take if you discover a colleague has been violating an ethical standard that puts no clients in direct harm?
Attempt to resolve the
problem informally by
discussing the matter
with the offender
When should a psychologist make a formal report to the Ethics Committee, state licensing board, or other appropriate authority regarding unethical behavior by a colleague?
When the problem involves "substantial harm" and is not appropriate for an informal resolution or has not been resolved satisfactorily by an attempt at an informal resolution
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ always takes precedence over the need to educate or punish an offending psychologist, which must always be considered before filing a complaint.
Client
Confidentiality
When recording voices/images in research, when is informed consent not required?
When the research consists solely of naturalistic observations in public places, and it is not anticipated that the recording will be used in a manner that could cause personal identification or harm
Describe the nature of informed consent when research involves recording voices/images and deception.
Informed
consent is
provided during
debriefing
What is the legal concept that protects a client's confidentiality in the context of legal proceedings?
Privilege
Typically,
__________ is
the holder of
the privilege.
The
client
What has the data on sexual misconduct by therapists consistently shown?
Male therapists violate much more than female therapists, and they are usually older (42-44 y/o) than the female clients (30-33 y/o) they become involved with
What relationships have been found between risk for sexual misconduct and theoretical orientation, professional experience, or education?
None
(Pope et
al., 1993)
When can a
psychologist
use client
testimonials?
When they are not solicited from current therapy clients or other persons who, because of their circumstances, are vulnerable to undue influence
In a consultative relationship, when is it appropriate to disclose confidential client information?
1. When the consultant and consultee have a confidential relationship; 2. If the consultee has obtained prior consent of the person or organization; 3. If disclosure is unavoidable
A psychologist has been meeting regularly with a child whose parents recently filed for divorce and have requested a child custody evaluation. What course of action should the psychologist take?
While not required, The Guidelines states psychologists generally avoid conducting such evaluations when s/he has served in a therapeutic role for the child or their family
What 4 conditions must be met in order for a client to bring a claim of malpractice against a psychologist?
1. Psychologist must have had a professional relationship with the person; 2. Must be a demonstrable standard of care breached by psychologist; 3. Person suffered harm or injury; 4. Harm or injury was proximally caused by psychologist's breach of duty within context of standard of care
Is it ever appropriate for a psychologist to pay, receive payment from, or divide fees with another professional for referring them a client?
No, this is unethical. All payments in such situations must be based on the services provided (e.g., clinical, consultative, administrative)
What legal decision originally established a psychologists "duty to warn," which later became a "duty to protect?"
The Tarasoff Decision, which regards a client's admission of intent to harm another person
Bartering is allowed only if what two conditions are met?
- It is not clinically
contraindicated; 2.
It is not exploitative
In a legal proceeding, if a defendant lacks sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding, and a rational as well as a factual understanding of the proceedings against him/her, s/he is deemed \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
Incompetent
to stand trial
A person who by reason of education or specialized experience possesses superior knowledge regarding a subject about which persons having no particular training are incapable of forming an accurate opinion or deducing correct conclusions is referred to as an \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
Expert
Witness
A \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ refers to a person who testifies as to what they saw, heard, or otherwise observed regarding a circumstance, event or occurrence as it actually took place.
Fact
Witness
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ are allowed to offer professional opinions and provide testimony based on hypothetical scenarios, while \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ cannot.
Expert
Witnesses;
Fact Witnesses
When taking on a new therapy client, when should a psychologist obtain informed consent?
As early as is feasible- should include nature and anticipated course of therapy, fees, 3rd party involvement, limits of confidentiality, and provide client opportunity to ask questions and receive answers
Are psychologists required by the Ethics Code to provide Pro Bono services?
No, however the General Principles, which are aspirational in nature, promote it
Is it ethical for psychologists to engage in sexual behavior with students or supervisees?
No. In fact, it is unethical for a psychologist to engage in sexual relations with anyone they are likely to have evaluative authority over
The Client Welfare
standard of the
APA Ethics Code
requires what?
That reasonable steps are taken by psychologists to avoid and minimize harm to clients, students, research participants, and others with whom they work
What conditions must be met for deception to ethically be used in research?
1. Deception is justified by the study's prospective scientific, educational, applied value and effective nondeceptive alternatives are not feasible; 2. Participants are not deceived about conditions that might cause significant pain or emotional distress; 3. Participants are debriefed preferably at end of their participation, but no later than conclusion of data collection
The "Guidelines for Providers of Psychological Services to Ethnic, Linguistic, and Culturally Diverse Populations" presents principles that are \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ in nature.
Aspirational
Psychologists are to refrain from entering into a multiple relationship when?
If the relationship can be reasonably expected to impair the psychologist's objectivity, competence, or effectiveness, or otherwise risks exploitation or harm to the client
What is the first step a psychologist should take when they receive a subpoena?
Determine if the
subpoena is a
legally valid
demand
Following an evaluation, are psychologists allowed to provide clients with raw test data if the client requests it?
Yes, it would unethical not to do so. However, there are some exceptions if the psychologist believes the test data could harm the client
True or False: In some situations, it is ethical for a psychologist to withhold reporting a case of known child abuse?
False. All jurisdictions require psychologists to report known cases of child abuse to the appropriate authorities
Is it ethical or unethical to deny employment, admission to academic or other programs, advancement, or promotion to someone who has previously made or been the subject of an ethics complaint?
Unethical
What is FERPA
(Family Education
Rights and Privacy
Act of 1974)?
It prohibits educational institutions receiving federal funds from disclosing personally identifying information from student records without the consent of the the student or legal guardian (if under 18); also grants right to inspect one's educational records
Sliding fee scales are
generally considered
acceptable as long as
they are ________.
Fair and serve
the best
interests of the
client
In deciding whether to provide services to a person already receiving mental health services elsewhere, what should a psychologist consider?
The treatment issues and the potential client's welfare. These issues are discussed with the client and the psychologist should proceed with caution
Psychologists are to act \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ when teaching, supervising, and designing education and training programs.
Competently;
Responsibly
In-person solicitation of business from actual or potential therapy clients or other persons is unethical when it involves what?
Solicitation of people who, due to their particular circumstances, are vulnerable to undue influence
True or False: Psychologists can base assessment/intervention decisions or recommendations on tests, measures, data, or test results that are outdated or obsolete?
False. Only tests that are useful to the current purpose can be used ethically
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ refers to the obligation of psychologists to protect clients from unauthorized disclosure of information revealed in the context of the professional relationship.
Confidentiality
These were adopted as a means of self-regulation in the public interest, and its provisions are general and aspirational.
The General Guidelines for Providers of Psychological Services
When it becomes reasonably clear that a client no longer needs services, is unlikely to benefit, or is being harmed by continued services, what is the psychologist's best course of action?
Terminate
therapy
Upon termination, what does the Ethics Code state a psychologist should do?
Provide pretermination
counseling and suggest
alternative service
providers as appropriate
APA's Record Keeping Guidelines specifies that records of psychological services must include:
identifying data, dates of service, types of service, fees, assessment reports and intervention plans, and releases of information