Ethics Flashcards
1
Q
Psychologists can use animals in research if what 2 conditions are met?
A
- It is in compliance with current federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and with
professional standards.; - Reasonable efforts are made to minimize discomfort, infection, illness, and pain to animals.
2
Q
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.
A
Competence
3
Q
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?
A
Attempt to resolve the
problem informally by
discussing the matter
with the offender
4
Q
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?
A
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
5
Q
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ always takes precedence over the need to educate or punish an offending psychologist, which must always be considered before filing a complaint.
A
Client
Confidentiality
6
Q
When recording voices and/or images in research, when is informed consent not required?
A
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
7
Q
When is informed consent provided in research that involves recording voices and/or images and deception?
A
Informed
consent is
provided during
debriefing
8
Q
What is the legal concept that protects a client's confidentiality in the context of legal proceedings?
A
Privilege
9
Q
Typically,
__________ is
the holder of
the privilege
A
The
client
10
Q
What has the data on sexual misconduct by therapists consistently shown?
A
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 wit
11
Q
What relationships have been found between risk for sexual misconduct and theoretical orientation, professional experience, or education?
A
None
(Pope et
al., 1993)
12
Q
When can a
psychologist
use client
testimonials?
A
When they are not solicited from current therapy clients or other persons who, because of their circumstances, are vulnerable to undue influence
13
Q
In a consultative relationship, when is it appropriate to disclose confidential client information?
A
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
14
Q
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?
A
While not required, The Guidelines state psychologists generally avoid conducting such evaluations when s/he has served in a therapeutic role for the child or their family
15
Q
What 4 conditions must be met in order for a client to bring a claim of malpractice against a psychologist?
A
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
16
Q
Is it ever appropriate for a psychologist to pay, receive payment from, or divide fees with another professional for referring them a client?
A
No, this is unethical. All payments in such situations must be based on the services provided (e.g., clinical, consultative, administrative)
17
Q
What legal decision originally established a psychologists "duty to warn," which later became a "duty to protect?"
A
The Tarasoff Decision, which regards a client's admission of intent to harm another person
18
Q
Bartering is allowed only if what two conditions are met?
A
- It is not clinically
contraindicated; 2.
It is not exploitative
19
Q
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 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
A
Incompetent
to stand trial
20
Q
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 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
A
Expert
Witness
21
Q
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.
A
Fact
Witness
22
Q
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ are allowed to offer professional opinions and provide testimony based on hypothetical scenarios, while \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ cannot
A
Expert
Witnesses;
Fact Witnesses
23
Q
When taking on a new therapy client, when should a psychologist obtain informed consent? What should it include?
A
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
24
Q
Are psychologists required by the Ethics Code to provide Pro Bono services?
A
No, however the General Principles, which are aspirational in nature, promote it
25
```
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
```
26
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
```
27
```
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 non-deceptive
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
28
```
The "Guidelines for
Providers of Psychological
Services to Ethnic,
Linguistic, and Culturally
Diverse Populations"
presents principles that
are ________ in nature.
```
Aspirational
29
```
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
```
30
```
What is the first
step a psychologist
should take when
they receive a
subpoena?
```
Determine if the
subpoena is a
legally valid
demand
31
```
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
```
32
```
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
```
33
```
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
34
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 student
or legal guardian (if under 18); also
grants right to inspect one's
educational records
```
35
```
A legal concept referring
to a persons incapacity
to determine right from
wrong or to behave
according to the
requirements of the law.
```
```
Insanity, which is
not a psychological
concept, but used
in a purely legal
sense
```
36
Publication
credit is given
based primarily
on ________.
```
Relative scientific or
professional
contributions of the
individuals involved,
regardless of their
```
37
Sliding fee scales are
generally considered
acceptable as long as
the are ________.
Fair and serve
the best
interests of the
client
38
```
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
```
39
```
Psychologists are to act
________ and
________ when
teaching, supervising,
and designing education
and training programs.
```
Competently;
| Responsibly
40
```
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
```
41
```
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
```
42
How is Sexual
Harassment
defined by APA's
Ethics Code?
Sexual solicitation, physical advances, or
verbal or nonverbal conduct that is sexual
in nature, occurs in connection with the
psychologist's activities or roles as a
psychologist, and either (1) is obviously
unwelcome, offensive, or creates a
hostile environment or (2) is sufficiently
severe to be abusive to a reasonable
person in the context
43
```
Who is responsible for the
appropriate application,
interpretation, and use of
assessment instruments
scored and interpreted by
automated services?
```
The administering
psychologist
retains
responsibility
44
Regarding client
records, who is
the owner of the
physical record?
```
Typically, the
psychologist, while
the client has the right
to inspect the
contents of the record
```
45
```
________ refers to the
obligation of psychologists
to protect clients from
unauthorized disclosure of
information revealed in the
context of the professional
relationship
```
Confidentiality
46
```
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
```
47
```
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
48
```
Upon termination,
what does the
Ethics Code state
a psychologist
should do?
```
Provide pre-termination
counseling and suggest
alternative service
providers as appropriate
49
```
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
```
50
```
The Specialty Guidelines for
________ does not define
minimum qualifications in terms
of education, as other Specialty
Guidelines do, but rather
focuses on professional
practice issues in the context of
forensic work
```
Forensic
| Psychologists
51
```
What must a
psychologist do
before using a
collection agency to
collect unpaid fees?
```
```
Inform the client that
such measures will be
taken and provide that
person an opportunity to
make prompt payment
```
52
```
The ________ evaluates
the knowledge that should
have been acquired by
any candidate seeking
licensure to practice
psychology.
```
```
Examination for
Professional
Practice in
Psychology
(EPPP)
```
53
```
When providing services
to a person legally
incapable of giving
informed consent, what
should the psychologist
do?
```
```
Provide an appropriate
explanation, seek the
person's assent, consider
the person's preferences
and best interests, and
obtain permission from a
legally authorized person
```
54
```
What steps should be
taken by a psychologist
whose personal problems
are preventing them from
competently performing
work-related activities?
```
```
Take appropriate
measures (e.g., obtain
consultation or assistance)
and determine whether
they should limit, suspend,
or terminate their
work-related duties
```
55
Is it ever ethical
to have sexual
relationships with
a former client?
```
Yes, though only after 2
years and in the "most
unusual circumstances;" in
such cases, the
psychologists must prove
that the relationship is not
harmful.
```
56
```
Is it ethical or unethical
for a psychologist to
provide therapy to a
person they previously
had sexual relations
with?
```
Unethical- this is
absolute, there
are no time limits
or exceptions
57
```
The concept that
supervisors/employers
may be legally responsible
for the actions of their
supervisees/employees is
called ________.
```
Vicarious
Liability, or
respondeat
superior
58
```
What is the
primary value
underlying the
existence of
Ethical Principles?
```
```
The advancement
and protection of
the welfare of the
patients and clients
of psychologist
```
59
```
If an ethical issue is
not addressed in the
Ethics Code, it
indicates what about
any related conduct?
```
It may be
ethical or
unethical
60
```
You're contacted by the APA
Ethics Committee in regard to a
complaint filed against you by a
client. They ask for your
records related to the client's
therapy with you. What should
you do?
```
```
Cooperate fully with the
Committee's request.
Confidentiality is not an issue
since the committee must
obtain a signed waiver of
confidentiality from the
complainant before it takes any
action
```
61
```
As a psychologist, what
would you do if you arrived
early to the office one
morning to find a
colleague having sex with
one of his/her current
clients?
```
```
Report him to the ethics
committee, as this
violation is not amenable
to informal resolution,
making sure to protect the
client's confidentiality
rights
```
62
```
What is a psychologist
to do if a client
informs them that s/he
had sex with a
previous therapist?
```
```
Outline the client's
rights and options
regarding legal
actions and ethical
complaints
```
63
```
What is a psychologist's
best option if s/he wants
to work with clients from
an ethnic group s/he
has not worked with
before?
```
```
Seek supervision
and/or consultation
before taking on such
clients and while
working with them
```
64
```
A psychologist who has been
having marital problems begins
to notice that during marital
therapy with his clients he is
tending to agree more with the
husband's perspective. He
should
```
```
Seek consultation- the Code
requires psychologists who
become aware of personal
problems that may interfere
with adequate performance in
their work to take appropriate
measures
```
65
When might the
use of interpreters
in psychotherapy
be ethical?
When steps have been
taken to avoid a multiple
relationship between the
interpreter and the client
66
```
TRUE or FALSE: It is
unethical to utilize an
interpreter without first
having them sign a
confidentiality
agreement.
```
```
FALSE: While it is a good
idea to discuss the
importance of maintaining
confidentiality, there is no
ethical standard requiring
an interpreter to sign such
an agreement
```
67
```
A psychologist is dating a
graduate student in his
class who is older than
other students and has
returned to school after 15
years. The psychologists
behavior is:
```
```
Unethical, regardless of
whether sex is involved,
because it is a dual
relationship with clear
potential for harm or
exploitation
```
68
```
What should a
psychologist to do if a
client they are seeing on
condition of probation
says s/he wants to
terminate therapy?
```
```
Tell the client s/he has
the right to leave, but
explain the legal
ramifications of doing
so
```
69
```
In your capacity as an I/O
Psychologist you observe
repeated incidents of
sexual harassment. What
is your best course of
action?
```
```
Observe the incidents and,
if possible, take active
steps to intervene- the
Code states that
psychologists attempt to
"minimize harm to those
with whom they work"
```
70
```
A psychologists is seeing a family and
notices bruises on the son's body. The
parents say he was seen by a
pediatrician, but they forgot to mention
the bruises to her. When asked how the
child got inured, the parents say he "fell
down the stairs" and provide no further
details. The boy is silent and withdrawn.
What should the psychologist do?
```
```
File a child abuse report
with the appropriate
state agency, as there is
reasonable suspicion of
ongoing child abuse
```
71
```
A client you know owns
a gun and has a history
of violent behavior tells
you he is planning to
shoot his ex-girlfriend.
You should:
```
```
Warn the police
and attempt to
warn the
ex-girlfriend, per
"duty to protect"
```
72
```
A client who is HIV+ claims
that s/he has been engaging
in casual unprotected sex
with various partners. Is this
sufficient grounds to break
confidentiality and notify the
authorities?
```
```
No. APA states disclosure is
permitted if (1) there is an
identifiable 3rd party who is at
risk, (2) the 3rd party is
unaware s/he is at risk, and (3)
the client has refused or is not
considered reliable to inform
the 3rd party
```
73
```
As an Army psychologist,
a General asks you
questions about a Colonel
you have evaluated. What
is the ethical way to
respond?
```
```
Get a signed release from
the client before providing
any information- the
Colonel is likely aware that
refusing to provide such
information may lead to
negative consequences
```
74
```
According to ________,
psychologists must
notify their clients how
they may use the
clients' personal health
information
```
Health Insurance
Portability and
Accountability Act
of 1996 (HIPAA)
75
```
According to HIPAA,
when might a
psychologist be
considered a
"covered entity?"
```
If they transmit
certain client
information
electronically
76
Psychotherapy
notes, as defined
by HIPAA, refers
to what?
```
Notes recorded in any medium
by a mental health professional
documenting or analyzing the
contents of conversation during
a private counseling session-they are not considered a part
of a client's Protected Health
Information (PHI)
```
77
```
A psychologist
publishes an ad
promising "guaranteed
results." What is unethical
about this ad?
```
```
It is unethical because it
is misleading and may
engender unduly
optimistic expectations
of positive results
```
78
What must
brochures for
workshops
always include?
A description
of the intended
audience
79
```
You routinely waive the
co-payment of less
wealthy clients who are
insured, since you offer
clients without insurance
a sliding scale. This is:
```
```
Unethical and
illegal since the
insurance
company has not
been informed
```
80
```
When would it be ethical
for a psychology
professor to modify a
course syllabus several
weeks after the course
began?
```
```
When the students are
made aware of these
modifications in a
manner that enables
them to fulfill course
requirements
```
81
```
Is it ethical for a
psychologist to engage in
a sexual relationship with
a student after the course
has been completed and
grades submitted?
```
```
No, as it is likely the
student is still in the
department and, thus,
the professor maintains
"evaluative authority"
```
82
```
When evaluating
students and
supervisees,
psychologists must
do what?
```
```
Base their evaluation on
relevant and established
program requirements, provide
timely feedback, and provide
information about the
evaluation process at the
beginning of supervision
```
83
When is informed
consent to
research not
necessary?
```
When dispensing with it
clearly poses no harm or is
scientifically justifiable,
such as in naturalistic
observation or anonymous
questionnaires
```
84
Is it ever ethical to
kill an animal that
has been used for
research?
Yes, if it is done
rapidly and with
an effort to
minimize pain
85
```
You are asked by an
attorney to evaluate a
divorced woman's
competence as a parent
during a custody dispute.
As an ethical psychologist,
you should:
```
```
Evaluate the client,
the children, and
the husband
before filing a
report
```
86
A forensic psychologist is ordered by the
court to evaluate a celebrity accused of
assault and battery. Part of the evaluation
is used in the trial and becomes a matter
of public record. At the end of the trial, in
which the defendant was found guilty, the
psychologist writes a book including
information about parts of the evaluation
not discussed in court. These actions are:
```
Unethical but legal, as
information disclosed
in court-ordered
evaluations are not
privileged
```
87
```
TRUE or FALSE:
Computerized interpretive
reports are legitimate and
valuable, and they tend to
be good substitutes for a
clinician's own
impressions.
```
```
FALSE: Computerized
interpretive reports are
to be accompanied by
the psychologists
personal evaluation
```
88
```
As the only psychologist
working in a medical clinic
that you are about to leave
for a new job, you are
concerned that some files
contain outdated data.
What should you do?
```
```
Remove obsolete data
from the files, as release
of such data may cause
client harm or
misrepresentation
```
89
```
It is _______ to train
and allow an assistant
with a B.A. in sociology
to administer, interpret,
and write a report on the
WAIS-IV.
```
```
Unethical, as the
assistant is clearly
unqualified to
perform such
duties
```
90
```
After a psychologist
administers multiple tests
to a client, she asks to see
the results. What's the
best course of action in
such situations?
```
```
Provide the client with
an oral and written
summary of the results
in clear, understandable
language
```
91
```
TRUE or FALSE:
Regarding confidentiality
in group therapy, group
members are on their own
honor to maintain
confidentiality.
```
```
TRUE: Group members
have no legally or ethically
enforceable obligation to
maintain the confidence of
what they hear from other
group members
```
92
```
What should a
psychologist do if a man
being seen in marital
therapy requests
individual treatment?
```
```
He should be referred
to another therapist
due to potential for
conflict between the
psychologist's roles
```
93
```
When regular
consultation with a
supervisor about a
client is done, what
must occur?
```
The client must
be informed that
the therapist is
being supervised
94
```
If an experimental
psychologist wants
to become a clinical
psychologist, what
must s/he do?
```
```
Obtain appropriate
coursework and
experience,
including practica
and internship
```
95
```
What is the primary
purpose of the
Specialty Guidelines
for the Delivery of
Services?
```
Educate the
public and
advance the
profession
96
```
The primary purpose
of the Standards for
Educational and
Psychological
Testing is what?
```
To provide criteria
for evaluating
whether tests are
properly used
97
```
The Standards for
Educational and
Psychological Testing
suggest reporting test
scores in terms of
________.
```
Confidence
intervals, or
percentile
bands
98
```
Generally,
protecting the
welfare of the
public is their
primary purpose.
```
State
licensing
boards
99
```
It is ________ and
________ to sell
questions that
appear on the
licensing exam.
```
```
Illegal and
unethical, as it
violates both test
security and
copyright laws
```
100
```
What should be done if, after
evaluating a high school
student who is having conflicts
with a teacher, a psychologist
concludes the teacher, rather
than the student, needs
psychological attention?
```
```
Talk to the teacher
alone in order to
safeguard the teachers
rights and minimize
harm or embarrassment
```
101
```
A college counselor informed the
mother of a 17 y/o of a recent
suicide attempt he made. The
counselor contended she was
acting in the client's best interest in
light of his refusal to seek
professional help. Were the
counselor's actions ethical?
```
```
According to the
Ethics Code, yes,
because the
student is a minor
at risk of suicide
```
102
```
TRUE or FALSE: When
a grievance is file, state
boards can provide you
feedback on
performance on specific
questions of the EPPP.
```
```
FALSE: They can
provide one's score, the
passing score, the
mean, standard
deviation, and other
descriptive information
```
103
```
If a psychologist undertakes
an experiment that might
have some negative adverse
side-effects to participants but
still feels the possible findings
are worth the risk, she
should:
```
```
Seek approval from the
appropriate Institutional
Review Board (IRB) and
inform participants of all
potential risks via
informed consen
```
104
```
It is ________ for a university
professor to omit areas of
research in a course he's
teaching because the research
does not fit well with his
orientation and does not
support his theory.
```
Unethical as the
professor's
behavior is likely to
mislead students
105
```
A psychologist opening
a mental health clinic in
a rural area serving a
Native American
population would be
well-advised to:
```
Include medicine
men from the tribe
as consultants and
mediators
106
```
A psychologist is
ethically required
to ________ after
completing testing
with a client
```
Provide
appropriate
explanation of
results
107
```
Is it ethical for a
psychologist to routinely
administer personality
tests during the initial
phase of a treatment
relationship?
```
No, this is
unethical, as there
must be a valid
reason for testing
108
```
As a psychologist, you are
asked by the attorney of a
mother to evaluate the mother
and her child, however the child
lives with the father, who is the
custodial parent. What should
you do?
```
Determine if the
father knows about
and has consented
to the evaluation
109
```
A psychologist in a rural
community is asked to treat a
man with Agoraphobia. While
the psychologist has treated
other anxiety disorders, she
has never treated Agoraphobia.
She should:
```
```
Treat the woman while
making reasonable effort
to obtain the competence
required by using relevant
research, training,
consultation, or study
```
110
```
What should a
psychologist do if a person
in an emergency situation
presents to therapy for an
issue the psychologist has
no relevant experience
working with?
```
```
Meet with the person
but refer to a more
qualified psychologist as
soon as possible, or
when the emergency
has ended
```
111
```
During the third
psychotherapy session
with a client the
psychologist realizes the
client is the principal at his
daughter's school. What
should he do?
```
```
Discuss the situation with the
client and assess whether the
dual relationship could be
expected to impair objectivity,
competence, or effectiveness
or result in client exploitation or
harm
```
112
```
Psychologists who
provide services
over the internet
must inform clients
of ________.
```
The risks
| to privacy
113
```
What conditions are
required for a graduate
psychology program to
require students to
participate in
psychotherapy?
```
```
1. Students are given the option of
receiving therapy from practitioners
unaffiliated with the program; 2.
Faculty with evaluative authority
must not provide the therapy; 3.
The requirement must be clearly
described in the program's
description
```
114
```
This term refers to
negligent failure, resulting
in harm to the client, to
meet the duty to a client
that arises out of a
professional relationship.
```
Malpractice
115
What are the 4
stages of the
ethical complaint
process?
Inquiry,
Investigation,
Adjudication,
Appeal
116
```
If a psychologist's offense is
inappropriate but not clearly
unethical, they are likely to be
________ by the Ethics
Committee, whereas they will
receive a ________ if the
behavior is unethical.
```
Advised;
| Warning
117
```
A psychologist will receive
a ________ from the
Ethics Committee if his/her
actions are unethical but
the consequences are
minor.
```
Reprimand
118
```
What might the Ethics
Committee do if a
psychologist's actions
cause harm and are
deliberate or persistent?
```
Censure
119
```
The Ethics Committee
recommends ________
in cases where a
psychologist's behavior
is both unethical and
harmful.
```
Time-limited
| resignation
120
```
If a psychologist's offense
is so injurious and severe
that s/he is deemed
unrehabilitable, the Ethics
Committee is likely to
recommend ________.
```
Expulsion
121
What is competence based upon?
Education, training, supervised experience, consultation, study, or professional experience.
