Complex Case Simulation Questions

Question 1

Q1: A psychologist is asked to assess an Aboriginal teenager in a juvenile justice facility. The referrer wants a cognitive score for court use. The young person avoids eye contact and gives short answers. What is the psychologist’s most ethical course of action?
a) Proceed with testing to meet the referrer’s legal deadline
b) Use the test but annotate that rapport was difficult
c) Delay testing to build trust and explore cultural safety
d) Substitute a behavioural checklist for cognitive testing

Answer 1

c) Delay testing to build trust and explore cultural safety
Rationale: Testing without appropriate rapport and cultural attunement undermines validity and ethical practice.
Source: [Week 4 Lecture Transcript - 00:15:40], [Routledge Handbook - Ch. 2]

Question 2

Q2: A psychologist receives a referral to assess a refugee client’s parenting capacity. The psychologist realises the available tool is normed only on English-speaking populations. What should they do?
a) Use the tool and adjust scores manually for cultural context
b) Proceed with testing, noting the tool’s limitations
c) Refuse the referral due to ethical limitations
d) Seek consultation and explore alternative tools or qualitative data

Answer 2

d) Seek consultation and explore alternative tools or qualitative data
Rationale: Using non-validated tools without adaptation or consultation risks unethical misinterpretation.
Source: [Wright, 2021 - Ch. 3], [Fernández & Abe, 2020]

Question 3

Q3: In a multidisciplinary team, a social worker insists on a behavioural diagnosis for a child. The psychologist has not observed the behaviours and lacks supporting test data. What is the most ethical action?
a) Defer to the team to maintain cohesion
b) Make a provisional diagnosis based on report
c) Decline to diagnose until further evidence is gathered
d) Record the social worker’s view as the working diagnosis

Answer 3

c) Decline to diagnose until further evidence is gathered
Rationale: Ethical practice requires conclusions to be evidence-based, even within team settings.
Source: [Lecture 2 - MDT Communication], [APS Code - C.2.3]

Question 4

Q4: A psychologist uses an AI-generated summary for a child assessment report. They carefully edit the grammar but do not mention the use of AI in the documentation. What ethical principle is at risk?
a) Non-maleficence
b) Fidelity
c) Informed consent and transparency
d) Dual relationships

Answer 4

c) Informed consent and transparency
Rationale: Clients and recipients must be informed about how reports are produced, including non-human input.
Source: [Week 7 Reading - AI Ethics in Clinical Practice]

Question 5

Q5: A psychologist’s report describes a parent as having “low empathy” and “poor relational capacity” based on a structured interview. The parent later says they felt attacked and misunderstood. What could have improved ethical communication?
a) Using more technical diagnostic language
b) Writing in third-person to reduce directness
c) Framing results in strengths-based, culturally aware language
d) Adding disclaimers to the report

Answer 5

c) Framing results in strengths-based, culturally aware language
Rationale: Report language must balance clinical accuracy with compassion and cultural respect.
Source: [Lecture 8 - Report Writing], [APS Code C.2.2]

Question 6

Q6: A student psychologist is asked to complete a risk assessment on a client who discloses recent suicidality. They feel uncertain but do not want to appear incompetent. What is the most appropriate course of action?
a) Attempt the assessment and check with supervisor after
b) Defer responsibility to a senior team member
c) Immediately seek supervision and co-assess if needed
d) Follow an online risk template to ensure consistency

Answer 6

c) Immediately seek supervision and co-assess if needed
Rationale: Ethical competence requires knowing one’s limits and prioritising client safety.
Source: [APS Code - B.1.2], [Lecture 7 - Managing Risk]

Question 7

Q7: A psychologist provides a diagnosis in court that was based on one unstructured interview and no psychometric testing. The client later challenges its validity. What is the likely ethical issue?
a) Insufficient clinical note-taking
b) Premature disclosure of private information
c) Failure to base conclusions on adequate evidence
d) Use of outdated diagnostic language

Answer 7

c) Failure to base conclusions on adequate evidence
Rationale: Ethical standards require that interpretations and diagnoses be grounded in reliable and valid sources.
Source: [APS Code - C.2.3], [Wright - Ch. 4]

Question 8

Q8: A psychologist chooses not to ask a client about spiritual background to avoid seeming intrusive. Later, it emerges that the client’s distress was rooted in spiritual abuse. What is the most appropriate reflection?
a) Spirituality is outside the psychologist’s scope
b) The psychologist followed boundaries and should not feel responsible
c) Cultural and spiritual domains are essential to informed assessment
d) This issue could not have been foreseen

Answer 8

c) Cultural and spiritual domains are essential to informed assessment
Rationale: Avoiding cultural/spiritual context leads to ethical blind spots and limits formulation accuracy.
Source: [Routledge Handbook - Ch. 7], [Lecture 4 - Cultural Assessment]

Question 9

Q9: A psychologist notices that their emotional detachment has increased over time when working with clients exposed to trauma. What schema mode might be operating?
a) Punitive Parent
b) Detached Protector
c) Vulnerable Child
d) Healthy Adult

Answer 9

b) Detached Protector
Rationale: Emotional withdrawal as a defence is consistent with the Detached Protector schema mode.
Source: [Lecture 11 - Schema Modes], [Wright - Ch. 5]

Question 10

Q10: During an MDT meeting, a psychologist challenges a decision that they believe is not in the client’s best interest. The team becomes tense. What is the psychologist’s ethical responsibility?
a) Prioritise team harmony and step back
b) Document their dissent but follow the team’s decision
c) Advocate for the client while maintaining professional respect
d) Leave the meeting and report the issue to AHPRA

Answer 10

c) Advocate for the client while maintaining professional respect
Rationale: Ethical practice includes assertive, respectful advocacy in the face of disagreement.
Source: [APS Code - Principle A], [Lecture 2 - Interprofessional Communication]

Question 11

Q11: A psychologist conducts a standardised parenting capacity interview with a recently arrived refugee mother. The client becomes visibly distressed and repeatedly asks, “Will this make them take my children?” What should the psychologist do?
a) Complete the interview and reassure her afterward
b) Continue while softening the language of questions
c) Pause the interview and clarify the purpose of the assessment
d) Refer the client to a lawyer for clarity on child protection issues

Answer 11

c) Pause the interview and clarify the purpose of the assessment
Rationale: Ethical communication includes ensuring informed consent is maintained throughout the process.
Source: [Lecture 6 - Bias and Misuse of Tools], [APS Code - A.3]

Question 12

Q12: A psychologist supervises a student who writes in a report, “Client is intellectually limited, likely due to poor educational background.” The supervisor is concerned about what aspect of the report?
a) The lack of psychometric data
b) The ethically inappropriate language and potential bias
c) The grammar and tone
d) The over-reliance on background information

Answer 12

b) The ethically inappropriate language and potential bias
Rationale: Reports must be respectful, non-discriminatory, and free from biased assumptions.
Source: [Routledge Handbook - Ch. 3], [APS Code - C.2.2]

Question 13

Q13: A psychologist working with a First Nations child uses a behavioural checklist without adapting for cultural context. The caregiver later complains that the results portray the child as “angry and defiant.” What was the psychologist’s main error?
a) Using a checklist instead of observation
b) Applying Western behavioural norms without cultural consultation
c) Not involving the caregiver in the test scoring
d) Reporting too quickly

Answer 13

b) Applying Western behavioural norms without cultural consultation
Rationale: Without culturally adapted tools or interpretation, assessments can misrepresent behaviour.
Source: [Week 4 Lecture Transcript - 00:19:10], [Routledge Handbook - Ch. 2]

Question 14

Q14: A psychologist working in a hospital notices their responses to grieving clients have become robotic and emotionally numb. What is the most likely schema-related explanation?
a) Activation of the Healthy Adult mode
b) Over-identification with the client’s experience
c) Detached Protector mode as a coping response
d) Maladaptive Punitive Parent self-talk

Answer 14

c) Detached Protector mode as a coping response
Rationale: Emotional detachment and numbing are common features of the Detached Protector schema mode.
Source: [Lecture 11 - Schema Modes], [Wright - Ch. 5]

Question 15

Q15: A psychologist in private practice designs a chatbot that uses AI to offer suggestions for anxiety. Clients are not told whether advice comes from the psychologist or the chatbot. What is the core ethical breach?
a) Use of unlicensed AI tools
b) Inaccurate billing practices
c) Lack of transparency and potential deception
d) Breach of client confidentiality

Answer 15

c) Lack of transparency and potential deception
Rationale: Clients must be informed about what part of their care is delivered by a human vs. AI.
Source: [Week 7 Readings - Ethics of AI Use in Therapy]

Question 16

Q16: During a school assessment, a psychologist writes that a culturally diverse student shows signs of “poor motivation and low effort.” The teacher later reveals the student didn’t understand many of the test questions. What’s the key ethical failure?
a) The psychologist should not have worked in a school setting
b) The psychologist failed to consider language and cultural context
c) The test was too long for the student
d) The teacher should have informed the psychologist earlier

Answer 16

b) The psychologist failed to consider language and cultural context
Rationale: Assessors are responsible for ensuring comprehension and cultural fit in test administration.
Source: [Wright - Ch. 3], [Routledge Handbook - Ch. 4]

Question 17

Q17: A psychologist is pressured by an agency to deliver an assessment report within 48 hours, even though they have not yet scored all measures. What is the most ethical response?
a) Submit a partial report with a disclaimer
b) Ask a colleague to help finalise scoring
c) Explain the importance of data integrity and negotiate a later date
d) Submit the report and finish the analysis later

Answer 17

c) Explain the importance of data integrity and negotiate a later date
Rationale: Professional responsibility includes ensuring that all data are analysed appropriately before reporting.
Source: [APS Code - C.2.3], [Lecture 8 - Ethical Reporting]

Question 18

Q18: A psychologist begins working with a traumatised child who does not speak for the first two sessions. The psychologist interprets the silence as “resistance.” What is a better formulation?
a) The child is being non-compliant
b) The child needs discipline
c) Silence may reflect trauma-related protective behaviour
d) The child likely has a language disorder

Answer 18

c) Silence may reflect trauma-related protective behaviour
Rationale: Trauma-informed practice interprets silence as a possible survival mechanism, not resistance.
Source: [Lecture 7 - Trauma, Risk and Grief], [Routledge Handbook - Ch. 2]

Question 19

Q19: A psychologist working in aged care assumes that an older client cannot provide informed consent due to their age and dementia diagnosis. They do not ask the client directly. What is ethically problematic?
a) The psychologist failed to document the assumption
b) The psychologist should have asked the client about other diagnoses
c) Assumptions about incapacity should be based on assessment, not age
d) Dementia always precludes informed consent

Answer 19

c) Assumptions about incapacity should be based on assessment, not age
Rationale: Age or diagnosis alone does not justify presuming a client lacks capacity.
Source: [APS Code - A.3], [Lecture 5 - Professional Judgment]

Question 20

Q20: A psychologist notices that every time they assess clients from one particular CALD group, they feel unusually anxious and second-guess their findings. What is the most ethical response?
a) Avoid taking further referrals from this group
b) Acknowledge potential bias and seek supervision
c) Dismiss the reaction as performance anxiety
d) Focus more on diagnostic accuracy in future assessments

Answer 20

b) Acknowledge potential bias and seek supervision
Rationale: Ethical self-reflection and consultation are necessary when cultural bias is suspected.
Source: [Fernández & Abe, 2020], [APS Code - B.1.2]

Question 21

Q21: A psychologist is assessing a client who speaks English as a second language and has limited literacy. They provide a long written consent form and ask the client to sign. What is the most ethical approach?
a) Simplify the form to a one-paragraph summary and skip formal consent
b) Proceed if the client signs and seems cooperative
c) Explain the form verbally and assess understanding before proceeding
d) Ask a support worker to witness the client’s signature

Answer 21

c) Explain the form verbally and assess understanding before proceeding
Rationale: Informed consent is not valid unless the client truly understands the information.
Source: [Wright - Ch. 1], [APS Code - A.3]

Question 22

Q22: A psychologist feels emotionally numb and detached but continues working with clients in high-risk trauma settings. They begin cutting corners on documentation and avoid difficult cases. What is the ethical concern?
a) Boundary violation
b) Impaired professional judgment due to burnout
c) Role confusion with clients
d) Lack of administrative skills

Answer 22

b) Impaired professional judgment due to burnout
Rationale: Burnout can compromise ethical competence and judgment, requiring action or supervision.
Source: [Lecture 11 - Schema & Burnout], [APS Code - B.1.2]

Question 23

Q23: A psychologist working with a young woman from a collectivist culture interprets her deference to family opinion as a lack of autonomy. What’s the main ethical issue?
a) Ignoring legal frameworks
b) Misinterpreting cultural norms and applying Western values
c) Under-diagnosing a personality disorder
d) Overlooking transference

Answer 23

b) Misinterpreting cultural norms and applying Western values
Rationale: Misjudging collectivist behaviour through an individualistic lens introduces cultural bias.
Source: [Routledge - Ch. 3], [Lecture 4 - Cultural Sensitivity]

Question 24

Q24: A referral requests assessment for school readiness, but the psychologist instead conducts a full cognitive and personality battery without discussing the scope. What is the ethical failure?
a) Use of excessive testing hours
b) Inadequate test selection
c) Failure to clarify the referral purpose and obtain informed consent
d) Lack of culturally appropriate tests

Answer 24

c) Failure to clarify the referral purpose and obtain informed consent
Rationale: Scope creep without shared understanding violates client rights and professional boundaries.
Source: [Wright - Ch. 2], [APS Code - A.3]

Question 25

Q25: A psychologist begins a semi-structured trauma interview with a client who hasn't previously discussed trauma. The client freezes and later becomes distressed. What ethical principle was most likely breached? a) Beneficence b) Fidelity c) Forewarning and minimisation of harm d) Reporting obligations

Answer 25

c) Forewarning and minimisation of harm Rationale: Clients must be adequately prepared before trauma material is explored. Source: [Lecture 7 - Risk and Trauma], [APS Code - A.4]

Question 26

Q26: During a session, a psychologist notices a strong urge to "rescue" a young client who reminds them of their own sibling. They become overly invested. What is the best formulation? a) Strong empathy indicating good rapport b) An unresolved schema is being triggered in the psychologist c) Countertransference is not relevant if boundaries are upheld d) The psychologist should share their personal history

Answer 26

b) An unresolved schema is being triggered in the psychologist Rationale: Over-identification often indicates activation of the therapist's own schema or unmet needs. Source: [Lecture 11 - Therapist Schema Activation], [Wright - Ch. 5]

Question 27

Q27: A psychologist is assessing a refugee child and is told the interpreter available is the child's uncle. What is the best course of action? a) Proceed with the interview if the uncle agrees to confidentiality b) Use the uncle and avoid sensitive questions c) Decline and seek a trained external interpreter d) Conduct the session without any interpreter

Answer 27

c) Decline and seek a trained external interpreter Rationale: Using relatives as interpreters can compromise confidentiality, neutrality, and emotional safety. Source: [Fernández & Abe, 2020], [APS Guidelines - Working with Interpreters]

Question 28

Q28: A psychologist in a remote Aboriginal community is also the football coach for several clients. What is the key ethical concern? a) Confidentiality of test scores b) Cultural bias in assessment c) Dual roles and blurred boundaries d) Inappropriate physical touch

Answer 28

c) Dual roles and blurred boundaries Rationale: Dual relationships in small communities must be managed to minimise role conflict and harm. Source: [Routledge - Ch. 6], [APS Code - C.3]

Question 29

Q29: A psychologist is concerned a parent might file a complaint, so they begin writing overly defensive session notes that emphasise client resistance and noncompliance. What ethical issue arises? a) Misuse of documentation to protect self-interest b) Under-diagnosing a behavioural disorder c) Failure to engage in cultural consultation d) Late submission of reports

Answer 29

a) Misuse of documentation to protect self-interest Rationale: Records must reflect balanced, objective, and respectful descriptions — not serve defensive purposes. Source: [APS Code - C.2.2], [Lecture 8 - Clinical Documentation]

Question 30

Q30: A provisional psychologist hears that a fellow practitioner has been using fear-based techniques with adolescent clients. They feel unsure whether to report or seek supervision first. What is the most ethical first step? a) Immediately report to AHPRA b) Ask the practitioner directly about their methods c) Discuss the concern with their supervisor and clarify reporting responsibilities d) Avoid involvement as it's outside their training level

Answer 30

c) Discuss the concern with their supervisor and clarify reporting responsibilities Rationale: Ethical concerns must be raised responsibly and through appropriate supervision channels. Source: [APS Code - B.4], [Lecture 6 - Ethical Boundaries and Risk]

Question 31

Q31: A psychologist assesses a child from a migrant background who avoids eye contact and speaks in a low tone. The psychologist notes "possible indicators of anxiety or defiance." What is the key ethical concern? a) Underdiagnosing emotional difficulty b) Ignoring teacher feedback c) Misinterpreting culturally normative behaviour as pathology d) Failing to report suspected conduct disorder

Answer 31

c) Misinterpreting culturally normative behaviour as pathology Rationale: Cultural norms around eye contact and tone must be understood before pathologising behaviour. Source: [Routledge Handbook - Ch. 3], [Lecture 4 - Cultural Assessment]

Question 32

Q32: A client discloses domestic violence involving a partner who is a known public figure. The psychologist is early in training and unsure how to proceed. What is the most ethical next step? a) Break confidentiality and call the police b) Continue the session without acknowledging the disclosure c) Immediately seek supervision and follow risk protocols d) Refer the client elsewhere to avoid media attention

Answer 32

c) Immediately seek supervision and follow risk protocols Rationale: Risk disclosures require escalation via supervision, not individual action. Source: [APS Code - A.4], [Lecture 7 - Risk and Grief]

Question 33

Q33: A psychologist describes a client as "uncooperative and manipulative" in a report for a legal case. What is ethically problematic? a) Use of clinical shorthand b) Lack of attachment style explanation c) Language that risks mischaracterisation and harm d) Not including psychometric scores

Answer 33

c) Language that risks mischaracterisation and harm Rationale: Reports must use objective, non-inflammatory language, especially in legal contexts. Source: [Wright - Ch. 6], [APS Code - C.2.2]

Question 34

Q34: A multidisciplinary team shares a client's case notes in a meeting. A new psychologist on placement asks whether the client has consented. The team leader says, "We all work under the same agency, so it's fine." What should the psychologist do? a) Accept the team leader's explanation b) Assume implicit consent applies c) Clarify the client's actual consent scope d) Avoid asking further to not cause conflict

Answer 34

c) Clarify the client's actual consent scope Rationale: Consent must be specific, informed, and documented — assumptions are unethical. Source: [APS Code - A.3], [Lecture 5 - MDT Communication]

Question 35

Q35: A psychologist assumes a female refugee client is "overreacting" to questions about family due to cultural emotionality. What is the deeper ethical problem? a) Misapplication of test norms b) Failing to explain assessment goals c) Gendered and cultural stereotyping affecting formulation d) Breaking confidentiality about trauma

Answer 35

c) Gendered and cultural stereotyping affecting formulation Rationale: Cultural and gender bias in interpretation leads to ethical and clinical distortions. Source: [Routledge - Ch. 2 & 7], [Lecture 6 - Bias in Practice]

Question 36

Q36: A psychologist begins crossing small boundaries (e.g., extending sessions, not charging for extra time) and becomes emotionally exhausted. They notice increased reactivity toward clients. What is likely occurring? a) Compassion fatigue and schema fusion b) Appropriate flexibility in client care c) Normal empathic resonance d) Institutional burnout requiring leave

Answer 36

a) Compassion fatigue and schema fusion Rationale: Unexamined emotional fusion can erode professional judgment and lead to ethical drift. Source: [Lecture 11 - Schema & Burnout], [APS Code - B.1.2]

Question 37

Q37: A psychologist working with a teenager is asked by the parent, "So, how is my child doing — tell me everything." The psychologist feels pressure due to cultural expectations of parent authority. What is the most ethical response? a) Tell the parent everything to preserve the relationship b) Provide a generic update while respecting confidentiality c) Share only positive aspects to avoid tension d) Decline to say anything without legal advice

Answer 37

b) Provide a generic update while respecting confidentiality Rationale: Adolescents have privacy rights; balancing cultural sensitivity with ethical boundaries is key. Source: [APS Code - A.3, B.2], [Routledge Handbook - Ch. 6]

Question 38

Q38: During feedback, a client begins crying when hearing their results described as "borderline functioning." What should the psychologist reflect on? a) Whether they should avoid giving feedback b) How to better frame feedback using strengths-based language c) Whether psychometric tests are appropriate at all d) The client's resistance to hearing results

Answer 38

b) How to better frame feedback using strengths-based language Rationale: Feedback should be accurate, compassionate, and strengths-informed, especially with sensitive content. Source: [Lecture 8 - Feedback Ethics], [Wright - Ch. 7]

Question 39

Q39: A psychologist consistently describes young CALD clients in reports as "non-compliant" when they don't complete tasks. What ethical concern is present? a) Underreporting of behavioural difficulties b) Overreliance on teacher reports c) Cultural mislabelling and implicit bias d) Disregard for therapeutic alliance

Answer 39

c) Cultural mislabelling and implicit bias Rationale: Language choices can embed unconscious bias and lead to systemic harm. Source: [Routledge Handbook - Ch. 3], [Lecture 6 - Cultural Bias in Reports]

Question 40

Q40: A rural psychologist begins visiting a client's family socially after sessions because they live nearby and feel isolated. What is the primary concern? a) Loss of billing accuracy b) Violation of non-maleficence c) Dual relationship compromising boundaries d) Breach of formal confidentiality

Answer 40

c) Dual relationship compromising boundaries Rationale: Socialising with clients, even in isolated areas, risks ethical drift and blurred roles. Source: [APS Code - C.3], [Lecture 10 - Ethics in Rural/Remote Practice]

Question 41

Q41: A psychologist is asked to assess a teenage client with suspected ADHD. The referrer insists on a diagnosis for school funding, but the psychologist has insufficient data to confirm it. What should they do? a) Make a provisional diagnosis to help the client access support b) Delay the diagnosis until further data is obtained c) Let the school decide based on teacher reports d) Use the DSM criteria informally without writing a report

Answer 41

b) Delay the diagnosis until further data is obtained Rationale: Professional integrity requires decisions based on sufficient evidence, not external pressure. Source: [Wright - Ch. 2], [APS Code - C.2.1]

Question 42

Q42: A psychologist assessing an international student is unsure whether the client's emotional flatness is trauma-related or culturally normative. What's the best course of action? a) Interpret the flatness as a possible depressive symptom b) Seek cultural consultation or supervision before formulating c) Use a Western-normed scale to confirm affective blunting d) Ask the client directly whether they have PTSD

Answer 42

b) Seek cultural consultation or supervision before formulating Rationale: When unsure, the psychologist must avoid premature conclusions and seek cultural insight. Source: [Routledge Handbook - Ch. 3], [Lecture 4 - Cultural Awareness in Assessment]

Question 43

Q43: A client breaks down after being told their "low intellectual functioning" may limit their employment options. What is the best ethical reflection? a) The psychologist gave honest feedback and should not feel responsible b) Feedback should be withheld in sensitive cases c) Results must be conveyed with sensitivity and client dignity d) Use euphemisms to soften results in future cases

Answer 43

c) Results must be conveyed with sensitivity and client dignity Rationale: Clients are entitled to clear feedback, but it must be delivered ethically and supportively. Source: [Lecture 8 - Ethics of Feedback], [Wright - Ch. 7]

Question 44

Q44: A psychologist sees a client for both therapy and cognitive assessment at the request of a school. What is the main risk in this dual role? a) The client will confuse the test scores b) Confidentiality breach across contexts c) Conflicting roles may compromise objectivity d) Therapy progress will overshadow assessment validity

Answer 44

c) Conflicting roles may compromise objectivity Rationale: Mixing assessment and therapy can lead to blurred boundaries and compromised judgment. Source: [APS Code - C.3], [Lecture 10 - Dual Roles in Practice]

Question 45

Q45: A student psychologist becomes increasingly anxious when working with older male clients who remind them of a traumatic family member. What should they do? a) Avoid male clients until graduation b) Push through and build resilience c) Disclose to clients to build rapport d) Discuss the reaction in supervision for schema processing

Answer 45

d) Discuss the reaction in supervision for schema processing Rationale: Schema activation should be acknowledged and explored safely through supervision. Source: [Lecture 11 - Schema & Therapist Awareness], [APS Code - B.1.2]

Question 46

Q46: A psychologist's notes include the phrase "client was being difficult and frustrating." What is ethically wrong? a) Language is not respectful or clinically useful b) The psychologist should've recorded less detail c) Such notes should be stored separately d) Notes should only be used for legal reports

Answer 46

a) Language is not respectful or clinically useful Rationale: Documentation must reflect objective, professional, and respectful language. Source: [APS Code - C.2.2], [Lecture 8 - Ethics in Record Keeping]

Question 47

Q47: During an assessment debrief, a client asks, "Do you think I'm stupid?" How should the psychologist respond? a) Reassure the client and explain the results in context b) Say, "Of course not," and avoid further discussion c) Refer the client to a therapist for support d) Change the topic gently to avoid emotional escalation

Answer 47

a) Reassure the client and explain the results in context Rationale: Psychologists must validate emotions and clarify results sensitively to maintain trust. Source: [Wright - Ch. 7], [Lecture 8 - Debriefing Ethically]

Question 48

Q48: A psychologist is pressured by a multidisciplinary team to include speculative behavioural explanations in a report to support funding. What's the most ethical response? a) Include the statements but mark them as "team consensus" b) Decline and explain the need for professional accuracy c) Include them under "future considerations" d) Withdraw from the case to avoid conflict

Answer 48

b) Decline and explain the need for professional accuracy Rationale: Psychologists are ethically obligated to report only what they can support with evidence. Source: [APS Code - C.2.1], [Lecture 5 - MDT and Judgment Pressure]

Question 49

Q49: A psychologist tells a young person, "Your results show a below average score," then immediately moves on. The client looks down and becomes silent. What is the likely misstep? a) Results should never be shared with minors b) Results should be delayed until a guardian is present c) Feedback delivery lacked emotional attunement and support d) Too much technical language was used

Answer 49

c) Feedback delivery lacked emotional attunement and support Rationale: Feedback must be given in a relational and supportive way, especially with vulnerable clients. Source: [Lecture 8 - Feedback Ethics], [Wright - Ch. 7]

Question 50

Q50: A client asks their psychologist not to share test results with their GP. The psychologist feels the GP needs to know due to client safety concerns. What should they do? a) Respect the client's wishes and say nothing b) Immediately inform the GP for client protection c) Weigh the ethical duty of confidentiality against risk and consult supervision d) Discharge the client and close the case

Answer 50

c) Weigh the ethical duty of confidentiality against risk and consult supervision Rationale: Confidentiality can only be overridden when clear risk exists — supervision supports this judgment. Source: [APS Code - A.4, A.5], [Lecture 7 - Risk, Ethics, and Supervision]

Question 51

Q51: During a team meeting, a psychologist notices that the client's preferences are consistently overridden by a dominant psychiatrist who pushes for medication despite the client's hesitancy. What is the psychologist's best ethical response? a) Support the psychiatrist to maintain team cohesion b) Ask the client to raise their concerns directly c) Raise the concern respectfully, advocating for client autonomy d) Report the psychiatrist to the APS for unethical conduct

Answer 51

c) Raise the concern respectfully, advocating for client autonomy Rationale: Psychologists have an ethical duty to protect client agency, even within power-imbalanced MDTs. Source: [APS Code - A.1], [Lecture 6 - MDT Dynamics]

Question 52

Q52: A young client resists discussing certain topics during testing and gives only one-word answers. The psychologist labels this as "low engagement" in the report. What is the most ethical concern? a) The report doesn't include DSM-5 specifiers b) The psychologist failed to debrief the client c) The psychologist pathologised resistance without exploring context d) The psychologist should have cancelled the session

Answer 52

c) The psychologist pathologised resistance without exploring context Rationale: Apparent resistance may reflect fear, trauma, or cultural discomfort — not disengagement. Source: [Routledge Handbook - Ch. 3], [Wright - Ch. 6]

Question 53

Q53: A provisional psychologist is advised by their supervisor to change a report to align with a school's funding requirements, even though the findings don't support it. What should they do? a) Make the change but note it was supervisor-requested b) Refuse and seek clarification through university or APS channels c) Quit the placement due to ethical conflict d) Include both sets of interpretations in the report

Answer 53

b) Refuse and seek clarification through university or APS channels Rationale: Ethical breaches by supervisors require formal support and advocacy without retaliation. Source: [APS Code - B.1.6], [Lecture 10 - Ethical Supervision Dilemmas]

Question 54

Q54: A psychologist's report describes a refugee child as "developmentally delayed" based on Western milestones. What's the core ethical problem? a) Delay wasn't confirmed by a paediatrician b) It violates APS reporting guidelines c) The use of culturally inappropriate developmental norms d) The psychologist used outdated test norms

Answer 54

c) The use of culturally inappropriate developmental norms Rationale: Developmental expectations must be culturally grounded to avoid epistemic injustice. Source: [Routledge Handbook - Ch. 2], [Lecture 4 - Cultural Competency]

Question 55

Q55: A psychologist begins to dread sessions with a client who challenges their worldview. They start avoiding depth in the work. What dynamic may be present? a) Resistance from the client b) Transference from the therapist c) Schema activation and affective withdrawal d) Burnout due to caseload volume

Answer 55

c) Schema activation and affective withdrawal Rationale: Avoidance often signals activation of therapist schemas — a key supervision issue. Source: [Lecture 11 - Schema Work in Therapists], [Wright - Ch. 5]

Question 56

Q56: In an MDT setting, a speech pathologist asks the psychologist to "just give me an IQ number" for a report. What's the best ethical response? a) Provide a brief IQ summary without context b) Refuse to share results due to confidentiality c) Offer to discuss the results in context with appropriate interpretation d) Send the full report to avoid further questions

Answer 56

c) Offer to discuss the results in context with appropriate interpretation Rationale: Psychological data must be interpreted, not reduced to scores out of context. Source: [Wright - Ch. 6], [APS Code - C.2]

Question 57

Q57: A psychologist working with an Aboriginal client avoids discussing grief out of fear it may be "too culturally sensitive." What's the ethical concern? a) The psychologist is breaching confidentiality b) Cultural humility has been mistaken for avoidance c) The psychologist should only speak through a liaison d) Silence is best practice when unsure about cultural norms

Answer 57

b) Cultural humility has been mistaken for avoidance Rationale: Avoidance can reflect schema-driven fear, not true respect — respectful dialogue is essential. Source: [Routledge - Ch. 6], [Lecture 9 - Culturally Responsive Practice]

Question 58

Q58: A client discloses during assessment that they believe the results will be used to "punish" them by a family court. How should the psychologist respond? a) Reassure the client their fear is irrational b) Stop the assessment entirely c) Clarify the purpose, limits of confidentiality, and document concerns d) Submit a separate report to advocate for the client

Answer 58

c) Clarify the purpose, limits of confidentiality, and document concerns Rationale: Transparency and ethical clarification reduce harm and establish trust. Source: [APS Code - A.3, A.5], [Lecture 5 - Assessment Ethics]

Question 59

Q59: A psychologist reviewing psychometric data sees a discrepancy between the test result and their own observations. What is the best action? a) Report the scores as objective fact b) Adjust the scores to match observations c) Discuss the discrepancy in the interpretation section d) Repeat the test under stricter controls

Answer 59

c) Discuss the discrepancy in the interpretation section Rationale: Psychologists must integrate test data with clinical observation and context. Source: [Wright - Ch. 7], [Lecture 8 - Interpretation]

Question 60

Q60: A psychologist is asked to deliver feedback to a client in front of a multidisciplinary panel. The client has not been informed this would occur. What should the psychologist do? a) Deliver a toned-down version to minimise distress b) Ask the client's consent before proceeding c) Refuse to attend the meeting d) Provide the feedback only to the team lead

Answer 60

b) Ask the client's consent before proceeding Rationale: Clients must always be informed and give permission before feedback is shared publicly. Source: [APS Code - A.3], [Lecture 6 - Feedback in MDT Contexts]

Question 61

Q61: A psychologist is asked by a family court to assess a parent for custody suitability. During the interview, the parent confides suicidal thoughts. What is the most ethical course of action? a) Inform the court immediately without the client's consent b) Ignore the comment to avoid biasing the report c) Clarify risk and seek client consent to involve appropriate supports d) Document the statement but take no further action

Answer 61

c) Clarify risk and seek client consent to involve appropriate supports Rationale: Even in forensic settings, psychologists must assess risk thoroughly and manage it ethically. Source: [APS Code - A.5], [Lecture 9 - Forensic Assessment Ethics]

Question 62

Q62: A refugee client becomes visibly distressed when asked to describe early memories during a standard developmental interview. The psychologist continues without pause. What ethical lapse occurred? a) The psychologist should have scored the trauma on a scale b) The psychologist failed to apply trauma-informed principles c) The client should have been referred for PTSD testing d) The psychologist did not disclose the test's margin of error

Answer 62

b) The psychologist failed to apply trauma-informed principles Rationale: Trauma-informed care includes emotional pacing, anticipatory consent, and checking in when distress emerges. Source: [Routledge - Ch. 7], [Wright - Ch. 5]

Question 63

Q63: A provisional psychologist experiences discomfort when a client challenges their assessment interpretation. They do not raise it in supervision. What is the ethical concern? a) Supervision isn't mandatory for provisional psychologists b) The psychologist should've referred the client c) Avoidance prevents reflective learning and risks ethical drift d) The client has breached therapeutic boundaries

Answer 63

c) Avoidance prevents reflective learning and risks ethical drift Rationale: Difficult reactions must be explored in supervision to support ethical growth and safeguard client care. Source: [Lecture 11 - Schema and Supervision], [APS Code - B.1.6]

Question 64

Q64: A psychologist assesses a client and writes: "Client lacks insight into their pathology." The client later says they felt "labelled and judged." What's the better alternative? a) "Client appears unwilling to change" b) "Client demonstrates defensive traits consistent with diagnosis" c) "Client presents with a perspective that differs from the assessor's" d) "Client was non-compliant with therapeutic goals"

Answer 64

c) "Client presents with a perspective that differs from the assessor's" Rationale: Objective, non-pathologising language fosters client dignity and avoids epistemic injustice. Source: [Lecture 8 - Language in Reports], [Routledge - Ch. 3]

Question 65

Q65: A psychologist assessing a grieving Aboriginal elder avoids using the term "loss" and sticks to diagnostic categories. What was ethically missed? a) They should have referred to a psychiatrist b) The psychologist failed to validate spiritual grieving frameworks c) The psychologist broke confidentiality d) They used an out-of-date diagnostic tool

Answer 65

b) The psychologist failed to validate spiritual grieving frameworks Rationale: Grief may hold cultural and spiritual significance beyond Western clinical terms. Source: [Routledge Handbook - Ch. 6], [Lecture 9 - Cultural Grief and Assessment]

Question 66

Q66: During feedback, a client says, "It feels like you're saying I'm broken." The psychologist feels defensive and tries to justify the scores. What would be a more ethical response? a) End the session and reschedule for later b) Reframe the conversation using strength-based interpretation c) Repeat the raw scores to confirm objectivity d) Offer to remove the results from the report

Answer 66

b) Reframe the conversation using strength-based interpretation Rationale: Ethical feedback includes validation, reframing, and aligning with client dignity. Source: [Wright - Ch. 7], [Lecture 8 - Debrief and Feedback Ethics]

Question 67

Q67: A psychologist working in a hospital is asked by an administrator to prioritise quick turnover assessments over client-centred practices. What's the most appropriate action? a) Do as asked to preserve job security b) Raise the concern respectfully, citing ethical obligations c) Speed up assessments and document concerns later d) Skip feedback to save time

Answer 67

b) Raise the concern respectfully, citing ethical obligations Rationale: Institutional pressure cannot override ethical responsibilities. Source: [APS Code - B.1.2], [Lecture 10 - Institutional Ethics]

Question 68

Q68: A psychologist delivers results to a teenager using technical jargon. The client later says they didn't understand but didn't want to interrupt. What's the ethical failure? a) Not offering a printed report b) Misjudging the client's verbal reasoning ability c) Failing to ensure informed understanding during feedback d) Not involving the school in the discussion

Answer 68

c) Failing to ensure informed understanding during feedback Rationale: Feedback must be accessible, age-appropriate, and two-way. Source: [Lecture 8 - Ethical Feedback], [Wright - Ch. 7]

Question 69

Q69: A psychologist provides testing to a minor without discussing the limits of confidentiality. Later, the parent demands to know everything. What was the core mistake? a) The psychologist didn't write a formal report b) The psychologist failed to clarify confidentiality at the outset c) The child should've brought their parent into the session d) The psychologist used the wrong test battery

Answer 69

b) The psychologist failed to clarify confidentiality at the outset Rationale: Adolescents have privacy rights; expectations must be clarified upfront. Source: [APS Code - A.3], [Lecture 5 - Adolescent Ethics]

Question 70

Q70: A psychologist chooses an IQ test without considering whether it has been validated with culturally and linguistically diverse populations. What's the primary issue? a) Violation of copyright b) Poor rapport with the client c) Use of a test lacking cross-cultural reliability d) Use of an unapproved APS tool

Answer 70

c) Use of a test lacking cross-cultural reliability Rationale: Validity and reliability must be matched to client background for ethical assessment. Source: [Wright - Ch. 4], [Lecture 4 - Test Selection and Culture]

Question 71

Q71: A psychologist is told by management to reduce all cognitive assessments to 30 minutes to meet productivity KPIs. What is the most ethical response? a) Comply but explain limitations in the report b) Challenge the directive and advocate for adequate assessment time c) Shorten sessions only for low-risk clients d) Conduct the full test privately and only document summary data

Answer 71

b) Challenge the directive and advocate for adequate assessment time Rationale: Psychologists must resist institutional directives that compromise ethical or professional standards. Source: [APS Code - B.1.2], [Lecture 10 - Institutional Ethics]

Question 72

Q72: A psychologist uses a Western normed depression inventory with a client from a non-Western background, interpreting flat affect as depressive. What is the problem? a) Flat affect indicates major depression regardless of background b) The client was likely exaggerating symptoms c) The interpretation may reflect cultural misrecognition d) Standard inventories are culturally universal

Answer 72

c) The interpretation may reflect cultural misrecognition Rationale: Cultural norms affect emotional expression — misinterpretation risks epistemic injustice. Source: [Routledge - Ch. 3], [Lecture 4 - Cultural Sensitivity in Assessment]

Question 73

Q73: A therapist notices they become overly directive when working with high-achieving clients. What should they consider? a) Their schema around control and perfectionism may be activated b) The client's needs are being appropriately met c) High achievers require more structure d) They should refer the client immediately

Answer 73

a) Their schema around control and perfectionism may be activated Rationale: Self-awareness of schema activation is crucial for ethical and effective practice. Source: [Lecture 11 - Therapist Schema Work], [APS Code - B.1.6]

Question 74

Q74: A psychologist is asked to complete a report for an MDT case where the client refused to complete the assessment. What's the best ethical approach? a) Complete the report based on partial data b) Write a statement explaining why no assessment was conducted c) Include speculative hypotheses to satisfy the team d) Skip the report and let the MDT proceed without input

Answer 74

b) Write a statement explaining why no assessment was conducted Rationale: Transparency and respect for client autonomy outweigh external pressure to produce a report. Source: [APS Code - A.1.1, C.2], [Lecture 6 - MDT Collaboration & Boundaries]

Question 75

Q75: A psychologist writes that a client was "manipulative" during assessment. What is the ethical problem? a) They breached test confidentiality b) They used language that was subjective and potentially harmful c) Manipulative is an official DSM term d) Clients should not be described in any behavioural terms

Answer 75

b) They used language that was subjective and potentially harmful Rationale: Documentation must avoid labels that reflect judgment or bias. Source: [Lecture 8 - Ethical Reporting], [APS Code - C.2.2]

Question 76

Q76: A psychologist debriefs a 15-year-old alone, using adult-level terms. The teen nods but looks confused. What was the oversight? a) Using tests not approved for minors b) Failing to clarify the teen's consent rights c) Providing debrief without a parent d) Not checking for comprehension using developmentally appropriate language

Answer 76

d) Not checking for comprehension using developmentally appropriate language Rationale: Informed understanding must be age-appropriate and actively verified. Source: [Wright - Ch. 7], [Lecture 5 - Youth Engagement]

Question 77

Q77: A psychologist uses an old version of a psychometric tool due to convenience. What is the major concern? a) The psychologist might forget the scoring system b) Clients may prefer older versions c) Outdated norms compromise validity d) The client will not be able to access results

Answer 77

c) Outdated norms compromise validity Rationale: Test tools must be current and validated to ensure ethical accuracy. Source: [Wright - Ch. 4], [Lecture 4 - Tool Selection Ethics]

Question 78

Q78: A supervisor tells a provisional psychologist to omit a section of a report because it might "confuse the client." What's the ethical issue? a) Supervisors can make content decisions b) Omitting relevant data may compromise transparency c) It's appropriate to simplify reports at supervisor discretion d) Provisionals cannot challenge supervisor edits

Answer 78

b) Omitting relevant data may compromise transparency Rationale: Clients have a right to a complete and accurate representation of findings. Source: [APS Code - A.3, B.1.6], [Lecture 10 - Ethical Supervision]

Question 79

Q79: A psychologist testing a child from a collectivist culture notices the child avoids eye contact and defers to their parent. What should the psychologist do? a) Note the behaviour as oppositional b) Interpret it as potential social anxiety c) Recognise it as potentially culturally normative behaviour d) Encourage the child to assert independence

Answer 79

c) Recognise it as potentially culturally normative behaviour Rationale: Behaviour must be interpreted through a culturally informed lens to avoid misdiagnosis. Source: [Routledge - Ch. 2], [Lecture 4 - Cultural Awareness in Youth Assessment]

Question 80

Q80: A psychologist begins to feel unusually "protective" of a client and starts bending rules to support them. What dynamic may be unfolding? a) Boundary drift due to schema-based overidentification b) The client has triggered a trauma response c) Positive transference from the client d) The psychologist is demonstrating therapeutic flexibility

Answer 80

a) Boundary drift due to schema-based overidentification Rationale: Overidentification often signals therapist schema activation and requires supervision. Source: [Lecture 11 - Schema in the Therapist], [APS Code - B.1.6]

Question 81

Q81: A psychologist insists on using DSM-5 diagnostic labels even when they don't align well with the client's lived experience. What is the main ethical issue? a) The psychologist is breaching supervision protocol b) The client should be referred for psychiatric testing c) The psychologist may be prioritising diagnostic frameworks over person-centred care d) The psychologist is failing to maintain confidentiality

Answer 81

c) The psychologist may be prioritising diagnostic frameworks over person-centred care Rationale: Rigid adherence to diagnostic systems can override ethical responsiveness to the client's context. Source: [Lecture 8 - Diagnostic Ethics], [Routledge - Ch. 3]

Question 82

Q82: A provisional psychologist reports discomfort with a case involving religious trauma. The supervisor replies, "Just follow the manual." What's the ethical concern? a) Supervision has become directive rather than reflective b) The supervisor is breaching confidentiality c) Religious trauma is outside the scope of provisional practice d) Manuals are mandatory for client protection

Answer 82

a) Supervision has become directive rather than reflective Rationale: Supervision should support reflective judgment, not enforce rigid procedures. Source: [Lecture 11 - Reflective Supervision], [APS Code - B.1.6]

Question 83

Q83: A school asks a psychologist to assess a student for suspected ADHD but insists they not mention the child's trauma history in the report. What's the best response? a) Honour the school's wishes to maintain the relationship b) Include the trauma history if it is clinically relevant c) Create a second "confidential" version for the school d) Decline the case altogether

Answer 83

b) Include the trauma history if it is clinically relevant Rationale: Ethically accurate reporting must reflect relevant client context — even under pressure. Source: [Wright - Ch. 7], [Lecture 5 - School Reports and Ethics]

Question 84

Q84: A psychologist works with a migrant family but fails to check whether the interpreter has a personal connection to them. The interpreter later shares private comments with relatives. What's the key ethical lapse? a) The interpreter was poorly trained b) The psychologist did not provide informed consent c) The psychologist failed to ensure cultural safety and confidentiality d) The client misunderstood interpreter roles

Answer 84

c) The psychologist failed to ensure cultural safety and confidentiality Rationale: Cultural safety requires checking interpreter neutrality and protecting client trust. Source: [Routledge Handbook - Ch. 5], [Lecture 9 - Interpreter Ethics]

Question 85

Q85: A psychologist sees a former client's sibling at a community event. They casually mention the sibling's assessment outcomes. What boundary was crossed? a) Dual relationship b) Confidentiality breach c) APS reporting guideline d) Professional conduct supervision

Answer 85

b) Confidentiality breach Rationale: Discussing case details in public settings violates core confidentiality principles. Source: [APS Code - A.4], [Lecture 7 - Boundaries]

Question 86

Q86: A psychologist continues to see clients despite being unable to sleep and feeling emotionally numb for weeks. What's the most pressing concern? a) Lack of sleep will reduce empathy b) Burnout is normal and not an ethical issue c) Impaired functioning may compromise client safety d) Emotional numbness enhances objectivity

Answer 86

c) Impaired functioning may compromise client safety Rationale: Ethical standards require monitoring fitness to practice and seeking support. Source: [APS Code - B.1.2], [Lecture 10 - Psychologist Impairment]

Question 87

Q87: A psychologist works with a child whose behaviours are worsening. They fail to engage the family system, believing it's "outside the contract." What is the missed opportunity? a) The child is non-compliant b) Family dynamics may be maintaining the presenting issues c) The contract can never be changed d) Reporting to child safety was required

Answer 87

b) Family dynamics may be maintaining the presenting issues Rationale: Systemic thinking is often essential in youth work and should not be excluded prematurely. Source: [Wright - Ch. 6], [Lecture 6 - Family Systems and Scope]

Question 88

Q88: A psychologist records in their notes that a client "is clearly exaggerating symptoms for secondary gain." What's the concern? a) This comment is defamatory b) It lacks professional objectivity and could be legally damaging c) Secondary gain must always be noted d) Psychologists should never speculate

Answer 88

b) It lacks professional objectivity and could be legally damaging Rationale: Documentation must be evidence-based and neutrally worded to protect all parties. Source: [APS Code - C.2.2], [Lecture 8 - Language in Records]

Question 89

Q89: A psychologist asks a refugee client to "walk through their trauma timeline" in a single session to speed up the intake. The client later cancels all future appointments. What likely occurred? a) Avoidant personality disorder b) Secondary trauma exposure c) Re-traumatisation due to premature deep inquiry d) Client resistance due to low insight

Answer 89

c) Re-traumatisation due to premature deep inquiry Rationale: Trauma work requires pacing, consent, and emotional safety. Source: [Routledge - Ch. 7], [Lecture 5 - Trauma Assessment]

Question 90

Q90: A psychologist delays seeking ethical consultation despite being unsure whether to override a client's confidentiality due to vague risk disclosures. What's the core issue? a) The psychologist was within their rights b) Delay in consultation risks ethical drift and harm c) Risk was low and didn't need escalation d) The psychologist should have discharged the client

Answer 90

b) Delay in consultation risks ethical drift and harm Rationale: Timely consultation is an ethical safeguard when navigating unclear situations. Source: [APS Code - A.5, B.1.6], [Lecture 10 - Ethical Decision-Making]

Question 91

Q91: A psychologist receives a vague referral stating the client is "a risk to others." The psychologist proceeds without clarification. What is the ethical risk? a) Referrals are just suggestions and don't require follow-up b) The psychologist may breach informed consent if risk isn't clarified c) Referrals must always include a mental health diagnosis d) The client has a right to conceal details

Answer 91

b) The psychologist may breach informed consent if risk isn't clarified Rationale: Psychologists must clarify vague risk concerns before commencing to uphold ethical practice. Source: [APS Code - A.3], [Lecture 10 - Working with Risk and Ambiguity]

Question 92

Q92: A psychologist assesses a client from a collectivist culture using an individualised trauma framework. The client later disengages. What went wrong? a) The client was being avoidant b) Trauma frameworks are universally valid c) The formulation failed to reflect the client's cultural worldview d) The psychologist over-relied on DSM-5 categories

Answer 92

c) The formulation failed to reflect the client's cultural worldview Rationale: Culturally safe practice requires honouring community-based understandings of trauma. Source: [Routledge - Ch. 6], [Lecture 4 - Cultural Formulation]

Question 93

Q93: A psychologist documents in the file: "Client clearly lying about their family history." What is the primary concern? a) It's defamatory and lacks evidence-based neutrality b) The psychologist should've asked more questions c) Family history isn't important in reports d) Clients often lie in trauma disclosures

Answer 93

a) It's defamatory and lacks evidence-based neutrality Rationale: Judgmental documentation can damage therapeutic trust and pose legal risks. Source: [APS Code - C.2], [Lecture 8 - Language and Risk in Records]

Question 94

Q94: A psychologist begins scheduling longer sessions and contacting a client between appointments. What dynamic may be emerging? a) The client needs more support b) Boundary enmeshment due to therapist over-identification c) Flexibility in therapeutic timing d) The psychologist is demonstrating warmth

Answer 94

b) Boundary enmeshment due to therapist over-identification Rationale: Ethical boundaries help contain both transference and countertransference. Source: [Lecture 11 - Therapist Schemas], [APS Code - B.1.6]

Question 95

Q95: An occupational therapist misinterprets psychological assessment results and recommends an intervention that contradicts the findings. What should the psychologist do? a) Correct the error privately with the client b) Respect the OT's professional judgment c) Clarify the misinterpretation directly and respectfully with the OT d) Escalate the issue to APS

Answer 95

c) Clarify the misinterpretation directly and respectfully with the OT Rationale: Effective MDT functioning requires communication across professional knowledge boundaries. Source: [Lecture 6 - MDT Communication], [APS Code - B.1.2]

Question 96

Q96: A 13-year-old consents to testing but becomes distressed when their parent is invited into the debrief session. The psychologist hadn't clarified this would happen. What was the error? a) Parent involvement is always required b) Debrief sessions are optional c) Consent must be revisited with adolescents, especially regarding parent involvement d) The psychologist should've postponed testing

Answer 96

c) Consent must be revisited with adolescents, especially regarding parent involvement Rationale: Adolescents have emerging rights and must understand how their information will be shared. Source: [APS Code - A.3.1], [Lecture 5 - Informed Consent in Youth]

Question 97

Q97: A psychologist working in a correctional setting begins to feel moral distress about the role they play in parole risk decisions. What might they be experiencing? a) Compassion fatigue b) Moral injury due to institutional role conflicts c) Resistance to power d) Poor boundary management

Answer 97

b) Moral injury due to institutional role conflicts Rationale: Moral injury arises when professionals feel they're acting against their values. Source: [Lecture 9 - Ethics in Forensic Settings], [Routledge - Ch. 7]

Question 98

Q98: A school psychologist uses a diagnostic tool intended for adults on a 12-year-old because "it's all I had on hand." What ethical principle is being violated? a) It's okay if it's adapted carefully b) Scope of practice and test appropriateness c) All tools are flexible across age groups d) The child won't know the difference

Answer 98

b) Scope of practice and test appropriateness Rationale: Psychologists must select instruments validated for the population they serve. Source: [Wright - Ch. 4], [Lecture 4 - Test Validation]

Question 99

Q99: A psychologist refers to a client as "non-compliant" in a report because the client refused to complete all tasks. What's the problem with this language? a) It implies pathology rather than considering relational or contextual reasons b) The psychologist was within their rights c) Non-compliance is a required APS term d) Clients should always comply

Answer 99

a) It implies pathology rather than considering relational or contextual reasons Rationale: Ethical formulations account for client agency and avoid pathologising labels. Source: [Lecture 8 - Reporting Language], [Routledge - Ch. 3]

Question 100

Q100: A psychologist says to a client, "Let's get through the checklist so I can finish your file before lunch." What dynamic does this best illustrate? a) Procedural efficiency b) Time-based best practice c) A lapse into proceduralism over relational engagement d) Effective structure

Answer 100

c) A lapse into proceduralism over relational engagement Rationale: Professional practice must balance process with human connection. Source: [Lecture 10 - Procedural vs Relational Ethics], [APS Code - B.1.2]

Question 101

Q101: A psychologist describes a client from a collectivist culture as "resistant to individual growth goals." What ethical concept has likely been violated? a) The client is not treatment-ready b) The psychologist demonstrated epistemic injustice c) The client needs more education d) There is no violation

Answer 101

b) The psychologist demonstrated epistemic injustice Rationale: The comment privileges a Western lens and marginalises the client's worldview. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 3], [Lecture 4 -Culture and Assessment]

Question 102

Q102: An Aboriginal client expresses grief using spiritual and ancestral terms. The psychologist redirects the discussion toward DSM grief symptoms. What is the misstep? a) The client should be assessed for depression b) Spiritual content is outside scope c) The psychologist failed to honour culturally embedded expressions of grief d) Clients must use standard psychological terms

Answer 102

c) The psychologist failed to honour culturally embedded expressions of grief Rationale: Ethical practice involves recognising and validating culturally specific meaning-making. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 6], [Lecture 9 -Culturally Safe Assessment]

Question 103

Q103: A provisional psychologist feels ethically conflicted after a session but receives only performance-based feedback from their supervisor. What's the ethical concern? a) Supervisors aren't responsible for ethical guidance b) Performance feedback is the primary goal c) Reflective and ethical support was lacking in supervision d) The supervisee should wait for formal review

Answer 103

c) Reflective and ethical support was lacking in supervision Rationale: Supervisors must foster reflective practice, not just technical performance. Source: [Lecture 11 -Supervision & Ethical Growth], [APS Code -B.1.6]

Question 104

Q104: A 14-year-old refuses to have their test results shared with a parent. The psychologist complies, but the parent becomes angry. What is the correct stance? a) The psychologist breached parental rights b) Adolescents can dissent and have privacy rights c) Results must always be shared with parents d) The psychologist should defer to school policy

Answer 104

b) Adolescents can dissent and have privacy rights Rationale: Adolescents have evolving rights and confidentiality must be negotiated case-by-case. Source: [APS Code -A.3.1], [Lecture 5 -Adolescent Consent]

Question 105

Q105: A psychologist identifies a high-risk issue but delays action due to fear of upsetting institutional staff. What is this dynamic an example of? a) Ethical diplomacy b) Moral paralysis under institutional pressure c) Respecting hierarchy d) Legal compliance

Answer 105

b) Moral paralysis under institutional pressure Rationale: Avoiding action due to workplace dynamics can place clients at risk and breach duty of care. Source: [Lecture 10 -Institutional Ethics], [APS Code -A.5]

Question 106

Q106: A psychologist excludes the family from a youth formulation due to a narrow reading of "client confidentiality." What has likely occurred? a) They upheld the APS Code perfectly b) They risked undermining systemic support for the client c) Parents are always excluded d) Family involvement is illegal under APS

Answer 106

b) They risked undermining systemic support for the client Rationale: Ethical engagement often includes families, especially when working with young people. Source: [Wright -Ch. 6], [Lecture 6 -Family Systems]

Question 107

Q107: During an MDT case conference, a psychologist is pressured to omit uncertainty from the report summary. What is the best ethical response? a) Comply to maintain team harmony b) Include only clear findings c) Clearly report both findings and limitations d) Withhold the report entirely

Answer 107

c) Clearly report both findings and limitations Rationale: Transparency and honesty must be maintained, even under MDT pressure. Source: [Lecture 6 -MDT Power Tensions], [APS Code -C.2.1]

Question 108

Q108: A psychologist writes: "Client exaggerates symptoms for secondary gain." There is no data supporting this. What risk does this pose? a) It's acceptable if based on intuition b) May constitute a defamation or legal liability c) Clinicians should always note suspected motives d) There is no risk

Answer 108

b) May constitute a defamation or legal liability Rationale: Ethical documentation must be evidence-based and neutrally worded. Source: [Lecture 8 -Risky Language], [APS Code -C.2.2]

Question 109

Q109: A psychologist expects a neurodivergent client to perform poorly on executive function tests. They later interpret ambiguous results in line with that expectation. What bias is at play? a) Schema preservation bias b) Cultural misunderstanding c) Projection d) Compassion fatigue

Answer 109

a) Schema preservation bias Rationale: The psychologist may unconsciously reinforce assumptions, skewing interpretation. Source: [Lecture 11 -Schema Blind Spots], [Wright -Ch. 4]

Question 110

Q110: A psychologist under time pressure fails to document a high-risk client's refusal of services. Later, the client is hospitalised. What did the psychologist omit? a) Client address b) A full diagnosis c) Defensive documentation d) Signature verification

Answer 110

c) Defensive documentation Rationale: Documenting refusals and reasoning is essential for legal and ethical protection. Source: [Wright -Ch. 8], [Lecture 8 -Risk & Record Keeping]

Question 111

Q111: A psychologist sees a teen whose divorced parents disagree on testing. One parent consents, the other refuses. What's the most ethical action? a) Proceed with consent from the custodial parent b) Continue without informing the other parent c) Wait until both guardians agree or legal clarity is obtained d) Proceed only with verbal agreement

Answer 111

c) Wait until both guardians agree or legal clarity is obtained Rationale: Where parental rights are equal, both must consent unless court documents dictate otherwise. Source: [Lecture 5 -Consent in Family Settings], [Wright -Ch. 6]

Question 112

Q112: A psychologist is assigned a client from a refugee background but chooses not to consult cultural guidelines or reach out to support networks. What dynamic is evident? a) Time-saving strategy b) Institutional oversight c) Cultural avoidance and procedural over-reliance d) No issue unless client complains

Answer 112

c) Cultural avoidance and procedural over-reliance Rationale: Failing to engage cultural supports is ethically negligent in cross-cultural work. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 7], [Lecture 4 -Cultural Reflexivity]

Question 113

Q113: After a session, a psychologist feels intense unease about their reaction to a marginalised client but does not reflect or seek supervision. What has occurred? a) The client triggered an ethical breach b) Reflexive capacity has been bypassed c) The psychologist is emotionally dysregulated d) The client was projecting

Answer 113

b) Reflexive capacity has been bypassed Rationale: Reflexivity is essential when power dynamics and bias may be in play. Source: [Lecture 11 -Reflexivity in Practice], [APS Code -B.1.6]

Question 114

Q114: A youth refuses further assessment due to distress but the psychologist urges continuation "to complete the dataset." What is being overlooked? a) Standard protocol b) The client's right to informed dissent c) Ethical justification for avoidance d) The value of comprehensive scoring

Answer 114

b) The client's right to informed dissent Rationale: Clients can withdraw consent at any point; coercion undermines ethical practice. Source: [APS Code -A.3], [Wright -Ch. 7]

Question 115

Q115: A psychologist omits a tense exchange from their case notes because "it might make me look bad." What's the ethical failure? a) Self-protective filtering undermines record integrity b) The exchange was not clinically important c) Notes are private, so this is acceptable d) APS doesn't govern note-taking

Answer 115

a) Self-protective filtering undermines record integrity Rationale: Records must reflect an accurate, defensible history, even if uncomfortable. Source: [Lecture 8 -Defensive vs. Honest Documentation], [APS Code -C.2]

Question 116

Q116: A client from a marginalised community challenges a psychologist's framing of their distress. The psychologist deflects and moves on. What is likely to happen? a) Therapeutic momentum increases b) A rupture may deepen if not repaired c) It reduces resistance d) The client gains insight

Answer 116

b) A rupture may deepen if not repaired Rationale: Avoiding cultural or power ruptures increases risk of disengagement and harm. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 5], [Lecture 9 -Rupture and Repair in Marginalised Contexts]

Question 117

Q117: A psychologist dismisses a client's community belief about spirit possession as "delusional." What ethical concept is violated? a) Cultural blindness and epistemic invalidation b) Misdiagnosis under the DSM c) The client is likely psychotic d) Ethical consent

Answer 117

a) Cultural blindness and epistemic invalidation Rationale: Psychologists must avoid pathologising culturally held frameworks of meaning. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 2], [Lecture 4 -Epistemic Justice]

Question 118

Q118: A school demands to know if a student is "lying" on their self-report. The psychologist states the client "exaggerates" in their file. What's the issue? a) That's a fair term for schools b) The language may weaponise documentation against the client c) Lying is a diagnostic indicator d) Reports should confirm school concerns

Answer 118

b) The language may weaponise documentation against the client Rationale: Labels in reports must remain neutral and respectful to protect client dignity. Source: [Lecture 8 -Risk and Report Language], [APS Code -C.2.2]

Question 119

Q119: A psychologist feels deep empathy for a client with trauma similar to their own, and begins shifting session topics. What needs attention? a) Client's resilience b) Therapist countertransference c) Cognitive behavioural strategy d) Evidence-based rapport

Answer 119

b) Therapist countertransference Rationale: When therapist history enters the room unacknowledged, ethical practice may drift. Source: [Lecture 11 -Therapist Schema and Self], [APS Code -B.1.6]

Question 120

Q120: A psychologist fails to correct a client's misunderstanding that assessment results mean they are "mentally weak." What is the lapse? a) The psychologist should avoid challenging clients b) The psychologist has allowed harm via omission c) Clients must draw their own conclusions d) Testing is rarely accurate

Answer 120

b) The psychologist has allowed harm via omission Rationale: Ethical feedback includes clarifying misconceptions and supporting dignity. Source: [Wright -Ch. 8], [Lecture 8 -Feedback and Interpretation]

Question 121

Q121: A client agrees to testing after being told it's "part of their eligibility process." Later, they express regret. What consent issue is raised? a) There is no issue if the client signed b) The consent may have been subtly coerced under institutional framing c) Eligibility rules override informed choice d) Clients must accept institutional norms

Answer 121

b) The consent may have been subtly coerced under institutional framing Rationale: Consent must be freely given, and institutional framing can compromise voluntariness. Source: [APS Code -A.3.3], [Lecture 5 -Power in Consent]

Question 122

Q122: A psychologist dismisses the stimming behaviour of a neurodivergent adult as "disruptive" during testing. What is the ethical problem? a) It's a common reaction b) The psychologist is promoting neurodiversity c) The response is based in neurotypical bias d) Testing environments must be silent

Answer 122

c) The response is based in neurotypical bias Rationale: Pathologising self-regulation reflects a lack of inclusive practice. Source: [Lecture 4 -Neurodiversity and Assessment], [Wright -Ch. 5]

Question 123

Q123: A psychologist witnesses a colleague breach confidentiality in a MDT but hesitates to act due to loyalty. What is the ethical concern? a) Loyalty takes precedence in team contexts b) Minor breaches can be overlooked c) Ethical drift due to relational allegiance d) APS does not apply to MDT

Answer 123

c) Ethical drift due to relational allegiance Rationale: Peer loyalty cannot override ethical obligations to clients and the Code. Source: [APS Code -C.1.1], [Lecture 6 -Team-Based Ethics]

Question 124

Q124: A psychologist minimises a client's trauma history by saying "we all go through things" to avoid discomfort. What is the impact? a) It builds rapport b) The client will open up more c) The trauma is contextualised d) It invalidates the experience and can cause harm

Answer 124

d) It invalidates the experience and can cause harm Rationale: Dismissing or glossing over trauma undermines trust and safety. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 7], [Lecture 5 -Trauma-Responsive Assessment]

Question 125

Q125: A psychologist avoids giving full feedback to a client with limited English, believing "it will only confuse them." What is being denied? a) Language adaptation b) Respect for autonomy and understanding c) APA guidelines d) Diagnostic neutrality

Answer 125

b) Respect for autonomy and understanding Rationale: Ethical feedback must empower clients to understand and use information meaningfully. Source: [Lecture 8 -Feedback and Language], [APS Code -A.3.4]

Question 126

Q126: A school report reads: "Client exhibits oppositional behaviour despite teacher effort." What bias might this language show? a) It is neutral and factual b) It implies blame and obscures relational context c) Teachers need to be protected d) Oppositional is a clinical diagnosis

Answer 126

b) It implies blame and obscures relational context Rationale: Language in reports can reinforce power dynamics and obscure systemic issues. Source: [Lecture 8 -Language Framing], [Routledge -Ch. 2]

Question 127

Q127: A psychologist continues with individual therapy despite the client asking for family inclusion. The psychologist believes individual work is "cleaner." What's the flaw? a) Family work is unethical b) The client lacks insight c) The psychologist is privileging comfort over responsiveness d) Individual work is always first-line

Answer 127

c) The psychologist is privileging comfort over responsiveness Rationale: Ethical practice must remain flexible to client needs, not practitioner preference. Source: [Lecture 6 -Family Dynamics], [Wright -Ch. 6]

Question 128

Q128: A psychologist fails to follow up on a youth client who repeatedly misses sessions, citing "they weren't engaging anyway." What ethical issue arises? a) Client dropout is expected b) Systemic abandonment of care responsibility c) Client lacks motivation d) Psychologists are not required to follow up

Answer 128

b) Systemic abandonment of care responsibility Rationale: Disengagement must be explored, not assumed, particularly in vulnerable populations. Source: [APS Code -B.1.2], [Lecture 7 -Client Disengagement]

Question 129

Q129: A psychologist completes all forms and disclosures but skips meaningful discussion about cultural identity. What has likely occurred? a) Excellent compliance b) Performative ethics without relational depth c) Efficiency in practice d) Time-efficient practice

Answer 129

b) Performative ethics without relational depth Rationale: Ethics must go beyond procedure to authentic engagement. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 3], [Lecture 4 -Proceduralism vs Relational Practice]

Question 130

Q130: A psychologist begins to dread a client who brings complex emotional content weekly. The psychologist hasn't processed these reactions. What's the danger? a) Burnout is rare b) Compassion fatigue has been embraced c) Neglected emotional labour leads to ethical and clinical risks d) Clients are demanding

Answer 130

c) Neglected emotional labour leads to ethical and clinical risks Rationale: Unprocessed emotional reactions can impair ethical judgment and therapeutic attunement. Source: [Lecture 11 -Therapist Self-Awareness], [APS Code -B.1.6]

Question 131

Q131: A psychologist delays seeking cultural consultation until after significant rapport damage with a client from a refugee background. What is the ethical lapse? a) The psychologist needed more time b) Cultural advice is optional c) Proactive consultation was ethically required to avoid harm d) Delays are common in complex cases

Answer 131

c) Proactive consultation was ethically required to avoid harm Rationale: Waiting until harm occurs negates the preventative role of cultural safety. Source: [Lecture 4 -Cultural Reflexivity], [Routledge -Ch. 7]

Question 132

Q132: A client becomes anxious during assessment. The psychologist attributes it to low motivation, missing a trauma cue. What is the risk? a) Poor attention b) Misreading distress as resistance can re-traumatise the client c) Anxiety is normal in assessments d) Motivation is always key

Answer 132

b) Misreading distress as resistance can re-traumatise the client Rationale: Misinterpretation of trauma responses compromises safety and trust. Source: [Lecture 5 -Trauma-Responsive Practice], [Wright -Ch. 7]

Question 133

Q133: A psychologist raises concerns about systemic racism in service delivery. They are told, "You're overreacting -it's the same for everyone." What is this an example of? a) Ethical feedback b) Institutional gaslighting c) Systems alignment d) Duty of care

Answer 133

b) Institutional gaslighting Rationale: Denying contextual injustice undermines ethical accountability and safety. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 3], [Lecture 10 -Institutional Ethics]

Question 134

Q134: A psychologist withholds assessment results from a client, citing "you might not understand the stats." The client reports feeling disrespected. What is the failing? a) Protecting the client b) Feedback should always be simplified c) Withholding feedback reinforces power imbalance d) Stats are confidential

Answer 134

c) Withholding feedback reinforces power imbalance Rationale: Clients are entitled to respectful, comprehensible explanations. Source: [Wright -Ch. 8], [Lecture 8 -Feedback Integrity]

Question 135

Q135: A psychologist reports "Client is uncooperative during testing," without noting cultural differences in communication. What is the error? a) The report is standard b) The psychologist should be firmer c) The interpretation lacks cultural attunement d) Cooperation is irrelevant

Answer 135

c) The interpretation lacks cultural attunement Rationale: Mislabeling culturally normative behaviours as problematic reflects bias. Source: [Lecture 4 -Culture and Bias], [Routledge -Ch. 2]

Question 136

Q136: A provisional psychologist conducts feedback on risk assessment alone without supervision. What ethical boundary has been crossed? a) None if they are competent b) Only experienced psychologists may work with risk independently c) Provisional psychologists must consult supervisors for risk-related tasks d) Risk cases are informal

Answer 136

c) Provisional psychologists must consult supervisors for risk-related tasks Rationale: Working beyond scope endangers clients and breaches ethical standards. Source: [APS Code -B.1.6], [Lecture 9 -Supervised Practice]

Question 137

Q137: A psychologist uses the phrase "client is articulate for someone like her" in a report. What ethical breach has occurred? a) It's a compliment b) That's standard professional language c) It reveals implicit bias and constitutes a microaggression d) Reports should be honest

Answer 137

c) It reveals implicit bias and constitutes a microaggression Rationale: Such statements carry demeaning connotations and violate ethical respect. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 3], [Lecture 8 -Ethical Language Use]

Question 138

Q138: A psychologist writes that a client "poses high risk" based only on cultural dress, accent, and vague concern from staff. What's the problem? a) Risk assessment is subjective b) Risk is based on staff perception c) Cultural stereotyping undermines ethical risk reporting d) Dress is always relevant

Answer 138

c) Cultural stereotyping undermines ethical risk reporting Rationale: Risk must be assessed on evidence, not bias or assumptions. Source: [Lecture 10 -Risk Assessment Bias], [APS Code -C.2.2]

Question 139

Q139: A non-binary client asks the psychologist to avoid gendered feedback forms. The psychologist forgets and uses default language. What dynamic arises? a) Efficiency b) Gender variance is rare c) Identity invalidation and rupture d) Client over-sensitivity

Answer 139

c) Identity invalidation and rupture Rationale: Failing to respect identity-based requests can harm the therapeutic alliance. Source: [APS Guidelines -Gender Diversity], [Lecture 9 -Identity and Practice]

Question 140

Q140: A psychologist repeatedly consults with a colleague known to dismiss cultural concerns. What is the overlooked risk? a) Efficient case handling b) Collegial support c) Recycled bias and cultural blind spots d) Collaboration efficiency

Answer 140

c) Recycled bias and cultural blind spots Rationale: Consultation must be critically selected to avoid perpetuating systemic issues. Source: [Lecture 10 -Ethical Consultation], [Routledge -Ch. 6]

Question 141

Q141: A psychologist feels obligated to accept a referral from a powerful community leader despite concerns about fit. What dynamic may be present? a) Affirmative action b) Referral urgency c) Power-laden dynamics can compromise autonomy and ethical clarity d) There is no issue if the case is standard

Answer 141

c) Power-laden dynamics can compromise autonomy and ethical clarity Rationale: Ethical referral acceptance must remain independent and free from pressure. Source: [Lecture 7 -Ethical Boundaries], [APS Code -B.1.2]

Question 142

Q142: A psychologist interprets a First Nations child's mistrust as "attachment disorder." What has occurred? a) Differential diagnosis b) Developmental concern c) Stereotype-confirming bias and cultural misattribution d) Accurate clinical formulation

Answer 142

c) Stereotype-confirming bias and cultural misattribution Rationale: Pathologising mistrust without context ignores historical and cultural trauma. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 5], [Lecture 9 -Culturally Safe Assessment]

Question 143

Q143: A psychologist defends a questionable documentation practice by stating, "It's defensible in court." What is the ethical shortcoming? a) Legal defensibility equals ethical correctness b) Courts define ethical standards c) Defensive posture replaces reflective ethical reasoning d) Nothing if legal risk is managed

Answer 143

c) Defensive posture replaces reflective ethical reasoning Rationale: Ethical practice must go beyond legal compliance to honour relational duty. Source: [Lecture 8 -Documentation and Ethics], [APS Code -C.2.2]

Question 144

Q144: A 13-year-old client says they don't want to share results with their parent. The psychologist agrees, but the school insists. What should the psychologist prioritise? a) School's request b) Immediate disclosure c) The young person's developing autonomy and negotiated confidentiality d) Default parental access

Answer 144

c) The young person's developing autonomy and negotiated confidentiality Rationale: Adolescents' rights require careful ethical balancing with systems. Source: [APS Code -A.3.3], [Lecture 5 -Youth Consent]

Question 145

Q145: A psychologist insists on grief "closure" within six sessions for a recently bereaved client from a collectivist culture. What is problematic? a) Efficiency b) Standard protocol c) Cultural grief timelines are being pathologised d) Grief isn't treatable

Answer 145

c) Cultural grief timelines are being pathologised Rationale: Grief must be understood within cultural frameworks, not imposed schedules. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 6], [Lecture 4 -Culture and Grief]

Question 146

Q146: A client is pressured to "set SMART goals" despite presenting with existential trauma. What is the risk? a) SMART goals are universal b) They promote clarity c) Misaligned goal-setting may retraumatise or fragment the client d) Existential trauma should be ignored

Answer 146

c) Misaligned goal-setting may retraumatise or fragment the client Rationale: Structured tools must match the emotional and cultural context. Source: [Lecture 5 -Goal Setting and Trauma], [Wright -Ch. 4]

Question 147

Q147: A psychologist notices they're having nightmares after working with multiple trauma survivors but brushes it off. What is being overlooked? a) Unrelated stress b) Vicarious trauma warning signs c) Client projection d) Bad sleep hygiene

Answer 147

b) Vicarious trauma warning signs Rationale: Ignoring therapist impact compromises care and ethical resilience. Source: [Lecture 11 -Vicarious Trauma], [APS Code -B.1.6]

Question 148

Q148: A supervisor suggests removing all "negative emotional content" from a report to avoid upsetting the client. What's the ethical concern? a) Client comfort trumps accuracy b) Feedback must be neutralised c) Sanitising reports may hide clinically important material d) APS supports this

Answer 148

c) Sanitising reports may hide clinically important material Rationale: Clients are entitled to respectful but honest reflections of content. Source: [Wright -Ch. 8], [Lecture 8 -Feedback Ethics]

Question 149

Q149: A psychologist adds interpretive comments about parenting quality in a cognitive test report, despite no family interview. What is the breach? a) Parental support is always relevant b) Interpretation without data support is evaluative overreach c) Observations are welcome d) Parenting is a default topic

Answer 149

b) Interpretation without data support is evaluative overreach Rationale: Ethical reports stay within data-supported bounds. Source: [Lecture 8 -Report Ethics], [APS Code -C.2.2]

Question 150

Q150: A youth discloses being in emotional distress after school conflict. The psychologist notes, "Not a formal risk; no action needed." What has likely occurred? a) The youth is safe b) Formal thresholds aren't met c) Ethical minimisation of distress outside of narrow risk frameworks d) Schools handle this

Answer 150

c) Ethical minimisation of distress outside of narrow risk frameworks Rationale: Ethical care includes subclinical distress that still requires response. Source: [Lecture 10 -Ethical Risk Thinking], [Routledge -Ch. 4]

Question 151

Q151: A psychologist fast-tracks a client into testing after pressure from a school, omitting a proper consent process. What ethical boundary has been crossed? a) Time management b) School-based prioritisation c) Consent erosion due to external pressure d) No issue if the outcome is positive

Answer 151

c) Consent erosion due to external pressure Rationale: Consent must be voluntary, informed, and free from coercive system dynamics. Source: [APS Code -A.3], [Lecture 5 -Consent Complexities]

Question 152

Q152: A psychologist insists on "cultural neutrality" and avoids all mention of a client's background. What harm may this cause? a) Promotes fairness b) Removes bias c) Suppresses identity and fosters invalidation d) Neutrality is best practice

Answer 152

c) Suppresses identity and fosters invalidation Rationale: Cultural neutrality often reinforces dominant norms and erases minority experience. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 3], [Lecture 4 -Epistemic Justice]

Question 153

Q153: A client with a strong spiritual belief system is described in documentation as having "magical thinking." What is the likely problem? a) Accurate assessment b) Diagnostic clarity c) Diagnostic bias through cultural misunderstanding d) Belief systems are irrelevant

Answer 153

c) Diagnostic bias through cultural misunderstanding Rationale: Cultural or spiritual beliefs should not be pathologised without contextual understanding. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 2], [Lecture 9 -Cultural Misdiagnosis]

Question 154

Q154: A psychologist reacts strongly to a client who reminds them of a past unresolved case. What is at risk? a) Client insight b) Schema reactivity influencing interpretation c) Empathic accuracy d) Therapeutic compliance

Answer 154

b) Schema reactivity influencing interpretation Rationale: Therapists' unresolved schemas can bias perception and derail ethical engagement. Source: [Lecture 11 -Therapist Schema Awareness], [APS Code -B.1.6]

Question 155

Q155: A young client quietly disagrees with the psychologist's summary but is not asked to clarify. What ethical failure is likely? a) Clear summarisation b) Youth often lack insight c) The youth's voice has been unintentionally silenced d) Time constraints override discussion

Answer 155

c) The youth's voice has been unintentionally silenced Rationale: Ethical youth engagement requires active inclusion of their perspectives. Source: [Lecture 5 -Child and Adolescent Ethics], [APS Code -A.3.4]

Question 156

Q156: A psychologist includes a First Nations elder in consultation but doesn't integrate their feedback into the report. What's the risk? a) Elder involvement is symbolic b) Consults are optional c) Tokenism and ethical bypass d) Reports are factual only

Answer 156

c) Tokenism and ethical bypass Rationale: Inclusion without integration risks reducing consultation to symbolic gestures. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 6], [Lecture 4 -Ethical Consultation Practice]

Question 157

Q157: A psychologist avoids confronting institutional harm by framing issues as "individual misunderstandings." What is happening? a) Honest reframing b) Clarifying responsibility c) Moral disengagement and systems avoidance d) Risk minimisation

Answer 157

c) Moral disengagement and systems avoidance Rationale: Ethical action requires addressing systemic, not just interpersonal, dynamics. Source: [Lecture 10 -Systems Ethics], [Routledge -Ch. 3]

Question 158

Q158: A psychologist begins texting a client outside sessions "to advocate" for their wellbeing. What boundary issue is emerging? a) Informal rapport b) Cultural connection c) Boundary violation masked as care d) Ethical flexibility

Answer 158

c) Boundary violation masked as care Rationale: Intentional or not, such actions risk dual relationships and ethical drift. Source: [APS Code -B.1.3], [Lecture 6 -Boundaries and Advocacy]

Question 159

Q159: A psychologist repeatedly skips supervision after emotional sessions, saying "I just need to push through." What is the risk? a) Efficiency b) Supervisors expect independence c) Avoidance of reflective support increases ethical blind spots d) Confidence is improving

Answer 159

c) Avoidance of reflective support increases ethical blind spots Rationale: Supervision is crucial for ethical insight and emotional processing. Source: [Lecture 11 -Supervision Ethics], [APS Code -B.1.6]

Question 160

Q160: A psychologist explains burnout symptoms as "resilience" and praises their overwork to students. What message is being sent? a) Productivity b) Motivation c) Normalising burnout and undermining ethical self-care d) Commitment

Answer 160

c) Normalising burnout and undermining ethical self-care Rationale: Presenting overextension as virtue models poor professional standards. Source: [Lecture 11 -Self-Care and Ethics], [APS Code -B.1.6]

Question 161

Q161: A psychologist is asked by a court to assess a young person for sentencing. The child is non-verbal during testing. The report still includes behavioural labels. What's the concern? a) Labels help court understanding b) Silence equals resistance c) Diagnostic inflation due to insufficient data d) Courts expect assertiveness

Answer 161

c) Diagnostic inflation due to insufficient data Rationale: Ethical reporting requires restraint when engagement is minimal or compromised. Source: [Wright -Ch. 9], [Lecture 9 -Youth and Legal Systems]

Question 162

Q162: During a court-ordered assessment, the psychologist is pressured to "frame results conservatively." What should guide their actions? a) Legal instructions b) Ethical principles supersede external pressure c) Framing is up to the clinician d) Judges understand ethical nuance

Answer 162

b) Ethical principles supersede external pressure Rationale: Objectivity must not be compromised by judicial or systemic influence. Source: [APS Code -C.2.2], [Lecture 10 -Ethical Pressure in Legal Contexts]

Question 163

Q163: A forensic report states, "The client's aggressive tone supports antisocial traits." No psychometric was administered. What error is evident? a) None, tone is observable b) Forensics prioritise efficiency c) Trait attribution without data is speculative and unethical d) Tone can be diagnostic

Answer 163

c) Trait attribution without data is speculative and unethical Rationale: Inference must be evidence-based, especially in legal settings. Source: [Wright -Ch. 9], [Lecture 9 -Reporting in Risk and Forensic Contexts]

Question 164

Q164: A psychologist tests a client in custody using a standard IQ measure. The client is sleep-deprived and distressed. What issue arises? a) Data still holds b) Prisons are hard places c) Contextual invalidity undermines assessment reliability d) IQ adjusts for stress

Answer 164

c) Contextual invalidity undermines assessment reliability Rationale: Custodial environments affect validity, particularly for cognitive tasks. Source: [Wright -Ch. 4], [Lecture 5 -Contextual Factors in Assessment]

Question 165

Q165: A psychologist includes the client's cultural background in a forensic risk report but fails to account for systemic racism in policing. What's missing? a) Risk scores b) Objective findings c) Structural analysis of bias in justice outcomes d) Legal terminology

Answer 165

c) Structural analysis of bias in justice outcomes Rationale: Ethical forensic work demands acknowledgment of systemic inequity. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 5], [Lecture 10 -Cultural Safety in Legal Assessments]

Question 166

Q166: A psychologist working in a juvenile justice setting is asked to remove mention of institutional abuse history. What is the ethical course? a) Comply to streamline report b) Frame it as historical c) Refuse: omitting trauma history is unethical d) Add a footnote only

Answer 166

c) Refuse: omitting trauma history is unethical Rationale: Full context is necessary for fair, ethical reporting and care planning. Source: [APS Code -C.2.2], [Routledge -Ch. 7]

Question 167

Q167: A psychologist refers to a First Nations youth as "manipulative" in a court report without cultural input. What ethical principle is violated? a) Honesty b) Cultural consultation is optional c) Respect for cultural formulation and avoidance of biased labels d) All reports must be brief

Answer 167

c) Respect for cultural formulation and avoidance of biased labels Rationale: Labeling without cultural context reinforces systemic harm. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 5], [Lecture 4 -Culturally Safe Reporting]

Question 168

Q168: A client under court supervision expresses fear of disclosing suicidal thoughts. The psychologist documents "no risk disclosed." What should have occurred? a) Accurate documentation b) Risk not present c) Context-aware probing acknowledging surveillance-based fear d) Risk only counts when stated

Answer 168

c) Context-aware probing acknowledging surveillance-based fear Rationale: Justice settings compromise openness; ethical duty is to adapt. Source: [Lecture 10 -Risk Under Constraint], [APS Code -A.4]

Question 169

Q169: A psychologist reports "the client appears hostile," yet uses no behavioural anchors or cultural consultation. What's the primary risk? a) Efficiency b) Common language c) Subjective, unqualified language may bias legal outcomes d) Hostility is observable

Answer 169

c) Subjective, unqualified language may bias legal outcomes Rationale: Forensic reports must be behaviourally anchored and culturally aware. Source: [Wright -Ch. 9], [Routledge -Ch. 2]

Question 170

Q170: A psychologist in a correctional facility skips supervision due to time constraints. They begin to feel numb toward client trauma. What is likely happening? a) Desensitisation is normal b) Hardened professional skill c) Ethical deterioration via unprocessed vicarious trauma d) Competence

Answer 170

c) Ethical deterioration via unprocessed vicarious trauma Rationale: Forensic settings require active reflection to sustain ethical practice. Source: [Lecture 11 -Vicarious Trauma], [APS Code -B.1.6]

Question 171

Q171: A psychologist dismisses a First Nations client's story of displacement as "historical context" not clinically relevant. What is the issue? a) It's unrelated to diagnosis b) Clinicians must stay neutral c) Dismissing historical trauma silences truth-telling d) Trauma is always personal

Answer 171

c) Dismissing historical trauma silences truth-telling Rationale: Ethical practice includes validating systemic and collective trauma. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 5], [Lecture 9 -Intergenerational Trauma]

Question 172

Q172: A psychologist uses an evidence-based trauma protocol without adjusting for collective cultural grief. What may be missing? a) Nothing -trauma is trauma b) Protocols always fit c) Adaptation for cultural and communal dimensions of loss d) More data on the client

Answer 172

c) Adaptation for cultural and communal dimensions of loss Rationale: Western trauma models must be adapted for collective grief and identity. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 7], [Lecture 4 -Cultural Grief Frameworks]

Question 173

Q173: A psychologist avoids discussing colonisation, saying "it might stir up things we can't help." What is the ethical concern? a) Protecting the client b) Ethical neutrality c) Avoidance reinforces silence around structural harm d) Boundaries are maintained

Answer 173

c) Avoidance reinforces silence around structural harm Rationale: Therapists must not bypass collective trauma out of discomfort. Source: [Lecture 10 -Ethical Avoidance], [Routledge -Ch. 5]

Question 174

Q174: A client shares that their grandparent was removed in the Stolen Generations. The psychologist notes, "That's interesting." What is the impact? a) Professional distance b) Staying calm c) Invalidation and missed opportunity for affective joining d) Moving forward

Answer 174

c) Invalidation and missed opportunity for affective joining Rationale: Cultural empathy requires meaningful acknowledgment, not detachment. Source: [Lecture 4 -Cultural Reflexivity], [Routledge -Ch. 5]

Question 175

Q175: A psychologist says "trauma is trauma," ignoring a client's Indigenous-specific experience. What's missing? a) Generalisation b) Simplicity c) Recognition of cultural and historical specificity in trauma d) Universal application

Answer 175

c) Recognition of cultural and historical specificity in trauma Rationale: Ethics demand contextual attunement, especially in cultural healing. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 5], [Lecture 9 -Cultural Formulations]

Question 176

Q176: A psychologist attends cultural training but never alters practice. What ethical concern arises? a) Training is optional b) Knowledge is enough c) Performative cultural competence d) Training takes time

Answer 176

c) Performative cultural competence Rationale: Without applied change, knowledge becomes symbolic and ethically hollow. Source: [Lecture 4 -Culturally Safe Practice], [Routledge -Ch. 6]

Question 177

Q177: A psychologist avoids reporting institutional racism concerns due to fear of "being political." What ethical principle is being avoided? a) Objectivity b) Professional boundaries c) Justice and structural accountability d) Silence is safer

Answer 177

c) Justice and structural accountability Rationale: Ethics require action, not silence, in response to systemic harm. Source: [APS Code -A.1, B.1], [Routledge -Ch. 3]

Question 178

Q178: A client emotionally discloses generational loss. The psychologist redirects to "current stressors." What happens? a) Present focus is good b) Efficient session c) Disconnection from reparative witnessing d) It helps prioritise

Answer 178

c) Disconnection from reparative witnessing Rationale: Ethical presence includes honouring the story, not redirecting it. Source: [Lecture 5 -Relational Ethics], [Routledge -Ch. 7]

Question 179

Q179: A report references "cultural mistrust" without elaboration. The family is offended. What likely went wrong? a) Families overreact b) Mistrust is diagnostic c) Poor contextualisation of cultural history in clinical language d) Reports must be short

Answer 179

c) Poor contextualisation of cultural history in clinical language Rationale: Unexplained terms can pathologise justified emotion. Source: [Wright -Ch. 9], [Routledge -Ch. 2]

Question 180

Q180: A psychologist listening to multiple Aboriginal clients starts to feel emotionally numb. They say, "I just have to stay strong." What is the danger? a) Resilience b) Cultural strength c) Emotional blunting can lead to ethical disengagement d) Professional maturity

Answer 180

c) Emotional blunting can lead to ethical disengagement Rationale: Self-awareness is key to sustaining presence in culturally complex care. Source: [Lecture 11 -Vicarious Trauma], [APS Code -B.1.6]

Question 181

Q181: A supervisee withholds questions during sessions due to fear of appearing incompetent. What ethical concern arises? a) Time-saving b) Supervisor control c) Suppression of reflective growth due to unsafe supervisory climate d) Autonomy is developing

Answer 181

c) Suppression of reflective growth due to unsafe supervisory climate Rationale: Supervision must enable vulnerability and growth, not fear-based compliance. Source: [APS Code -C.6.1], [Lecture 11 -Supervision Ethics]

Question 182

Q182: A supervisor casually invites their supervisee to a family BBQ. What's the primary ethical issue? a) Friendly rapport b) Time flexibility c) Risk of dual relationship and boundary confusion d) No issue outside hours

Answer 182

c) Risk of dual relationship and boundary confusion Rationale: Supervisory roles require professional boundaries to protect reflection and safety. Source: [APS Code -C.6.2], [Lecture 6 -Boundaries]

Question 183

Q183: A supervisee feels distress after client work but says "I'm fine" in supervision. What is likely happening? a) Coping well b) Prioritising time c) Emotional bypass and concealment of vicarious trauma d) Focusing on facts

Answer 183

c) Emotional bypass and concealment of vicarious trauma Rationale: Supervision must invite emotional transparency to sustain ethical resilience. Source: [Lecture 11 -Vicarious Trauma], [APS Code -B.1.6]

Question 184

Q184: A psychologist reports feeling judged during supervision and stops raising complex ethical dilemmas. What's the risk? a) Supervisor is efficient b) Ethical learning is disrupted c) Avoidance supports autonomy d) Silence improves performance

Answer 184

b) Ethical learning is disrupted Rationale: Supervision must support ethical inquiry, even in tension. Source: [Lecture 11 -Supervision], [APS Code -C.6.1]

Question 185

Q185: A psychologist receives vague supervision such as "just trust your instincts" after a risk incident. What's missing? a) Intuition is valid b) Supervisor trust c) Specific guidance and ethical scaffolding d) Time constraints

Answer 185

c) Specific guidance and ethical scaffolding Rationale: Supervisors have a duty to provide clear, contextualised input. Source: [APS Code -C.6.3], [Lecture 10 -Ethical Risk Thinking]

Question 186

Q186: A culturally diverse supervisee feels their supervisor avoids discussions about racial bias. What's the ethical concern? a) Race is not clinical b) Rapport c) Supervisor discomfort is displacing ethical responsibility d) Avoidance reduces conflict

Answer 186

c) Supervisor discomfort is displacing ethical responsibility Rationale: Cultural reflexivity must be integrated into the supervisory process. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 6], [Lecture 4 -Cultural Supervision]

Question 187

Q187: A supervisor tells their supervisee "don't raise that with the team — it'll cause drama." What boundary may be crossed? a) Conflict avoidance b) Efficiency c) Ethical gatekeeping through feedback suppression d) Team loyalty

Answer 187

c) Ethical gatekeeping through feedback suppression Rationale: Supervision must model courageous, ethical transparency. Source: [APS Code -C.6.1], [Lecture 10 -Ethics in Systems]

Question 188

Q188: A supervisee is told not to mention a boundary concern in their reflective log. What is likely occurring? a) Time management b) Supervisor edits c) Ethical misdirection and concealment d) Feedback formatting

Answer 188

c) Ethical misdirection and concealment Rationale: Accurate documentation is part of ethical integrity in training. Source: [APS Code -C.6.3], [Wright -Ch. 9]

Question 189

Q189: A supervisee works extra hours to "prove commitment" after being criticised. What dynamic is forming? a) Hard work b) Initiative c) Compliance-based performance anxiety d) Normal training

Answer 189

c) Compliance-based performance anxiety Rationale: Supervision should foster reflective resilience, not fear-based approval-seeking. Source: [Lecture 11 -Reflective Safety], [APS Code -B.1.6]

Question 190

Q190: A psychologist avoids supervision by claiming "I already reflect on my own." What is being overlooked? a) Autonomy b) Private practice c) The relational, corrective, and ethical accountability functions of supervision d) Reflection is internal

Answer 190

c) The relational, corrective, and ethical accountability functions of supervision Rationale: Ethical supervision is relational and essential for accountability. Source: [Lecture 11 -Ethics of Supervision], [APS Code -C.6.1]

Question 191

Q191: A psychologist writes "the client's behaviour is consistent with borderline traits" without test results. What's the error? a) Efficient writing b) Acceptable shorthand c) Unsupported diagnostic speculation d) Traits can be observed

Answer 191

c) Unsupported diagnostic speculation Rationale: Without validated assessment, trait labeling is unethical. Source: [Wright -Ch. 9], [Lecture 9 -Report Ethics]

Question 192

Q192: A report describes a culturally specific ritual as "odd" in tone. What's the risk? a) Clinical observation b) Reflects confusion c) Implicit cultural judgment d) Language variety

Answer 192

c) Implicit cultural judgment Rationale: Report tone must avoid framing cultural difference as pathology. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 2], [Wright -Ch. 9]

Question 193

Q193: A psychologist omits discussion of housing instability in a youth report, fearing it will bias the referral outcome. What's the impact? a) Protection b) Fairness c) Ethical distortion through omission bias d) Brevity

Answer 193

c) Ethical distortion through omission bias Rationale: Omitting relevant context compromises the report's integrity. Source: [Wright -Ch. 9], [APS Code -C.2.2]

Question 194

Q194: A report states "the client is not at risk" without describing what risk domains were assessed. What's the issue? a) Clear writing b) Efficiency c) Ambiguity and under-specification of clinical judgment d) Risk is obvious

Answer 194

c) Ambiguity and under-specification of clinical judgment Rationale: Ethical writing requires clarity around what was assessed and how. Source: [Lecture 10 -Documenting Risk], [Wright -Ch. 9]

Question 195

Q195: A supervisor tells a psychologist to "tone down" the description of emotional abuse. The psychologist agrees. What's the ethical concern? a) Editing is routine b) Politeness c) Sanitisation of clinical truth under pressure d) Neutral tone

Answer 195

c) Sanitisation of clinical truth under pressure Rationale: Diminishing trauma language to appease systems is ethically risky. Source: [APS Code -C.2.2], [Lecture 9 -Reporting Under Influence]

Question 196

Q196: A psychologist uses the term "appears manipulative" without defining it. What's the likely problem? a) Clear language b) Quick insight c) Unqualified language invites interpretive drift d) Staff shorthand

Answer 196

c) Unqualified language invites interpretive drift Rationale: All terminology must be defined and behaviourally anchored. Source: [Wright -Ch. 9], [Lecture 6 -Labelling Risks]

Question 197

Q197: A report states "cognitive functioning is below average," but no standardised scores are included. What's missing? a) Jargon b) Client simplicity c) Transparent psychometric data to support conclusions d) Interpretation is enough

Answer 197

c) Transparent psychometric data to support conclusions Rationale: Ethical reports must show how judgments are derived. Source: [Wright -Ch. 4 & 9], [Lecture 5 -Psychometric Clarity]

Question 198

Q198: The psychologist deletes a note about client distress, fearing it might provoke litigation. What's compromised? a) Prudence b) Legal safety c) Ethical duty of full disclosure d) Space saving

Answer 198

c) Ethical duty of full disclosure Rationale: Reports must reflect client truth even when legally sensitive. Source: [APS Code -C.2.2], [Wright -Ch. 9]

Question 199

Q199: A client's response is summarised as "defensive," but the quote reveals concern about stigma. What happened? a) Valid shorthand b) Defensive is accurate c) Misinterpretation and loss of client voice d) Efficient notation

Answer 199

c) Misinterpretation and loss of client voice Rationale: Ethical reporting requires retaining nuance and meaning. Source: [Lecture 5 -Client Voice in Reporting], [Wright -Ch. 9]

Question 200

Q200: A psychologist includes a risk label but fails to mention protective factors. What does this signal? a) Focused report b) System bias c) Imbalanced risk formulation d) Severity emphasis

Answer 200

c) Imbalanced risk formulation Rationale: Ethical formulation integrates both risk and protection. Source: [Lecture 10 -Risk Thinking], [APS Code -C.2.2]

Question 201

Q201: A psychologist declines to refer a client for trauma services, stating "They're not engaged enough yet." What's the ethical concern? a) Trauma needs readiness b) Protecting services c) Potential gatekeeping based on personal engagement criteria d) Delays are standard

Answer 201

c) Potential gatekeeping based on personal engagement criteria Rationale: Subjective thresholds can unjustly restrict access. Source: [Lecture 8 -Service Access and Bias], [APS Code -B.1.2]

Question 202

Q202: A school psychologist only refers students with strong academic records to mental health services. What bias may be present? a) Efficiency b) Academic priority c) Class-based gatekeeping bias d) Motivation screening

Answer 202

c) Class-based gatekeeping bias Rationale: Service access should not be filtered by class or achievement. Source: [Lecture 7 -Educational Psychology], [Routledge -Ch. 2]

Question 203

Q203: A child's caregiver speaks English as a second language. The psychologist fails to explain the referral process clearly. What is at risk? a) Time b) Cultural rapport c) Ethical clarity and informed access d) Interpreter time

Answer 203

c) Ethical clarity and informed access Rationale: Language must never be a barrier to care navigation. Source: [APS Code -A.4], [Lecture 4 -Language and Power]

Question 204

Q204: A psychologist refers a non-binary client to a service known for poor LGBTQ+ support. What's the issue? a) Service capacity b) Location c) Ethical risk through mismatched cultural safety d) Referral is a formality

Answer 204

c) Ethical risk through mismatched cultural safety Rationale: Referrals must align with identity safety and cultural needs. Source: [Lecture 6 -Inclusive Practice], [APS Code -B.1.2]

Question 205

Q205: A referral is denied by a gatekeeper because "the family is non-compliant." What danger does this signal? a) Fair process b) Family issues c) Pathologising difference and obstructing access d) Intake limits

Answer 205

c) Pathologising difference and obstructing access Rationale: Ethical access requires flexibility and contextual understanding. Source: [Routledge -Ch. 6], [Lecture 7 -Systemic Access Blocks]

Question 206

Q206: A psychologist is told not to refer a complex trauma case because it will "skew the program outcomes." What's the ethical dilemma? a) Pragmatism b) Data accuracy c) Institutional bias outweighing client need d) Complexity is hard

Answer 206

c) Institutional bias outweighing client need Rationale: Client need must trump institutional optics. Source: [APS Code -B.1.1], [Lecture 9 -Service Integrity]

Question 207

Q207: A psychologist delays a diagnosis to avoid overburdening a local service. What does this represent? a) Thoughtful pacing b) Clinical judgment c) Ethical distortion through anticipatory withholding d) Demand management

Answer 207

c) Ethical distortion through anticipatory withholding Rationale: Avoiding documentation to manage system pressure is unethical. Source: [Lecture 8 -Ethical Drift], [Wright -Ch. 9]

Question 208

Q208: A client from a rural area is denied referral because the psychologist believes "they'll never follow through anyway." What's wrong here? a) Realism b) Distance issues c) Bias-based expectation limiting ethical opportunity d) Logistics matter

Answer 208

c) Bias-based expectation limiting ethical opportunity Rationale: Predictive bias must not override ethical obligation to offer care. Source: [Lecture 10 -Rural Disadvantage], [APS Code -B.1.2]

Question 209

Q209: A referral pathway excludes clients with mild intellectual disability. A psychologist refers anyway. What is this? a) Rule-breaking b) Compassion c) Ethical resistance against exclusionary frameworks d) Improvisation

Answer 209

c) Ethical resistance against exclusionary frameworks Rationale: Rigid pathways must be challenged when unjust. Source: [Lecture 7 -Advocacy Practice], [APS Code -A.1]

Question 210

Q210: A psychologist triages a client as "low priority" based on non-compliance history, despite current distress. What went wrong? a) Triage is complex b) System filters c) Unconscious schema bias affecting priority allocation d) Risk was low

Answer 210

c) Unconscious schema bias affecting priority allocation Rationale: Past behaviour must not distort current need or urgency. Source: [Lecture 6 -Schema and Access], [APS Code -B.1.6]