TS - Ethics Domain Quiz Flashcards
Which statement about the Buckley Amendment is false?
Select one:
A.
The law includes provisions for limiting the disclosure of records.
B.
The Buckley Amendment is a state statute that protects the privacy of student school records.
C.
The law gives eligible students over age 18 and parents of minor students the right to inspect their own or their child’s educational records.
D.
Schools can release educational records to parents with written consent.
The correct answer is B.
This statement is false, as the Buckley Amendment is not a state statute but a federal law. Answers A, C, and D are all true statements.
Which of the following is an acceptable means of advertising for psychologists?
Select one:
A.
Asking clients to refer others in order to receive a friends and family discount.
B.
Handing out brochures that accurately describe their services at a local health fair.
C.
Paying a local physician a finder’s fee to refer clients.
D.
Soliciting a testimonial from a current client.
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The correct answer is B.
Answer B contains nothing objectionable. Answer A requires some thought, as this is not prohibited in Section 5 of the APA Ethics Code, which covers advertising; however, this would create a harmful multiple relationship in which the client receives help from the therapist and facilitates the therapist’s practice at the same time. Kickbacks (answer C) are unethical according to Section 6.07 of the APA Ethics Code. Finally, psychologists cannot ethically solicit testimonials from current clients (answer D), given the power differential that exists in the therapeutic relationship; such solicitation would likely be coercive in nature.
When it comes to standard of care, any clinician could make an error involving his or her judgment. However, what step is important concerning the clinician’s judgment?
Select one:
A.
That the clinician-client relationships are appropriate.
B.
To document how the judgment was made.
C.
Seeking consultation in regards to the judgment.
D.
Using judgment to make a proper diagnosis.
The correct answer is B.
All of these are especially important for a clinician to do; however, it is documentation of how the judgment was derived that is critical when it comes to the standard of care. All of the other answers are essential but if these are not documented, this can leave the clinician liable for not giving the standard of care to the client, which makes answers A, C, and D false.
Dr. Hyde plans to conduct a study on the effects of social facilitation on college basketball players. He does not want the players to know the true nature of the study during participation. Which statement is most accurate?
Select one:
A.
This is an example of deception and could be ethical if the results have significant value and informing participants would negate the results.
B.
This is an example of uninformed consent and could be ethical under certain circumstances.
C.
This is an example of deception and is always considered unethical.
D.
This is an example of deception and could be ethical if no harm comes to the participants.
The correct answer is A.
Deception is a term used to describe a research study in which the true nature of the study is kept from the participants. This is ethical only when the results will bring significant value to psychology and informing participants would negate results. Uninformed consent (answer B) does not accurately describe deception. Though it could be unethical to use deception in research if it leads to the client being harmed (answer D), this is not the only deciding factor regarding whether the use of deception is considered ethical. As explained, there are times when deception could be ethical (answer C).
You are contacted by the parents of one of your clients to release treatment records. In which of the following cases would the parent or guardian hold privilege for the client?
Select one:
A.
A 16-year-old male who is paying for his own therapy.
B.
A 19-year-old female college student who is seeking therapy through her parents’ insurance.
C.
An 18-year-old male who was referred for psychological testing by his mother.
D.
A 30-year-old with an IQ of 100, who still lives at home with his parents.
The correct answer is A.
The only issue that deserves attention here is the age of the client. A minor (i.e., under 18 years of age) does not hold privilege, which falls to the parent or guardian.
Which standard includes the protection of the individual’s status of health, health care provisions, or payment for health care?
Select one:
A.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
B.
Private Health Information (PHI).
C.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
D.
Protected Health Information (PHI).
The correct answer is D.
Protected health information, or PHI, includes any information “about health status, provision of health care, or payment for health care that can be linked to an individual.” HIPAA is the first comprehensive rule for the privacy of personal health information where the PHI includes any information “about health status, provision of health care, or payment for health care that can be linked to an individual”, which makes answer A false. Answer B is incorrect, as PHI is described as “protected health information,” not “private health information.” The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an organization of the federal government that protects the health of all Americans and provides essential human services, especially for those who are unable to help themselves, which makes answer C false.
When psychologists have reason to suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, they should:
Select one:
A.
Report the suspected abuse or neglect only after obtaining consent from the victim.
B.
Report the suspected abuse or neglect only if the suspected perpetrator is not the client.
C.
Report the suspected abuse or neglect regardless of whether a client consents to the disclosure.
D.
Use their discretion and clinical judgment in determining whether reporting the suspected abuse or neglect will make the situation worse.
The correct answer is C.
When there is reasonable cause to suspect the occurrence of child abuse, the threshold for mandatory reporting has been reached. Answer A is incorrect, as consent is not needed to report child abuse. Answer B is incorrect, as child abuse must be reported regardless of who the perpetrator is. Answer D may be tempting, but the law is clear that if there is reason to suspect child abuse, it must be reported.
Regarding animal research, the APA Ethics Code outlines standards for all of the following EXCEPT:
Select one:
A.
Care and housing of animals.
B.
Training of animal researchers.
C.
Experimental procedures involving animals.
D.
Acquisition of animals.
The correct answer is B.
There are specific guidelines in the APA Ethics Code relevant to answers A, C, and D. The code mentions that animal researchers should be adequately trained, but does not outline the standards for meeting this requirement.
Vicky, a clinician, had a client confess to her that she had authorized the plug be pulled from her spouse’s life support because her spouse’s pain was excruciating. This was all done at the request of the client’s husband. Based on this confession, the therapist is obligated to:
Select one:
A.
Do nothing. The therapist is not obligated to report this incident.
B.
Break confidentiality with client and report this incident of assisted suicide.
C.
Convince the client to report the incident of assisted suicide, in order to maintain confidentiality.
D.
Obtain client consent so the therapist can talk to the facility where the incident of assisted suicide took place.
The correct answer is A.
A therapist is not obligated to report assisted suicide if the act has already occurred (for example, a man seeing a therapist after he assisted his wife, diagnosed with incurable cancer, with suicide). Given that the incident has already occurred, there is no present threat to self or others. Since there is no threat of suicide and it has already occurred, answers B, C, and D are all false.
With respect to the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Codes of Conduct, Standard 4, regarding privacy and confidentiality, which of the following is mostly incorrect regarding when a psychologist may disclose information?
Select one:
A.
Without consent under certain circumstances, unless prohibited by law.
B.
To protect the client/patient or other people, including the psychologist, from harm.
C.
To obtain payment for services but only if delinquent for at least one year.
D.
To obtain appropriate consultation, with minimal disclosure of identifying information.
The correct answer is C.
There are no provisions within Standard 4 that specify length of time or amount of money owed as criteria for disclosing information due to nonpayment. Answers A, B, and D are all statements from the Ethics Code.
In the absence of a superseding requirement, the APA Record Keeping Guidelines (2007) suggest that full records should be retained for:
Select one:
A.
Seven years after the date of treatment completion for adults or three years after a minor reaches the age of majority, whichever is longer.
B.
Ten years after the date of treatment completion for adults or five years after a minor reaches the age of majority, whichever is longer.
C.
Six years after the record was created or six years after the record was last in effect, whichever is longer.
D.
Five years after the last date of treatment completion for adults or three years after a minor reaches the age of majority, whichever is longer.
The correct answer is A.
This is a challenging question simply because there are a variety of guidelines to consider. The 2007 APA guidelines are reflected in answer A. In reconciling different guidelines, remember to choose the most stringent applicable requirement.
When working in military settings, psychologists should be aware that:
Select one:
A.
There is no expectation of privacy for military personnel receiving psychological services.
B.
Confidential information may be disclosed without a client’s consent in order to assist in lawful military investigations.
C.
Psychologists need not obtain informed consent when a member of the military has been referred by his or her superior for psychological assessment.
D.
Application of confidentiality is the same in military settings as it is in civilian settings.
The correct answer is B.
Although clients from the military have an expectation of privacy, they should be aware that there may be certain limitations to confidentiality. In particular, psychologists may be mandated to reveal confidential information to assist in lawful military investigations. Answer A is incorrect; although confidentiality is more limited, it is honored. Answer C is incorrect, as it is necessary to obtain informed consent. Further, informed consent becomes particularly important when working with clients from the military. Answer D is incorrect, as confidentiality is more limited in military settings than it is in civilian settings.
Which of the following approaches would best ensure the ethical use of deception?
Select one:
A.
Do not use deception when the research study involves human participants.
B.
Use deception only when the benefits the research offers society greatly outweigh the harm it may cause participants.
C.
If deception is used, begin with informed consent and debrief the participants at the end of the research study.
D.
Only use deception when the study is likely to be of significant value to psychology and non-deceptive alternatives are infeasible.
The correct answer is D.
The APA Ethics Code allows for the use of deception only when the deceptive technique is justified by the study’s significant prospective scientific, educational, or applied value, and effective non-deceptive alternative procedures are not feasible (answer D). This allows for deception of human participants (answer A), but not if this leads to participants being harmed (answer B). Deception that leads to harm is always unethical (answer B). When deception is used, true informed consent is not obtained; therefore, answer C is not valid.
According to the Ethics Code, psychologists may only barter for their services when:
Select one:
A.
The client cannot afford monetary remuneration.
B.
It is culturally sanctioned by the community in which the psychologist practices.
C.
The barter arrangement is not exploitative.
D.
It is clear that the bartered goods are payment for services rendered rather than a gift from the client.
The correct answer is C.
The major concern regarding bartering is exploitation. Answers A, B, and D are also important factors in accepting bartering as an arrangement, but answer C is the most important factor.
According to the APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2002), which of the following statements about informed consent is least true?
Select one:
A.
Informed consent should always be obtained prior to beginning any therapeutic intervention.
B.
When an assessment is mandated by law, psychologists are not required to obtain informed consent from the individual being evaluated.
C.
When obtaining informed consent for research, psychologists should explain that a participant may withdraw from the research once participation has begun.
D.
Psychologists need not obtain informed consent for assessment from a client when the assessment is to evaluate the client’s competency to stand trial.
The correct answer is A.
Answer A is the least true, although generally psychologists should obtain informed consent before initiating therapy. Answers B and C are true and directly reflect standards in the Ethics Code. Answer D is also true; the rationale for this finding is explained in answer B, given that competency evaluations are legally mandated.
According to the Ethics Code, refusing to cooperate with an ethics investigation is:
Select one:
A.
Permissible only if the matter under investigation could result in criminal charges and consultation with a lawyer is necessary.
B.
Automatic grounds for losing one’s license to practice psychology.
C.
An ethical violation.
D.
Acceptable if the person under investigation is a student or supervisee.
The correct answer is C.
This is clearly an ethical violation, but a process would be followed prior to loss of licensure.
Employing a collection agency to recuperate delinquent fees from a former client is:
Select one:
A.
Unethical and not recommended by the APA.
B.
Legal but unethical, as it constitutes a misrepresentation of the psychologist’s fees.
C.
Ethical if the fees are more than six months overdue.
D.
Ethical if the client is informed that such measures will be taken and provided with the opportunity to make a prompt payment.
The correct answer is D.
It is ethical to use collection agencies if the client has been given the opportunity to correct the financial delinquency and steps are taken to maintain as much client confidentiality as possible.
Dr. Fey’s client has been suffering from severe attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and asked Dr. Fey to provide neurofeedback therapy for him. Dr. Fey has never been trained in this area. What should he do?
Select one:
A.
Order the necessary equipment, read the manuals, and provide the therapy.
B.
Convince the client that other forms of therapy are more successful for treating ADHD.
C.
Search the Internet for neurofeedback training sites.
D.
Refer the client to a nearby clinic that is known for its specialization in neurofeedback.
The correct answer is D.
Dr. Fey should proceed with practicing outside his boundaries of competence only if no other resources are available. Otherwise, he must refer the client to an appropriate provider. Obtaining training to increase one’s competence while proceeding with a client (answer A) is acceptable only if no other viable option exists. Answers B and C are not actions that Dr. Fey should do in light of ADHD and biofeedback, making these answers false.
Which of the following cases was the original basis of the insanity defense?
Select one:
A.
Tarasoff v. Regents of University of California.
B.
M’Naghten.
C.
Machine Gun Kelly.
D.
Protection and Advocacy for the Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986.
The correct answer is B.
The M’Naghten case in 1843 involved an individual with paranoid schizophrenia who killed the secretary of England’s prime minister. The defendant was deemed insane and thus not criminally responsible because of his mental illness. Answer A is incorrect, as it refers to a psychologist’s duty to warn an intended victim of a violent crime as well as the police, if such an intention to hurt has been revealed to the psychologist by his or her patient. Answer C is a distractor; Machine Gun Kelly is a famous forensic case from the Prohibitionist era. In the summer of 1933, he and an accomplice kidnapped oil magnate Charles Urschel, asking for and obtaining the largest ransom in history. Answer D is also incorrect, as it refers to an important act that defined disability criteria and established anti-discriminatory policies for mentally ill persons.
Dr. Eberlein is a faculty member in the psychology department at State University. She wishes to date a male graduate student in the physics department at the same university. Is this ethical according to the APA Ethics Code?
Select one:
A.
Yes, as long as she has no evaluative role over this student.
B.
No, as the APA Ethics Code considers it unethical for a professor to date any student.
C.
Yes, as the APA Ethics Code does not dictate the private life of a psychologist.
D.
No, given the power differential between a faculty member and a student.
The correct answer is A.
The relevant standard is that sexual relationships are prohibited between psychologists and students over which they have evaluative authority. Hence, answer B is incorrect, as it is untrue. The APA Ethics Code does regulate private behavior regarding sexual relationships with clients, students, and supervisees; therefore, answer C is incorrect. Answer D is incorrect, as the crucial issue here is whether a power differential exists in this particular faculty-student pairing.
The APA Ethics Code (2002) places an absolute prohibition on all of the following relationships EXCEPT:
Select one:
A.
A therapeutic relationship with a former sex partner.
B.
A sexual relationship with a current client.
C.
A sexual relationship with a former client.
D.
A sexual relationship with a close relative of a current client.
The correct answer is C.
All of these are strictly prohibited, except for a sexual relationship with a former client two years after termination (under very limited circumstances). Therefore, answers A, B, and D are incorrect.
After a 28-year-old female client commits suicide, her bereaved mother asks to see her daughter’s therapy records so that she can try to understand what compelled her daughter to kill herself. You should:
Select one:
A.
Decline to provide any information, as confidentiality continues after death.
B.
Decline to provide information unless the mother is the executor of her daughter’s estate and she signs a release of information form.
C.
Provide information only if the mother signs an affidavit stating that she is the closest relative and signs a release of information.
D.
Provide information only if the mother provides a court order from a judge.
The correct answer is B.
After a client’s death, confidentiality is maintained (answer A), although access to records may be requested by the executor of the client’s estate. When there is no executor or administrator of the estate, therapy records may only be released to properly appointed legal representatives. Being a family member is insufficient reason to release records (answer C) and though a judge may have the authority to order therapy records (answer D), this is the not only means by which to release therapy records.
You provide therapy to Jacob, a severely depressed 11-year-old boy, at the request of his mother. Prior to initiating therapy, you obtain informed consent for treatment from his mother. You later learn that Jacob’s parents are divorced and it is his father, not his mother, who is his legal guardian. In order to behave most ethically, you should:
Select one:
A.
Terminate therapy immediately because Jacob’s mother cannot legally provide consent for your services.
B.
Attempt to obtain informed consent from Jacob’s father.
C.
Continue to provide therapy without consent from Jacob’s father, as you believe that doing so is in Jacob’s best interest.
D.
Continue seeing Jacob for a brief length of time until he can be transferred to a therapist the father approves of.
The correct answer is B.
Answer C is clearly out of bounds, as this would mean that you are providing therapy to a minor without parental consent. Answer D is incorrect, as you still do not have consent and the father may not approve of therapy. Clinically speaking, it is important to preserve the therapeutic relationship if possible. Answer B leaves this possibility open.
Which statement regarding a fact witness is accurate?
Select one:
A.
When a psychologist is called as a fact witness regarding a current or former client, he or she may release information only when the client waives confidentiality.
B.
Confidentiality is waived when a psychologist is ordered to appear in a court as a fact witness.
C.
A fact witness is always under oath and must give an accurate account of what he or she factually knows about the case.
D.
A fact witness is expected to share information that is relevant to finding the truth about the case he or she is testifying for.
The correct answer is C.
As it is the only answer that is completely accurate. By definition, a fact witness is under oath (answer A), regardless of whether he or she testifies before a court, writes a deposition, etc. A fact witness may release information when the client waives confidentiality (answer A) or when there is a court order to do so; therefore, answer A is incomplete. The client must waive confidentiality; it is not automatically waived just because the psychologist is called as a fact witness in a case (answer B). A fact witness is expected to share what he or she factually knows about the case and nothing more. This may or may not help to lead to the “truth” (answer D).
A psychologist who violates a standard set by the APA Ethics Code can expect legal prosecution. This statement is:
Select one:
A.
Never true.
B.
Sometimes true.
C.
Always true.
D.
Not applicable to the Ethics Code.
The correct answer is B.
Ethical standards are not laws, but some laws duplicate ethical standards. Therefore, answers A, C, and D are incorrect.
Dr. Vernon was ordered by the court to determine whether Melissa, a 25-year-old woman convicted of robbing a video store, is competent to stand trial. Dr. Vernon asks Melissa if she committed the crime, and Melissa replies that she did. Which of the following statements is most accurate?
Select one:
A.
Dr. Vernon should reveal to the courts that Melissa admitted guilt in the evaluation.
B.
Dr. Vernon should assess whether Melissa is being truthful in her confession.
C.
Dr. Vernon should inform only the defending attorney and notify Melissa of this disclosure.
D.
Dr. Vernon’s question was inappropriate.
The correct answer is D.
Determining guilt or innocence is not the psychologist’s responsibility. A competency evaluation must assess only whether the client is able to assist in his or her own defense. This question was inappropriate and could have legal repercussions for Dr. Vernon. Therefore, answers A, B, and C are incorrect.
You are a clinical psychologist who begins seeing a 23-year-old woman for therapy. During your third session, the client reveals that she had a year-long sexual relationship with her previous therapist. Although the client knows that her previous therapist acted inappropriately, she feels ashamed for continuing the relationship for so long. Your most ethical course of action would be to:
Select one:
A.
Confront the client’s previous therapist about his ethical violation.
B.
Anonymously report the sexual relationship to the state licensing board.
C.
Discuss with the client whether she wishes to report the ethical violation.
D.
Process the issue with the client and investigate the extent of the trauma she experienced.
The correct answer is C.
There are two things to bear in mind: This is something that should be reported to the ethics board, and the confidentiality of the client’s disclosure must be maintained. In this discussion, the client may need your assistance in processing this relationship in order to reach the point of being empowered enough to file a complaint. Answers A and B violate the client’s confidentiality. Answer D does not address the situation in its entirety, as answer C does. The client must be asked whether she wishes to report the abuse prior to receiving support to process its emotional effects.
Dr. Savvy is conducting an evaluation of Mr. Shank to determine his competency to stand trial. Mr. Shank is facing homicide charges after killing a sheriff’s deputy two weeks ago. Mr. Shank discloses that he has hidden a homemade wooden knife under his pillow in his jail cell and plans on killing a warden at the jail that night. Which of the following is true?
Select one:
A.
Mr. Shank is competent to stand trial.
B.
Mr. Shank is not competent to stand trial.
C.
Mr. Shank is criminally insane.
D.
The psychologist should notify the prison officers, warn the intended victim, and/or take other reasonable steps to protect the threatened individual.
The correct answer is D.
Although the psychologist is meeting the inmate to perform a competency to stand trial evaluation, this is a clear Tarasoff case. Based on this, the psychologist should take the necessary steps to protect the intended victim. All else is secondary. Hence, answers A and B are not relevant at this point. Answer C is not pertinent, as that is not what the psychologist was asked to determine in the evaluation.
Dr. Leno and Dr. Kane are partners at a private practice in Nebraska. They met last week to discuss a case of Dr. Leno’s that has recently become more complicated. Which of the following is true?
Select one:
A.
Due to confidentiality laws, therapists must protect their client’s information and may not discuss the case.
B.
They may discuss specific details as long as the name of the client is not shared.
C.
They may discuss only information relevant to treating the case, and they may not use identifying information.
D.
They may discuss the case only after an informed consent is signed.
The correct answer is C.
In consulting about a case, confidentiality must be maintained by, at minimum, not providing identifying information. To ensure this, only information relevant to the consultation issue should be shared. Thus, answer B is close, but it neglects the fact that identifying information includes more than the client’s name. Answers A and D are not relevant to consulting cases with counseling partners, but are practices that are relevant to clients, which makes answers A and D incorrect.
A psychologist calls you to discuss a specific issue that has come up with one of their clients in therapy. This call is:
Select one:
A.
Ethical only if you are the psychologist’s supervisor and the client has been previously notified about the process of supervision.
B.
Unethical due to confidentiality laws.
C.
Ethical if no personally identifying information and extraneous details are given.
D.
Unethical if the client is unaware of the consultation and has not signed a release of information for you.
The correct answer is C.
Consultation is a good practice but must not violate confidentiality. If no personally identifying information or extraneous details are given (answer C) during the consultation, then confidentiality is upheld and consultation is ethical. It would be ethical for a supervisee to consult with a supervisor (with proper agreements signed and notification given to the client), but this is not the only ethical means to consult and therefore answer A is not the best answer. The phone call could be ethical if it upholds confidentiality laws (answer B), even if a release of information is not signed (answer D) and therefore answers B and D are not the best answers.
Terry has a client who is a minor and who has just confessed to her that he wants to commit suicide. What should be Terry’s response to her client’s confession?
Select one:
A.
Convince her client to call the police and tell them that he is threatening suicide.
B.
To quickly call the police and make preparations for a 5150 to watch her client for 24 hours.
C.
Not take this adolescent’s threat of suicide seriously.
D.
Call his parents and tell them about their son’s threat.
The correct answer is D.
If the patient who threatens to commit suicide is a minor, then his or her parents must be notified of the threat immediately. Police are an authority figure but they are not the parental guardian of the son, which would make answer A false. To quickly call the police and conduct a 5150 would be unethical to do for a minor, which makes answer B incorrect. Every suicide threat, irrespective of an adult or adolescent, should be taken seriously and due to the adolescent confessing suicide ideation, the parents should be notified, which makes answer C incorrect.
Dr. Spessard is conducting an experiment on the effects of excess dopamine on receptors in a rat’s brain. Before beginning his experiment, which of the following should be consulted to establish standards for his research?
Select one:
A.
His university’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, state and federal laws and regulations governing the treatment of animals, and the APA Ethics Code.
B.
The Institutional Review Board (IRB).
C.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
D.
Previous findings on excess dopamine in rats’ brains.
The correct answer is A.
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, relevant laws, and the APA Ethics Code must all be consulted prior to commencement of animal research. Answer B is incorrect because IRBs are federally established to govern research with humans, whereas the IACUCs are established for animal care. Answer C is incomplete and incorrect. The results of previous findings on excess dopamine in rats’ brains are not necessary to submit as standards of research, making answer D incorrect.
