Deck 15: Abnormal Psychology: Legal and Ethical Issues

Question 1

Shirley is an elderly woman who believed that her husband of 40 years was trying to kill her. One evening, she took a fireplace poker and chased him around the house accusing him of trying to poison her with the dinner he prepared. She was finally restrained when the police arrived. After being evaluated at a local emergency room, she was transferred to an inpatient psychiatric facility against her will. The latter would be known as a(n)

A) psychiatric commitment.
B) civil commitment.
C) involuntary outpatient commitment.
D) voluntary emergency petition.

Answer 1

civil commitment.

Question 2

Why is outpatient commitment considered less coercive than inpatient hospitalization?

A) Patients are not required to follow rigid rules of conduct as found in hospitals.
B) The patient may select the professional to deliver treatment.
C) The person is not forced to take medication.
D) The person remains in the community with social support.

Answer 2

The person remains in the community with social support.

Question 3

Of all psychological disorders, people with _____________ are at highest risk for homelessness because they stop taking their medication.

A) schizophrenia
B) depression
C) substance abuse
D) mania

Answer 3

schizophrenia

Question 4

People who are judged to be guilty but mentally ill, not guilty by reason of insanity, or incompetent to stand trial

A) may be subject to civil commitment.
B) are likely to serve some jail time.
C) may be subject to criminal commitment.
D) are not legally considered to have committed a crime.

Question 5

In addition to consideration of an appropriate after-discharge treatment plan, successful deinstitutionalization requires

A) a resocialization plan developed by the patient's social worker.
B) considerable family therapy to educate members on their responsibilities as part of the team.
C) evaluation of a patient's skills and resources for independent living.
D) home healthcare delivery of medications by a visiting nurse practitioner.

Question 6

Some critics of outpatient commitment consider it

A) ineffective because of the legal mandate it is based on.
B) an antiquated model.
C) an infringement of a patient's civil liberties.
D) little better than a prison sentence.

Question 7

Outpatient commitment appears to be most successful when it

A) includes the use of psychoactive drugs.
B) requires periodic rehospitalization for evaluation.
C) is provided by a team of mental health specialists.
D) is a sustained and intensive intervention.

Question 8

Psychologists are aware of their responsibilities to patients, colleagues, and society. In addition, they promote honesty and truthfulness. These statements make reference to the aspirational goals of _____ and _____, respectively.

A) justice; integrity
B) integrity; fidelity
C) fidelity; justice
D) fidelity; integrity

Question 9

The deinstitutionalization movement ultimately failed because

A) local governments remained in favor of institutionalization.
B) families of mentally ill persons believed that hospitalization was the best treatment method.
C) appropriate funding was never allocated for outpatient facilities and staff.
D) insurance companies refused to pay for outpatient treatment.

Question 10

Select the statement that is TRUE of outpatient commitment.

A) There is inconclusive data supporting positive treatment outcomes for this type of commitment for most patients.
B) It is very successful when it is between 3 and 4 months in length.
C) It has not reduced rehospitalization rates for those with significant psychological disorders.
D) Bimonthly visits appear to be the minimum frequency of mental health appointments for the intervention to be judged a success.

Question 11

Which of the American Psychological Association's core ethical values is correctly matched with its definition?

A) integrity - Psychologists promote fairness and equality
B) justice -- Psychologists seek to do no harm.
C) respect - Psychologists value the worth of everyone.
D) beneficence -- Psychologists seek to establish relationships of trust.

Question 12

If you are a psychologist, you assume ethical responsibilities for

A) providing clinical treatment or conducting research.
B) charging fees that are affordable for everyone.
C) promoting yourself as a media psychologist.
D) the conduct of any one to whom you make referrals.

Question 13

The lower limit of estimates on the rate of homeless persons who have psychological disorders is approximately

A) less than 3%.
B) 10%.
C) 32%.
D) 50%.

Question 14

Until the 1960's, hospital confinement was the typical treatment for severely mentally ill patients because

A) overwhelming numbers of mentally ill persons were not able to obtain treatment in community mental health programs.
B) psychological treatment was best delivered in a medical setting.
C) effective medications and treatments had not yet been discovered.
D) few psychiatrists were willing to provide treatment outside of medical settings.

Question 15

The case of Candace Newmaker, who died during a "rebirthing therapy" session, illustrates

A) tragedy brought on by untrained, unlicensed therapists.
B) the importance of conducting this form of therapy in a hospital setting.
C) the need for comprehensive malpractice insurance coverage.
D) the need for a physician to conduct this form of treatment.

Question 16

A basic flaw in the deinstitutionalization movement was

A) insurance companies' reluctance to pay for outpatient treatment.
B) a lack of follow-up care for released persons.
C) the government's resistance to allowing schizophrenic patients to be deinstitutionalized.
D) families' resistance to caring for mentally ill relatives.

Question 17

Over the past 50 years:

A) the number of mentally ill persons in institutions has declined, as has the number of mentally ill persons in jails or prisons.
B) the number of mentally ill persons in institutions has increased, as has the number of mentally ill persons in jails or prisons.
C) the number of mentally ill persons in institutions has increased, but the number of mentally ill persons in jails or prisons has decreased.
D) the number of mentally ill persons in institutions has decreased, but the number of mentally ill persons in jails or prisons has increased

Question 18

In 2001, deinstitutionalization was extended to persons living in facilities for the mentally retarded. This movement was necessary because

A) the facilities were outdated and overcrowded.
B) medical treatment was not viewed as effective.
C) their confinement was perceived to be a form of discrimination.
D) group homes were less costly.

Question 19

According to your authors, deinstitutionalization should be

A) regarded as the last option for those with a long history of mental illness.
B) implemented only with the permission of the family.
C) used only in ideal circumstances and on a trial basis.
D) considered a process rather than a discrete event.

Question 20

Universally, ________ and ________ increase the likelihood of homelessness among the mentally ill.

A) financial status; educational level
B) poor social support; substance use
C) substance use; marital status
D) educational level; low social support

Question 21

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that people may be involuntarily medicated to restore competency to stand trial only if

A) the drug is used in conjunction with intensive therapy.
B) there are no serious side effects to the drug used.
C) the medication is short-acting.
D) important governmental issues are at stake.

Question 22

The original M'Naghten Rule, established in England in 1843, stated that persons were not guilty of a crime if they did not know what they were doing, or

A) did not know they were insane.
B) did not know that the actions were wrong.
C) did not defend themselves during the trial.
D) were not capable of giving full details of the crime.

Question 23

Which of the following distinguishes committing an illegal act from committing a crime?

A) GBMI
B) Insanity
C) NGRI
D) Mens Rea

Question 24

"Competence to stand trial" refers to a person's

A) ability to remain in touch with reality throughout the trial.
B) ability to assist in his or her own defense.
C) willingness to assist in his or her own defense.
D) willing acceptance of legal help.

Question 25

Select the statement below that is FALSE in the application of psychology and its principles.

A) The rights of the individual always supersede those of society.
B) Appropriate third parties must be informed if a patient threatens another with bodily harm.
C) People always have the right to refuse to participate in psychological research.
D) Confidentiality must be violated in certain circumstances.

Question 26

If you were a psychologist, which of the following acts would be an ethical violation?

A) You release information to your client's lawyer who is preparing a personal injury lawsuit alleging "mental pain and suffering."
B) You reveal information gained in a therapy session to parents of an 8 year-old.
C) Your patient commits a robbery and you report it to the local authorities.
D) A civil commitment is being prepared for your client and you are requested to provide background on the case for the proceedings.

Question 27

Unlike privacy, which is the right of an individual to give away, confidentiality

A) exists only in legal circles.
B) is an ethical ideal and often impractical.
C) is held between two parties.
D) is never broken by a therapist.

Question 28

The term "insanity" is

A) a legal term.
B) a psychological term.
C) universal in meaning.
D) a transitional diagnosis.

Question 29

When a person is judged "not guilty by reason of insanity," we may infer that

A) the person had criminal intent at the time of the crime but is remorseful at the time of trial.
B) the person has a long history of untreated mental illness that interfered with rational thought at the time the crime was committed.
C) the trial judge cannot show that mental illness was not a factor in the crime.
D) the person has a psychological disorder that interferes with understanding the seriousness and illegality of the crime.

Question 30

________ is a legal term meaning that a psychologist is prevented from disclosing confidential information during legal proceedings.

A) Confidentiality
B) Beneficence
C) Privilege
D) Mens Rea

Question 31

Mr. Benwabe is an attorney who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has been hospitalized several times when he stopped taking his medication. He complains that the medications make him feel like a "zombie" and affect his ability to complete legal briefs. When he is medication free, however, he is paranoid and often violent. During these periods, police and paramedic intervention is needed to get him safely to the hospital. After a recent hospitalization, when he was stable, he decided that he would prepare an advance directive requesting that no medication be given to him during these hospitalizations. Given this history, what is most likely to occur in the future?

A) The police will refuse to respond to the 911 call about him, noting the location as "hazardous."
B) He will be medicated against his will if he is a danger to staff or patients.
C) His directive will be respected and no medication will be given.
D) Mr. Benwabe will be found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Question 32

Despite beliefs to the contrary, NGRI is used less than ____% of the time in felony cases.

A) less than 1
B) 4
C) 10
D) 31

Question 33

One drawback with the implementation of the Durham Rule of 1954 was that

A) it required a brief incarceration.
B) a panel of experts were needed to evaluate volition.
C) it required an expert witness.
D) it was too expensive for states to implement.

Question 34

If a person is judged to be guilty but mentally ill (GBMI) or guilty except insane, the person is

A) not subject to judgment in a court of law.
B) not going to receive a jail sentence for the crime.
C) considered criminally guilty but will receive intensive treatment while incarcerated.
D) considered criminally guilty and may receive incarceration.

Question 35

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding HIPAA?

A) It was originally designed to protect people from losing their health insurance.
B) It has great relevance to medicine but little relevance to psychological practice.
C) It is a simple and streamlined way of receiving professional reimbursement.
D) It is a philosophical/ethical statement with little operational relevance.

Question 36

Dr. Colleen Gerson, a psychologist, is a specialist in child psychotherapy. She is asked to see a 7-year-old who is having difficulty both at home and at school. After two sessions, Dr. Gerson shares information regarding her diagnostic impressions and treatment plan with the school and the child's parents. After the parents agree to proceed with treatment, information is released to the family's insurance company. In this case, Dr. Gerson

A) was ethically and legally required to provide information to the child's school.
B) was legally required to provide information to the insurance company but not to the parents.
C) violated the rights of the child and unethically breached confidentiality.
D) was not ethically nor legally required to reveal this information to the parents.

Question 37

Among the changes to the M'Naghten Rule, in 1929 the District of Columbia added

A) the provision for a "public defender" for persons with psychiatric disorders.
B) an exclusionary rule for medical illnesses with psychiatric symptoms.
C) an "irresistible impulse" test demonstrating a lack of volition.
D) a mandatory sanity hearing within 72 hours of an involuntary commitment.

Question 38

An advance directive permits

A) the medication of a person charged with a crime in order to prepare them for trial.
B) the courts to confine a person not willing to cooperate in a trial.
C) the court to ask an expert to order treatment for persons charged with a crime.
D) a person to choose the type of treatment(s) he or she wishes to receive or not receive.

Question 39

A common misconception regarding NGRI is that

A) people receiving the label never come to trial.
B) people are set free without any consequences.
C) people are not required to receive psychological treatment.
D) it is used very infrequently.

Question 40

A therapist cannot reveal certain information during legal proceedings. This is called

A) beneficience.
B) privacy.
C) privilege.
D) confidentiality.

Question 41

Dr. Parvik has been treating a college student for the last two years. After a recent session, believing he had relevant information about his client's learning disability, Dr. Parvik contacted the college office that specializes in helping students with this form of learning challenge. He felt comfortable providing information about his client because the client had signed a standard HIPAA consent form at his initial interview. In your opinion, which of the following is TRUE?

A) Dr. Parvik demonstrated good judgment in working in his client's best interests.
B) Dr. Parvik violated the client's right to confidentiality.
C) Dr. Parvik invoked the PAA clause in the HIPAA regulations.
D) HIPAA regulations would not apply in this case as it does not involve a mental illness.

Question 42

Currently, psychologists have prescription privileges in

A) no states
B) two states.
C) many states.
D) all states.

Question 43

In 1947, the _____established fundamental directives for research with human participants.

A) Nuremberg Code
B) Belmont Report
C) Declaration of helsinki
D) Tuskegee Protocol

Question 44

Ranella was an 18 year-old college student being seen at the counseling center for depression related to academic performance. After her first semester, she had been placed on probation and required to agree to a behavioral contract to continue attendance at the college. Ranella had not been sleeping or eating. She had told the counselor that she had a long history of depressive episodes and suicide attempts. If this case ended with the client taking her own life, what would most likely be the formal grounds for a parental malpractice suit against the university and the counselor?

A) A claim of negligent release or dangerous act
B) A claim of improper diagnosis
C) A claim of dual relationship
D) A claim of negligence

Question 45

Professionals who hold licenses to practice therapy have credentials that

A) require a standardized training curriculum.
B) may differ by kind depending on their state of residence.
C) require a doctorate.
D) certify their familiarity with research and clinical trials.

Question 46

The Nuremberg Code (1947) and the Declaration of Helsinki (1967) set forth guidelines affirming that

A) the validity of a study's findings should always be primary in the minds of researchers.
B) human subjects participating in all experiments have rights that must be respected.
C) prisoners alone do not have the right to decline to participate in studies that hold promise for the greater society.
D) all experimenters must have rigorous training in research methodology to insure that the goals of science are progressed.

Question 47

Dr. Peigro is a noted neuropsychologist who has been studying Alzheimer's disease in men for over 20 years. At a recent speaking engagement, he chastised the profession for not focusing more research on women who have Alzheimer's and called for increased efforts in this area. He even mentioned that the ____________ requires it.

A) Belmont Report
B) Declaration of Helsinki
C) Nuremberg Code
D) Institutional Review Board

Question 48

Select the statement that has historically been TRUE of psychologists' ability to accurately predict violence in a given patient.

A) It has never been possible to accurately predict violence.
B) Psychological experts in this area have an accuracy rate of approximately 75%.
C) Psychiatrists, not psychologists, are asked to make this evaluation.
D) It was little better than chance.

Question 49

The Tarasoff case of 1969 established the ethical mandate of duty to

A) inform.
B) predict danger.
C) maintain confidentiality.
D) warn.

Question 50

Choose the correct statement from those listed below.

A) Most psychologists acknowledge having had an inappropriate relationship with a former client.
B) Relations with former clients are permanently prohibited by the APA Ethics Code.
C) More female psychologists than male psychologists engage in inappropriate relationships with former clients.
D) Two years after terminating therapy and meeting other strict criteria, a psychologist may have a romantic relationship with a former client.

Question 51

In psychological research, respect for persons means that

A) all persons should have equal access to any treatment tested in an experiment.
B) participants should be able to choose their experimental condition (active vs. placebo).
C) researchers should maximize benefits and minimize harm to subjects.
D) people's autonomy should be respected, and those with limited autonomy should be protected.

Question 52

Malpractice is defined as

A) improper diagnosis of a patient.
B) use of a form of therapy that is out of the mainstream.
C) professional misconduct or unreasonable lack of skill.
D) reckless abuse of patients.

Question 53

The most common malpractice charge against psychologists occurs

A) when the therapist has a substance abuse problem.
B) as a result of marital counseling.
C) because of inappropriate relations with former clients.
D) during child custody conflicts.

Question 54

Trinitas is enrolled in an introductory psychology class. Her instructor told the class that everyone had to participate in his memory research project in order to earn a passing grade for the course. The study focused on memory, participation required 15 minutes, all results were confidential, and students would earn "research credit" for participating. Given this scenario, select the statement below that is most appropriate.

A) As long as the results are confidential, this is a good way for students to learn about the process of research.
B) Research participation in a study may be required as part of passing a course.
C) Students have the right to refuse to participate in this study.
D) As long as the research methodology does not include treatment, the participation requirement is ethical.

Question 55

The practice of psychology is bound by state laws and regulations as well as by

A) client demands.
B) an ethical code of behavior.
C) medical regulations.
D) research and clinical trials.

Question 56

Gregor, a night watchman, was encouraged by his wife to enter treatment for his depression. During the initial session, he revealed great anger and resentment toward his boss, who blocked a raise for him. He perceived this as causing great financial hardship for his family and vowed to "snuff" the boss. Gregor's psychologist took this threat seriously and was obligated to

A) document it in his files in case Gregor acted and actually harmed his boss.
B) report the threat to Gregor's boss and law enforcement officials.
C) maintain confidentiality despite the potential risk to the boss.
D) have Gregor sign a statement promising that he would not act on his threat.

Question 57

It is generally acknowledged that child custody evaluations place psychologists at high risk for an ethics complaint. According to the text, what percent of psychologists who perform this type of service are charged with an ethics violation?

A) less than 10
B) 18
C) 35
D) 60

Question 58

One study investigating malpractice issues among psychologists found that

A) most were cleared of charges in the long run.
B) there were more frequent complaints against psychologists than psychiatrists.
C) about 3.5% of psychologists engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a patient.
D) few psychologists were properly informed about ethical issues.

Question 59

The recent use of actuarial prediction measures has made psychologists better able to predict potential violence in a patient. Specifically, the use of which of the following constructs has contributed to prediction of violent behavior?

A) Past behavior
B) Delusional beliefs
C) Psychiatric syndromes
D) Psychological symptoms

Question 60

In 1979, the _____presented three basic principles for guiding biomedical and behavioral research with human participants, namely respect, beneficience, and justice.

A) Declaration of Helsinki
B) Nuremberg Code
C) Belmont Report
D) Tuskegee Protocol

Question 61

Committing an illegal act is not the same as committing a crime.

Question 62

The principle of justice as outlined by the Belmont Report means that

A) the benefits and burdens of research must be imposed equally.
B) every participant in a research study has the right to legal redress.
C) not all people who might benefit from the research need to be included in a study.
D) prisoners must not be used for research.

Question 63

Participants must understand the aims, methods, risks and benefits of research. This is called

A) informed consent.
B) participant privilege.
C) debriefing.
D) confidentiality.

Question 64

About 10% of those accused of felony crimes plead "not guilty by reason of insanity."

Question 65

Under certain circumstances, the government can involuntarily force a person to undergo psychiatric treatment.

Question 66

Conducting research using children as participants requires special considerations. In addition to parental or guardian consent, research with children also

A) requires psychologists to limit the amount of time required for participation.
B) means that a child psychologist must serve as a study consultant.
C) requires the assent of the child, if possible.
D) involves a special review by an IRB educational specialist.

Question 67

One limitation to informed consent in psychological research is

A) researchers' reluctance to reveal confidential information to participants.
B) participants' lack of understanding of the procedures used in a study.
C) institutional review boards' misunderstanding of the purposes of research.
D) cumbersome and complicated paperwork that takes too much time to complete.

Question 68

Privilege is established by state law and only extends to therapists who are licensed to practice therapy within a particular state.

Question 69

Both the Tuskegee Experiment and the Baltimore Lead Paint Study violated the principle of justice by

A) only using prisoners from local penitentiaries.
B) requiring participants to complete mandatory participation.
C) asking persons to recruit others to participate in the study.
D) putting groups with limited or diminished autonomy at risk.

Question 70

In some states, social entitlements such as welfare benefits and subsidized housing can be withheld if a person refuses psychiatric treatment.

Question 71

Which of the following questions has been disallowed on adolescent research protocols in certain school districts because of a concern over suggestibility, thus denying the principle of justice?

A) Do your parents support your educational efforts?
B) Have you ever thought about suicide?
C) Do you think abortion should be legal?
D) Have you ever been charged with a crime?

Question 72

People lose the right to privacy when they reveal their thoughts, beliefs, or fantasies to others.

Question 73

The deinstitutionalization movement has successfully reintegrated most people with psychological disorders into the community.

Question 74

Codes of ethics are created by a branch of government.

Question 75

Select the statement below that is FALSE regarding the use of placebos in psychological research.

A) Both adults and children have the same responses to placebo interventions.
B) The use of placebos with children generates special concerns.
C) Children may not understand the concept of a placebo.
D) Children's reports may be biased based on their belief that they took a pill that should have an effect.

Question 76

Civil commitment is a state-ordered procedure that forces involuntary treatment on a person with a psychological disorder who has committed a crime.

Question 77

Members of racial and ethnic minority groups are often somewhat reluctant to participate in research studies because

A) they are highly sensitive to privacy issues.
B) they are distrustful of scientists in general.
C) they do not have an appreciation for the value of research.
D) researchers mistreated members of these groups in the past.

Question 78

With regard to patient care, the United States is currently in the institutionalization phase.

Question 79

The function of an Institutional Review Board is to

A) reject research protocols that are not likely to receive funding.
B) make sure there is a random sample of participants.
C) review and approve research protocols.
D) certify that the financial costs of the study are reasonable for the institution.

Question 80

Insanity is a legal term, not a psychological disorder.