Question 1

Imagine that your client has mentioned a minor ethical offense committed by another psychologist. Which of the following factors is most important when considering filing a complaint against the offending psychologist?

Accepted Answer

Client confidentiality takes priority over all these other concerns. You may not report the offense to any board without explicit authorization of your client, unless it is so serious in nature that not doing so would be unethical.

Question 2

A new ethical code of conduct was officially adopted by the APA in 2002, replacing the previous code that was adopted in 1992. There were a number of changes made, including altering the number and content of both general principles and ethical standards. Which of the following is NOT one of the five general principles in the 2002 code?

Accepted Answer

Competence was one of the six general principles of the older code, but is not in the newer code. The principles were reworded and, in some cases, retitled for clarity and specificity.

Question 3

A new ethical code of conduct was officially adopted by the APA in 2002, replacing the previous code that was adopted in 1992. There were a number of changes made, including altering the number and content of both general principles and ethical standards. One of the new ethical standards, privacy and confidentiality, deals in part with matters related to legal proceedings. In which of the following legal proceedings is patient confidentiality waived?

Accepted Answer

In a court-appointed evaluation, a psychologist is retained by the court to evaluate a defendant. The primary purpose of this process is to give the court an evaluation for consideration; therefore, confidentiality is waived. In each other circumstance, a psychologist may either refuse to provide records without a signed release from the patient or present a defense for why records should not be shared (which is not always productive). Only in court-appointed evaluation is the client the court, not the psychologist's individual client.

Question 4

The fourth ethical standard of the official ethics code adopted by the APA in 2002 deals with privacy and confidentiality. In most cases, confidentiality must not be breached except with client release of information or when otherwise mandated by law. If a psychologist feels that another individual is in danger of physical violence from her client, she is required to notify that individual. The legal guideline to this particular action is known as:

Accepted Answer

The Tarasoff statute, which was imposed by the California supreme court as a result of the landmark case of Tarasoff v. The Regents of the University of California in 1976 requires a psychotherapist to warn a person she believes may become the victim of a violent act committed by her patient. Not all states have imposed similar mandates, although a significant majority (roughly 75 percent) have.

Question 5

The ninth ethical standard of the official ethics code adopted by the APA in 2002 deals with assessment. Generally, a psychologist must secure informed consent prior to completing an assessment. There are three exceptions to this rule noted in the code. Which of the following is NOT one of those exceptions?

Accepted Answer

Assessments require informed consent in all cases unless they are mandated by law, part of an activity in which assessment is implied-such as a job application-or are designed for someone with "questionable capacity to consent." In other cases, the subject of an assessment should be considered for a patient with the same confidentiality rights even if there is no standing agreement.

Question 6

The APA ethics code has evolved over time to reflect awareness of differences between people. Which of the following terms refers to a view that accounts for cultural background, as opposed to being culturally neutral?

Accepted Answer

Emic refers to a multicultural perspective in relation to psychological approaches and what is considered healthy for individuals. Etic, the previously approved view for psychologists, is culturally neutral-it does not account for cultural differences that affect mental health.

Question 7

In the case of conducting evaluation in child custody disagreements, which of the following is the most desirable relationship between the psychologist who will conduct the evaluation and all others involved in the process (child and parents)?

Accepted Answer

In cases of custody evaluations, the most impartial and objective view is best; a psychologist's role is as an expert and that role is best fulfilled if the psychologist has no therapeutic relationship with any involved party.

Question 8

The first ethical standard of the 2002 official ethics code addresses resolution of ethical issues. There are a number of options when a psychologist feels it necessary to take steps to correct misuse of their work. Imagine that you learn one of your colleagues has been under undue stress lately and had sex with a current client once. He feels guilty and intends to not do it again. What do you do with this information?

Accepted Answer

Because of the serious and illegal nature of this behavior, you must make a report to the ethics committee and the state licensing board in this case. Only in matters that are equally serious (illegal or flagrantly unethical) should you make a formal report without first securing a client release of information.

Question 9

The second ethical standard of the official ethics code adopted by the APA in 2002 deals with boundaries of competence and offers a number of options for psychologists who are concerned about their limitations in treating certain new or current clients. Imagine that you have a client who would like to try hypnosis and you feel that she would benefit greatly from this. However, you only recently learned this technique and do not have experience applying it to your professional work yet. What is the best course of action for you to take?

Accepted Answer

Supervision is the best option in this case. Since you have already established rapport with the client, referring out is an inappropriate option. You have been trained in the technique, so the most effective decision is for you to seek supervision when first applying it.

Question 10

The second ethical standard of the official ethics code adopted by the APA in 2002 deals with boundaries of competence and offers a number of options for psychologists who are concerned about their limitations in treating certain new or current clients. Imagine that you become aware of being attracted to a client shortly after you begin treatment. What is your best course of action?

Accepted Answer

If you find yourself attracted to a client and are concerned about your ability to provide effective treatment, you should seek consultation to discuss the matter with another psychologist. Referring out would become the best course of action only if you determined that you were not able to effectively handle your attraction to your client in a way that would not affect treatment.

Question 11

The tenth ethical standard of the 2002 ethics code adopted by the APA presents guidelines to therapy itself and the therapeutic relationship. One of those guidelines discusses sexual intimacy with a former client. According to this standard, how long must a psychologist wait before it is acceptable to become sexually involved with a former client?

Accepted Answer

Two years after the end of treatment, a psychologist is technically permitted to begin a sexual relationship with a former client without direct violation of the ethics code. However, even at this point it is strongly advised against and the psychologist carries the burden of proving that there is no exploitation should questions arise.

Question 12

Euthanasia, the merciful ending of life in cases of fatal illness or disease, occurs in different contexts and with varying degrees of approval. Deliberately ending someone's life based on their wishes, or by the decision of someone with durable power of attorney, is known as:

Accepted Answer

Deliberately ending someone's life based on their wishes or a decision made by someone with power of attorney is known as active euthanasia. Authorized or legal euthanasia would be legally approved (euthanasia is not legal in most countries). Passive euthanasia refers to letting someone die by not taking specific actions, based on their wishes.

Question 13

What is one instance that might cause a clinician to break the strong code of client confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

The duty to warn directive is one instance whereby the therapist might need to break the confidentiality within its code of ethics. If the client is strongly indicating suicide or the harming of someone else, the therapist would probably discuss this with a colleague or supervisor and then act as needed with the decision reached between the therapist and colleague/supervisor. The therapist's duty is to protect his/her client and any person that client might harm.

Question 14

Why might a client and counselor mutually agree to terminate treatment?

Accepted Answer

Mutually agreed upon termination in counseling can occur due to treatment goals being met, or if needed, because a referral for a different kind of treatment has been made, which will better meet the needs of the client. Also, at the onset of therapy, contracts are sometimes signed, stipulating a limit on the amount of visits.

Question 15

When do clinicians need to refer clients to other professionals?

Accepted Answer

Clinicians need to refer clients to a health professional when a possible underlying medical condition is discovered or when additional concerns discovered are not within the clinician's expertise. Also, perhaps an underlying substance abuse issue has been disclosed and the client would benefit from attending a support group; referral to an appropriate agency or community group might be given

Question 16

At a mental health clinic, a patient may see Dr. Smitty, who is able to prescribe medications for a psychiatric issue and provide some psychotherapy, or a patient may see Dr. Roads, who is able to provide psychological testing to further assess the patient's issue and provide some psychotherapy. Based on this information, which of the following best fits the type of mental health practitioner that Dr. Smitty and Dr. Roads are?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Smitty is a psychiatrist, while Dr. Roads is a psychologist.
Psychiatrists are individuals who go to medical school, earn a M.D. or D.O., and then complete residency in psychiatry. Psychiatrists historically were the only health practitioners who could prescribe medications for psychiatric issues. They receive some training in psychotherapy, but their main expertise is in providing medical treatment, mostly through prescribing medication. Psychologists are individuals who complete graduate school in psychology, earning a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. Psychologists have expertise in psychological testing and providing psychotherapy. Some states are now allowing psychologists to have prescribing privileges with additional training.

Question 17

If a counselor is aware that a client is engaging in using illegal drugs, is the counselor bound by law to notify the proper authorities of this activity?

Accepted Answer

If a counselor is aware that a client is engaging in illegal drug use, the counselor is not bound by law to notify the proper authorities or this activity. The counselor should only break confidentiality and notify the proper authorities if the client's activities will likely do harm to him or herself, another person, or property. Once a client trusts his or her counselor, the counselor might ask if he or she would like help with the drug issue. The counselor might cite health, financial, or legal reasons as incentive for the client to kick his or her habit.

Question 18

Duty to Warn, an essential part of professional ethics in the mental health field, stemmed from what Supreme Court decision?

Accepted Answer

Tarasoff vs. Regents of University of California was a court decision that still stands today, making the standard of confidentiality secondary to the safety, and welfare of society. This means, if a therapist has sufficient reason to believe that a client could be of imminent danger to him or herself, or another person, it is the therapist's duty to warn the authorities, or the individual.

Question 19

Insanity is a legal term (not a diagnosis) used in court cases to determine if a person can be held responsible for his or her actions. How is this pertinent to the world of psychology? Choose all that apply.

Accepted Answer

In a court case involving the possibility of an insanity plea, clinicians are often required to inform the court about the mental status of the individual (where an underlying mental illness is almost always present), and convey any necessary evidence. It is then the judge and jury's burden to make the decision regarding insanity.

Question 20

As a counselor, what other agencies could you work with in a crisis situation?

Accepted Answer

In a crisis situation, a counselor may work with law enforcement agencies, FEMA, and state Health and Human Services, as well as other private organizations such as domestic violence shelters, the Red Cross, United Way, and local community organizations.

Quiz 4: Ethical Legal and Professional Issues