Question 1

In provinces in Canada where a person can receive treatment without his or her consent:

Accepted Answer

In provinces where a person can receive treatment without consent, individuals can still establish a "prior capable wish" when they are lucid and this can be upheld in courts when someone else has to make a decision on their behalf. This means that individuals can express their wishes for treatment or refusal of treatment ahead of time when they are capable of making such decisions for themselves.

Question 2

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

In Canada, psychologists are ethically bound to warn third parties about harm, but they are not legally bound to do so. This means that while it is not a requirement by law, it is expected by the professional ethical standards set for psychologists in Canada. It is important to note that this duty to warn applies only in specific circumstances, such as when the psychologist believes that a client poses a serious risk of harm to an identifiable person or group.

Question 3

Which of the following cases resulted in the first-ever judgement against a mental health professional in Canada for failure to warn and protect?

Accepted Answer

Ahmed v. Stefaniu was the first case in Canada where a mental health professional was found liable for failing to warn and protect a third party from a patient, establishing a precedent in Canadian law.

Question 4

In terms of the right to refuse treatment in Canada:

Accepted Answer

In Canada, some provinces have laws that allow for treatment without the individual's consent under certain circumstances, such as when the person is deemed incapable of making decisions or poses a risk to themselves or others.

Question 5

A person's legal right to refuse treatment was upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada. Whose case instigated this ruling?

Accepted Answer

Scott Starson's case was significant in upholding a person's legal right to refuse treatment in Canada, as it dealt with issues of mental health and consent to treatment.

Question 6

Prior to killing Tanya Tarasoff, Prosenjit Poddar:

Accepted Answer

Prosenjit Poddar was interviewed by the campus police prior to killing Tanya Tarasoff. He was also a psychotherapy patient but discontinued treatment. Additionally, he had become convinced that he and Tarasoff had become formally engaged. Therefore, all of the given choices are correct.

Question 7

In the case of O'Connor v. Donaldson, Donaldson was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital for 14 years. He sued the hospital psychiatrists, arguing that they had denied his right to

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the case of O'Connor v. Donaldson,...

Question 8

The argument against patients' right to refuse treatment has been typically based upon the notion that:

Accepted Answer

The argument against patients' right to refuse treatment is often based on the idea that patients may be too disturbed or mentally unstable to make rational decisions about their treatment. This argument is controversial, as many believe that patients have the right to make decisions about their own medical care, even if they are struggling with a mental illness. However, concerns about a patient's ability to make informed decisions must be carefully considered and weighed against the patient's right to autonomy.

Question 9

The order of importance for the four key principles of the Canadian ethics code, starting with the most important, is:

Accepted Answer

Respect for the dignity of persons is the most important principle as it recognizes and protects the inherent worth of every individual. Responsible caring and integrity in relationships are also crucial but are contingent on the recognition of human dignity. Responsibility to society is still important but is a secondary consideration to the first three principles.

Question 10

The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)was dissatisfied with changes made to the American Psychological Association (APA)Ethical Code, which later lead to the development of a separate code. Of specific concern was

Accepted Answer

The CPA was specifically concerned with the loosened restrictions on advertising by psychologists, which they felt could lead to ethical issues and conflicts of interest.

Question 11

In the Tarasoff case, the perpetrator, Poddar was deemed to suffer from:

Accepted Answer

In the Tarasoff case, Prosenjit Poddar was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. This diagnosis was a key element in the case, as it related to his mental state and the foreseeability of his actions.

Question 12

Scott Starson has:

Accepted Answer

Scott Starson, also known as Scott Schizophrenia, is known for his contributions to scientific journals, particularly in the field of physics, despite his struggles with mental illness. He has not authored stories in the Toronto Star, written "A Beautiful Mind," or been accused of plagiarism.

Question 13

In which province is involuntary treatment easiest to invoke?

Accepted Answer

British Columbia has the Mental Health Act, which is known for allowing relatively easier invocation of involuntary treatment for individuals deemed to have a mental disorder that requires treatment and who pose a risk to themselves or others. This is in contrast to the criteria and processes in other provinces, which may have more stringent requirements for invoking involuntary treatment.

Question 14

A situation similar to O'Connor versus Donaldson (1975)is unlikely to ever occur in Canada because:

Accepted Answer

The answer of A situation similar to O'Connor versus Donaldson...

Question 15

The Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists emphasizes that when there is a conflict between the needs of the individual and the needs of society:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists...

Question 16

Scott Starson suffers from:

Accepted Answer

Scott Starson, also known as Scott Jeffery Schutzman, is a Canadian physicist who has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a condition characterized by symptoms of both schizophrenia and mood disorders.

Question 17

The frequency of referrals for psychological/psychiatric assessment of violence is anticipated to decrease greatly due to which of the following Canadian Supreme Court decisions?

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court of Canada's decision in Smith v. Jones established that there are circumstances under which the confidentiality of patient information can be breached, specifically if there is an imminent risk of serious harm to an identifiable person or group of persons. This decision could lead to a decrease in referrals for psychological/psychiatric assessment of violence as professionals may feel more empowered to act on their concerns directly, rather than referring the individual for further assessment, due to the legal backing to breach confidentiality in cases where there's a risk of violence.

Question 18

Psychologists have a general duty to promote the welfare of human beings. This stipulation refers to the _____________ principle.

Accepted Answer

The principle of responsibility to society encompasses the duty of psychologists to promote the welfare of human beings as a whole, not just their individual clients or research participants. Psychologists should use their knowledge and skills for the betterment of society as a whole.

Question 19

Based on the Canadian Psychiatric Association's (2004)position in response to the Smith versus Jones case:

Accepted Answer

The Canadian Psychiatric Association's position is that duty to warn is an accepted standard of practice for psychiatrists in Canada, even though it is not legally mandated. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer. Choice A is not correct because the position does not state that professionals do not have a duty to warn in cases which would breach confidentiality. Choice C is also not correct because the position does not make any comparison between the United States and Canada with regard to duty to warn and privileged communication. Choice D is not correct because the position does not state that duty to warn does not apply in cases where psychiatrists are retained as expert witnesses.

Question 20

The Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists was developed:

Accepted Answer

The Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists was developed out of the American Psychological Association code of ethics, adapting and modifying it to fit the specific needs and cultural context of Canada.

Quiz 18: Legal and Ethical Issues