Deck 13: Child Custody Disputes

Question 1

In which of the following cases did the Supreme Court hold that "custody decisions cannot turn on racial considerations"?

A) Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
B) Painter v. Bannister (1966)
C) Palmore v. Sidoti (1984)
D) Chafin v. Chafin (2013)

Answer 1

Palmore v. Sidoti (1984)

Question 2

The goal of child custody evaluation experts should be to provide a(n) _____. It is especially important because judges follow the experts' recommendations in _____ of child custody cases.

A) ultimate issue testimony; about half
B) ultimate issue testimony; the majority
C) clear picture of the family relationships; about half
D) clear picture of the family relationships; the majority

Answer 2

clear picture of the family relationships; the majority

Question 3

The case of Painter v. Bannister (1966) illustrates:

A) the pater familias doctrine.
B) the wide discretion the courts have in awarding custody.
C) the tender years doctrine.
D) the reasonable parent standard.

Answer 3

the wide discretion the courts have in awarding custody.

Question 4

There are several important reasons for the paucity of research on the long-term effects of divorce on children. According to the text, which one of the following statements is NOT such a reason?

A) Longitudinal research is difficult, expensive, and time-consuming to conduct.
B) It is difficult to determine whether psychological problems predated the divorce or were caused by it.
C) It is not easy to figure out how to measure healthy adjustment in children.
D) It is difficult to publish this type of research in scientific journals because it is interdisciplinary.

Question 5

The scientific validity and reliability of forensic assessment instruments as used for determining the best custody arrangement has been _____. At the same time, their use by child custody evaluators has _____ over recent years.

A) poor; slowly declined
B) in doubt; increased substantially
C) excellent; slowly declined
D) excellent; increased substantially

Question 6

Under the tender years doctrine, unless there were extenuating circumstances, _____ were placed in the custody of the mother.

A) all children
B) only young children
C) young children and female children
D) only female children

Question 7

Child custody issues may require the expertise of a psychologist to assist the court in deciding the fate of a child after the parents' divorce. _____ refers to how much time a child spends with each of the parents.

A) Legal custody
B) Physical custody
C) Major custody
D) Parental competence

Question 8

Parental authority to make decisions about important aspects of the child's life is referred to as:

A) legal custody.
B) physical custody.
C) major custody.
D) parenting.

Question 9

One commonly used test in custody evaluations is the Rorschach Inkblot Test. The reason why it is not advisable to use this test, as well as other projective tests, is due to:

A) the lack of validity and reliability of these tests in forensic evaluations.
B) the high potential for causing psychological distress to the subject.
C) their extreme complexity of interpretation that requires years of practice on the part of the evaluator.
D) the intimate nature of such tests, which puts the subject in an uncomfortable position.

Question 10

Kathryn's parents recently got divorced. During the hearing for custody, it was determined that her mother would have legal and physical custody. This type of custody is known as:

A) sole custody.
B) joint custody.
C) shared custody.
D) major custody.

Question 11

Shared legal custody means that:

A) both parents make both everyday decisions and more serious decisions.
B) the parent who is with the child makes everyday decisions and both parents make serious decisions together.
C) the parent with the insurance is the only one that can make medical decisions.
D) only one parent determines the school that the child attends.

Question 12

Which custody arrangement is most common?

A) Sole physical custody by the mother.
B) Sole physical custody by the father.
C) Joint physical custody.
D) Joint physical and legal custody.

Question 13

A majority of children whose parents divorce:

A) show serious adjustment problems throughout life.
B) manage to adapt and to grow into psychologically healthy adults.
C) show externalizing problems in adulthood.
D) have difficulty in forming relationships.

Question 14

Which response style is more common in child custody evaluations when an evaluator assesses parents?

A) Faking good.
B) Acquiescence.
C) Malingering.
D) Learned helplessness.

Question 15

With regard to mediation in child custody cases, which one of the following statements is NOT true?

A) Unlike litigation, mediation is conducted in a non-adversarial setting.
B) Mediation helps decrease family conflicts.
C) Mediation is more costly and lengthy than litigation.
D) There are some cases when mediation is not advisable.

Question 16

Under the legal doctrine of pater familias used in English common law prior to the nineteenth century:

A) fathers were automatically granted custody of their children.
B) mothers were automatically granted custody of their children.
C) the children of the divorcing parents decided what parent they preferred to live with.
D) best interests of the child were taken into account when deciding custody.

Question 17

There are several tests commonly used by psychologists in child custody evaluations. Research studies show that:

A) scores on these tests are very helpful in determining the most fitting custody type.
B) these tests do not help to predict the best custody arrangement for the child.
C) intelligence tests are most predictive of attentive and affectionate parenting.
D) projective tests are most effective in determining personality traits and relationships.

Question 18

Some scholars have suggested that the child must spend the equivalent of two overnights a week for the custody to be considered shared. This type of custody is also known as:

A) legal custody.
B) double child custody.
C) joint physical custody.
D) parental competence.

Question 19

The best interests of the child standard (BICS), despite its flexibility and wide acceptance, has some weaknesses. Which one of the following statements does NOT reflect a weakness of the BICS?

A) Vagueness of the criteria for custody decisions.
B) Possible escalation of conflicts and litigation between parents.
C) Asking courts to predict the future.
D) Presumption that mother is entitled to custody.

Question 20

To circumvent the vagueness of the best interests of the child standard, many states have adopted:

A) the joint legal custody standard.
B) preferred custody arrangements.
C) the primary caretaker rule.
D) approximation rules.

Question 21

All of the following statements are true about child custody decisions, EXCEPT:

A) Most custody arrangements are made between the parents, without the use of litigation.
B) The most common custody arrangement is joint custody.
C) Definitions of what constitutes shared physical custody are not uniform.
D) There is no single custody arrangement that is best in all situations.

Question 22

Which of the following statements reflects the current state of knowledge about parental alienation syndrome (PAS)?

A) It has not been confirmed scientifically because there is not enough research data to support its existence.
B) It leads to extreme psychological damage to the child's relationships with both parents.
C) It has been discovered based on the bitter divorce battle between Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger.
D) It is a promising psychological breakthrough, and multiple research labs are working on corroborating it.

Question 23

Sole physical custody granted to the father is the _____ custody arrangement(s).

A) most common
B) second most common
C) least common
D) likely outcome in about half of all

Question 24

In cases of divorce under English common law, children were considered to be:

A) seen but not heard.
B) the future of the country.
C) property of the father.
D) best taken care of by the mother.

Question 25

Joint legal custody _____ in cases of high-conflict relationships, _____ between the parents.

A) is not recommended; when hostility is high
B) is not recommended; even though hostility is low
C) may still be the best option; even though hostility is high
D) may still be the best option; when hostility is low

Question 26

Considering the child first and foremost in a custody decision has been reinforced by the establishment of the:

A) best interest of the child standard.
B) tender years doctrine.
C) primary caretaker rule.
D) equal-custody presumption.

Question 27

Research has demonstrated that _____ is more likely to influence decision making in custody cases when the guidelines for custody are _____.

A) sexism or gender bias; vague
B) sexism or gender bias; strict
C) self-fulfilling prophecy; clear
D) self-fulfilling prophecy; strict

Question 28

When it comes to child custody decisions, Texas is the only state where:

A) custody is mainly awarded to the mother.
B) custody is mainly awarded to the father.
C) joint custody is the default arrangement.
D) juries decide custody arrangements.

Question 29

According to the text, data on custody arrangements reveal that sole physical and legal custody is granted to the mother approximately _____ of the time.

A) a quarter
B) half
C) two thirds
D) 95%

Question 30

The primary caretaker rule takes into account several factors when determining the appropriate custody arrangement. Which of the following factors is NOT generally considered?

A) Which parent disciplines the child.
B) Which parent stays with the child when the child is ill.
C) Who buys the child's clothes.
D) Who earns the money paid for the child's daycare or school.

Question 31

There is a _____ number of peer-reviewed studies about parental alienation syndrome, and it _____ as a sound medical condition.

A) limited; likely does not qualify
B) growing; is clearly supported
C) substantial; is clearly supported
D) substantial; certainly does not qualify

Question 32

Those states where the primary caretaker rule is preferred in custody decisions, are most likely to award:

A) joint physical and legal custody.
B) sole physical custody to mothers.
C) sole physical custody to fathers.
D) an approximately equal percentage of cases to sole custody as to joint custody.

Question 33

Although the tender years doctrine has been _____, most court decisions about child custody award _____.

A) abandoned; custody to the mother
B) abandoned; joint custody
C) reinstated; joint custody
D) reinstated; custody to the father

Question 34

The tender years doctrine once prevailed as the standard for deciding child custody. This rule dictated that:

A) young children were to stay with the father.
B) all female children were placed with the father.
C) young children and all male children were placed with the father.
D) young children and all female children were placed with the mother.

Question 35

In recent decades, the instances of joint legal custody have been:

A) staying about the same as in the past.
B) decreasing.
C) increasing.
D) almost nonexistent.

Question 36

One serious problem with the BICS is that it can:

A) reduce conflict between the judge and the parents.
B) escalate conflicts between parents.
C) adequately predict the future.
D) promote healthy development in children.

Question 37

Several serious problems stem from applying the BICS in its current formulations, as noted in the text. Which one of the following statements is NOT among these problems?

A) The vagueness of BICS gives a lot of discretion to judges and thus makes it likely that their biases would affect the decisions.
B) BICS may lead to more litigation between parents since the courts do not have a preferred custody arrangement clearly stated.
C) BICS relies on judges' and psychologists' abilities to predict the future, and these abilities are not very good.
D) The flexibility of BICS allows for a variety of custody arrangements to be considered and tailored to each particular case.

Question 38

The best interest of the child standard may inadvertently increase litigation between parents. One way to minimize this problem is to adopt:

A) preferred custody arrangements.
B) a no-litigation policy post-divorce.
C) more children into foster care.
D) pets according to the child custody rules.

Question 39

All of the following are noted in the text as benefits of joint legal custody, EXCEPT:

A) Both parents remain closely involved in raising the child.
B) The non-custodial parent is more likely to pay child support on a regular basis.
C) Family cohesiveness is improved.
D) Parents share their time with the child equally.

Question 40

The syndrome coined by Richard Gardner that describes one parent attempting to induce fear of the other parent in their children is called _____ syndrome.

A) resilience sapping
B) parental alienation
C) parental anxiety
D) relief hypothesis

Question 41

Studies have identified several factors that help children's better adjustment after divorce. Which one is NOT such a factor?

A) Minimal conflict between parents.
B) More permissive parenting on the part of both parents.
C) Parenting that involves high support and high control.
D) Close relationships between the children and other adults (family, friends, neighbors, etc.).

Question 42

As a rule, children of divorced parents experience problems most acutely:

A) during the year or two following divorce.
B) after several years pass and more bitter feelings about the divorce resurface.
C) if they spend equal time with both parents.
D) if they are younger.

Question 43

Psychologists become involved in cases that include child custody arrangements because psychological evaluation of one or both of the parents is either required or recommended. In contrast to forensic evaluations, in which individuals may feign psychological disturbance, which is known as malingering, in parental evaluations, individuals are more likely to _____ psychological problems, which is known as _____.

A) hide; faking good
B) hide; augmenting
C) exaggerate; faking good
D) exaggerate; overrating

Question 44

A serious criticism of most currently used projective tests is that they:

A) can only be used after extensive training.
B) are flexible and can be administered in various settings.
C) require specific equipment to be administered.
D) produce responses that do not correlate with specific personality traits.

Question 45

Some of the most commonly used tests for parents in child custody evaluations include _____. Studies show that scores on these tests _____ the appropriate placement for the child.

A) MMPI-2 and the Rorschach inkblot test; have very little to do with determining
B) MMPI-2 and the Rorschach inkblot test; allow for a confident prediction of
C) Parental Competency Scale and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale; have very little to do with determining
D) Parental Competency Scale and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale; allow for a confident prediction of

Question 46

In custody decisions, the approximation rule states that the child should:

A) be placed in the home of the parent who makes the most money.
B) be placed with the mother if the child is young and with the father if the child is old enough to desire such an arrangement.
C) remain in placement that is true to the caretaking relationship that existed prior to the divorce.
D) remain with the same-sex parent.

Question 47

Esther is a psychologist who has been working for the past year as a therapist with one of the parents currently going through a bitter divorce. She would be ethically required to abstain from conducting a custody evaluation on behalf of the court in this case because:

A) the evaluation would be performed pro bono.
B) it would be hard for her to remain objective.
C) Esther's client would object.
D) such a dual role would mean overtime work.

Question 48

Several longitudinal studies have revealed that the majority of youngsters that have been through a divorce:

A) develop more slowly.
B) develop psychological disorders.
C) adapt and develop into healthy adults.
D) are more prone to mental illness.

Question 49

The main purpose of mandatory mediation laws is to:

A) free up time for the opposing lawyers.
B) relieve an overburdened court system.
C) reduce emotional trauma for the family.
D) provide for a therapeutic outcome.

Question 50

Ingrid's parents have always made decisions together when it came to any important aspects of Ingrid's life, for example about the type of preschool she would attend and how involved her religious education should be. In case of a divorce, the approximation rule would dictate that the court should award:

A) sole physical custody to Ingrid's mother.
B) sole physical custody to Ingrid's father.
C) joint legal custody to Ingrid's parents.
D) custody based on Ingrid's own preferences.

Question 51

More often than not, children define family in terms of:

A) emotional ties.
B) physical ties.
C) biological ties.
D) physical proximity.

Question 52

Fathers' groups have protested the approximation rule because it increases the likelihood of _____. Instead, fathers' advocacy groups have proposed a(n) _____.

A) sole physical custody going to the father; egalitarian rule of law
B) sole physical custody going to the mother; equal-custody presumption
C) joint legal custody; egalitarian rule of law
D) joint legal custody; sole-custody presumption

Question 53

Matthew's parents divorced after a tumultuous marriage. It was difficult for him to understand what happened because he had become somewhat accustomed to all of the fighting. In addition, the divorce resulted in a difficult financial situation, and he had to change schools. Despite these circumstances, Matthew made great strides, finished high school with excellent grades, and completed college in three years. He possesses personality traits that help him overcome difficult situations. This group of personality traits is referred to as:

A) overcompensation.
B) overachieving.
C) resilience.
D) stability.

Question 54

One criticism of projective tests, particularly of the Rorschach Inkblot Test, is that:

A) no one understands them.
B) the responses are often interpreted differently from clinician to clinician.
C) the responses correlate well for personality traits, but not for specific mental disorders.
D) the responses correlate well for specific mental illnesses, but not as well for personality traits.

Question 55

Projective tests like the Rorschach inkblot test measure an individual's response to _____ stimuli. The continued use of these tests is _____ scientific validity.

A) well-defined; unadvisable due to their lack of
B) well-defined; well supported by their exceptional
C) ambiguous; unadvisable due to their lack of
D) ambiguous; well supported by their exceptional

Question 56

Jennifer's parents are contemplating divorce and have not been able to agree on a custody arrangement. The fight for custody has already impacted Jennifer, as her dropping grades demonstrate. The litigation is increasing the parents' animosity towards each other. Unfortunately, the state where the family lives does not have:

A) reputed child social services.
B) practicing psychologists to rely on for opinions.
C) psychiatrists to determine parental capabilities.
D) mandatory mediation laws.

Question 57

One of the main reasons for ethics board complaints and malpractice suits against psychologists is:

A) competency evaluations.
B) child custody evaluations.
C) sexual relations with clients.
D) ineffective couples counseling.

Question 58

The goal of the approximation rule is to:

A) maintain as much stability for the child as possible.
B) take into account the child's preferences first and foremost.
C) keep the preferred custody arrangement set in place by the court previously.
D) uphold judicial rights in determining custody.

Question 59

Research that follows subjects and collects data over a longer period of time is referred to as:

A) cross-sectional.
B) naturalistic.
C) observational.
D) longitudinal.

Question 60

When courts make decisions about child custody, they are supposed to take into account all of the following criteria, EXCEPT for the:

A) emotional attachment between parent and child.
B) stability and quality of relationships over time.
C) parent's sexual orientation.
D) child's coping ability.

Question 61

How do the best interests of the child standard (BICS) and the tender years doctrine differ? Give an illustration of a child custody decision made under each standard.

Question 62

When there is a history of spousal abuse, the abuser may use the mediation process to have access to the victim. In this case, mediation:

A) may not be the best approach.
B) would help both people to work out their issues.
C) would be especially beneficial for the children involved.
D) is the most recommended approach.

Question 63

What is mediation? What are the advantages of mediation over litigation when it comes to child custody decisions? Under what conditions are parents more likely to seek litigation? Is mediation advisable in all cases or are there exceptions?

Question 64

A process alternative to litigation is mandatory in many states for couples seeking divorce. A neutral third party who approaches the parents together in a non-adversarial manner is called a:

A) mentor.
B) mediator.
C) counselor.
D) social worker.

Question 65

How does legal custody differ from physical custody? Which custody arrangements are common and which ones are rare? What does research say about the effects of various custody arrangements on children?

Question 66

All of the following features of mediation have been noted as its benefits, EXCEPT:

A) it lowers the costs of divorce.
B) it helps reduce family conflict.
C) the custody plan reached through mediation is often similar to the one that would have resulted from litigation.
D) mediation is always preferable to litigation in divorce cases.