Question 1

Which of the following is NOT among the ethical principles listed in the most recent edition of the APA ethical code?

Accepted Answer

Fair billing and reporting is not one of the five ethical principles listed in the most recent edition of the APA ethical code. The other four principles are beneficence and nonmaleficence, fidelity and responsibility, integrity, and respect for people's rights and dignity.

Question 2

The most recent edition of the APA ethics code was published in ______.

Accepted Answer

The most recent edition of the APA ethics code was published in 2002.

Question 3

The current edition of the APA ethical code includes two distinct sections: ______ and ______.

Accepted Answer

The APA ethical code includes two distinct sections, which are General Principles and Ethical Standards. The General Principles provide overarching ethical guidance, while the Ethical Standards provide specific guidance on how to apply the principles in various professional situations.

Question 4

Dr. Martin, a clinical neuropsychologist, works diligently to be accurate, honest, and truthful as he provides services to his patients. Which ethical principle is Dr. Martin upholding?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Martin is upholding the ethical principle of integrity by striving to be accurate, honest, and truthful in his work with patients.

Question 5

Two amendments were added to the APA code of ethics in 2010. These amendments emphasize that ______.

Accepted Answer

The two amendments added to the APA code of ethics in 2010 emphasize that psychologists cannot use ethical standards from the code to justify or defend the violation of human rights.

Question 6

According to the most recent edition of the APA ethical code, it is necessary to obtain ______ before proceeding with research, psychotherapy, or assessment.

Accepted Answer

It is necessary to obtain informed consent before proceeding with research, psychotherapy, or assessment according to the most recent edition of the APA ethical code. Informed consent means that the individual has been provided with information about the procedures, risks, benefits, and alternatives involved and has voluntarily given permission to participate.

Question 7

The ______ section of the current ethical code includes aspirational ideals regarding the behavior of clinical psychologists, as opposed to enforceable rules of conduct.

Accepted Answer

The General Principles section of the current ethical code includes aspirational ideals regarding the behavior of clinical psychologists. The Ethical Standards section contains enforceable rules of conduct, while the Treatment Standards and Research Standards sections provide specific guidelines for clinical practice and research respectively.

Question 8

For contemporary psychotherapists, the most relevant implication of the finding in the Tarasoff case is the ______.

Accepted Answer

The finding in the Tarasoff case established the duty to warn, which requires psychotherapists to alert potential victims if their clients express threats of harm towards them. This is a crucial consideration in contemporary psychotherapy practice.

Question 9

Since the first edition of the APA ethics code, ______ revised editions of the ethical code have been published.

Accepted Answer

The first edition of the APA ethics code was published in 1953, and since then, eight revised editions have been published. Therefore, the correct answer is C) ninth.

Question 10

The first APA code of ethics was published in ______.

Accepted Answer

The first APA code of ethics was published in 1953.

Question 11

For the profession of clinical psychology, confidentiality ______.

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality can ethically be broken in certain situations such as when the psychologist believes there is a risk of harm to the client or others, or when legally required to do so. It is not absolute and is not negotiated at the onset of treatment. The confidentiality of legal minors may also be protected unless the circumstances require the psychologist to act in the minor's best interest or when required by law.

Question 12

According to recommended models of ethical decision-making , it is important to ______.

Accepted Answer

Consulting any law or professional guidelines relevant to the situation helps ensure that the ethical decision aligns with legal and professional standards.

Question 13

The landmark court case that established the duty to warn for psychologists was ______.

Accepted Answer

Tarasoff v. The Regents of the University of California established the duty to warn for psychologists in the United States. The case involved a psychologist who had treated a patient that later killed a woman, and the court ruled that the psychologist had a duty to warn the potential victim or take other appropriate action to prevent harm. This case set a precedent for psychologist's responsibilities to protect others from harm in situations where their patient poses a risk.

Question 14

Which of the following is TRUE regarding ethical decision-making by clinical psychologists?

Accepted Answer

Consulting with colleagues about ethically challenging situations is recommended, as long as client confidentiality is protected. While it is important for clinical psychologists to consult with colleagues, it is also essential to ensure that client confidentiality is protected in accordance with ethical guidelines. This can be accomplished by obtaining the client's informed consent, using anonymous case examples when discussing the situation, or discussing the situation in a confidential setting.

Question 15

The idea that clinical psychologists strive to benefit the patients with whom they work, while at the same time ensuring they do not harm their patients, is best captured by which ethical principle?

Accepted Answer

The principle of beneficence and nonmaleficence emphasizes the importance of promoting the well-being of patients while avoiding intentionally or unintentionally causing harm. This principle guides ethical conduct in clinical psychology and is therefore the appropriate choice. Integrity and respect for people's rights and dignity are important ethical principles as well, but they do not directly address the issue of benefiting and not harming patients. Fair billing and reporting, while important, is not a relevant ethical principle in this context.

Question 16

Based on the APA code of ethics, informed consent for psychotherapy should occur ______.

Accepted Answer

According to the APA code of ethics, informed consent should occur as needed throughout the therapy process. This means that the client should be provided with ongoing information about the nature and course of therapy, and any changes to the treatment plan should be discussed and agreed upon by both the therapist and the client. This ensures that the client has a full understanding of the therapy process and is able to make informed decisions about their treatment.

Question 17

Tatiana Tarasoff ______.

Accepted Answer

Tatiana Tarasoff was a college student who was murdered by a fellow student in 1969. The case, known as Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California, resulted in the establishment of the duty to warn in psychotherapy, requiring mental health professionals to break confidentiality and inform potential victims if their client is deemed a danger to them.

Question 18

According to the standards related to informed consent in the most recent edition of the APA ethical code, when should psychologists inform clients about psychotherapy?

Accepted Answer

According to standard 3.10 of the APA ethical code, psychologists are required to inform clients "as early as is feasible in the therapeutic relationship" about the nature and anticipated course of psychotherapy, as well as any limitations or risks associated with it. While there is no specific requirement regarding the number of sessions before informing clients, it is recommended that this information be provided early in order to allow clients to make informed decisions about their participation in therapy.

Question 19

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

It is important for therapists to maintain a child's trust and confidentiality in order to create a safe therapeutic environment. However, they also have a legal and ethical duty to report suspected child abuse. In order to balance these responsibilities, therapists may attempt to negotiate a plan with the child and parents that specifies under what conditions information will be shared. This allows therapists to prioritize the child's safety while also respecting their privacy and autonomy as much as possible. Therefore, statement D is true. Statements A, B, and C are not true, as they are contrary to ethical and legal requirements for mental health professionals.

Question 20

The ______ section of the current ethical code includes enforceable rules of conduct, as opposed to aspirational ideals regarding the behavior of clinical psychologists.

Accepted Answer

The Ethical Standards section of the current ethical code includes enforceable rules of conduct that clinical psychologists must follow. The General Principles section provides aspirational ideals for the behavior of clinical psychologists. The Research Standards and Assessment Code sections address specific ethical considerations related to research and assessment.

Quiz 5: Ethical and Professional Issues in Clinical Psychology