Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Palmore v. Sidoti (1984) is the case where the Supreme Court held that custody decisions cannot be based on racial considerations, emphasizing that the law cannot, directly or indirectly, give effect to private biases.

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.

Accepted Answer

The goal of child custody evaluation experts is to provide a clear picture of the family relationships to assist the court in making informed decisions. Judges often rely heavily on these evaluations, following the experts' recommendations in the majority of child custody cases.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The case of Painter v. Bannister (1966) is notable for illustrating the wide discretion courts have in awarding custody, emphasizing the best interests of the child over strict adherence to parental rights or other considerations.

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?

Accepted Answer

The difficulty in publishing interdisciplinary research in scientific journals is not mentioned as a reason for the scarcity of research on the long-term effects of divorce on children. The other options (A, B, C) are common challenges in conducting longitudinal studies, especially those involving complex human behaviors and psychological outcomes.

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.

Accepted Answer

The scientific validity and reliability of forensic assessment instruments in custody arrangements have been questioned, yet their use has grown significantly.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Under the tender years doctrine, unless there...

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.

Accepted Answer

Physical custody refers to the actual physical care and residence of the child, indicating how much time the child spends with each parent.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Legal custody refers to a parent's authority to make significant decisions on behalf of their child, including those related to education, health care, and religious upbringing. Physical custody, on the other hand, pertains to where the child lives.

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:

Accepted Answer

The Rorschach Inkblot Test and other projective tests are often criticized for their lack of empirical support regarding validity and reliability, especially in forensic settings such as custody evaluations. This makes them less advisable for use in these contexts.

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:

Accepted Answer

Sole custody is when only one parent has both legal and physical custody of a child, meaning that parent has the exclusive right to make major decisions for the child and the child lives with them.

Question 11

Shared legal custody means that:

Accepted Answer

Shared legal custody typically involves both parents having the authority to make significant decisions for their child together, such as those regarding education, religion, and medical care. However, for day-to-day decisions, the parent who is currently with the child (e.g., what to eat, bedtime routines) makes those calls. This arrangement allows both parents to be involved in the major aspects of their child's life while simplifying routine daily care.

Question 12

Which custody arrangement is most common?

Accepted Answer

Sole physical custody by the mother is the most common custody arrangement, reflecting traditional roles and court biases favoring mothers in custody disputes.

Question 13

A majority of children whose parents divorce:

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that while divorce can be a challenging experience for children, the majority are able to adapt over time. They often grow into adults who are psychologically healthy, indicating that they can overcome the difficulties associated with their parents' divorce.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Faking good is more common in child custody evaluations because parents often want to present themselves in the best possible light to gain custody of their children. They may minimize their faults and exaggerate their positive qualities to appear as the more suitable parent.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Mediation is generally less costly and shorter in duration than litigation. It is designed to be a more efficient and less confrontational way of resolving disputes, including those involving child custody.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

Under the legal doctrine of pater familias, fathers were typically granted custody of their children, reflecting the societal norms and legal frameworks prioritizing paternal authority over child custody matters prior to the nineteenth century.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that psychological tests used in child custody evaluations do not reliably predict the best custody arrangement for the child. These tests may provide insights into certain aspects of an individual's personality or behavior, but they are not definitive in determining the most suitable custody arrangement.

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:

Accepted Answer

Joint physical custody refers to a situation where a child lives with both parents for significant periods, ensuring that the child has continuous contact with both. The suggestion that a child must spend the equivalent of two overnights a week for the custody to be considered shared aligns with the concept of joint physical custody, where both parents share the responsibilities and time with the child.

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?

Accepted Answer

The presumption that the mother is entitled to custody is not a weakness of the Best Interests of the Child Standard (BICS); rather, BICS aims to be neutral and focus on the child's needs, not automatically favoring either parent.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of To circumvent the vagueness of the best...

Quiz 13: Child Custody Disputes