Chapter 4: Ethical Decision Making

1. One way of viewing ethics is that it is a continuum, with on one end being “do no
harm” and the other end being ______.
a. Unobtainable
b. Aspirational
c. Post-conventional
d. Metaethical
Answer: B
Page: 57
Type: Factual

2. The most common violation or compliant against therapists is:

3. If you had a client that was a police officer and you asked her to fix a ticket you
got, that would be an example of a(n):
a. Inappropriate assessment procedure.
b. Lack of professional competence.
c. Confidentiality.
d. Boundary violation.
Answer: D
Page: 60
Type: Applied

4. If you were applying for disability but were denied because of the psychological
assessment you received, you might complain to the standards and ethics board
about:
a. Inappropriate assessment procedures.
b. Lack of professional competence.
c. Confidentiality.
d. Boundary violations.
Answer: A
Page: 60
Type: Applied

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5. Interestingly, psychologists are _____ likely than/as physicians to rate sexual
boundary issues as unethical.
a. more
b. less
c. just as
d. far less
Answer: A
Page: 60
Type: Applied

6. The decision that became the precedent for when one should waive
confidentiality due to patient health is the:
a. Access agreement.
b. Tarasoff decision.
c. Berkley decision.
d. Practice guideline.
Answer: B
Page: 61
Type: Factual

7. Rules on how to handle certain predictable professional responsibilities are known

8. The rule that psychologists should only be assessing and conducting research with
specific populations based on training and education falls under which rule?
a. Boundaries of competence
b. Withholding
c. Informed consent
d. Testimonials
Answer: A
Page: 63
Type: Factual

9. The requirement that you must provide a patient with their records if he asks them
(even if he owes you money) falls under which rule?
a. Boundaries of competence
b. Withholding
c. Informed consent
d. Testimonials

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Answer: B
Page: 64
Type: Factual

10. Very general lists of prescriptions for professional behavior with a high moral
standard are known as:
a. Access agreements
b. Tarasoff decisions
c. Codes of ethics
d. Practice guidelines
Answer: C
Page: 64
Type: Factual

10. In regards to guidelines for child custody evaluations in divorce proceedings, the
professional performing the evaluation should:
a. Use only one methods of data collection.
b. Give opinions regarding those that have not been evaluated.
c. Get informed consent.
d. Not take into consideration personal or societal biases.
Answer: C
Page: 65
Type: Factual

11. In terms of the four ethical principals of the APA code of ethics, psychologists
should not only strive to do no harm, but help others. This falls under which code
of ethics?
a. Beneficence
b. Fidelity
c. Integrity
d. Respect
Answer: A
Page: 66
Type: Factual

12. In terms of the four ethical principals of the APA code of ethics, psychologists
should establish relationships of trust with those with whom they work. This falls
under which code of ethics?
a. Beneficence
b. Fidelity
c. Integrity
d. Respect
Answer: B
Page: 66
Type: Factual

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13. In terms of the four ethical principals of the APA code of ethics, sensitivity and
awareness of -isms (i.e., sexism, racism, etc.) falls under which code of ethics?
a. Beneficence
b. Fidelity
c. Integrity
d. Respect
Answer: D
Page: 67
Type: Factual

14. In terms of the four ethical principals of the CPA code of ethics, informed consent
falls under which code of ethics?
a. Respect for the dignity of persons
b. Responsible caring
c. Integrity in relationships
d. Responsibility to society
Answer: A
Page: 69
Type: Factual

15. In terms of the four ethical principals of the CPA code of ethics, keeping good
records would fall under which code of ethics?
a. Respect for the dignity of persons
b. Responsible caring
c. Integrity in relationships
d. Responsibility to society
Answer: B
Page: 69
Type: Factual

16. In terms of the four ethical principals of the CPA code of ethics, understanding
the rules and ethics of the filed would fall under which code of ethics?
a. Respect for the dignity of persons
b. Responsible caring
c. Integrity in relationships
d. Responsibility to society
Answer: C
Page: 69
Type: Factual

17. In terms of the four ethical principals of the CPA code of ethics, doing research
falls under which code of ethics?
a. Respect for the dignity of persons
b. Responsible caring
c. Integrity in relationships
d. Responsibility to society

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Answer: D
Page: 69
Type: Factual

18. If a therapist is seeing a couple for therapy and one of the participants admits
individually that she is cheating, the therapist will need to clarify what principals
apply to the situation. In regards to the steps of ethical decision-making, this
represents which step?
a. Identification of relevant issues
b. Consideration of personal bias
c. Prevention of future occurrences
d. Analysis of risk and benefit
Answer: A
Page: 70
Type: Applied

19. If a client in couples therapy individually reveals that he is are cheating and the
therapist has, himself, been cheated on in the past, he may need to be cognizant of
that in regards to decision-making. Among the steps of ethical decision-making,
this represents which step?
a. Identification of relevant issues
b. Consideration of personal bias
c. Prevention of future occurrences
d. Analysis of risk and benefit
Answer: B
Page: 71
Type: Applied

20. If one of the partners in couples therapy reveals individually that she is cheating,
the therapist will need to come up with a plan to deal with the infidelity while
considering the relationship she has with both halves of the dyad. In the steps of
ethical decision-making, this represents which step?
a. Identification of relevant issues
b. Consideration of personal bias
c. Prevention of future occurrences
d. Analysis of risk and benefit
Answer: D
Page: 71
Type: Applied

Essay Questions

1. Briefly describe the constructs of reliability and validity. If you have to pick one,
which would it be and why?

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2. Briefly discuss the role a clinical psychologist may play in creating custody and
access reports and recommendations.

3. List and briefly describe the four ethical principals of the APA code of ethics.
Please provide an example of each.

4. List and briefly describe the four ethical principals of the CPA code of ethics.
Please provide an example of each.

5. List and describe the ten steps in ethical decision-making.

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