EPPP Ethics Transcript

Question 1

What is heavily emphasized on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology?

Answer 1

Ethics and professional issues

The majority of questions focus on the provisions of the APA’s Code of Ethics.

Question 2

Name the three ethical issues heavily emphasized on the exam.

Answer 2

• Ethical violation by a colleague
• Multiple or dual relationships
• Informed consent

These issues are critical for understanding ethical practice in psychology.

Question 3

What is the overall structure of the APA Code of Ethics?

Answer 3

• Introduction
• Preamble
• Five general principles (A-E)
• Specific ethical standards

Familiarity with this structure is important for the exam.

Question 4

When answering exam questions that pose an ethical dilemma, what should you lean toward?

Answer 4

The conservative side

Choose the answer that describes the optimal action in terms of ethical requirements.

Question 5

True or false: You should rely on your gut or clinical intuition when answering ethical dilemma questions.

Answer 5

FALSE

Always anchor your answers in concrete facts.

Question 6

What should you avoid when answering exam questions?

Answer 6

Adding information to the question or answer choices

Use only the information presented in the question.

Question 7

What does Standard 1.04 state regarding ethical violations by colleagues?

Answer 7

Attempt to resolve the matter informally if appropriate

This should not violate any confidentiality rights of the client.

Question 8

What action should be taken if a colleague’s ethical violation has substantially harmed a person?

Answer 8

Take other suitable action, such as referring to the Ethics Committee

Standard 1.05 addresses this situation.

Question 9

What are examples of behaviors that may constitute substantial harm?

Answer 9

• Sexual misconduct
• Insurance fraud
• Plagiarism

These behaviors are identified in the rules and procedures.

Question 10

In the context of ethical violations, what should a psychologist prioritize?

Answer 10

The client’s welfare

This is crucial when determining the best action.

Question 11

What does Standard 1.06 state about cooperating with the Ethics Committee?

Answer 11

Failure to cooperate is itself an ethical violation

Psychologists must respond to requests for information.

Question 12

What does Standard 3.05 address?

Answer 12

Multiple relationships

This standard applies to both dual relationships and relationships with closely associated individuals.

Question 13

What constitutes a multiple relationship according to Standard 3.05(a)?

Answer 13

Relationships with the same person or closely associated individuals

This includes concurrent and consecutive relationships.

Question 14

When is it acceptable to enter into a multiple relationship?

Answer 14

When it is not likely to impair objectivity or effectiveness

Standard 3.05(a) provides guidance on this.

Question 15

What factors increase the likelihood that a multiple relationship is unacceptable?

Answer 15

• Power differential
• Duration of relationships
• Clarity around termination

These factors should be considered before entering into multiple relationships.

Question 16

In the scenario where a psychologist is the only practitioner in a rural community, what should they consider before accepting a client who is their daughter’s teacher?

Answer 16

Whether the relationship will impair objectivity or effectiveness

This is crucial according to Standard 3.05(a).

Question 17

What does Standard 3.05(c) state regarding unavoidable multiple relationships?

Answer 17

Clarify role expectations and confidentiality limits

This applies in judicial or administrative proceedings.

Question 18

What does standard 3.05(c) state regarding dual roles in a legal setting?

Answer 18

Psychologists clarify expectations about those roles with all involved parties along with any potential limits to confidentiality

This standard addresses unavoidable multiple relationships.

Question 19

Define bartering as per standard 6.05.

Answer 19

Acceptance of goods, services, or other non-monetary remuneration from clients/patients in return for psychological services

Bartering is acceptable only when not clinically contraindicated and not exploitative.

Question 20

True or false: Bartering is always acceptable in psychological services.

Answer 20

FALSE

Bartering is only acceptable under specific conditions outlined in standard 6.05.

Question 21

What types of multiple relationships are addressed by the ethics code?

Answer 21

• Sexual relationships with a student or supervisee
• Sexual relationships with a current or former therapy client
• Therapy with a former sexual partner

These relationships are covered by standards 3.05, 7.07, 10.05, 10.07, and 10.08.

Question 22

According to standard 7.07, psychologists do not engage in sexual relationships with whom?

Answer 22

• Students in their department
• Supervisees over whom they have evaluative authority

This standard specifically prohibits such relationships.

Question 23

In the scenario where a psychology professor dates a student from another department, which answer is correct according to standard 7.07?

Answer 23

D) Ethical since the individual is not a student in the psychology department

The standard does not apply as the student is from a different department.

Question 24

What do standards 10.05 and 10.07 prohibit?

Answer 24

• Sexual intimacies with current therapy clients
• Providing therapy to former sexual partners

There are no exceptions to these prohibitions.

Question 25

What does standard 10.06 state regarding **sexual intimacies**?

Answer 25

Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with individuals they know to be close relatives, guardians, or significant others of current clients/patients ## Footnote Psychologists must not terminate therapy to circumvent this standard.

Question 26

According to standard 10.08, when can a sexual relationship with a **former client** be acceptable?

Answer 26

After two years, only in unusual circumstances and if not exploitative ## Footnote Several factors must be considered to evaluate the risk for exploitation.

Question 27

What is required for **informed consent** according to standard 3.10?

Answer 27

Must be obtained using language that is reasonably understandable to the person ## Footnote Informed consent is necessary for conducting research, assessment, therapy, or other psychological services.

Question 28

When is **informed consent** not required according to standard 8.05?

Answer 28

For naturalistic observations and anonymous questionnaires if no distress or harm is likely ## Footnote This standard specifies exceptions to the informed consent requirement.

Question 29

What does standard 3.10(d) state about the documentation of **informed consent**?

Answer 29

Written and oral consent must be appropriately documented ## Footnote Consent may take various forms, including signed documents or notes in the client's record.

Question 30

What must therapy clients be informed about according to standard 10.01?

Answer 30

The nature of therapy, involvement of third parties, fees, and limits of confidentiality ## Footnote This information should be provided as early as feasible.

Question 31

What should a psychologist do when working with a **minor** regarding informed consent?

Answer 31

Follow standard 3.10(b) regarding obtaining consent from a legally authorized person ## Footnote This standard addresses situations involving individuals who are not legally capable of giving informed consent.

Question 32

What must clients be informed of when the therapist is a **trainee** under supervision?

Answer 32

The therapist is being supervised and the supervisor's name ## Footnote This is outlined in standard 10.01.

Question 33

In situations involving **minors** or individuals not legally capable of giving informed consent, psychologists must provide an appropriate explanation and seek the individual's _______.

Answer 33

assent ## Footnote This is addressed in standard 3.10(b).

Question 34

When obtaining informed consent for a **new or experimental treatment**, psychologists must inform the client about the developing nature of the treatment and the potential _______.

Answer 34

risks involved ## Footnote This is stated in standard 10.01(b).

Question 35

True or false: Deception in research is acceptable only when justified by the study’s significant prospective scientific value.

Answer 35

TRUE ## Footnote This is one of the conditions outlined in standard 8.07.

Question 36

What must be explained to participants regarding **deception** in a study?

Answer 36

The nature of the deception and the reason for its use ## Footnote This must be done as early as feasible, usually immediately after participation.

Question 37

In the context of recording interviews for research, psychologists must obtain informed consent prior to recording, except when the research involves _______.

Answer 37

deception ## Footnote This is covered by standard 8.03.

Question 38

Standard 3.10(c) states that when services are **court-ordered**, psychologists must inform the individual of the nature of the anticipated services and any limits of _______.

Answer 38

confidentiality ## Footnote This applies even though informed consent is not required.

Question 39

What is the difference between **confidentiality** and **privilege**?

Answer 39

* Confidentiality: Ethical principle to protect client information * Privilege: Legal concept protecting client communication in legal proceedings ## Footnote Most jurisdictions have laws establishing privilege for communication between licensed mental health professionals and their clients.

Question 40

Key exceptions to **privilege** include: 1) waivers, 2) mandatory reporting, 3) danger to self or others, and 4) _______.

Answer 40

legal/regulatory actions ## Footnote These exceptions allow for breaches of confidentiality under specific circumstances.

Question 41

The **Tarasoff decision** established a duty to warn an intended victim, which was later changed to a duty to _______.

Answer 41

protect ## Footnote This mandates that psychologists take steps to protect an intended victim if necessary.

Question 42

What is the most accurate predictor of future **violent behavior**?

Answer 42

Past history of violent behavior ## Footnote Combining this with other factors can improve prediction accuracy.

Question 43

Four conditions must be met for a client to successfully bring a claim of **malpractice** against a psychologist: 1) professional relationship, 2) demonstrable standard of care breached, 3) _______, and 4) proximate cause of harm.

Answer 43

suffered harm or injury ## Footnote These conditions establish the basis for a malpractice claim.

Question 44

When responding to a **subpoena**, a psychologist must first determine if the subpoena is legally _______.

Answer 44

valid ## Footnote If valid, the psychologist should discuss implications with the client before taking action.

Question 45

The **Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)** defines protected health information (PHI) and distinguishes it from _______.

Answer 45

psychotherapy notes ## Footnote PHI refers to identifiable health information about an individual's health condition.

Question 46

Psychotherapy notes are kept separate from documentation required for _______ and are used only by the psychologist who wrote them.

Answer 46

health care treatment ## Footnote The Privacy Rule allows psychologists to decide whether to release these notes to patients.