ETHICS

Question 1

A psychologist’s new clients are a married couple and their two sons, ages 11 and 16. The family moved to the United States from Mexico five years ago and, while the boys are fluent English-speakers, the parents have limited English skills. The psychologist does not speak Spanish, and the oldest son offers to be an interpreter for his parents. He also says that his aunt (who will not be participating in therapy) would be willing to act as an interpreter. To be consistent with ethical requirements, the psychologist should:
A. have the son act as interpreter as long as he’s fluent in English and Spanish.
B. have the son act as interpreter as long as his parents agree to this arrangement.
C. have the aunt act as interpreter since she’s not participating in therapy.
D. not have the son or aunt act as interpreter.

Answer 1

D
Answer D is correct. This situation is addressed in Standard 2.05 of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standard II.7 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 2.05 states that psychologists “who use the services of others, such as interpreters, take reasonable steps to … avoid delegating such work to persons who have a multiple relationship with those being served that would likely lead to exploitation or loss of objectivity.” Having the son or aunt act as interpreter could result in conflicts and inaccuracies due to a lack of objectivity.

Question 2

Dr. Swenson, a licensed psychologist, has just started working at an inner-city clinic. He soon realizes that some of his clients have problems he has not previously encountered and that he’s likely to continue encountering these problems. As an ethical psychologist, Dr. Swenson should:
A. take a continuing education course that’s relevant to the clients’ problems.
B. see the clients in therapy but seek consultation with a colleague who has relevant experience.
C. see the clients in therapy only if there are no mental health professionals working at the clinic who have appropriate training.
D. refuse to see the clients.

Answer 2

B
Answer B is correct. This answer is most consistent with Standard 2.01 of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standards II.6 and II.8 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 2.01 requires psychologists to obtain appropriate education, training, and consultation when they want to provide new professional services. Answer A is not the best answer because completing a single continuing education course is not likely to be adequate.

Question 3

At an APA convention, you run into a colleague who worked at the mental health clinic where you work until she quit a few months ago. She tells you she’s now providing therapy over the Internet and gives you her business card. Several weeks later, you find her card in your wallet and decide to take a look at her website. When you do, you notice that the site seems to provide some inaccurate information about her professional experience. You should:
A. file a complaint against the psychologist with an ethics committee or licensing board.
B. file a complaint against the psychologist with an ethics committee or licensing board after letting the psychologist know that you’ll be doing so.
C. contact the psychologist to discuss her possible violation of ethical requirements.
D. do nothing unless you believe that the inaccurate information is likely to cause substantial harm.

Answer 3

C
Answer C is correct. This situation is addressed in Standards 1.04 and 1.05 of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standards II.43 and II.44 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standards 1.04 and 1.05 require psychologists to attempt to resolve the ethical violations of another psychologist either informally by bringing the behavior to the psychologist’s attention or formally by filing a report against the psychologist with an ethics committee or licensing board. Given that the website only “seems to provide” inaccurate information, an attempt at an informal resolution would be the best initial course of action.

Question 4

After her sixth therapy session with Rusty R., Dr. Berstein realizes that she’s attracted to him and that, between sessions, she sometimes thinks about what it would be like to spend time with him outside of therapy. As an ethical psychologist, Dr. Berstein should:
A. recognize her reaction as countertransference and proceed with caution.
B. obtain professional consultation to determine the best course of action.
C. monitor her behavior in therapy to ensure her feelings toward Rusty don’t impair her judgment.
D. refer Rusty to another therapist.

Answer 4

B
Answer B is correct. This answer is most consistent with Standard 2.06(b) of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standard II.11 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 2.06(b) states that, “when psychologists become aware of personal problems that may interfere with their performing work-related duties adequately, they take appropriate measures, such as obtaining professional consultation or assistance, and determine whether they should limit, suspend, or terminate their work-related duties.”

Question 5

Which of the following best describes implied consent?
A. It refers to a person’s informed consent when it is not written or documented.
B. It applies only when a person is believed to be a danger to self or others.
C. It is inferred from the behaviors or circumstances of a person.
D. It applies only when a person lacks the capacity to give informed consent.

Answer 5

C
Answer C is correct. Implied consent is inferred from the circumstances or actions of a person. For example, a patient’s implied consent for treatment is assumed in emergency situations when the patient is incapacitated and unable to provide informed consent, and a student’s implied consent to participate in a class is assumed when the student registers for and attends the class. Answer D is not the best answer because implied consent does not refer only to consent in the circumstance described in that answer.

Question 6

Which of the following statements best describes the requirements of the ethics codes published by the American and Canadian Psychological Associations for informed consents?
A. Informed consents must always be written.
B. Informed consents must always be written and signed by the clients.
C. Informed consents may be written or verbal.
D. Informed consents may be written or verbal but should be documented.

Answer 6

D
Answer D is correct. This answer is most consistent with the provisions of Standard 3.10(d) of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standards I.21 and I.22 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 3.10(d) states that “psychologists appropriately document written or oral consent, permission, and assent.”

Question 7

Which of the following is most consistent with ethical requirements regarding the acceptance of contingent fees when acting as an expert witness in a legal case?
A. Psychologists may accept contingent fees.
B. Psychologists may accept contingent fees as long as doing so is consistent with current standards of practice.
C. Psychologists may accept contingent fees only when their testimony as expert witnesses does not violate prohibitions against multiple relationships.
D. Psychologists should usually avoid accepting contingent fees.

Answer 7

Answer D is correct. This answer is most consistent with Standard 3.06 of the APA’s Ethics Code, Paragraph 5.02 of the APA’s Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology, and Standard III.28 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 3.06 prohibits psychologists from “taking on a professional role when personal, scientific, professional, legal, financial, or other interests or relationships could reasonably be expected to … impair their objectivity, competence, or effectiveness.” As noted by C. B. Fisher, this prohibition applies to accepting contingent fees when acting as an expert witness since doing so may “exert pressure on psychologists to intentionally or unintentionally modify their reports or testimony in favor of the retaining party”

Question 8

You receive a phone call from the mother of Max, a former client of yours, requesting that you provide her with a copy of Max’s record. Max, age 32, stopped coming to therapy six months ago and died in a car accident two months ago. To be consistent with ethical guidelines, you:
A. provide her with a summary of the information contained in Max’s record.
B. provide her with a copy of Max’s record.
C. provide her with a copy of Max’s record only after she provides you with a written request.
D. refuse to provide her with information in Max’s record without permission of the executor or administrator of his estate.

Answer 8

D
Answer D is correct. This answer is most consistent with the provisions of Standard 4.05(a) of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standard I.45 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 4.05(a) states that “psychologists may disclose information with the appropriate consent of the organizational client, the individual client/patient, or another legally authorized person on behalf of the client/patient unless prohibited by law.” When a client is deceased, the legally authorized person is ordinarily the executor or administrator of the client’s estate (which, in this situation, may or may not be the client’s mother).

Question 9

Dr. Sholen has trained a psychology intern to administer and score several psychological tests that she frequently administers to clients who have been referred to her for psychological assessment. Dr. Sholen always interprets the clients’ scores and, when preparing the psychological reports for clients who have taken these tests, she doesn’t indicate that they were administered and scored by the intern. This practice is:
A. ethical since Dr. Sholen interprets the test scores.
B. ethical since Dr. Sholen is ultimately responsible for the information presented in the report.
C. unethical since an intern should not be scoring psychological tests.
D. unethical since the intern should be identified as the person who administered and scored the tests.

Answer 9

DAnswer D is correct. This situation is addressed in Standard 5.01(b) of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standards III.1, III.5, and III.22 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. The intern may, in fact, be qualified to administer and score the tests (answer C). However, not indicating that the intern did so in the psychological reports violates the prohibition against providing inaccurate or deceptive statements about a psychologist’s professional services.

Question 10

Concerns about using Skype as a means of providing psychotherapy on the Internet focus primarily on which of the following issues?
A. competence
B. confidentiality
C. record-keeping
D. beneficence

Answer 10

Answer B is correct. Discussions about the problems associated with the use of Skype to provide psychotherapy focus primarily on HIPAA compliance and confidentiality. As noted by R. S. Palomares in his objection to the use of Skype, “people aren’t thinking about the fact that when they click on ‘I agree’ in these apps, you’re basically agreeing to turn over all transmissions to the parent company … [and] that their sessions could be recorded and released” [

Question 11

Dr. Hedges has been seeing Betty in therapy for three months to help her deal with the sudden death of her mother. She’s made progress toward achieving her therapy goals, and they’ve started talking about terminating therapy. During her current session, Betty tells Dr. Hedges that her best friend is going through a divorce and she’d like to refer her to Dr. Hedges for therapy. Dr. Hedges should:
A. tell Betty he cannot see her friend in therapy until Betty’s therapy has ended.
B. tell Betty he cannot see her friend in therapy and offer to give her friend referrals to other mental health professionals.
C. agree to see Betty’s friend in therapy only if he has experience working with clients who are going through a divorce.
D. agree to see Betty’s friend in therapy only if he discusses the potential problems with Betty and her friend that could arise because he’s seeing them both in therapy.

Answer 11

B
Answer B is correct. Seeing the best friend of a client in therapy would constitute an unacceptable multiple relationship as defined in Standard 3.05 of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standard III.30 of the Canadian Code of Ethics because of the potential adverse effects of doing so. For example, Betty might disclose information about her friend to Dr. Hedges that her friend doesn’t want Dr. Hedges to know.

Question 12

A psychologist is conducting a research study that will involve interviewing and administering several tests to psychiatric inpatients who have legal guardians. To be consistent with ethical guidelines, the psychologist should obtain:
A. assent from each patient and informed consent from each patient’s legal guardian.
B. informed consent from each patient and assent from each patient’s legal guardian.
C. informed consent from each patient’s legal guardian.
D. informed consent from each patient.

Answer 12

Answer A is correct. This answer is most consistent with the provisions of Standard 3.10(b) of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standard I.35 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 3.10(b) states that, for minors and others not capable of giving informed consent, psychologists obtain their assent and “appropriate permission from a legally authorized person.”

Question 13

When clients whose fees are paid for by an insurance company do not show up for their appointments or cancel an appointment within less than 24 hours, a psychologist bills the insurance company for the appointment. This is:
A. acceptable since it is a standard practice.
B. acceptable as long as she discussed this policy with the clients during the informed consent process.
C. unacceptable since she is not treating all of her clients in the same way.
D. unacceptable because she’s providing inaccurate information to the insurance companies.

Answer 13

Answer D is correct. This answer is most consistent with Standard 6.06 of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standard III.5 of the Canadian Code of Ethics, which require psychologists to provide accurate information about their professional services. Billing insurance companies for missed appointments without their approval of this practice would be insurance fraud, which is both unethical and illegal.

Question 14

To be consistent with ethical requirements, psychologists should reach an agreement with new clients about fees and other financial issues:
A. during the initial contact.
B. during the first therapy session.
C. by the end of the first therapy session.
D. as early as is feasible.

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Answer 14

Answer D is correct. This is the best answer because it’s closest to the language of Standard 6.04(a) of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standards I.19 and III.13 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 6.04(a) states that, “as early as is feasible in a professional or scientific relationship, psychologists and recipients of psychological services reach an agreement specifying compensation and billing arrangements.” Often, this will be before or during the first therapy session but there are exceptions – e.g., when the client is experiencing a crisis or additional information is needed about what services are required before the fee can be set.

Question 15

Which of the following describes ethical requirements regarding a psychologist’s use of deception in a research study?
A. Psychologists may use deception in the “most unusual circumstances” and when participants are not deceived about anything that would otherwise cause them to refuse to participate.
B. Psychologists may use deception when it’s justified by the study’s prospective value and participants are allowed to withdraw from the study at any time.
C. Psychologists may use deception when alternative procedures are unavailable and information about the possible use of deception is included in the informed consent form.
D. Psychologists may use deception in the “most unusual circumstances” and when participants are debriefed about the true purpose of the study immediately after their participation.

Answer 15

Answer B is correct. This answer is most consistent with the provisions of Standard 8.07 of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standards III.23, III.24, and III.25 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 8.07 states that psychologists should not use deception unless it’s justified by the prospective value of the study, alternative procedures are unavailable, participants are debriefed about the true nature of the study as early as is feasible (which may or may not be immediately after participation), and participants are allowed to withdraw their data from the study.

Question 16

Which of the following describes ethical requirements regarding a psychologist’s use of animals as subjects in research?
A. Psychologists may not use animal subjects in research unless doing so is consistent with current standards of practice.
B. Psychologists may use animal subjects in research when the psychologists have adequate training and experience and the animals will not be subjected to pain or stress.
C. Psychologists may use animal subjects in research that causes them pain or stress when alternative procedures are unavailable and doing so is justified by the study’s prospective value.
D. Psychologists may use animal subjects in research that causes them pain or stress only when their lives will be terminated as soon as possible.

Answer 16

Answer C is correct. This answer is most consistent with the provisions of Standard 8.09 of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standards II.49, II.51, and II.53 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Answer A can be eliminated because psychologists may use animal subjects in research but must do so only when alternative procedures are unavailable and doing so is justified by the study’s prospective value. Answer B can be eliminated because psychologists may use procedures that cause animals pain or stress when alternative procedures are unavailable and doing so is justified by the study’s prospective value. And answer D can be eliminated because the lives of animal subjects do not have to be terminated but, when they are, the termination must be done rapidly and in ways that minimize pain.

Question 17

Dr. Devlin terminates the internship of one of her interns when she receives a complaint about him from one of his current clients. With regard to ethical requirements, this is acceptable as long as:
A. the client’s complaint is valid.
B. the client’s complaint is valid and is not the first complaint that Dr. Devlin has received about this intern for the same problem.
C. the client’s complaint is valid and Dr. Devlin has previously provided the intern with feedback about his performance.
D. Dr. Devlin explains the reason for the termination to the intern.

Answer 17

Answer C is correct. This answer is most consistent with the provisions of Standard 7.06(a) of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standard II.26 of the Canadian Code of Ethics, which require psychologists to provide supervisees with timely feedback. Although neither Code directly addresses termination of interns, doing so without having provided them with feedback and opportunities to correct undesirable behaviors would violate these standards and the “spirit” of the Codes.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes ethical guidelines for requiring students to disclose personal information in course- or program-related activities about any psychological treatment they’ve received in the past?
A. Requiring students to do so is prohibited under any circumstances.
B. Requiring students to do so is acceptable as long as their confidentiality is maintained.
C. Requiring students to do so is acceptable only when they’re seeking therapy from a therapist employed by the school.
D. Requiring students to do so is acceptable when doing so is clearly identified as a requirement in program and admissions materials.

Answer 18

Answer D is correct. This issue is addressed in Standard 7.04 of the APA’s Ethics Code and the Values Statement for Standard I and Standard I.8 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 7.04 states that students should not be required to disclose personal information in course- or program-related activities related to psychological treatment except in two circumstances: (a) this requirement has been clearly identified in program and admissions materials or (b) the information is needed to “evaluate or obtain assistance for students whose personal problems could reasonably be judged to be preventing them from performing their training- or professionally related activities in a competent manner or posing a threat to the student or others.”

Question 19

Which of the following statements best describes a psychologist’s ethical requirements with regard to obtaining informed consents for research?
A. Informed consents are always necessary except when the research requires the use of deception.
B. Informed consents are not necessary as long as potential participants are allowed to withdraw from the study at any time.
C. Informed consents are not necessary when the study involves investigating normal educational practices.
D. Informed consents are not necessary when the study involves naturalistic observations or archival research.

Answer 19

Answer C is correct. This answer is most consistent with the provisions of Standard 8.05 of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standard I.20 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. It accurately describes one of the exceptions to obtaining an informed consent listed in Standard 8.05. In contrast, answer A is not correct because informed consents are not required in several circumstances besides when deception is used, and answer B is not correct because allowing participants to withdraw from a study at any time is required but does not preclude getting informed consents. Finally, answer D is not the best answer because it’s only partially true: Standard 8.05 states that it’s not necessary to obtain informed consents when the study involves naturalistic observations or archival research but only when “disclosure of responses would not place participants at risk of criminal or civil liability or damage their financial standing, employability, or reputation, and confidentiality is protected.”

Question 20

Sonia was in therapy with Dr. Benedict for three weeks when Dr. Benedict told her that he thinks she would benefit from a psychological evaluation to help determine why she is suddenly having so much trouble performing her job as a software developer. Dr. Benedict refers Sonia to Dr. Sholen who has extensive experience in psychological testing. At the end of her second session with Dr. Sholen, Sonia says she’d like to continue seeing her for therapy in addition to seeing Dr. Benedict. To be consistent with ethical requirements, Dr. Sholen should:
A. recommend that Sonia discuss this with Dr. Benedict.
B. tell Sonia that she’ll have to discuss this with Dr. Benedict.
C. discuss this further with Sonia to determine the best course of action.
D. tell Sonia that she cannot accept her as a therapy client.

Answer 20

Answer C is correct. This answer is most consistent with the requirements of Standard 10.04 of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standard II.1, II.18, and III.32 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 10.04 requires psychologists to “carefully consider the treatment issues and the potential client’s/patient’s welfare” when deciding whether to provide services to individuals who are receiving mental health services from another professional. Dr. Sholen would want to obtain more information from Sonia (e.g., why she wants to see both therapists) before choosing a course of action.

Question 21

Dr. Moore has been seeing Ms. Kazinsky in therapy for three months and realizes that he is feeling attracted to her and always looks forward to their sessions. He thinks that she may feel the same way and, several sessions later, they both admit their feelings for each other. Ms. Kazinsky says she thinks she’s achieved her therapy goals and suggests that she stop coming to therapy so they can start dating. If Dr. Moore agrees to this arrangement, he will have acted:
A. ethically since Ms. Kazinsky suggested that she terminate therapy so they can start dating.
B. ethically as long as Dr. Moore agrees that Ms. Kazinsky has achieved her therapy goals.
C. ethically only if Dr. Moore waits for two years before he begins dating Ms. Kazinsky.
D. unethically regardless of how much time passes between the last therapy session and their first date.

Answer 21

Answer D is correct. This situation is addressed in Standard 10.08 of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standard II.28 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Although both Codes discourage therapists from dating former clients, they also specify conditions in which doing so may be acceptable. Answers A and B are obviously incorrect since it doesn’t matter who suggests that therapy be terminated or if the client has achieved her therapy goals. Answer C is also incorrect. Standard 10.08 specifies that at least two years must pass before a therapist starts dating a former client, but it also states that the therapist must demonstrate that there has been no exploitation in light of several factors including “the circumstances of the termination” and “any statements or actions made by the therapist during the course of therapy suggesting or inviting the possibility of a posttermination sexual or romantic relationship with the client.” In other words, Dr. Moore expressed his feelings toward the client while still seeing her in therapy and therapy is being terminated so he can begin dating the client, which suggests that dating the client even after two years would be exploitative and would, therefore, violate Standard 10.08.

Question 22

You administered several tests to a client as part of your initial assessment and he is asking to see his scores. To be consistent with the requirements of the ethics codes published by the American and Canadian Psychological Associations, you should:
A. provide the scores to him and offer to answer any questions he has about them.
B. provide him with a narrative summary of his test performance in understandable language.
C. provide the scores to him unless you believe that doing so might cause him substantial harm.
D. explain to him that you can provide test scores only to professionals who have the experience and training to interpret them.

Answer 22

Answer C is correct. This answer is most consistent with the requirements of Standard 9.04 of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standard II.5 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 9.04 states that “psychologists may refrain from releasing test data to protect a client/patient or others from substantial harm or misuse or misrepresentation of the data or the test.” (Note that HIPAA provides a more stringent standard for refusing to release test data and other confidential client information to clients and others, but this question is asking specifically about the requirements of the APA’s Ethics Code and Canadian Code of Ethics.)

Question 23

Dr. Sholen finds that she and her intern do not have time to administer tests to all of the clients who are being referred to Dr. Sholen for psychological assessment. As a result, she decides to hire a graduate student who is working on her master’s degree in clinical psychology to administer the MMPI-2 and several similar tests. With regard to ethical requirements, this:
A. is clearly unacceptable since the student has not completed the coursework required for a master’s degree.
B. is acceptable as long as the student has completed coursework in psychological assessment.
C. may be acceptable as long as the student administers but does not score or interpret the tests.
D. may be acceptable as long as the student has had adequate training and will be supervised by Dr. Sholen.

Answer 23

Answer D is correct. This situation is addressed in Standard 9.07 of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standards II.7 and II.56 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 9.07 states that “psychologists do not promote the use of psychological assessment techniques by unqualified persons, except when such use is conducted for training purposes with appropriate supervision.”

Question 24

Dr. Yoshida receives a subpoena from an attorney that requires him to testify at trial about a former therapy client. The client’s authorization to release information is not attached to the subpoena, so Dr. Yoshida contacts the client who tells him that she doesn’t want him to provide any information about her treatment. Dr. Yoshida should:
A. reassure the client that he will provide only information that is in her best interests.
B. explain to the client that he’s legally required to comply with the request.
C. contact the attorney who issued the subpoena and ask that he be released from it.
D. notify the attorney and the court that he will be unable to appear at the trial.

Answer 24

Answer C is correct. When a psychologist receives a subpoena to testify about a client, he/she would ordinarily not want to disclose confidential information without authorization from the client or the client’s legal representative. When the client refuses to provide authorization, a psychologist has several options. Of the options listed, contacting the party who issued the subpoena to see if he/she is willing to withdraw or limit the request is the best one. Trying to convince the client to authorize the release of information by reassuring her that he’ll provide only information that is in her best interests would be coercive and not necessarily possible, so answer A is not the best answer. A psychologist may be legally required to appear as requested by the subpoena but may or may not be required to release information without the client’s authorization, so answer B is not the best answer. And a psychologist cannot refuse to appear as requested by a subpoena even when the client has not signed an authorization, so answer D is not the best answer. (When a psychologist doesn’t have the client’s authorization, he/she would ordinarily appear as requested but assert the privilege on the client’s behalf and then provide information only with the client’s authorization or a court order.)

Question 25

The APA’s (2014) Guidelines for Clinical Supervision in Health Service Psychology identifies which of the following as a supervisor’s primary legal and ethical obligation? A. training the supervisee B. acting as gatekeeper to the profession C. protecting the welfare of the supervisee D. protecting the welfare of the supervisee’s client

Answer 25

Answer D is correct. Paragraph G.2 of the Guidelines for Clinical Supervision in Health Service Psychology states that “supervisors uphold their primary ethical and legal obligation to protect the welfare of the [supervisee’s] client/patient” and that “the highest duty of the supervisor is protection of the client/patient” (p. 19). In addition, the introduction to Paragraph F states that “supervisors give precedence to protecting the well-being of clients/patients above the training of the supervisee” (p. 17).

Question 26

Dr. Wilson is hired by the court to evaluate the mental competence of a man who has been charged as an accomplice in a bank robbery that ended in the death of a bank employee. During a break, the man brags to Dr. Wilson about his role in the bank robbery. To be consistent with ethical requirements, Dr. Wilson should: A. not provide the court with any information she obtains without a signed authorization from the man. B. provide the court only with information she obtains that is relevant to the man’s mental competence. C. provide the court with information about the man’s confession along with the results of the evaluation as long as she informed the man about the limits of confidentiality prior to beginning the evaluation. D. provide the court with information about the man’s confession along with the results of the evaluation whether or not she informed the man about the limits of confidentiality prior to beginning the evaluation.

Answer 26

Answer B is correct. This answer is most consistent with Standard 4.04 of the APA Ethics Code and Paragraph 10.01 of the Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology, which require psychologists to disclose only client information that’s relevant to the purpose of a report or other communication.

Question 27

You receive a letter from a colleague requesting that you send her a copy of the record of Donald D., a former client of yours. The request is accompanied by an authorization to release information signed by Donald. Donald abruptly ended his sessions with you three months ago, at which time he owed you for his past four therapy sessions. You’ve sent two letters to Donald about his unpaid bill, but he has not responded. To be consistent with ethical requirements, you: A. must forward the record to the colleague since Donald has signed an authorization allowing you to do so. B. may refuse to forward the record to the colleague until you and Donald reach an agreement about how he will pay his outstanding fees. C. may refuse to forward the record to the colleague for nonpayment of fees only if they are not needed for Donald’s emergency treatment. D. may refuse to forward the record to the colleague for nonpayment of fees only if you explained this policy to Donald as part of the informed consent process when he began therapy.

Answer 27

Answer C is correct. Ethical requirements for this situation are provided in Standard 6.03 of the APA Ethics Code. It states that “psychologists may not withhold records under their control that are requested and needed for a client’s/patient’s emergency treatment solely because payment has not been received.”

Question 28

Dr. Edison is a behavior therapist who specializes in treating cigarette smoking, nail biting, and other undesirable habits. While at a charity fundraiser, he meets the editor of a local newspaper and they agree that Dr. Edison will help the editor stop smoking in exchange for an article about his services in the newspaper. In terms of ethical requirements, this arrangement is: A. acceptable as long as it does not interfere with Dr. Edison’s ability to provide treatment to the editor in an objective, competent manner. B. acceptable as long as Dr. Edison and the editor agree that it’s an equitable exchange. C. unacceptable because psychologists are prohibited from compensating employees of newspapers in exchange for a newspaper article about their services. D. unacceptable because psychologists are required to avoid conflicts of interest.

Answer 28

Answer C is correct. This is the best answer because it accurately describes the requirements of Standard 5.02(b) of the APA Ethics Code. It states that psychologists “do not compensate employees of press, radio, television, or other communication media in return for publicity in a news item.”

Question 29

Which of the following best describes ethical requirements regarding authorship for a journal article that’s based substantially on a student’s doctoral dissertation? A. The student must be listed as the principal author. B. The student must be listed as the sole author. C. The student’s dissertation chairperson determines authorship credit. D. The journal determines authorship credit.

Answer 29

Answer A is correct. This situation is addressed in Standard 8.12(c). It states that, “except under exceptional circumstances, a student is listed as principal author on any multi-authored article that is substantially based on the student’s doctoral dissertation.”

Question 30

A psychologist would most likely violate ethical requirements for maintaining test security when he or she: A. provides clients with the raw or scaled scores they obtained on a test. B. discusses clients’ responses to test items to help them understand their test results. C. provides a client’s attorney with a copy of test items and the client’s answers to the items in response to a subpoena and with the client’s permission. D. allows clients to complete self-administered tests online at home when doing so is approved by the test publisher.

Answer 30

Answer C is correct. Standard 9.11 of the APA Ethics Code and Standard IV.11 of the Canadian Code of Ethics apply to this situation. Standard 9.11 requires psychologists to “maintain the integrity and security of test materials,” which it defines as “manuals, protocols, and tests questions or stimuli.” Answers C and D both address test security. Answer C is the best answer because providing test items to an attorney is questionable since an attorney is unlikely to be trained in psychological testing and to be legally or ethically required to maintain test security. As noted by the APA Committee on Psychological Tests and Assessments (https://www.apa.org/science/programs/testing/test-security-faq), the best course of action in this situation is to request that test materials be released to a qualified psychologist or obtain a protective order from the court that requires all parties to maintain test security. Answer D describes an acceptable course of action. Note, however, that precautions should be taken to maintain test security. For example, clients should be advised that third-party observation and recording of the test in any form are not allowed. Answers A and B can be eliminated because they address the use of test data (which is not covered by this Standard) and describe acceptable actions.

Question 31

To be consistent with APA guidelines, you would not use which of the following to describe research participants in an article about your study? A. transgender women B. Native American adolescents C. the autism spectrum disorder group D. physically challenged adults

Answer 31

Answer D is correct. Of the descriptions given in the answers, “physically challenged adults” is least consistent with guidelines presented in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association: Ordinarily, when describing people with a disorder or other condition, people-first language should be used (e.g., adults with physical challenges), but there are exceptions to this general rule. For example, when describing a research study and different groups are distinguished, it would be acceptable to refer to a group as “the autism spectrum disorder group” (answer C).

Question 32

Vicarious liability refers to which of the following? A. an employer’s legal responsibility for the acts of his/her employees B. a chief investigator’s responsibility for the welfare of his/her research subjects C. an employer’s “psychological contract” with his/her employees D. a therapist’s obligation to maintain client confidentiality

Answer 32

Answer A is correct. When delegating work to an employee or supervisee, psychologists must be aware that, in certain circumstances, they might have vicarious liability – i.e., they might be legally responsible for the actions of the employee or supervisee.

Question 33

Dr. Axelrod’s new client is Michael Moreland, a 35-year-old African American man. Mr. Moreland has worked steadily as a dishwasher since he was 17, but he was laid off six months ago and has been unable to find a job. His presenting symptoms suggest he’s dealing with depression. Dr. Axelrod, a White middle-class cognitive behavioral therapist, specializes in treating depression but hasn’t worked with African American or low-income clients. However, he wants to expand his scope of practice to include members of populations he has not yet worked with. To be consistent with ethical requirements, Dr. Axelrod should: A. agree to see Mr. Moreland in therapy as long as he consults while doing so with a colleague who has experience working with African American and low-income clients. B. agree to see Mr. Moreland in therapy but monitor his effectiveness and obtain relevant education if needed. C. refer Mr. Moreland to another therapist who has experience working with low-income and African American clients. D. explain his lack of experience to Mr. Moreland and let him decide whether or not to continue therapy.

Answer 33

Answer A is correct. This answer is most consistent with Standard 2.01 of the APA Ethics Code and Standard II.6 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 2.01 requires psychologists to obtain appropriate education, training, and consultation when they want to provide professional services to members of new populations or use new therapeutic techniques. An alternative would be to make a referral (answer C), but that’s not required in this situation since Dr. Axelrod specializes in treating depression and wants to expand his scope of practice.

Question 34

Which of the following best describes ethical requirements with regard to pro bono services? A. Because pro bono services are addressed in the General Principles, they’re encouraged by the Code. B. Because pro bono services are addressed in the General Principles, they’re discouraged by the Code. C. Because pro bono services are addressed in the Ethical Standards, they’re required by the Code. D. Because pro bono services are addressed in the Ethical Standards, they’re prohibited by the Code.

Answer 34

Answer A is correct. The term “pro bono services” is not used in the APA Ethics Code or the Canadian Code of Ethics, but this answer is most consistent with the “spirit” of the Codes. Also, providing free or lost cost services is addressed in the General Principles of the APA Ethics Code, which provide aspirational (not enforceable) guidelines: General Principle B (Fidelity and Responsibility) states that “psychologists strive to contribute a portion of their professional time for little or no compensation or personal advantage.”

Question 35

Your neighbor tells you that one of her co-workers, a licensed psychologist, sometimes makes sexually suggestive comments that make her very uncomfortable and self-conscious. She says she asked him to stop making the comments last week because she finds them offensive, and he said his intention was to be funny but that he’d stop if that’s what she wants. In terms of ethical requirements, it appears that the co-worker’s comments: A. represent sexual harassment because they’re sexual in nature and occurred on more than one occasion. B. represent sexual harassment only if they would be identified as unacceptable by a “reasonable person.” C. represent sexual harassment if the co-worker does not stop making sexually suggestive comments after being told they’re offensive. D. do not represent sexual harassment because the co-worker was unaware that they were offensive while he was making them.

Answer 35

Answer C is correct. As defined in Standard 3.02 of the APA Ethics Code, comments of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment if (a) they are unwelcome, offensive, or create a hostile workplace and the person knows or is told this or (b) they’re “sufficiently severe or intense to be abusive to a reasonable person.” The co-worker’s comments would meet the first criterion if he continues making them after being told they’re unwelcome and offensive. This answer is also consistent with Standard I.4 of the Canadian Code of Ethics which prohibits sexual harassment and with the definition of sexual harassment provided in the Code’s Preamble.

Question 36

Privilege refers to: A. the ethical requirement to protect a client’s confidentiality. B. the legal requirement to protect a client’s right to privacy. C. the legal and ethical requirement to disclose confidential client information only with appropriate authorization to do so. D. the legal requirement to protect client confidentiality in court testimony, depositions, and other legal proceedings.

Answer 36

Answer D is correct. Privilege is a legal concept that protects a client’s confidential information from being disclosed in legal proceedings.

Question 37

To be consistent with the requirements of the APA Ethics Code and the Canadian Code of Ethics, the potential limits of confidentiality should ordinarily be discussed with a therapy client: A. as soon as possible. B. as part of the informed consent process. C. at the outset of therapy. D. at the outset of therapy and subsequently as needed.

Answer 37

Answer D is correct. This is the best answer because it’s most similar to the language of Standard 4.02(b) of the APA Ethics Code. It states that, “unless it is not feasible or is contraindicated, the discussion of confidentiality occurs at the outset of the relationship and thereafter as new circumstances may warrant.” This answer is also consistent with Standard I.17 of the Canadian Code of Ethics, which notes that informed consent may “need to be obtained more than once (e.g., if significant new information becomes available).”

Question 38

Dr. Sipowicz has been seeing Annie for six weeks to treat her social phobia and decides it would benefit Annie if her husband attends several of her sessions. When Dr. Sipowicz discusses this with Annie, she agrees and says she’ll bring him to her next session. Annie’s husband is seeing another therapist to deal with his gambling problem. Inviting Annie’s husband to participate in Annie’s therapy sessions is: A. unacceptable since he’s already receiving therapy from another therapist. B. unacceptable unless you’ve determined that he’s not vulnerable to undue influence. C. acceptable since you believe his participation in therapy will benefit Annie. D. acceptable as long as he will only participate in a few sessions with Annie.

Answer 38

Answer C is correct. Standard 5.06 prohibits psychologists from engaging in uninvited in-person solicitation of business, but it also states that this prohibition does not include “attempting to implement appropriate collateral contacts for the purpose of benefiting an already engaged therapy client/patient.” This answer is also consistent with Standard III.28 of the Canadian Code of Ethics, which prohibits psychologists from exploiting “any relationship established as a psychologist to further personal, political, or business interests at the expense of the dignity or well-being of their primary clients, contract examinees, research participants, students, trainees, employers, or others.”

Question 39

Which of the following is most consistent with ethical guidelines for contingent fees? A. Accepting contingent fees is prohibited under any circumstances. B. Accepting contingent fees should usually be avoided. C. Accepting contingent fees is acceptable when all parties voluntarily agree to this arrangement. D. Accepting contingent fees is acceptable as long as it is not prohibited by law.

Answer 39

Answer B is correct. The APA Ethics Code does not refer to contingent fees, but they are addressed in Paragraph 5.02 of the Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology. It states that, “because of the threat to impartiality presented by the acceptance of contingent fees and associated legal prohibitions, forensic practitioners strive to avoid providing professional services on the basis of contingent fees.” This answer is also consistent with the requirements of the Canadian Code of Ethics regarding fees for professional services and conflicts of interest (e.g., Standard III.28).

Question 40

Which of the following best describes ethical requirements regarding sexual relationships with students? A. Psychologists are prohibited from becoming sexually involved with current and former students in their department. B. Psychologists are prohibited from becoming sexually involved with students who are “vulnerable to undue influence.” C. Psychologists are prohibited from becoming sexually involved with students when doing so creates an unacceptable multiple relationship. D. Psychologists are prohibited from becoming sexually involved with students over whom they have or are likely to have evaluative authority.

Answer 40

163 Answer D is correct. This is the best answer because it’s closest to the language of Standard 7.07 of the APA Ethics Code and Standard II.29 of the Canadian Code of Ethics, which prohibit psychologists from becoming sexually involved with students who are in their departments or over whom they have evaluative authority.

Question 41

Dr. Robinson, a licensed psychologist who specializes in treating eating disorders, decides to offer a 90-minute presentation for parents on detecting and treating eating disorders in children and adolescents. In the advertisement for the presentation, Dr. Robinson describes it as a “lecture on the early identification of eating disorders in children and adolescents and treatment options.” There’s a good turnout for the lecture but, at the end of the first 45 minutes, only two parents have asked questions and Dr. Robinson notes that many attendees seem bored. She decides to “liven up” her presentation by having attendees describe their personal experiences with eating disorders. With regard to the requirements of the APA Ethics Code and the Canadian Code of Ethics, this change in format is: A. ethical as long as she explains why she’s changing the format of the presentation. B. ethical as long as she makes it clear that attendees should share information only if they feel comfortable doing so. C. ethical as long as she explains the importance of maintaining confidentiality to the attendees. D. unethical because she advertised her presentation as a “lecture.”

Answer 41

Answer D is correct. Dr. Robinson advertised her program as a lecture, and suddenly changing the format during the lecture would violate the requirements of Standard 7.02 of the APA Ethics Code and Standard III.5 of the Canadian Code of Ethics, which require psychologists to provide accurate descriptions of the content of the programs they provide.

Question 42

As a favor to another psychology professor, Dr. Oliver requires students in his Psychology 101 class to participate in the professor’s research project. In terms of the requirements of the APA Ethics Code and the Canadian Code of Ethics, Dr. Oliver’s requirement is: A. acceptable as long as Dr. Oliver believes that participation in the study will benefit his students. B. acceptable as long as students are told about this requirement during the first class meeting. C. acceptable only if students are given the choice of participating in the study or completing an alternative assignment. D. acceptable only if Dr. Oliver is not involved in the research project.

Answer 42

Answer C is correct. This situation is addressed in Standard 8.04(b) of the APA Ethics Code and Standard I.36 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 8.04(b) states that “when research participation is a course requirement or an opportunity for extra credit, the prospective participant is given the choice of equitable alternative activities.”

Question 43

Dr. Higashi believes she can obtain more useful data if she deceives research participants about certain aspects of her study. As an ethical psychologist, Dr. Higashi should keep in mind that use of deception in research: A. is acceptable only in the “most unusual circumstances.” B. may be acceptable when alternative procedures are not available and subjects are informed about the deception “as early as is feasible.” C. may be acceptable as long as its use is justified by the potential value of the results of the study and subjects are not given any inducement for their participation. D. may be acceptable as long as its use is justified by the potential value of the results of the study and subjects sign a conditional informed consent.

Answer 43

Answer B is correct. This answer is the best one because, even though it doesn’t list all requirements for using deception, it’s most consistent with the provisions of Standard 8.07 of the APA Ethics Code and Standards III.23 and III.25 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 8.07 allows the use of deception when it’s justified by the prospective value of the study, non-deceptive alternatives are not feasible, subjects aren’t deceived about aspects of the study that are likely to cause pain, and subjects are informed about the deception as early as is feasible.

Question 44

When a supervisor has legal responsibility for the actions of a psychology intern, the intern: A. must inform clients that he/she is being supervised. B. must inform clients that he/she is being supervised and give them the supervisor’s name. C. must inform clients about his/her experience and licensure status. D. may or may not inform clients that he/she is being supervised, depending on the situation.

Answer 44

Answer B is correct. This situation is addressed in Standard 10.01(c) of the APA Ethics Code, which states that “when the therapist is a trainee and the legal responsibility for the treatment provided resides with the supervisor,” the client must be informed that the therapist is a trainee who is being supervised and be given the supervisor’s name. This answer is also consistent with the requirements of Standards III.13 and III.22 of the Canadian Code of Ethics.

Question 45

Dr. King realizes that his new client is someone he had a sexual relationship with five years ago while he was in graduate school. The relationship lasted only a few months and ended when they agreed it would be best if they started dating other people. As an ethical psychologist, Dr. King should: A. discuss the situation with the client to determine the best course of action. B. seek consultation with a colleague to determine the best course of action. C. determine if the past relationship will affect his objectivity in therapy. D. refer the client to another therapist.

Answer 45

Answer D is correct. This answer is consistent with Standard 10.07 of the APA Ethics Code, which prohibits psychologists from accepting “as therapy clients/patients persons with whom they have engaged in sexual intimacies.” It is also consistent with the requirements of Standard III.30 of the Canadian Code of Ethics.

Question 46

Dr. Shadid, a licensed psychologist, has a private clinical practice and teaches and conducts research at a large university. Dr. Shadid routinely administers cognitive ability and personality tests to many of his clients as part of his initial assessment and plans to also use the results of tests administered to therapy clients in his research study. In terms of ethical requirements, use of the test results in the research study is: A. acceptable as long as he obtains informed consent from the clients for use of the assessment results for both therapy and research. B. acceptable as long as the identity of each client is removed from the data he uses in his research study. C. acceptable as long as the test results are genuinely needed for the purposes of diagnosis and treatment of his therapy clients. D. unacceptable under any circumstances.

Answer 46

Answer A is correct. Standard 9.03 of the APA Ethics Code applies to this situation. It requires psychologists to obtain informed consent for assessment and to include, as part of the informed consent, “an explanation of the nature and purpose of the assessment.

Question 47

You have been seeing Evan in therapy for four months to treat his social anxiety. Although Evan seemed to make progress in the first few weeks, his symptoms have not changed since then and you do not think he’s benefitting from treatment. When you bring up the possibility of ending therapy and referring him to another therapist, Evan says he feels therapy is very helpful and wants to continue. In terms of ethical requirements, your best course of action would be to: A. continue seeing Evan in therapy since he believes he’s benefitting from it. B. continue seeing Evan in therapy if you can agree on specific treatment goals but, if not, set a termination date. C. continue seeing Evan in therapy for several more sessions but, if nothing changes, bring up the possibility of ending therapy again. D. explain to Evan why you believe he’s not benefitting from therapy and refer him to another therapist.

Answer 47

Answer B is correct. This answer is most consistent with the requirements of Standard 10.10(a) of the APA Ethics Code and Standard II.40 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 10.10(a) states that “psychologists terminate therapy when it becomes reasonably clear that the client/patient no longer needs the service, is not likely to benefit, or is being harmed by continued service.” Unless a reason for continuing therapy (e.g., new therapy goals) can be identified, you would not want to continue seeing a client when you believe the client is no longer benefitting from therapy.

Question 48

Dr. Axelrod’s new client is Michael Moreland, a 35-year-old African American man. Mr. Moreland has worked steadily as a dishwasher since he was 17, but he was laid off six months ago and has been unable to find a job. His presenting symptoms suggest he’s dealing with depression. Dr. Axelrod, a White middle-class cognitive behavioral therapist, specializes in treating depression but hasn’t worked with African American or low-income clients. However, he wants to expand his scope of practice to include members of populations he has not yet worked with. To be consistent with ethical requirements, Dr. Axelrod should: A. agree to see Mr. Moreland in therapy as long as he consults while doing so with a colleague who has experience working with African American and low-income clients. B. agree to see Mr. Moreland in therapy but monitor his effectiveness and obtain relevant education if needed. C. refer Mr. Moreland to another therapist who has experience working with low-income and African American clients. D. explain his lack of experience to Mr. Moreland and let him decide whether or not to continue therapy.

Answer 48

Answer A is correct. This answer is most consistent with Standard 2.01 of the APA Ethics Code and Standard II.6 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 2.01 requires psychologists to obtain appropriate education, training, and consultation when they want to provide professional services to members of new populations or use new therapeutic techniques. An alternative would be to make a referral (answer C), but that’s not required in this situation since Dr. Axelrod specializes in treating depression and wants to expand his scope of practice.

Question 49

After her sixth therapy session with Rusty R., Dr. Berstein realizes that she’s attracted to him and that, between sessions, she sometimes thinks about what it would be like to spend time with him outside of therapy. As an ethical psychologist, Dr. Berstein should: A. recognize her reaction as countertransference and proceed with caution. B. obtain professional consultation to determine the best course of action. C. monitor her behavior in therapy to ensure her feelings toward Rusty don’t impair her judgment. D. refer Rusty to another therapist.

Answer 49

Answer B is correct. This answer is most consistent with Standard 2.06(b) of the APA’s Ethics Code and Standard II.11 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 2.06(b) states that, “when psychologists become aware of personal problems that may interfere with their performing work-related duties adequately, they take appropriate measures, such as obtaining professional consultation or assistance, and determine whether they should limit, suspend, or terminate their work-related duties.”

Question 50

Which of the following best describes implied consent? A. It refers to a person’s informed consent when it is not written or documented. B. It applies only when a person is believed to be a danger to self or others. C. It is inferred from the behaviors or circumstances of a person. D. It applies only when a person lacks the capacity to give informed consent. Hide explanation

Answer 50

Answer C is correct. Implied consent is inferred from the circumstances or actions of a person. For example, a patient’s implied consent for treatment is assumed in emergency situations when the patient is incapacitated and unable to provide informed consent, and a student’s implied consent to participate in a class is assumed when the student registers for and attends the class. Answer D is not the best answer because implied consent does not refer only to consent in the circumstance described in that answer.

Question 51

Dr. Miller saw Roland in therapy for several months when he was 17 years old with the consent of Roland’s parents, and Roland has continued therapy with Dr. Miller since his 18th birthday. Which of the following is consistent with HIPAA requirements regarding access to Roland’s current therapy records and records from therapy he received when he was 17? A. Roland has access to his current therapy records but not his previous records without authorization from his parents, while his parents have access to his previous records but not his current records without authorization from Roland. B. Roland has access to his current and previous therapy records, while his parents have access to his previous records but not his current records without authorization from Roland. C. Roland has access to his current and previous therapy records, while his parents have access to his current and previous records only with authorization from Roland. D. Roland and his parents have access to his current and previous therapy records.

Answer 51

Answer C is correct. When minor clients become adults and are the subjects of PHI, they have all the rights granted by HIPAA’s Privacy Rule regarding PHI, including PHI that was obtained when they received therapy as minors with parental consent. In this situation, parents are ordinarily no longer the legal representatives of their children and, therefore, do not have access to their children’s current or previous PHI without the children’s authorization.

Question 52

Dr. Renee Rochester has been hired to conduct a court-ordered evaluation of Terrance Tillis, the defendant in a criminal court case. To be consistent with the provisions of the APA’s Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology (2013), Dr. Rochester: A. must obtain informed consent from the defendant before conducting the evaluation. B. must obtain informed consent from the defendant and remind him that the evaluation is court-ordered if he refuses to consent. C. does not have to obtain informed consent from the defendant but should tell him about the nature of the services being provided and the limits of confidentiality. D. does not have to obtain informed consent from the defendant unless the court or the defendant’s attorney has asked her to do so.

Answer 52

Answer C is correct. This answer is most consistent with Paragraphs 6.03 and 6.03.02 of the Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology. Paragraph 6.03 states that psychologists inform examinees about the nature and purpose of the examination, limitations on privacy and confidentiality, and the voluntary or involuntary nature of their participation. Paragraph 6.03.02 states that, if an examinee is ordered by the court to undergo an examination, a “forensic practitioner can conduct the examination over the objection, and without the consent, of the examinee…. If the examinee declines to proceed after being notified of the nature and purpose of the forensic examination, the forensic practitioner may consider a variety of options including postponing the examination, advising the examinee to contact his or her attorney, and notifying the retaining party about the examinee’s unwillingness to proceed.”

Question 53

Which of the following statements best describes the requirements of the ethics codes published by the American and Canadian Psychological Associations for bartering? A. Bartering is always unacceptable. B. Bartering is acceptable only in the “most unusual circumstances.” C. Bartering may be acceptable when it’s not clinically contraindicated. D. Bartering may be acceptable when potential conflicts are discussed with the client.

Answer 53

Answer C is correct. Bartering is addressed in Standard 6.05 of the APA Ethics Code and Standard III.28 of the Canadian Code of Ethics, which both prohibit bartering when it is “clinically contraindicated.”

Question 54

Which of the following best describes ethical requirements regarding debriefing research participants about the nature and results of a research study? A. Participants must always be debriefed as soon as possible after their participation in a research study. B. Participants should ordinarily be debriefed as soon as possible but, in some cases, debriefing may be delayed or withheld. C. Participants must be debriefed only when there’s a chance they were psychologically or physically harmed by the research. D. Participants must be debriefed as soon as possible only when they were deceived about important aspects of the study.

Answer 54

Answer B is correct. Debriefing is addressed in Standard 8.08 of the APA’s Ethics Code and in Principles III.16 and III.25 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 8.08(a) requires psychologists to promptly debrief research participants “about the nature, results, and conclusions of the research.” However, Standard 8.08(b) states that “if scientific or humane values justify delaying or withholding this information, psychologists take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of harm.” Answer D is not the best answer because it’s not true that participants must be debriefed as soon as possible only when the study involved deception.

Question 55

In his dissertation proposal, a graduate student uses the organization and headings used by the author of a published journal article and uses arguments and data presented by that author and the author of another published article on the same topic to justify his study’s hypotheses. He cites both authors once in the introductory paragraph to his proposal. In terms of ethical requirements, this is: A. acceptable since the graduate students cited the authors in the opening paragraph of his proposal. B. acceptable even if the graduate student doesn’t cite the authors since this is just a dissertation proposal. C. acceptable as long as the headings and arguments are not verbatim replications of the other authors’ work. D. unacceptable since the graduate student has not given adequate credit to the other authors.

Answer 55

Answer D is correct. This answer is most consistent with the requirements of Standard 8.11 of the APA Ethics Code and Standard I.7 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 8.11 prohibits psychologists from presenting “portions of another’s work or data as their own, even if the other work or data source is cited occasionally,” and Standard III.7 requires psychologists to “take credit only for the work and ideas that they have actually done or generated, and give credit for work done or ideas contributed by others.” Simply citing the authors once in an introductory paragraph is inadequate given the extent to which the student has included their work in his proposal.

Question 56

A graduate student recently completed a research study and simultaneously submitted the article he wrote about the study to three APA journals. This is: A. acceptable. B. acceptable only if he informed each journal that he had submitted the article to two other journals. C. acceptable only if, after finding out that one journal intends to publish the article, he immediately notifies the other journals and withdraws his submission to those journals. D. unacceptable.

Answer 56

nswer D is correct. Simultaneous (concurrent) submission of an article to multiple journals is not addressed in the APA’s Ethics Code or Canadian Code of Ethics. However, as noted by Belcher (2019), it is unacceptable for the author(s) of a journal article to simultaneously submit the same journal article to more than one journal. Instead, the author(s) should submit the article to one journal at a time and wait for it to be rejected by one journal before submitting it to another journal.

Question 57

To be consistent with ethical guidelines when conducting research, psychologists: A. must always debrief research participants immediately after their participation. B. must debrief research participants after their participation only when they may have been physically or psychologically harmed by their participation in the study. C. should ordinarily debrief research participants immediately after their participation but, when that isn’t possible, should take steps to reduce the risk for harm. D. should debrief research participants immediately after their participation if they’ve been deceived about some aspects of the study.

Answer 57

Answer C is correct. This answer is most consistent with Standard 8.08 of the APA’s Ethics Code and Principles II.47 and III.25 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 8.08(a) states that “psychologists provide a prompt opportunity for participants to obtain appropriate information about the nature, results, and conclusions of the research, and they take reasonable steps to correct any misconceptions that participants may have of which the psychologists are aware. Standard 8.08(b) states “if scientific or humane values justify delaying or withholding this information, psychologists take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of harm.”

Question 58

A psychologist is conducting clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment for children, ages 9 to 12 years, who have received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder with comorbid symptoms of acute stress disorder. Before administering the intervention to each child, the psychologist must obtain consent from the child’s legal guardian(s) and: A. assent from the child. B. assent from the child when the child is under 12 years of age or consent from the child when the child is 12 years of age or older. C. assent from the child unless assent is waived because an appropriate mechanism for protecting the child’s safety will be provided. D. assent from the child unless assent is waived on capacity grounds or grounds of direct benefit to the child.

Answer 58

Answer D is correct. This situation is addressed by Fisher (2017) in her discussion of the application of Standard 8.02 of the APA’s Ethics Code to pediatric clinical trials. She notes that U.S. federal regulations [CFR 46.408(a)] permit waiver of a child’s assent to participate in research that involves a therapeutic intervention when the child does not have the capacity to consent or when the research offers benefits to the health of the child that cannot be obtained from interventions available outside the research study.

Question 59

Which of the following best describes ethical guidelines regarding the use of automated scoring and interpretation services? A. Use of automated services is acceptable as long as they have been developed by licensed mental health professionals. B. Use of automated services is acceptable as long as they have adequate evidence of their validity and other psychometric properties. C. Use of automated services is acceptable only when they are provided by the test publisher. D. Use of automated services is unacceptable.

Answer 59

Answer B is correct. The use of test scoring and interpretation services is addressed by Standard 9.09(b), which states that “psychologists select scoring and interpretation services (including automated services) on the basis of the validity of the program and procedures as well as on other appropriate considerations.”

Question 60

Toward the end of her third date with Cedric, Dr. Sheldon realizes that Cedric is the brother of one of her therapy clients. Dr. Sheldon is very attracted to Cedric, wants to continue dating him, and thinks they might have a future together. To be consistent with ethical requirements, Dr. Sheldon: A. will continue dating Cedric only if he’s the brother of a former (not current) client of hers. B. will continue dating Cedric if he’s the brother of a current client only if she discusses the potential for problems with the client and with Cedric. C. will continue dating Cedric if he’s the brother of a current client only if she terminates therapy with the client. D. will not continue dating Cedric whether he’s the brother of a current or former client under any circumstances.

Answer 60

Answer A is correct. This situation is addressed in Standard 10.06 of the APA’s Ethics Code and Principle III.28 of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 10.06 states that “psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with individuals they know to be close relatives, guardians, or significant others of current clients/patients … [and they] do not terminate therapy to circumvent this standard.” The Codes do not prohibit becoming sexually involved with relatives of former clients, although a psychologist would want to consider the potential impact of doing so. However, because none of the answers address this responsibility, answer A is the best answer of those given.

Question 61

A psychologist would most likely violate ethical requirements for maintaining test security when he or she: A. provides clients with the raw or scaled scores they obtained on a test. B. discusses clients’ responses to test items to help them understand their test results. C. provides a client’s attorney with a copy of test items and the client’s answers to the items in response to a subpoena and with the client’s permission. D. allows clients to complete self-administered tests online at home when doing so is approved by the test publisher.

Answer 61

Answer C is correct. Standard 9.11 of the APA Ethics Code and Standard IV.11 of the Canadian Code of Ethics apply to this situation. Standard 9.11 requires psychologists to “maintain the integrity and security of test materials,” which it defines as “manuals, protocols, and tests questions or stimuli.” Answers C and D both address test security. Answer C is the best answer because providing test items to an attorney is questionable since an attorney is unlikely to be trained in psychological testing and to be legally or ethically required to maintain test security. As noted by the APA Committee on Psychological Tests and Assessments (https://www.apa.org/science/programs/testing/test-security-faq), the best course of action in this situation is to request that test materials be released to a qualified psychologist or obtain a protective order from the court that requires all parties to maintain test security. Answer D describes an acceptable course of action. Note, however, that precautions should be taken to maintain test security. For example, clients should be advised that third-party observation and recording of the test in any form are not allowed. Answers A and B can be eliminated because they address the use of test data (which is not covered by this Standard) and describe acceptable actions.

Question 62

Dr. Liu is the only therapist in his community who specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders. He receives a call from Susan S. who wants to begin therapy with him to deal with the anxiety attacks she started having after receiving a big promotion at work several weeks ago. Dr. Liu and Susan had a brief sexual relationship in graduate school five years ago. Their relationship ended amicably and they have not seen each other in over three years. If Dr. Liu accepts Susan as a client: A. he will have acted ethically as long as he has determined that their previous relationship will not affect his objectivity or effectiveness when working with Susan in therapy. B. he will have acted ethically since more than two years have passed since his relationship with Susan ended. C. he will have acted ethically as long as he discusses the possible problems of seeing Susan in therapy during the informed consent process. D. he will have acted unethically.

Answer 62

Answer D is correct. Standard 10.07 applies to this situation. It prohibits psychologists from providing therapy to individuals they have been sexually involved with in the past, and there is no time limit on this prohibition.

Question 63

During your fifth session with Bonnie, she tells you that her boyfriend, Bruno, is very angry with you because he thinks you’re trying to get her to leave him and he’s threatening to “beat you up.” You know from what Bonnie has told you in previous sessions that Bruno is a violent person and has spent time in jail for physical assault more than once. To be consistent with ethical requirements, you: A. should continue seeing Bonnie in therapy but contact the police about Bruno’s threat. B. should suggest that Bonnie bring her boyfriend with her to the next therapy session. C. may terminate therapy with Bonnie but must provide her with pretermination counseling and referrals before doing so. D. may terminate therapy with Bonnie with or without providing her with pretermination counseling and referrals.

Answer 63

Answer D is correct. This situation is addressed in Standard 10.10 of the APA’s Ethics Code and the Values Statement for Principle II of the Canadian Code of Ethics. Standard 10.10(b) states that psychologists may terminate therapy with clients when they’re “threatened or otherwise endangered by the client/patient or another person with whom the client/patient has a relationship.” And Standard 10.10(c) states that, “except where precluded by the actions of clients/patients or third-party payors, prior to termination psychologists provide pretermination counseling and suggest alternative service providers as appropriate.” As noted by C. B. Fisher, Standard 10.10(c) applies when a psychologist terminates therapy with a client because he/she is endangered by the client or someone involved in a relationship with the client [Decoding the ethics code (4th ed.), Los Angeles, SAGE, 2017].