EPPP – Ethics Exam Questions and
Answers
Psychologists can use animals in research if what 2 conditions are met? - Correct
Answers -1. It is in compliance with current federal; state; and local laws and
regulations; and with professional standards; 2. Reasonable efforts are made to
minimize discomfort; infection; illness; and pain to animals
Psychologists are required to work within the boundaries of their ; which can be based
on their education; training; supervised experience; consultation; study; or professional
experience. - Correct Answers -Competence
What course of action should you take if you discover a colleague has been violating an
ethical standard that puts no clients in direct harm? - Correct Answers -Attempt to
resolve the problem informally by discussing the matter with the offender
When should a psychologist make a formal report to the Ethics Committee; state
licensing board; or other appropriate authority regarding unethical behavior by a
colleague? - Correct Answers -"When the problem involves ""substantial harm"" and is
not appropriate for an informal resolution or has not been resolved satisfactorily by an
attempt at an informal resolution"
always takes precedence over the need to educate or punish an offending psychologist;
which must always be considered before filing a complaint. - Correct Answers -Client
Confidentiality
When recording voices/images in research; when is informed consent not required? -
Correct Answers -When the research consists solely of naturalistic observations in
public places; and it is not anticipated that the recording will be used in a manner that
could cause personal identification or harm
Describe the nature of informed consent when research involves recording
voices/images and deception. - Correct Answers -Informed consent is provided during
debriefing
What is the legal concept that protects a client's confidentiality in the context of legal
proceedings? - Correct Answers -Privilege
Typically;is the holder of the privilege. - Correct Answers -The client
, What has the data on sexual misconduct by therapists consistently shown? - Correct
Answers -Male therapists violate much more than female therapists; and they are
usually older (42-44 y/o) than the female clients (30-33 y/o) they become involved with
What relationships have been found between risk for sexual misconduct and theoretical
orientation; professional experience;or education? - Correct Answers -None (Pope et
al.; 1993)
When can a psychologist use client testimonials? - Correct Answers -When they are not
solicited from current therapy clients or other persons who; because of their
circumstances; are vulnerable to undue influence
In a consultative relationship; when is it appropriate to disclose confidential client
information? - Correct Answers -1. When the consultant and consultee have a
confidential relationship; 2. If the consultee has obtained prior consent of the person or
organization; 3. If disclosure is unavoidable
A psychologist has been meeting regularly with a child whose parents recently filed for
divorce and have requested a child custody evaluation. What course of action should
the psychologist take? - Correct Answers -While not required; The Guidelines states
psychologists generally avoid conducting such evaluations when s/he has served in a
therapeutic role for the child or their family
What 4 conditions must be met in order for a client to bring a claim of malpractice
against a psychologist? - Correct Answers -1. Psychologist must have had a
professional relationship with the person; 2. Must be a demonstrable standard of care
breached by psychologist; 3. Person suffered harm or injury; 4. Harm or injury was
proximally caused by psychologist's breach of duty within context of standard of care
Is it ever appropriate for a psychologist to pay; receive payment from; or divide fees with
another professional for referring them a client? - Correct Answers -No; this is unethical.
All payments in such situations must be based on the services provided (e.g.; clinical;
consultative; administrative)
"What legal decision originally established a psychologists ""duty to warn;"" which later
became a ""duty to protect?""" - Correct Answers -The Tarasoff Decision; which regards
a client's admission of intent to harm another person
Bartering is allowed only if what two conditions are met? - Correct Answers -1. It is not
clinically contraindicated; 2. It is not exploitative
During the third psychotherapy session with a client the psychologist realizes the client
is the principal at his daughter's school. What should he do? - Correct Answers -Discuss
the situation with the client and assess whether the dual relationship could be expected
to impair objectivity; competence; or effectivenessor result in client exploitation or harm
Answers
Psychologists can use animals in research if what 2 conditions are met? - Correct
Answers -1. It is in compliance with current federal; state; and local laws and
regulations; and with professional standards; 2. Reasonable efforts are made to
minimize discomfort; infection; illness; and pain to animals
Psychologists are required to work within the boundaries of their ; which can be based
on their education; training; supervised experience; consultation; study; or professional
experience. - Correct Answers -Competence
What course of action should you take if you discover a colleague has been violating an
ethical standard that puts no clients in direct harm? - Correct Answers -Attempt to
resolve the problem informally by discussing the matter with the offender
When should a psychologist make a formal report to the Ethics Committee; state
licensing board; or other appropriate authority regarding unethical behavior by a
colleague? - Correct Answers -"When the problem involves ""substantial harm"" and is
not appropriate for an informal resolution or has not been resolved satisfactorily by an
attempt at an informal resolution"
always takes precedence over the need to educate or punish an offending psychologist;
which must always be considered before filing a complaint. - Correct Answers -Client
Confidentiality
When recording voices/images in research; when is informed consent not required? -
Correct Answers -When the research consists solely of naturalistic observations in
public places; and it is not anticipated that the recording will be used in a manner that
could cause personal identification or harm
Describe the nature of informed consent when research involves recording
voices/images and deception. - Correct Answers -Informed consent is provided during
debriefing
What is the legal concept that protects a client's confidentiality in the context of legal
proceedings? - Correct Answers -Privilege
Typically;is the holder of the privilege. - Correct Answers -The client
, What has the data on sexual misconduct by therapists consistently shown? - Correct
Answers -Male therapists violate much more than female therapists; and they are
usually older (42-44 y/o) than the female clients (30-33 y/o) they become involved with
What relationships have been found between risk for sexual misconduct and theoretical
orientation; professional experience;or education? - Correct Answers -None (Pope et
al.; 1993)
When can a psychologist use client testimonials? - Correct Answers -When they are not
solicited from current therapy clients or other persons who; because of their
circumstances; are vulnerable to undue influence
In a consultative relationship; when is it appropriate to disclose confidential client
information? - Correct Answers -1. When the consultant and consultee have a
confidential relationship; 2. If the consultee has obtained prior consent of the person or
organization; 3. If disclosure is unavoidable
A psychologist has been meeting regularly with a child whose parents recently filed for
divorce and have requested a child custody evaluation. What course of action should
the psychologist take? - Correct Answers -While not required; The Guidelines states
psychologists generally avoid conducting such evaluations when s/he has served in a
therapeutic role for the child or their family
What 4 conditions must be met in order for a client to bring a claim of malpractice
against a psychologist? - Correct Answers -1. Psychologist must have had a
professional relationship with the person; 2. Must be a demonstrable standard of care
breached by psychologist; 3. Person suffered harm or injury; 4. Harm or injury was
proximally caused by psychologist's breach of duty within context of standard of care
Is it ever appropriate for a psychologist to pay; receive payment from; or divide fees with
another professional for referring them a client? - Correct Answers -No; this is unethical.
All payments in such situations must be based on the services provided (e.g.; clinical;
consultative; administrative)
"What legal decision originally established a psychologists ""duty to warn;"" which later
became a ""duty to protect?""" - Correct Answers -The Tarasoff Decision; which regards
a client's admission of intent to harm another person
Bartering is allowed only if what two conditions are met? - Correct Answers -1. It is not
clinically contraindicated; 2. It is not exploitative
During the third psychotherapy session with a client the psychologist realizes the client
is the principal at his daughter's school. What should he do? - Correct Answers -Discuss
the situation with the client and assess whether the dual relationship could be expected
to impair objectivity; competence; or effectivenessor result in client exploitation or harm
