ASPD Ethical Standards and Practice 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the APA Ethics Code, a psychologist may break confidentiality to warn a third party when a client with ASPD threatens serious harm. This is known as:
- Mandatory reporting
- The Tarasoff duty-to-protect obligation (Correct answer)
- Privileged communication waiver
- Mandated treatment
Correct answer: The Tarasoff duty-to-protect obligation
The Tarasoff ruling established the duty to protect identifiable third parties from credible, serious threats.
Question 2: A probation officer refers a client with ASPD for mandated therapy. The ethically sound first step is to:
- Begin cognitive restructuring immediately
- Clarify the limits of confidentiality and the reporting relationship with the probation office (Correct answer)
- Request the client sign a general release for all information
- Refuse to treat mandated clients
Correct answer: Clarify the limits of confidentiality and the reporting relationship with the probation office
Clients must understand from the outset what information will be shared with referring agencies as part of modified informed consent.
Question 3: Which practice is ethically prohibited when conducting a psychological evaluation of someone with suspected ASPD?
- Using structured interviews
- Administering the PCL-R without proper training and certification (Correct answer)
- Reviewing prior treatment records
- Interviewing collateral informants
Correct answer: Administering the PCL-R without proper training and certification
Psychologists are ethically bound to use assessments only within their area of competence, and the PCL-R requires specific training.
Question 4: A client with ASPD asks the therapist to write a letter stating they are 'cured' for an employment background check. The therapist should:
- Write the letter to support the client's reintegration
- Decline and explain they cannot provide false or misleading documentation (Correct answer)
- Write a vague letter that avoids definitive claims
- Refer the client to another provider
Correct answer: Decline and explain they cannot provide false or misleading documentation
Providing false documentation violates honesty and integrity standards central to professional ethics.
Question 5: In group therapy for ASPD, the ethical risk of predatory behavior toward other group members requires the facilitator to:
- Ban ASPD clients from group formats entirely
- Establish and enforce clear group norms and monitor for exploitation (Correct answer)
- Allow natural group dynamics without intervention
- Pair ASPD clients only with other antisocial individuals
Correct answer: Establish and enforce clear group norms and monitor for exploitation
Protecting vulnerable group members from exploitation is a core ethical duty of group facilitators.
Question 6: A researcher studying ASPD wants to offer participants extra compensation to increase recruitment. The primary ethical concern is:
- Wasting research funds
- Undue inducement that undermines voluntary participation (Correct answer)
- Violating HIPAA regulations
- Overstating research benefits
Correct answer: Undue inducement that undermines voluntary participation
Excessive incentives can compromise voluntariness, which is a foundational element of research ethics.
Question 7: When documenting a diagnosis of ASPD, clinicians should be aware that records may be used in legal proceedings. Ethical documentation requires:
- Omitting the diagnosis to protect the client
- Accurate, objective language that avoids pejorative labeling (Correct answer)
- Including speculative criminal history
- Minimizing symptom severity to prevent stigma
Correct answer: Accurate, objective language that avoids pejorative labeling
Accurate and objective documentation protects both the client and the clinician while meeting professional standards.
ASPD Ethical Standards and Practice 3
Under the APA Ethics Code, a psychologist may break confidentiality to warn a third party when a client with ASPD threatens serious harm.
This is known as: