Ethics and Professional Standards Flashcards
7 cards from real HSP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ethics and Professional Standards flashcards as text
A psychologist working in a hospital setting is asked by a nurse colleague to diagnose a patient 'informally' without conducting an assessment. The psychologist should:
Answer: Decline, as diagnoses require adequate assessment and formal evaluation
APA Standard 9.01 requires adequate assessment data before rendering a diagnosis; informal opinions without assessment are ethically prohibited.
Which principle from Beauchamp and Childress's bioethical framework obligates psychologists to take active steps to benefit clients?
Answer: Beneficence
Beneficence requires psychologists to act in the positive interest of clients, going beyond merely avoiding harm.
A psychologist receives a subpoena for client records in a civil case. What is the most appropriate initial step?
Answer: Notify and consult with the client, then seek legal guidance before releasing records
Upon receiving a subpoena, psychologists should notify the client, consult with legal counsel, and assert privilege unless a court order compels disclosure.
A psychologist completes a forensic evaluation and forms an opinion unfavorable to the retaining attorney's client. Ethically, the psychologist should:
Answer: Maintain the objective, evidence-based opinion regardless of its impact on the case
Forensic psychologists must maintain objectivity and accuracy; altering opinions based on the retaining party's interests violates APA and SGFP ethics.
A psychologist notices they have developed strong romantic feelings for a current therapy client. The FIRST action should be:
Answer: Seek personal therapy or supervision to address the feelings and protect the client
When experiencing countertransference feelings, psychologists must seek supervision or personal therapy to prevent harm to the client and protect professional boundaries.
Which of the following is an example of a 'small world' or 'unavoidable multiple relationship' that is LEAST likely to be ethically problematic?
Answer: Treating the only available referral in a rural community where incidental contact is inevitable
In rural or underserved communities, overlapping relationships may be unavoidable and manageable with proper informed consent and boundary monitoring.
The APA Ethics Code's Aspirational Principles differ from Enforceable Standards in that aspirational principles:
Answer: Are ideals that guide psychologists toward the highest conduct but are not subject to disciplinary action
Aspirational principles (General Principles A–E) represent ideals for ethical conduct but are not themselves enforceable; only the Ethical Standards are enforceable.