LSP Ethics & Professional Standards 3

Question 1

A psychologist is conducting research and realizes mid-study that one condition is significantly more beneficial than the control condition. Ethically, what should the researcher do?

Accepted Answer

Consider stopping the study early or offering the beneficial treatment to control participants

Answer

When evidence clearly demonstrates significant harm or benefit during a study, researchers have an ethical obligation to consider stopping early and providing the effective treatment to those in the control group.

Question 2

Under HIPAA, which of the following is NOT considered Protected Health Information (PHI)?

Accepted Answer

De-identified data from which all 18 HIPAA identifiers have been removed

Answer

Properly de-identified data from which all 18 HIPAA identifiers have been removed is not considered PHI and is not subject to HIPAA protections.

Question 3

A psychologist is asked to evaluate a defendant's competency to stand trial. Which competency standard is derived from Dusky v. United States (1960)?

Accepted Answer

Whether the defendant has sufficient ability to consult with counsel and rational understanding of proceedings

Answer

Dusky v. United States established the legal standard that a defendant must have sufficient present ability to consult with their attorney with a reasonable degree of rational understanding and a rational and factual understanding of the proceedings.

Question 4

A psychologist's client is a mandated reporter (e.g., a teacher) who discloses witnessing child abuse but refuses to report it. What is the psychologist's ethical obligation?

Accepted Answer

Encourage the client to fulfill their mandatory reporting obligation but respect their autonomy

Answer

The psychologist should encourage the client to fulfill their legal duty as a mandated reporter, but the psychologist's own duty to report is typically triggered by direct knowledge of abuse, not by the client's disclosure alone.

Question 5

Which ethical principle most directly addresses a psychologist's obligation to avoid exploiting clients financially by charging fees that far exceed market rates?

Accepted Answer

Nonmaleficence

Answer

Nonmaleficence — 'do no harm' — encompasses avoiding practices that exploit clients, including unreasonable fee structures that take advantage of the power differential in the therapeutic relationship.

(LSP) Licensed Specialist in Psychology Certification Practice Test

(LSP) Licensed Specialist in Psychology Certification Practice Test

LSP Ethics & Professional Standards 3