Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology EPPP – Ethics
Exam Questions (with COMPLETE SOLUTION)
Psychologists can use animals in research if what 2 conditions are met? Correct Answer: 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 Answer: 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 Answer: 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 Answer:
"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 Answer: Client Confidentiality
When recording voices/images in research; when is informed consent not required? Correct
Answer: 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 Answer: Informed consent is provided during debriefing
What is the legal concept that protects a client's confidentiality in the context of legal
proceedings? Correct Answer: Privilege
Typically;is the holder of the privilege. Correct Answer: The client
What has the data on sexual misconduct by therapists consistently shown? Correct Answer:
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 Answer: None (Pope et al.; 1993)
, When can a psychologist use client testimonials? Correct Answer: 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 Answer: 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 Answer: 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 Answer: 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 Answer: 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 Answer: 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 Answer: 1. It is not clinically
contraindicated; 2. It is not exploitative
In a legal proceeding; if a defendant lacks sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer
with a reasonable degree of rational understanding; and a rational as well as a factual
understanding of the proceedings against him/her; s/he is deemed . Correct Answer:
Incompetent to stand trial
A person who by reason of education or specialized experience possesses superior knowledge
regarding a subject about which persons having no particular training are incapable of forming
an accurate opinion or deducing correct conclusions is referred to as an Correct Answer: .
Expert Witness
A refers to a person who testifies as to what they saw; heard; or otherwise observed regarding a
circumstance; event or occurrence as it actually took place. Correct Answer: Fact Witness
Exam Questions (with COMPLETE SOLUTION)
Psychologists can use animals in research if what 2 conditions are met? Correct Answer: 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 Answer: 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 Answer: 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 Answer:
"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 Answer: Client Confidentiality
When recording voices/images in research; when is informed consent not required? Correct
Answer: 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 Answer: Informed consent is provided during debriefing
What is the legal concept that protects a client's confidentiality in the context of legal
proceedings? Correct Answer: Privilege
Typically;is the holder of the privilege. Correct Answer: The client
What has the data on sexual misconduct by therapists consistently shown? Correct Answer:
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 Answer: None (Pope et al.; 1993)
, When can a psychologist use client testimonials? Correct Answer: 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 Answer: 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 Answer: 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 Answer: 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 Answer: 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 Answer: 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 Answer: 1. It is not clinically
contraindicated; 2. It is not exploitative
In a legal proceeding; if a defendant lacks sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer
with a reasonable degree of rational understanding; and a rational as well as a factual
understanding of the proceedings against him/her; s/he is deemed . Correct Answer:
Incompetent to stand trial
A person who by reason of education or specialized experience possesses superior knowledge
regarding a subject about which persons having no particular training are incapable of forming
an accurate opinion or deducing correct conclusions is referred to as an Correct Answer: .
Expert Witness
A refers to a person who testifies as to what they saw; heard; or otherwise observed regarding a
circumstance; event or occurrence as it actually took place. Correct Answer: Fact Witness
