Ethical Standards & Professional Conduct Flashcards
7 cards from real ASPPB practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ethical Standards & Professional Conduct flashcards as text
A psychologist is asked by a client to write a letter supporting their emotional support animal (ESA) for housing. The psychologist has only met with the client twice. The most ethical approach is to:
Answer: Conduct a thorough assessment to support the documentation with clinical validity
Psychologists must base professional documentation on adequate assessment and not provide letters that misrepresent their knowledge of the client's clinical status.
Under ASPPB's Model Act, which behavior would most clearly constitute unprofessional conduct warranting disciplinary action?
Answer: Billing for services not rendered
Billing for services not rendered constitutes fraud and is a clear violation of professional and ethical conduct standards enforceable by licensing boards.
A psychologist who practices in a rural area is the only mental health provider within 50 miles. A potential client is also an acquaintance. The psychologist should:
Answer: Proceed with treatment after carefully considering potential risks and documenting the decision
In rural settings, multiple relationships are sometimes unavoidable; the ethical standard requires careful risk assessment and documentation rather than blanket refusal.
Which action best exemplifies the ethical standard of fidelity in professional psychology?
Answer: Honoring commitments made to clients, colleagues, and the profession
Fidelity refers to being trustworthy and keeping commitments to those with whom psychologists work, a core principle of the APA Ethics Code.
A client who was previously seen for depression contacts a psychologist asking to restart treatment after a 3-year gap. The psychologist should treat this as:
Answer: A new client intake requiring updated assessment and a new informed consent process
A significant treatment gap requires treating the person as a new intake, including fresh assessment and updated informed consent to reflect current circumstances.
The ASPPB Code of Conduct specifically addresses 'record keeping' by requiring that records be maintained to:
Answer: Facilitate the continuity and quality of care and protect client welfare
Record keeping standards in psychology are primarily designed to ensure continuity of care and protect client welfare, not primarily for billing or legal self-protection.
A psychologist who provides expert witness testimony that they know is scientifically unsupported because it favors the retaining attorney's case is violating which ethical standard?
Answer: Integrity, by misrepresenting scientific knowledge
Providing false or misleading expert testimony violates the APA ethical standard of integrity, which prohibits misrepresentation of psychological science.