EPPP Ethics Test Questions and Correct
Answers
Question 1
A psychologist sends the MMPI to a client through the mail. The client will complete
the test at home and return it to the psychologist by mail. This is:
A. acceptable as long as the client has signed a statement saying she will not breach
test security.
B. acceptable as long as the psychologist provides adequate instructions over the
phone.
C. acceptable as long as the test is sent by certified mail.
D. unacceptable.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer is: D
This is pretty clear: As a psychologist, you're responsible for maintaining test
security. In addition, you'd want to administer the MMPI under controlled
conditions to obtain valid results. If you sent the test to the client, you'd have no
control over testing conditions.
Page 1 of 82
,Question 2
A psychologist is asked by the attorney for the father in a divorce procedure to
determine, in his expert opinion, which parent is better able to care for the children.
The father is in the same state as the psychologist but the mother is in a distant state.
The psychologist should
Select one:
A. agree to evaluate the father and give his opinion as requested as long as the
conclusions are not influenced by who pays the fee.
B. evaluate the father but not send the report until asked for it by the judge.
C. evaluate the children and both parents before giving such an opinion.
D. refuse to accept this work since there can be no firm predictions made as to which
parent would be better able to care for the children.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer is: C
The basic principle is that you can't give an opinion as to which parent will be better
able to care for the children unless you interview both parents and the children.
Otherwise, all you can attest to is your findings about the psychological health of
whomever you evaluate. You can't, if you only see one of the parents, opine as to
which one is better: You'd have no basis to come to such a conclusion.
Page 2 of 82
,Question 3
Which of the following statements regarding therapist-client sexual relations is,
according to research, most correct?
Select one:
A. Therapists treating clients with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder,
Histrionic Personality Disorder, or who have a history of incest are more likely to
become sexually involved with their patients than other therapists.
B. Therapists who become sexually involved with their patients are likely to have less
formal education or to have received less professional recognition than other
therapists.
C. Therapists who have completed a personal course of therapy are less likely to
become sexually involved with their patients than therapists who have not undergone
therapy.
D. Therapists who become sexually involved with a patient typically do so with a
patient who is significantly younger.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer is: D
Kenneth Pope, in an appendix of his book Sexual Feelings in Psychotherapy
(Washington, DC: APA, 1993), provides a review of the research in the area of client-
therapist sexual relations. Only the correct choice reflects research findings -- one
study found that the average ages of therapists and clients sexually involved with
each other were 43 and 33, respectively; another study found these ages to be 42
and 30.
Therapists treating clients with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder,
Histrionic Personality Disorder, or who have a history of incest are more likely
to become sexually involved with their patients than other therapists.
In contrast to this option, no research supports the notion that a particular
diagnosis or history places a patient at greater risk for sexual involvement with a
therapist.
Therapists who become sexually involved with their patients are likely to have
less formal education or to have received less professional recognition than
other therapists.
This is also incorrect -- in fact, one study found that psychologists who had attained
a high level of professional achievement reported a higher rate of sex with patients.
Therapists who have completed a personal course of therapy are less likely to
become sexually involved with their patients than therapists who have not
undergone therapy.
Page 3 of 82
, Similarly, in regard to this choice, one study found that psychologists who had
completed psychotherapy or psychoanalysis were more likely to have become
sexually involved with a patient than those therapists who hadn't undergone
therapy.
According to Pope, the best single predictor of sexual exploitation in therapy is a
therapist who has exploited a patient in the past.
Question 4
A new client comes to see you and you find his political views to be distasteful. In this
situation, as an ethical psychologist, you should:
Select one:
A. refer the client to someone else.
B. discuss your feelings with the client and assess to determine if his views are
reflective of underlying psychopathology.
C. respect the client's political views and proceed with therapy.
D. seek consultation.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer is: C
Principle E (Respect for People's Rights and Dignity) states that "Psychologists are
aware of and respect cultural, individual, and role differences, including those based
on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion,
sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status and consider
these factors when working with members of such groups."
respect the client's political views and proceed with therapy.
Therefore, this is the best answer, since it is most consistent with this ethical
principle.
A consultation or even a referral may be necessary if your ability to conduct therapy
would be impaired. However, there is no reason why a difference of political opinion
alone should interfere with therapy.
Page 4 of 82
Answers
Question 1
A psychologist sends the MMPI to a client through the mail. The client will complete
the test at home and return it to the psychologist by mail. This is:
A. acceptable as long as the client has signed a statement saying she will not breach
test security.
B. acceptable as long as the psychologist provides adequate instructions over the
phone.
C. acceptable as long as the test is sent by certified mail.
D. unacceptable.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer is: D
This is pretty clear: As a psychologist, you're responsible for maintaining test
security. In addition, you'd want to administer the MMPI under controlled
conditions to obtain valid results. If you sent the test to the client, you'd have no
control over testing conditions.
Page 1 of 82
,Question 2
A psychologist is asked by the attorney for the father in a divorce procedure to
determine, in his expert opinion, which parent is better able to care for the children.
The father is in the same state as the psychologist but the mother is in a distant state.
The psychologist should
Select one:
A. agree to evaluate the father and give his opinion as requested as long as the
conclusions are not influenced by who pays the fee.
B. evaluate the father but not send the report until asked for it by the judge.
C. evaluate the children and both parents before giving such an opinion.
D. refuse to accept this work since there can be no firm predictions made as to which
parent would be better able to care for the children.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer is: C
The basic principle is that you can't give an opinion as to which parent will be better
able to care for the children unless you interview both parents and the children.
Otherwise, all you can attest to is your findings about the psychological health of
whomever you evaluate. You can't, if you only see one of the parents, opine as to
which one is better: You'd have no basis to come to such a conclusion.
Page 2 of 82
,Question 3
Which of the following statements regarding therapist-client sexual relations is,
according to research, most correct?
Select one:
A. Therapists treating clients with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder,
Histrionic Personality Disorder, or who have a history of incest are more likely to
become sexually involved with their patients than other therapists.
B. Therapists who become sexually involved with their patients are likely to have less
formal education or to have received less professional recognition than other
therapists.
C. Therapists who have completed a personal course of therapy are less likely to
become sexually involved with their patients than therapists who have not undergone
therapy.
D. Therapists who become sexually involved with a patient typically do so with a
patient who is significantly younger.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer is: D
Kenneth Pope, in an appendix of his book Sexual Feelings in Psychotherapy
(Washington, DC: APA, 1993), provides a review of the research in the area of client-
therapist sexual relations. Only the correct choice reflects research findings -- one
study found that the average ages of therapists and clients sexually involved with
each other were 43 and 33, respectively; another study found these ages to be 42
and 30.
Therapists treating clients with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder,
Histrionic Personality Disorder, or who have a history of incest are more likely
to become sexually involved with their patients than other therapists.
In contrast to this option, no research supports the notion that a particular
diagnosis or history places a patient at greater risk for sexual involvement with a
therapist.
Therapists who become sexually involved with their patients are likely to have
less formal education or to have received less professional recognition than
other therapists.
This is also incorrect -- in fact, one study found that psychologists who had attained
a high level of professional achievement reported a higher rate of sex with patients.
Therapists who have completed a personal course of therapy are less likely to
become sexually involved with their patients than therapists who have not
undergone therapy.
Page 3 of 82
, Similarly, in regard to this choice, one study found that psychologists who had
completed psychotherapy or psychoanalysis were more likely to have become
sexually involved with a patient than those therapists who hadn't undergone
therapy.
According to Pope, the best single predictor of sexual exploitation in therapy is a
therapist who has exploited a patient in the past.
Question 4
A new client comes to see you and you find his political views to be distasteful. In this
situation, as an ethical psychologist, you should:
Select one:
A. refer the client to someone else.
B. discuss your feelings with the client and assess to determine if his views are
reflective of underlying psychopathology.
C. respect the client's political views and proceed with therapy.
D. seek consultation.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer is: C
Principle E (Respect for People's Rights and Dignity) states that "Psychologists are
aware of and respect cultural, individual, and role differences, including those based
on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion,
sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status and consider
these factors when working with members of such groups."
respect the client's political views and proceed with therapy.
Therefore, this is the best answer, since it is most consistent with this ethical
principle.
A consultation or even a referral may be necessary if your ability to conduct therapy
would be impaired. However, there is no reason why a difference of political opinion
alone should interfere with therapy.
Page 4 of 82
