EPPP Ethics: Sample Case Study Practice Questions

Ethics questions on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) can often feel challenging because they require you to apply ethical standards to complex, real-world scenarios. Practicing with sample case studies can significantly improve your ability to understand and apply the APA Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct effectively during the exam.

Why Case Studies Matter

Case studies simulate real-life ethical dilemmas that psychologists encounter daily. By reviewing case studies, you’ll develop critical thinking skills necessary for identifying ethical issues, considering relevant principles, and determining the best course of action.

Sample Case Question

Consider this scenario:

A psychologist notices that a colleague has been consistently late to sessions, showing signs of fatigue and decreased effectiveness in client interactions. Despite friendly reminders, the behavior continues.

What ethical responsibility does the psychologist have in this situation?

Analyzing the Scenario

In this scenario, several ethical considerations come into play:

  • Beneficence and Nonmaleficence: Ensuring no harm is done to clients due to impaired professional judgment.
  • Fidelity and Responsibility: Addressing professional misconduct and ensuring colleagues uphold professional standards.
  • Competence: Recognizing and acting when a professional colleague’s competence may be impaired.

An ethical response involves addressing the issue directly with the colleague, consulting with others if necessary, and taking appropriate action to protect client welfare, potentially involving supervisor intervention.

Tips for EPPP Ethics Preparation

Here are some ways to strengthen your ethics knowledge for the EPPP:

  • Familiarize yourself: Thoroughly review the APA ethics code.
  • Practice scenarios: Regularly practice applying ethical standards through case studies.
  • Seek perspectives: Discuss ethical dilemmas with peers or mentors.
  • Reflect personally: Be aware of how personal biases could influence ethical decisions.

By routinely engaging with practical ethics questions, you’ll increase your confidence and improve your readiness for the EPPP.

3 EPPP Ethics Sample Case Study Practice Questions

EPPP Ethics Case Scenario 1

An insurance representative calls asking about a particular client you have been seeing for several months for individual therapy. The insurance representative informs you that in order to authorize payment for your last session with the client, she needs a detailed account of the client’s past trauma and the progress the client has made in therapy.

What should you do first?

A. Refuse to speak with the insurance representative about the client
B. Provide the insurance representative with the details, then talk with the client about it at a later session
C. Tell the insurance representative that you need to get permission from the client to release any details
D. Ask the insurance representative to call the client to explain why the insurance company needs details

Correct answer: C. Tell the insurance representative that you need to get permission from the client to release any details.

According to Standard 4.01(a), psychologists are ethically obligated to protect client information. Even if the client has signed a billing consent, the psychologist should discuss detailed requests directly with the client during a private session.

References
EPPP Fundamentals, Step One: Review for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, Second Edition. Pg 336-337.

EPPP Ethics Case Scenario 2

You’re leading a research project on a new treatment for bipolar disorder. Participants self-select into either the experimental group (new program) or the control group (treatment as usual). You provide informed consent documents detailing the study’s purpose, confidentiality, and participant rights.

What else must you inform participants of to comply with ethical obligations?

A. You must inform the participants who will receive publication credit if the research is published
B. You do not need to do anything else; you’ve done your due diligence
C. You must inform them that they will be deceived in the research
D. You need to communicate to participants that the study is experimental in nature, and inform them how participants were assigned to either the experimental or control group

Correct answer: D. You need to communicate to participants that the study is experimental in nature, and inform them how participants were assigned to either the experimental or control group

Section 8 of the APA Ethics Code requires psychologists to disclose the experimental nature of interventions and explain assignment processes. Participants must be informed that they are receiving experimental treatment and understand how groups were determined. Deception is not appropriate in this context.

References
American Psychological Association (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.

EPPP Ethics Case Scenario 3

You’ve never treated eating disorders before, and a patient with likely anorexia nervosa seeks care. How should you proceed?

A. Refer the patient to an eating disorder specialist
B. Treat the patient, but only if you can find someone to consult with immediately
C. Attempt to treat the patient, since they appear to be high-risk
D. Tell the patient you cannot treat them

Correct answer: A. Refer the patient to an eating disorder specialist

Psychologists must practice within their competence. Immediate referral to a specialist is the appropriate course of action. Leaving the patient without care or treating them without competence could cause harm.

References
American Psychological Association (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.

Continue Your EPPP Prep

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