Ethics v Laws
What is the Greek and Latin origin of the word ethics
Greek Ethos (“character”) and Latin Mores (“customs”)
Who qualifies as a mandated reporter in California?
Health and mental-health professionals, teachers, clergy, and others designated in PC 11165.7.
What is dual loyalty?
Conflicting obligations to a patient and to a third party (e.g., correctional institution).
What four domains guide ethical decision-making in correctional care?
?Legal Requirements, Professional Ethics, Human Dignity, and Long-Term Therapeutic Mission.
Define burnout.
A prolonged response to chronic work stress resulting in exhaustion and detachment.
How do ethics differ from laws?
Ethics are moral standards of right and wrong; laws are enforceable rules that govern conduct.
How soon must a written report follow a phone report of suspected abuse?
Within 36 hours of the initial phone report.
Name one common dual-loyalty dilemma in correctional settings.
Pressure to downplay symptoms or withhold documentation that reflects poorly on the facility.
Give one question to consider before breaching confidentiality.
Is the threat sincere, imminent, and capable of causing serious harm?
How is compassion fatigue different from burnout?
It develops rapidly, stems from exposure to others’ trauma, and mimics PTSD symptoms.
Name two professional codes of ethics relevant to behavioral health providers.
APA Code of Ethics, NASW Code of Ethics (others: AAMFT, ACA, etc.).
Define “reasonable suspicion.”
Facts that would lead a reasonable person with similar training to suspect abuse or neglect.
Summarize Tarasoff v. Regents of UC (1976).
Therapists must take reasonable steps to protect identifiable victims from credible threats.
What does “proportionality” mean in ethical decisions?
Restrictions should match the actual current risk, not be punitive or routine.
Why is self-care considered an ethical obligation?
Neglecting it impairs competence and increases risk of ethical violations.
List one way feelings or social norms may deviate from ethics.
Social norms may accept bias or discrimination that remains unethical.
What legal protection do mandated reporters have?
Immunity from civil or criminal liability when reporting in good faith
How did Ewing v. Goldstein (2004) expand the duty to protect?
Extended it to credible third-party reports of threats.
Describe one step in the Collaborative Model for resolving clinician–custody conflict.
Acknowledge all valid concerns and identify shared goals.
List one organizational-level prevention strategy for burnout.
Provide supervision, identify stress sources, and ensure workload balance.
What are the four main sources of law in the U.S.?
Constitutional, Statutory, Common (Case) Law, and Executive Orders.
When does consensual sexual activity among minors require reporting?
When the age difference or coercion meets statutory reporting criteria.
Name two principles from the Nelson Mandela Rules relevant to correctional mental health.
Equivalence of Care and Clinical Independence (also Dignity and Proportionality).
What is the Humanitarian Rights Test?
Apply equivalence of care, clinical independence, dignity, and proportionality before acting.
How can neglecting self-care increase professional liability?
Leads to errors in judgment, blurred boundaries, and potential harm to clients.