Question

A client executes an appropriate release of information, and requests that his test data be sent to an attorney. Dr. Assessor sends the attorney all of the test data, including scoring sheets, raw scores, and his own notes of in-session client behavior. Dr. Assessor has acted:

1. unethically, because he included raw data, and raw data may never be released to an individual who lacks the competence to interpret them.
2. ethically.
3. unethically, because he should only have released a summary of the tests results to the attorney, and the raw data directly to the client.
4. ethically, as long as the release form included information about the possible risks of releasing raw test data to unqualified individuals.

Answer 1

Dr. Assessor's ethical behavior depends on the release form's disclosures and informed client consent about releasing raw test data. Without explicit consent and adequate information, releasing raw data is generally unethical due to potential misinterpretation.Option 4 is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client requests that his test data be sent to an attorney and Dr. Assessor sends all of the test data including scoring sheets, raw scores, and his own notes of in-session client behavior, the ethical nature of Dr. Assessor’s action depends on specific ethical guidelines and context. If the release form specifically included information about the potential risks associated with releasing raw test data to individuals without the competence to interpret them, and the client was informed and agreed to this, Dr. Assessor could be considered to have acted ethically.

However, without such disclosure and informed consent, it is generally considered unethical to release raw data to those who lack the ability to appropriately interpret them because of potential misinterpretation and misuse. Furthermore, if Dr. Assessor's professional guidelines dictate that only summaries of test results should be provided to third parties, then releasing the raw data would be unethical behavior.