Deck 12: Ethical Considerations

Question 1

"Churning" is a term used to describe what ethical offense?

A) trading one product or service for another
B) a public relations agency violating the confidence of a client
C) a public relations agency creating unnecessary work or exaggerating the amount of staff time involved in a project in order to pad the client's bill
D) accepting kickbacks or commissions for referrals
E) a public relations agency promising results to the client that are beyond the agency's control

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The public relations pioneer who was the leading advocate of a formal licensing program for public relations professionals was

A) Dennis Wilcox
B) Roosevelt Thomas
C) Edward Bernays
D) Lee Baker
E) Ivy Lee

Answer 2

C

Question 3

What is the strongest punishment that PRSA or IABC can apply to practitioners who violate the organization's Code of Ethics?

A) not allowing them to renew their licenses
B) revoking their membership in the organization
C) monetary fines up to $100,000
D) prison sentences up to five years
E) forcing them to watch World Cup soccer on television

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Public relations experts Wilcox, Ault, and Agee describe four obligations or interests that public relations professionals should keep in mind when making decisions involving ethics and conflicts. Which of the following was NOT one of those interests?

A) obligation to the person's self-interest and personal values
B) obligation to professional associations and ethical codes
C) obligation to the university where the person received his/her education
D) obligation to client or employer
E) obligation to the public interest

Question 5

Ethical codes require that public relations representatives "safeguard the confidences and privacy rights of their employers and clients." From the list of F through I below, pick the two statements that are true: F. the rule only applies during the course of employment; once terminated the rule no longer applies
G) the rule remains in place after termination of the relationship; confidences must still be maintained
H) the rule applies in most cases but would not hold up in court; in legal proceedings, public relations representatives must sometimes reveal information previously considered confidential
I) the rule applies in all cases, even in legal proceedings

A) both F and H
B) both F and I
C) both G and H
D) both G and I

Question 6

In 1990, Hill and Knowlton found itself facing an ethical dilemma when several of its employees objected to the firm taking on a controversial client and issue. What issue was involved?

A) doctor-assisted suicide
B) pornography
C) legalized gambling
D) promotion of tobacco products
E) abortion

Question 7

In which of the following issues did Edward Bernays become involved in the 1930s and later describe as his "only professional regret"?

A) doctor-assisted suicide
B) pornography
C) legalized gambling
D) promotion of tobacco products
E) abortion

Question 8

An unethical agreement to exchange one favor for another is known as

A) quid pro quo
B) churning
C) habeas corpus
D) fair comment
E) double-dipping

Question 9

Accepting compensation from two different sources for performing the same work is known as what?

A) quid pro quo
B) double-dipping
C) churning
D) stereotyping
E) fair comment

Question 10

In ethical guidelines established by the major professional organizations and paraphrased in the textbook, the term "in the public interest" refers to the rights and privileges granted by what document?

A) the Declaration of Independence
B) the U.S. Constitution and its amendments
C) the Civil Rights Act of 1964
D) the Truth in Advertising Act of 1974

Question 11

What is the scope of authority of PRSA and IABC?

A) to reprimand and punish all public relations professionals around the world, regardless of whether or not they are members
B) to reprimand and punish all public relations professionals in the United States only), regardless of whether or not they are members
C) to reprimand and punish public relations professionals, but only those who are members and only to a limited degree

Question 12

According to generally accepted principles as established by the major professional organizations, a public relations representative's primary obligation is to

A) act in the best interests of the client rather than legal or ethical obligations
B) to respect and abide by the law, rather than obligation to a client or employer
C) act in the best interests of himself or herself rather than either of the above
D) there are no professional standards or guidelines dealing with this issue