In which of the following scenarios is informed consent for assessments NOT required?

Informed consent for assessments is generally a critical component of ethical psychological practice, ensuring that clients understand what they are consenting to and the implications of their participation in assessments. In scenarios where testing is mandated by law or regulations, informed consent may not be required. This is because mandated assessments often occur in contexts such as court-ordered evaluations, where individuals must comply with legal requirements regardless of their consent.

Situations that involve legal mandates take precedence over the usual consent process, as the assessment is a requirement tied to legal proceedings or regulatory compliance rather than a voluntary decision made by the individual. For example, a court might require a psychological assessment as part of a custody evaluation, and the individual must comply with this mandate.

In contrast, the other scenarios involve situations where informed consent is typically crucial. Testing that is voluntary and informal, requests for confidentiality, and assessments where results may be shared with third parties all require informed consent to ensure clarity, respect for the individual’s autonomy, and adherence to ethical guidelines in psychological practice.