Chapter 3: Ethics and Law in Public Relations

Test Bank

Multiple Choice

1. Having a strong sense of ethics serves which of the following functions?

A. providing standards for decision making

B. identifying appropriate publicity tools

C. clarifying the role of communications

D. establishing measures of success

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Ethics in Public Relations

Difficulty Level: Medium

2. Which of the following is the study of right and wrong?

A. sociology

B. ethics

C. psychology

D. logic

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Ethics in Public Relations

Difficulty Level: Easy

3. Which of the following questions is most relevant to the study of ethics?

A. How will stakeholders be identified?

B. What lessons have individuals learned?

C. What are the logical arguments to apply?

D. How should individuals make decisions?

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Ethics in Public Relations

Difficulty Level: Medium

4. What is the primary reason that the study of ethics is relevant to PR practitioners?

A. PR professionals hold high-level positions in many firms.

B. PR relies on both one-way and two-way communication.

C. PR has the power to form attitudes and encourage behaviors.

D. PR tactics are used by both businesses and governments.

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Ethics in Public Relations

Difficulty Level: Medium

5. The phrase “PR spin” implies that PR communication is intended for which purpose?

A. manipulating the public

B. implementing a strategy

C. developing relationships

D. advertising a product

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Ethics in Public Relations

Difficulty Level: Medium

6. The PR firm Burson-Marsteller specializes in which of the following?

A. product and service promotion

B. community service campaigns

C. digital media management

D. reputation and crisis management

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Ethics in Public Relations

Difficulty Level: Easy

7. Traditionally, PR practitioners rely on which of the following to learn about ethics?

A. normative ethics

B. virtue ethics

C. situational ethics

D. utilitarian ethics

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: What Ethical Guidelines Should Be Used in Public Relations?

Difficulty Level: Easy

8. According to PR ethics scholar Shannon Bowen, which two types of normative ethics are most relevant to PR practitioners?

A. situational ethics and absolutism

B. utilitarianism and absolutism

C. agent-based ethics and utilitarianism

D. virtue ethics and situational ethics

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: What Ethical Guidelines Should Be Used in Public Relations?

Difficulty Level: Medium

9. Which ethics theory asserts that we should try to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people?

A. deontological ethics

B. absolutism

C. utilitarianism

D. virtue ethics

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: What Ethical Guidelines Should Be Used in Public Relations?

Difficulty Level: Easy

10. Which ethical theory asserts that ethical decisions should be based on objective rules?

A. teleological ethics

B. absolutism

C. utilitarianism

D. virtue ethics

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: What Ethical Guidelines Should Be Used in Public Relations?

Difficulty Level: Easy

11. A PR practitioner who adheres to agent-based ethics will base ethical decisions on which of the following?

A. potential outcomes

B. established rules

C. universal laws

D. character

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: What Ethical Guidelines Should Be Used in Public Relations?

Difficulty Level: Medium

12. Which theory of ethics emphasizes the moral character of the individual?

A. agent-based

B. absolutism

C. utilitarianism

D. situational

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: What Ethical Guidelines Should Be Used in Public Relations?

Difficulty Level: Easy

13. A PR practitioner who applies utilitarianism would do which of the following when making a decision?

A. rely on established organizational policies

B. consider the possible results of various strategies

C. follow moral principles equally and objectively

D. depend on previous professional experiences

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: What Ethical Guidelines Should Be Used in Public Relations?

Difficulty Level: Hard

14. Shondra, a PR professional, considers herself an absolutist. When making ethical decisions, which of the following questions is most relevant to Shondra?

A. What is the company policy?

B. What are the possible benefits?

C. What is the most compassionate choice?

D. What option would lead to the greatest good?

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: What Ethical Guidelines Should Be Used in Public Relations?

Difficulty Level: Hard

15. What is the goal of the ethical framework developed by Martin and Wright?

A. identifying the weaknesses of situation and normative ethics

B. promoting the benefits of using agent-based ethics in business

C. explaining how to apply teleological ethics in a corporate setting

D. bridging the gap between the three types of normative ethics

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Ethics in Public Relations

Difficulty Level: Medium

16. In the ethical framework developed by Martin and Wright, which step occurs immediately after defining an issue?

A. considering ethical approaches

B. proposing a course of action

C. evaluating various options

D. identifying stakeholders

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: What Ethical Guidelines Should Be Used in Public Relations?

Difficulty Level: Easy

17. Which organization’s code of ethics serves as a model for U.S. organizations and PR professionals?

A. Page Society

B. IABC

C. CPRS

D. PRSA

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Stay Informed, Be Vigilant, Develop Professional and Personal Ethics

Difficulty Level: Easy

18. Which of the following is asserted by the PRSA Professional Values Statement?

A. provide subjective counsel to clients

B. advance personal and corporate interests

C. serve the public by communicating honestly

D. foster the right to compete for public trust

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Stay Informed, Be Vigilant, Develop Professional and Personal Ethics

Difficulty Level: Medium

19. According to the PRSA code of conduct, what is the benefit of avoiding conflicts of interest?

A. protecting personal and confidential information

B. building trust with clients, employers, and publics

C. upholding organizational rules and policies

D. facilitating corporate social responsibility

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Stay Informed, Be Vigilant, Develop Professional and Personal Ethics

Difficulty Level: Medium

20. According to the PRSA code of conduct, which of the following contributes to informed decision making in democracies?

A. avoiding the perception of conflicts of interest

B. promoting competition among businesses

C. protecting the free flow of accurate information

D. honoring obligations to clients and publics

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Stay Informed, Be Vigilant, Develop Professional and Personal Ethics

Difficulty Level: Medium

21. Which of the following is recommended by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) code of conduct?

A. protect confidential information

B. engage in corporate stewardship

C. promote thought leadership

D. ensure two-way communication

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Stay Informed, Be Vigilant, Develop Professional and Personal Ethics

Difficulty Level: Medium

22. According to the PRSA Professional Values Statement, which of the following helps PR practitioners to advance the PR profession?

A. building a strong network

B. fostering a competitive market

C. working in different industries

D. developing expertise

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Stay Informed, Be Vigilant, Develop Professional and Personal Ethics

Difficulty Level: Medium

23. Which of the following is a criticism of utilitarianism?

A. Rules and policies should not apply universally.

B. Individuals cannot accurately predict outcomes.

C. Cultures possess a range of beliefs and morals.

D. Individuals vary in their personal principles.

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: What Ethical Guidelines Should Be Used in Public Relations?

Difficulty Level: Medium

24. Critics of absolutism assert which of the following?

A. Individual ethics cannot be applied to everyone.

B. The results of ethical decisions are unknown.

C. Individual morals vary from culture to culture.

D. Societal laws lead to unfair consequences.

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: What Ethical Guidelines Should Be Used in Public Relations?

Difficulty Level: Medium

25. Which of the following is a criticism of agent-based ethics?

A. Codes of ethics are based on society’s legal frameworks.

B. Personal decisions cannot be guided by universal laws.

C. Different people have different concepts of virtuous conduct.

D. The best decisions benefit most individuals in a society.

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: What Ethical Guidelines Should Be Used in Public Relations?

Difficulty Level: Medium

26. What is a common criticism of professional and corporate codes of ethics?

A. They include too many diverse beliefs.

B. They interfere with individual decision making.

C. They are enforced too harshly.

D. They rely too much on utilitarianism.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Personal Ethics

Difficulty Level: Medium

27. Critics argue that corporate ethics codes promote which of the following?

A. disregarding the agreed upon ethics and laws of a society

B. basing ethical decisions on too many objective principles

C. relying on virtue ethics more heavily than situational ethics

D. shifting ethical responsibility from the individual to the group

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Personal Ethics

Difficulty Level: Medium

28. Which of the following creates the need for visual communication ethics?

A. Text-based communication is sharply declining in importance.

B. Studies show that most viewers misinterpret visual images.

C. Images may mislead or wrongfully influence viewers negatively.

D. Clients will no longer tolerate inaccurate photos or videos.

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Personal Ethics

Difficulty Level: Medium

29. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer findings, which organizational action erodes public trust the most?

A. failing to take responsibility for a crisis

B. not revealing all financial information

C. using CSR as a promotional tool

D. engaging in one-way communication

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Stay Informed, Be Vigilant, Develop Professional and Personal Ethics

Difficulty Level: Medium

30. Which of the following is considered the best approach for PR professionals during a client crisis?

A. focusing on long-term strategies

B. implementing reactive protocols

C. advocating for honest communication

D. supporting public diplomacy efforts

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Stay Informed, Be Vigilant, Develop Professional and Personal Ethics

Difficulty Level: Medium

31. Which of the following improves the rationality of an ethical decision?

A. analyzing the demographics of stakeholders

B. relying on personal morals and ethics

C. identifying publics that will be affected

D. gathering data from multiple sides

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Stay Informed, Be Vigilant, Develop Professional and Personal Ethics

Difficulty Level: Medium

32. Which of the following ensures that ethical decisions are consistent across an organization?

A. gathering and analyzing data from inside and outside the organization

B. basing decisions on the organization’s ethics and mission statements

C. implementing decisions that uphold societal values and morals

D. considering key publics and stakeholders in decision making

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Stay Informed, Be Vigilant, Develop Professional and Personal Ethics

Difficulty Level: Medium

33. According to Shannon Bowen, ethics requires prioritizing which of the following?

A. should over could

B. need over want

C. could over should

D. want over need

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Stay Informed, Be Vigilant, Develop Professional and Personal Ethics

Difficulty Level: Easy

34. Which term refers to the human instinct to behave morally?

A. personal virtue

B. cultural values

C. innate ethics

D. moral impulse

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Stay Informed, Be Vigilant, Develop Professional and Personal Ethics

Difficulty Level: Easy

35. Which amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees free speech?

A. First Amendment

B. Second Amendment

C. Third Amendment

D. Fourth Amendment

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Free Speech

Difficulty Level: Easy

36. Under the Freedom of Information Act, citizens have the right to do which of the following?

A. display state information publicly

B. access federal government records

C. make false statements on the record

D. use copyrighted works for education

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Free Speech

Difficulty Level: Easy

37. Which of the following requires openness and transparency in state governments?

A. copyright laws

B. fair use rules

C. trademark laws

D. sunshine laws

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Free Speech

Difficulty Level: Easy

38. Which of the following are examples of socially responsible business practices?

A. exposing offending competitors

B. developing a unique logo

C. enacting fair labor practices

D. managing annual budgets

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Social Responsibility Ethics

Difficulty Level: Easy

39. Which of the following involves making a false statement with the intention of harming another person’s reputation?

A. defamation

B. appropriation

C. negative publicity

D. intrusion

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Defamation

Difficulty Level: Easy

40. Which of the following defines libel?

A. information that spreads virally

B. defamation that is spoken

C. news that is not fact checked

D. defamation that is published

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Defamation

Difficulty Level: Easy

41. A customer of Company X posts a defamatory statement on Facebook about the services and policies of Company X. Since the reputation of Company X is significantly harmed by the Facebook post, the company’s owners want to file a defamation lawsuit. Based on the law, which statement is true?

A. Only Facebook can be sued.

B. Only the customer can be sued.

C. Neither Facebook nor the customer can be sued.

D. Both Facebook and the customer can be sued.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Defamation

Difficulty Level: Hard

42. Which law has significant jurisdiction over Internet and online speech?

A. Communications Decency Act

B. Freedom of Information Act

C. Federal Trade Communication Act

D. Copyright Act

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Defamation

Difficulty Level: Easy

43. Hannah, a blogger, has a popular website called Hannah’s Healthy Home. Hannah earns money from companies by reviewing and endorsing their cleaning products. Which of the following does the FTC require Hannah to do?

A. provide links to the cleaning product websites

B. disclose her credentials as a product spokesperson

C. disclose that she is paid for product endorsements

D. post accurate information about her product reviews

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Disclosure

Difficulty Level: Hard

44. George Clooney is a paid spokesperson for Nespresso, a coffee and espresso machine. During an interview on a talk show, George mentions that he starts every morning with coffee made in his Nespresso machine. Given this information, which statement about disclosure is true?

A. He must file a disclosure statement with the federal government.

B. He must disclose his credentials as a Nespresso spokesperson.

C. His comments are not in a Nespresso ad, so disclosure is unnecessary.

D. He should disclose that he is a spokesperson for Nespresso.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Disclosure

Difficulty Level: Hard

45. The fair use rule applies to which of the following?

A. copyrighted works

B. trademarks and logos

C. unbranded content

D. social media platforms

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Copyright and Fair Use

Difficulty Level: Easy

46. A photographer who intentionally disturbs a celebrity as she walks her daughter to school and causes mental anguish to both the mother and child could be found guilty of which of the following?

A. appropriation

B. libel

C. slander

D. intrusion

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Privacy

Difficulty Level: Medium

47. For Brandon, a PR professional, to be sued for disclosure by a client, which of the following must occur?

A. Brandon collects information about the client.

B. Brandon publishes a statement about the client.

C. Brandon reveals private information about the client.

D. Brandon causes the client to experience mental anguish.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Privacy

Difficulty Level: Medium

48. According to the right of publicity, individuals have the right to control which of the following?

A. commercial use of their identities

B. statements about their history

C. use of their personal ideas

D. release of their private data

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Privacy

Difficulty Level: Easy

49. Which of the following refers to untrue information that is widely publicized?

A. appropriation

B. exposure

C. cyberlibel

D. false light

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Privacy

Difficulty Level: Easy

50. Which of the following is a guideline for applying the fair use rule?

A. email materials to a private distribution list

B. cite sources for short and long excerpts

C. track content with a spreadsheet

D. print copies of copyrighted articles

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Copyright and Fair Use

Difficulty Level: Medium

True/False

1. Ethics is the study of what a client or employer thinks is right or wrong.

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Ethics in Public Relations

Difficulty Level: Easy

2. If Bob’s decisions are guided by compassion, justice, and honesty, he is applying absolutism ethics.

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: What Ethical Guidelines Should Be Used in Public Relations?

Difficulty Level: Hard

3. Social movement organizations must often operate in an ethical gray area.

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Can Public Relations Ethics Be Applied to Social Movement Organizations?

Difficulty Level: Easy

4. The Member Code of Ethics developed by Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is structured into two sections: professional values and ethical conduct.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Stay Informed, Be Vigilant, Develop Professional and Personal Ethics

Difficulty Level: Medium

5. A PR practitioner should refuse to be dishonest unless that honesty is damaging to the organization.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Stay Informed, Be Vigilant, Develop Professional and Personal Ethics

Difficulty Level: Medium

6. The difference between libel and slander depends upon whether a defamatory statement is written or spoken.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Defamation

Difficulty Level: Easy

7. Publishing photos that are taken in public is not considered an invasion of privacy.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Privacy

Difficulty Level: Easy

8. An action that is immoral or unethical is also illegal.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: How Does Law Affect Public Relations?

Difficulty Level: Easy

9. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law that grants public access to state records.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: How Does Law Affect Public Relations?

Difficulty Level: Easy

10. Bloggers who make endorsements for products must disclose any material connections they have with the seller of the product.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Disclosure

Difficulty Level: Easy

Short Answer

1. Describe the two broad areas of critical responsibility held by PR practitioners as they provide the strategic link between an organization and key stakeholders.

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Ethics in Public Relations

Difficulty Level: Medium

2. Briefly describe the challenges of applying PR ethics to social movement organizations.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Can Public Relations Ethics Be Applied to Social Movement Organizations?

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. Describe how a PR professional might apply utilitarianism.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: What Ethical Guidelines Should Be Used in Public Relations?

Difficulty Level: Medium

4. What type of speech is not included in the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment?

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Free Speech

Difficulty Level: Medium

5. What are the six core values listed in the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Professional Values Statement for the professional practice of public relations?

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Professional Ethics

Difficulty Level: Medium

Essay

1. Describe the four parts of the personal framework proposed by Martin and Wright in 2013 to be used in public relations to bridge the three approaches to ethical reasoning (consequences, duty, and virtue).

Learning Objective: 3.1: Identify ethical issues in PR and explain the three moral guidelines.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: What Ethical Guidelines Should Be Used in Public Relations?

Difficulty Level: Hard

2. Describe the recommendations of the PRSA Code Provisions of Conduct regarding disclosure of information and give an example of improper conduct under this provision.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Professional Ethics

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. Describe the events that have led to demands for greater social responsibility and discuss the ethical demands that today’s PR professionals face.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Survey professional codes of ethics and describe the responsibilities of the individual practitioner.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Social Responsibility Ethics

Difficulty Level: Hard

4. Describe the Supreme Court decision known as Citizens United and the resulting ethical implications.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: INSIGHTS: The Ethical Implications of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

Difficulty Level: Hard

5. Name and describe five forms of invasion of privacy.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Understand key legal issues confronting PR practitioners and identify the links among social responsibility, ethics, and law.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Privacy

Difficulty Level: Hard