Counselor Education Comprehensive Exam (CECE) Practice Exam

Which of the following correctly describes the difference between ethics and laws?

1. Laws; ethics

2. Rules; statutes

3. Ethics; laws

4. Regulations; statutes

The correct answer is: Ethics; laws

The distinction between ethics and laws is significant in the field of counseling and professional practice. Ethics refers to the moral principles that govern a person's behavior or conducting an activity. They are often guided by professional standards and are designed to promote integrity, accountability, and the welfare of clients. Ethical guidelines provide a framework within which professionals should operate, emphasizing concepts such as respect, beneficence (doing good), nonmaleficence (avoiding harm), and justice. Laws, on the other hand, are formal rules that are enacted by the government and carry specific consequences if they are broken. Laws are enforceable through legal systems and serve to maintain order within society by outlining what is permissible and what is not. When the statement identifies ethics as distinct from laws, it highlights that while laws are mandatory and enforced through the judicial system, ethical standards, while they may be codified in professional guidelines, rely on personal and collective moral judgment. In this sense, ethics can influence laws, but they are inherently different in scope and application. This differentiation underscores the importance for counselors and other professionals to not only comply with legal requirements but also adhere to ethical standards, as ethical lapses can lead to issues in practice, such as breaches of confidentiality or failure to