Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

What are the two primary forms of defamation?

1. Innuendo and misrepresentation

2. Libel and slander

3. Testimonial and rumor

4. Fiction and reality

The correct answer is: Libel and slander

Defamation refers to the act of making false statements about someone that can damage their reputation. The two primary forms of defamation are libel and slander. Libel involves defamation that is written or published in a fixed medium, such as newspapers, books, or online articles. Because it is written, libel can reach a wider audience and has a permanence that slander does not. This form of defamation usually leads to more severe consequences since the damaging statement is recorded and thus can be referenced later. Slander, on the other hand, involves spoken defamation. This form typically occurs in person or through other verbal means, such as in a speech or a conversation, and it is often considered less damaging than libel because it may not reach as large an audience. However, slander can still have significant repercussions and cause harm to an individual's reputation. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for counselors, particularly when considering ethical implications and the handling of sensitive information about clients.