Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

What is the term for damaging someone's reputation through the spreading of falsehoods?

1. Defamation

2. Affirmation

3. Testimonial

4. Accusation

The correct answer is: Defamation

The correct answer is associated with the legal concept of damaging someone's reputation through the dissemination of false information. Defamation is specifically defined as a false statement presented as a fact that injures a party's reputation. This can occur in various forms, such as spoken words (slander) or written statements (libel). The essence of defamation lies in its ability to harm an individual’s personal or professional standing in the eyes of others, which can have significant consequences, both socially and legally. The other terms do not capture this concept accurately. Affirmation refers to a statement of positive support or agreement, which is the opposite of damaging someone’s reputation. Testimonial involves statements made to validate someone's credibility or character, typically in a positive light, and does not pertain to reputational harm. Accusation involves claiming that someone has engaged in wrongdoing, but it does not inherently imply that the claim is false or damaging, as an accusation can be legitimate and therefore not defamatory.