ASWB ASWB Certifications LCSW Questions & Answers

• Question 111:

  Boundaries between the outer world and inner self develop in infancy. While still young, indMduals will project feelings of denial stemming from what ego function?

  A. Internal conflict

  B. External conflict

  C. Defensive functioning

  D. Collaborative functioning

  Correct Answer: C

  Identity-threatening feelings are protected by defensive functioning. Nlost indMduals have mature reactions to handling reality, and others may have more sophisticated defenses. This is often observed as children become adults.

• Question 112:

  The incidence of child abuse has increased dramatically in the last 30 years. In 2009, more than 702,000 unique instances of child abuse were reported. Nearly 40% of these victims are in what age range?

  A. 6 to 10 years

  B. 11 to 13 years

  C. 14 to 17 years

  D. Birth to 5 years

  Correct Answer: D

  Children five years of age or younger make up 40% of all abused or neglected children. The greatest risk is during the first year of life. Maltreatment is inflicted by pa rents in 76% of these cases, while other family members make up 12% more. There are, on average, five deaths each day as a result of child abuse or neglect.

• Question 113:

  Nlaladaptive behaviors refer to those that inhibit an indMduaI's abilityto adjust to a specific situation. They prevent people from properly adapting to the demands of everyday life and are often utilized to reduce anxiety. What answer represents a common set of maladaptive behaviors?

  A. Avoidance, substance abuse,, withdrawal

  B. Physical abuse, avoidance, withdrawal, panic

  C. Substance abuse, violence, association, withdrawal

  D. Anger, physical abuse, avoidance, withdrawal

  Correct Answer: A

  Avoidance, substance abuse, anger, and withdrawal are four common maladaptive behaviors, also considered dysfunctional. They only provide short-term relief from anxiety and are not productive in alleviating the problem. Manytimes they will serve as reinforcements for underlying issues.

• Question 114:

  Trauma is expressed best by recognizing not just objective facts but also the subjective emotional experiences of an event. It is a situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and alone. A stressful event is more likely to be traumatizing if:

  A. It happens unexpectedly

  B. One feels powerless to prevent it

  C. Someone was intentionally cruel

  D. Any of the above

  Correct Answer: D

  A stressful event is more likely to be traumatic if it happens unexpectedly, is unpreventable or if it involves intentional cruelty. Psychological and emotional trauma is the result of extraordinary events that underplay one's sense of security, making them vulnerable and helpless. It can be caused by a one-time occurrence or an ongoing stressor. Commonly overlooked sources of trauma may include sports injuries, surgery, or humiliating experiences.

• Question 115:

  One of the most studied topics in psychology has to do with an indMduaI's belief in their capacity to organize and act on prospective situations. People who look forward to challenging tasks with high confidence levels have a strong sense of what?

  A. Self-confidence

  B. Self-efficacy

  C. Ego

  D. Determinants

  Correct Answer: B

  Bandura describes self-efficacy as the main determinant in how indMduals feel, behave, and think. High levels give the belief that difficult situations are not beyond a person's capabilities and they quickly recover from setbacks.

• Question 116:

  Bill and Nlaria are in their late thirties. They are both prominent in their careers and well established financially. The decision has been made to start bringing children into their small family. Nlaria is concerned that her energy level may not be as high as it once was. Bill worries about lMng long enough to see his children into adulthood. What positive aspects should a clinical social worker educate the couple about?

  A. Parents between the ages of 35 and 40 have over 15 years of adult life experience.

  B. Middle-aged parents have a strong sense of personal identity.

  C. Adults in midlife have a deeper sense of life values.

  D. All of the above

  Correct Answer: D

  There are more positives about having children in the middle years than negatives. Financial stability and a profound sense of worth enable couples to bring life experiences into to their child rearing techniques. IndMduals in their twenties sometimes do not feel psychologically ready for the commitments involved in having children.

• Question 117:

  Andrew takes his grandson to the local convenience store one evening to get milk. When they pull up, he notices five teenagers hanging out in the parking lot. They all have hooded sweatshirts and are wearing dark colors. Andrew immediately acknowledges the teens as part of a gang and knows there will be trouble. Negative feelings have occurred due to the characteristics observed by Andrew. This dislike for something or someone is described as what?

  A. Descriptive behavior

  B. External perception

  C. Sympathetic disorder

  D. Interpersonal antipathy

  Correct Answer: D

  Interpersonal antipathy is the opposite of sympathy. Certain mannerisms and physical characteristics are perceived with automatic loathing. The behavior is often irrational and indMduals do not put much thought into their refilective consciousness.

• Question 118:

  A family seeks the help of a clinical social worker when problems increase at school with their seven-yearold daughter, Madison. It is reported by the parents that Madison has struggled through Kindergarten and first grade. Second grade is not any better, and the family fears there may be a learning disability. Which of the following would not be affected by difficulties in learning?

  A. Reading

  B. Reasoning

  C. Reacting

  D. Recalling

  Correct Answer: C

  A chiId's ability to s react is not affected by a learn ing disorder. Learning disabilities are neurological disorders that affect 1 in 7 people. There is no cure, and indMduals will deal with this issue for life. Nlost can become successful given the right support and intervention. Learning disabilities affect reading, writing, recalling and recognizing information.

• Question 119:

  Emily is a nine year old with cerebral palsy. Her movements are slow and often cannot be controlled. This mainly affects EmiIy's hands, arms, feet, and legs. Her muscle tone tends to change day to day, even affecting the chiId's tongue and face. What form of cerebral palsy is Emily demonstrating?

  A. Athetoid

  B. Spastic

  C. Ataxic

  D. Mixed

  Correct Answer: A

  Emily is displaying athetoid cerebral palsy. This affects between ten and twenty percent of the total population suffering from this disability. Movements are normally slower and are perceived by a writhing motion. Most indMduals will have difficulty with speech and language.

• Question 120:

  Abraham MasIow's original hierarchy of needs contains five elements that must be satisfied in order, the first being the most obvious need for survival. If lower level stages are not achieved, the effects of higher order needs cannot be met. MasIow's theory remains valid todayfor understanding personal development and human motivation. What stage is concerned with personal growth and fulfillment?

  A. Belongingness and love needs

  B. Esteem needs

  C. Safety needs

  D. Self-actualization needs

  Correct Answer: D

  Self-actualization needs pertain to personal growth and fulfillment. This also includes the realization of personal potential and peak experiences. MasIow developed the Hierarchy of Needs in the 1940s. Since that time, other stages have been added such as cognitive needs, aesthetic needs and transcendence needs.