ASWB ASWB Certifications LCSW Questions & Answers

• Question 21:

  IndMdual development is based on the effect family roles play within an indMdua|'s life. Healthy families promote trust, honesty, love and positive development. The opposite of this is the dysfunctional family, where one or more members have a problem that affects the unit. Examples include an indMdual that is abusive, neglectful or has an alcohol/d rug issue. Even though a family appears dysfunctional, th ere is still at least onefamily member who is "hea|thy." This person will try to compensate for the problem in different ways. One such manner is by trying to solve the issue short-term, which leads to endless deflation of situations. What role is being described?

  A. Scapegoat

  B. Hero

  C. Lost child

  D. Mascot

  Correct Answer: B

  The hero role describes a family member that takes on the needless responsibility of trying to handle the problem. This will eventually lead to feelings of inadequacy as the issue continues to resurface. Dysfunctional families foster insecurities and cause other members to inherit traits of negatMty and inappropriate defense mechanisms.

• Question 22:

  Psychodyna mic therapy plays an important role in helping a client identify patterns of interacting, thinking and feeling that may be contributing to problems. EvoMng from the teachings of Freud, the theory emerges that emotional problems originate in childhood. The goal of psychodynamic therapy is to change an aspect of the client's personality or identity that was missed during an earlier stage of development. What should be the professionaI's primary focus?

  A. Unconscious thought processes

  B. Childhood maltreatment

  C. Developmental delays

  D. Emotional neglect

  Correct Answer: A

  Psychodynamic therapy involves the emergence of subconscious thoughts during counseling. The client has the ability to explore unresolved conflicts and issues from their past that have manifested into behaviors. Many professionals utilize this practice to treat social isolation, anger and depression.

• Question 23:

  Behavioral therapy is based on the idea that learning comes from experience. The primary focus of the professional is to help the client define problems, analyze behaviors, and set goals. There are several approaches often utilized. Which of the following may be observed during a therapy session?

  A. Empathy

  B. Boundary recognition

  C. Assertiveness training

  D. Dysfunctional awareness

  Correct Answer: C

  Behavioral therapy uses collaboration between the therapist and client. The duration of sessions is normally short-term. Therapy may also include role-playing, self-management training, and behavior experiments.

• Question 24:

  The framework of all behavior is communication and when conducting psychotherapy with families, homeostasis is often seen as negative feedback. Dysfunctional families are trapped in ineffective patterns of communication. These families are often resistant to what concept?

  A. Resolution

  B. Change

  C. Coherence

  D. Equilibrium

  Correct Answer: B

  Rules surrounding family interaction function as the maintenance and preservation of homeostasis. When experiencing disturbances, the family sees change as threatening instead of the opportunity for growth. Issues that continue to exist are based on the same ineffective response methods of communication.

• Question 25:

  Gerald begins court-ordered therapy for a drug abuse problem. It is evident to the professional that he denies being controlled by the drugs and is not interested in abstinence. At the onset of treatment this should not be a required goal. Moderation goals help the social worker focus on treatment rather than a quick process of change. What kind of therapy is being offered?

  A. Moderation affect

  B. Self-actualization

  C. Harm reduction

  D. Symbolic control

  Correct Answer: C

  Harm reduction is the best acceptable goal in many cases of substance abusers. Clinical studies have shown the pursuit of abstinence may cause the urge to rebel through excessive use. Harm reduction sets a goal for the client to obtain self-sufficiency, optimal health and satisfaction.

• Question 26:

  Clinical social workers will sometimes intentionally allow or create an atmosphere that reminds the client of an emotional past. This psychotherapy method can be harmful if not utilized appropriately. Clients will often react in terms of what they are afraid of or need to see, not really knowing why they feel that way. Professionals use this technique to find connections between the cIients' past and how they misread the present. What is the method being described?

  A. Transference

  B. Counter-transference

  C. Histrionic development

  D. Displacement

  Correct Answer: A

  Transference brings a cIient's emotional past and psychological needs into the present. The reaction is often caused by neglect, abuse or unmet needs. The clinical social worker will respond in terms of what is really happening in the present. Clients who do not recognize the difference between present and past will often incur the same problems repeatedly.

• Question 27:

  Howard Gardner developed the MuItipIe Intelligence Theory. This model demonstrates and measures capabilities people actually possess. There are 7 original features that Gardner interpreted. The first six include: linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. What is the 7th feature of the Multiple Intelligence Theory?

  A. Sensory

  B. Bodily-kinesthetic

  C. Emotional-behavioral

  D. Physical

  Correct Answer: B

  The bodily-kinesthetic feature of the Multiple Intelligence Theory takes into account body movement control, manual dexterity, physical agility, balance, and eye -body coordination. Howard Gardner mentored under Erik Erikson and was highly influenced by Jeanne Piaget, Jerome Bruner, and philosopher Nelson Goodman.

• Question 28:

  The Madisons are meeting with their clinical social worker, who is helping them with daily functioning. Theyare called into one room and shown a flow chart describing the processes the family unconsciously follows. There are distinguishing hierarchies and alliances within. What type of therapy is the social worker utilizing?

  A. Relational therapy

  B. Dysfunctional therapy

  C. Interactive therapy

  D. Structural family therapy

  Correct Answer: D

  Structural family therapy places most of the focus on the members' interactions. The family is viewed as a system that functions within a larger classification such as culture or community. Rules of interaction are established, and these form the familys structure. Therapy should always focus on the presenting problem and the process of change.

• Question 29:

  Clinical social workers require the ability to understand their own emotions, limitations, strengths, and motives. This self-awareness prevents confusion between the professional and client. Self-awareness is just one of four components necessary to express appropriate empathy. Which one of the following is not a part of this network?

  A. Mental filexibility

  B. Affective sharing

  C. Emotion regulation

  D. Conscious reaction

  Correct Answer: D

  Empathy can only be experienced to its fullest capacity when 4 components come into play: self-awareness, mental filexibility, emotion regulation, and affective sharing. Empathy is the ability to envision what another person is thinking or feeling.

• Question 30:

  Mrs. Humberson is a second grade teacher at NlilMlle Elementary. She makes a referral to a social worker in regards to a child in her classroom named Emily. Mrs. Humberson has many concerns about the chiId's home life and worries she may need medical care. Emily has missed several days of school and does not give a reason nor does the parent send in an absence note. She comes to school with a distinct body odor, wearing the same set of clothes for days. During lunch, Emily appears very hungry and eats everything on hertray; however, she is very thin. What type of abuse may be taking place?

  A. MedicaI

  B. Physical

  C. Sexual

  D. Neglect

  Correct Answer: D

  Emily is showing signs of neglect. Neglect is a maltreatment characterized by an ongoing pattern of inadequate care, easily observed by indMduals in everyday contact with a child. This is the most prevalent form of child abuse in the United States. 62.8% of children who suffered from abuse were the victims of neglect. 42.2% of child fatalities occur as a result of this maltreatment.