ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam Questions

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21.

Why should psychotherapy notes be stored separately from other items in a client's file?

  • To add security

  • They are legally different

  • They are protected health information (PHI)

  • They are not medical

Correct answer: To add security

Psychotherapy notes are usually stored in a separate area from other client files due to their sensitive nature.

The other options are incorrect. Psychotherapy notes may or may not be legally different, but legal status is not the concern. Almost anything in a client file is PHI. There are many parts of a client record that are not medical and are stored with medical items.

22.

A client feels that everyone thinks he is a slow learner, so he spends extra time making sure that everything he does is correct before being shown to others.

What type of defense mechanism is this client MOST likely using?

  • Compensation

  • Rationalization

  • Substitution

  • Intellectualization

Correct answer: Compensation

Compensation is a defense mechanism in which an individual tries to make up for imaginary characters that are considered undesirable.

In intellectualization, people think away an emotion or reaction that they do not want to feel. Although they are not denying that an emotional event occurred, they are not thinking about its emotional consequences.

Substitution is a defense mechanism in which an individual replaces an unattainable goal with one that is attainable.

When someone rationalizes something, they try to explain it away. People often use rationalization to push away their insecurities or remorse after doing something they regret. To make themselves feel better, they shift the blame.

23.

A social worker is meeting with a client who has multiple problems. The social worker asks the client to list these problems. After the client is finished, the social worker identifies the problems that need immediate attention and those that can wait until later.

Which of the following BEST describes the social worker’s actions?

  • Partializing

  • Supporting

  • Focusing

  • Clarifying

Correct answer: Partializing

Partializing is a process in which a social worker prioritizes a client’s problems or needs that require immediate attention from those that can wait until a later date.

Supporting is a process in which a social worker gives advice, provides information, and points out a client’s strengths. Focusing is a process in which a social worker focuses on a specific issue or a single topic with a client. Clarifying is a process in which a social worker asks a client to specify what they are thinking, feeling, or experiencing.

24.

Which role is a social worker taking by helping a client become capable of coping with stressful situations?

  • Counselor

  • Change agent

  • Mediator

  • Advocate

Correct answer: Counselor

A counselor's role is to improve the social functioning of the client, in this case by helping the client become capable of coping with situational or transitional stress.

A change agent is a social worker acting to improve service provision. A mediator is a social worker acting to handle disputes. An advocate helps others achieve their goals by championing their needs.

25.

Which of the following would be LEAST characteristic of a program proposal?

  • Offering opinions on local affairs 

  • Setting a plan of activities to address needs

  • Offering recommendations for organizational structure 

  • Describing the provision of services

Correct answer: Offering opinions on local affairs 

Social workers are often called upon for input in the writing or evaluation of program proposals. This effort should contain items such as a plan of activities to address needs, recommendations for organizational structure, and a description of how services will be provided. These are objective items that can be neutrally stated.

Offering opinions or conjecture on local affairs would likely not be desirable, as such items would be subjective. 

26.

Which of the following is NOT classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder in the DSM-5?

  • Cyclothymic disorder

  • Unspecified communication disorder

  • Autism spectrum disorder

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Correct answer: Cyclothymic disorder

Cyclothymic disorder is classified under bipolar and related disorders in the DSM-5.

The other options are incorrect. Unspecified communication disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are all classified as neurodevelopmental disorders in the DSM-5.

27.

You are working with a client when he heads to the vending machine to buy a soda. As he reaches the door, he asks if you would like one.

What is the BEST response?

  • Kindly decline the client’s offer

  • Accept the offer 

  • Give the client money for your soda

  • Buy sodas for yourself and your client

Correct answer: Kindly decline the client’s offer

Social workers should always maintain boundaries with clients.

Even though it is only a soda, you do not know how the client will comprehend the meaning of the purchase; therefore, you should avoid the situation altogether by simply declining. 

Do not give the client money to buy a soda, as it is trusting the client with your belongings and creates a boundary violation. Do not buy the client a soda, as this would be unethical.

28.

The NASW Ethical Code states that social workers are required to treat each client in a caring and respectful fashion and be mindful of their differences or diversity. Social workers must also promote their clients’ socially responsible self-determination.

This is an example of which of the following values?

  • Dignity and worth of the person

  • Integrity

  • Empathy

  • Competence

Correct answer: Dignity and worth of the person

A social worker is demonstrating the dignity and worth of the person by promoting clients' right to self-determination and treating them respectfully.

Competence is when a social worker increases their knowledge base. Integrity is when a social worker acts in a trustworthy manner. Empathy is when a social worker responds to another’s emotional state.

29.

What is the LEAST likely purpose of networking in social work practice?

  • Attracting customers 

  • Improving social skills 

  • Educating about social problems 

  • Identifying good prospects for jobs

Correct answer: Attracting customers 

Networking is usually understood in its more business-related context of attracting customers or enhancing business relationships. 

Within social work, it serves somewhat different purposes, including improving social skills, educating fellow professionals about social problems not in their area of practice, and identifying those who might be a good fit for a specific role due to their experience or interest. 

30.

Which of the following is MOST accurate with regard to the developmental level of clients?

  • Developmental and chronological age are often different

  • Developmental age is always less than chronological age 

  • Chronological age is always less than developmental age

  • Developmental and chronological age refer to the same concept

Correct answer: Developmental and chronological age are often different

The developmental level of a client may not be congruent with their chronological age. The two concepts refer to different things and often vary between clients. For example, a client may be chronologically 17 years of age but developmentally at the age of six or seven. 

It is important to understand the developmental age of clients and work with them on that level of understanding.

31.

Which of the following generally results in LESS group cohesion?

  • Changes in group membership

  • Dependence on the group to achieve goals

  • Smaller group size

  • Similarity of members

Correct answer: Changes in group membership

Many factors affect group cohesion. Some can result in more cohesion, such as small group size, a dependence on the group to achieve common goals, and similarity of members. Some result in less cohesion, such as changes in group membership.

The other options are incorrect, as they are factors that increase group cohesion.

32.

Which of the following is associated with the family projection process?

  • Bowenian family therapy 

  • Classical psychoanalysis 

  • Structural family therapy

  • Strategic family therapy

Correct answer: Bowenian family therapy 

In Bowenian family therapy, the family projection process is a focus of study. In Bowenian family therapy in general, the main focus is on improving the transgenerational transmission process. In the family projection process, parents pass on their emotional problems to their children. 

The family projection process is not associated with classical psychoanalysis, structural family therapy, or strategic family therapy. 

33.

Which of the following refers to the structured inequality of society?

  • Stratification

  • Layering

  • Classification

  • Accretion

Correct answer: Stratification

Stratification refers to the structured inequality of society into many "strata" that are less dynamic than is desirable.

The other options are incorrect. Layering, classification, and accretion are not terms used in this context.

34.

Alan is a practicing member of a large behavioral health organization. He is planning to engage his colleagues in a focus group to better address the needs of the homeless in the community. 

Which of the following social work roles BEST describes Alan's work?

  • Change agent

  • Mediator

  • Advocate

  • Broker

Correct answer: Change agent

A change agent is a social worker who addresses the way in which services are provided in the organization.

The other options are incorrect. Mediators are concerned with disputes. Advocates seek to champion social justice. Brokers are concerned with more micro-level resource connections.

35.

Which parenting style is characterized by making few demands on children and treating the relationship as a friendship?

  • Permissive parenting

  • Authoritative parenting

  • Uninvolved parenting

Correct answer: Permissive parenting

Permissive parenting is most characterized by making few demands on children and treating the relationship as a friendship. 

Authoritative parenting is characterized by firm rules backed by good communication about the rules. Uninvolved parenting is characterized by a virtual absence of parenting altogether, except perhaps to supervise basic needs. 

36.

According to Kohlberg, which of the following is the HIGHEST level of moral development?

  • Postconventional

  • Preconventional

  • Conventional

  • Metaconventional

Correct answer: Postconventional

According to Lawrence Kohlberg, humans progress through three stages of moral development: 

  • preconventional, which is selfish and fearful 
  • conventional, which is rule-bound and guilt-avoidant 
  • postconventional, which is mature and genuine

"Metaconventional" is a fabricated term.

37.

Which of the following is the LEAST reliable predictor of trauma?

  • The event involved physical pain

  • The event was unexpected

  • The event happened in childhood

Correct answer: The event involved physical pain

Trauma is the escalation of a distressing event into a long-term effect on a person. Although there is no exact prescription, many factors seem to escalate distressing events into trauma. These include the event being unexpected, the event happening repeatedly, and the event occurring in childhood. 

Although physical pain is often part of a distressing event, it is not necessary for the production of trauma.

The other options are incorrect, as they are all conditions that can produce trauma.

38.

Which of the following BEST describes the act of exaggerating negatives in oneself or others?

  • Devaluation

  • Inhibition

  • Projection

  • Displacement

Correct answer: Devaluation

Defense mechanisms are ways in which a person's mind seeks to resolve internal conflict. Devaluation exaggerates negatives in oneself or others.

The other answers are incorrect. Inhibition is a strategy to avoid discomforting stimuli. Projection is the assignment of one's negative qualities to others. Displacement moves the energy of a stimulus to another area of the psyche.

39.

A social worker reminds a client of his father, provoking feelings of hostility. The client then turns those hostile thoughts toward the social worker.

Which of the following terms BEST describes the client’s actions?

  • Transference

  • Countertransference

  • Empathy

  • Acceptance

Correct answer: Transference

Transference is when a client has an emotional reaction to a social worker and applies their feelings (such as defensiveness, wishfulness, or fearfulness) toward the social worker.

Countertransference is when a social worker has an emotional reaction to a client and applies their feelings toward the client. Empathy is when a person can relate to, understand, experience, and respond to another’s emotional state and ideas. Acceptance is when an individual can look at another’s positive worth without condoning their actions.

40.

Which of the following would be LEAST likely as a technique to teach coping skills?

  • Reenactment of traumatic occurrences 

  • Teaching breathing techniques

  • Knowledge about personal history

  • Formal skills teaching 

Correct answer: Reenactment of traumatic occurrences 

The teaching of coping skills is a regular part of most therapies that focus on increasing the client's functioning. Through these methods, clients have the opportunity to become helpers for themselves rather than having to reach out to others for support. There are several ways to do this, including teaching breathing techniques, educating the client about their personal history and its influences, and (when appropriate) formal skills teaching in a more structured way. 

Traumatic occurrences would likely be targeted with other therapeutic interventions.