ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam Questions

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81.

Which of the following refers to the way people present their sexual preferences?

  • Sexual identity

  • Sexual behavior

  • Sexual orientation

  • Sexual affect

Correct answer: Sexual identity

Sexual identity is the way in which a person presents their sexual self. This can vary from one's pattern of sexual behavior (the acting out of sexual desire) or one's sexual orientation (the established pattern of thoughts and feelings about sex).

The other options are incorrect. "Sexual affect" is a fabricated term.

82.

Which of the following is the MOST accurate definition of cultural pluralism?

  • Respect and encouragement of cultural differences

  • A society in which all categories of diversity are equally represented 

  • Encouragement of cultural assimilation

  • The idea of one's culture being superior to others 

Correct answer: Respect and encouragement of cultural differences

Cultural pluralism refers to the general attitude and practice of respect and encouragement of cultural differences.

It does not refer to a society in which all categories of diversity are equally represented, nor does it refer to any aspect of assimilation. The idea of one's culture being superior to others is called ethnocentrism.

83.

Which of the following is NOT a stage of the social work problem-solving process?

  • Describing

  • Terminating

  • Planning

  • Engaging

Correct answer: Describing

The social work problem-solving process involves the following steps: engaging, assessing, planning, intervening, evaluating, and terminating.

The other options are incorrect, as they are all stages in the social work problem-solving process.

84.

Which of the following is LEAST accurate about the competing perspectives on crime prevention?

  • The pro-punishment school of thought believes contextual factors are most important 

  • The pro-punishment school of thought believes individual factors are most important 

  • The positivist school of thought believes contextual factors are most important 

  • The positivist school of thought is more characteristic of social work

Correct answer: The pro-punishment school of thought believes contextual factors are most important 

There are two extreme and competing perspectives on crime prevention. One, described as the "pro-punishment" school of thought, believes individual factors are most important and can be meaningfully addressed through punishment. The other, described as the "positivist" school of thought, believes contextual factors are more important and that treatment is the key to crime prevention. Social work has traditionally been associated with the latter.

Although these extremes of perspective do exist, the language used to describe them is obviously loaded. A moderate position is likely closest to the truth. Crime prevention cannot simply be a function of treatment or punishment, and the dichotomy in practice is likely a false one. 

85.

While attending a funeral, a client believes that they are at a party and begins to dance and laugh.

What is this client experiencing?

  • Dissociation

  • Delirium

  • Delusion

Correct answer: Dissociation

Dissociation is a defense mechanism in which clients have thoughts that do not reflect the current situation.

Delirium is a state of confusion that is accompanied by hallucinations, delusions, emotional liabilities, and anxiety. Delusions are thoughts that one believes are accurate even though there is evidence to the contrary.

86.

Which of the following is NEW about the classification of schizophrenia in the DSM-5?

  • All subtypes were deleted

  • More subtypes were added

  • The symptom threshold was lowered

  • The symptom category of disorganized speech was added

Correct answer: All subtypes were removed

In the DSM-5, all subtypes of schizophrenia were removed.

The other options are incorrect. No more subtypes were added, the symptom threshold was actually raised, and the symptom category of disorganized speech has been part of the diagnostic criteria for some time.

87.

Which of the following refers to VOLUNTARY behavior?

  • Operant

  • Respondent

  • Active

  • Proactive

Correct answer: Operant

In behaviorist theory, operant behavior is voluntary behavior that is affected by environmental consequences. 

The other answers are incorrect. Respondent behavior is involuntary behavior. "Active" and "proactive" are not terms used in this context.

88.

Which of the following is BEST characterized by repetitive behaviors or mental acts that arise with perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance?

  • Body dysmorphic disorder

  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder

  • Somatic symptom disorder

  • Conversion disorder

Correct answer: Body dysmorphic disorder

Body dysmorphic disorder is characterized by repetitive behaviors or mental acts that arise with perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance.

The other answers are incorrect. The behaviors and mental acts in obsessive-compulsive disorder do not necessarily involve the body. Somatic symptom disorder refers to a preoccupation with physical symptoms. Conversion disorder refers to symptoms felt by the sufferer without a known physical cause.

89.

Which of the following is FALSE regarding premenstrual dysphoric disorder in the DSM-5?

  • It takes the place of perimenstrual-onset depression

  • It must characterize most menstrual cycles in the past year

  • It must be minimal or absent in the week after menses

  • The diagnosis requires five or more of the specified symptoms

Correct answer: It takes the place of perimenstrual-onset depression

In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a new diagnosis; however, it does not take the place of perimenstrual-onset depression, which does not exist. 

In order to qualify for this diagnosis, the symptoms must characterize most menstrual cycles in the past year, symptoms must be minimal or absent in the week after menses, and five or more of the specified symptoms must be present. 

90.

A client informs her social worker that she feels anxious around her boss. She explains that her boss is a few years older than her, handsome, and extremely pleasant. The social worker asks the client if she feels that she becomes anxious around her boss because she is attracted to him in a romantic way.

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

  • Interpreting

  • Reflecting

  • Partializing

  • Supporting

Correct answer: Interpreting

Interpreting is the process of enhancing a client’s understanding by making connections and facilitating the development of insight.

Partializing is the process of prioritizing a client’s problems or needs that require immediate attention from those that can wait until a later date. Supporting is the process of giving advice; it provides information and points out a client’s strengths. Reflecting is the process of clarifying and showing a client what their current feelings are and encouraging the client to further express and understand those feelings.

91.

An ad hoc community group has formed to address a crime problem in their community. They meet at a local church and begin to get acquainted. Which of the following stages of community organization does this demonstrate? 

  • Orientation

  • Foundation

  • Emergence

  • Reinforcement

Correct answer: Orientation

Community organization can go through several steps: orientation, when the action community begins to form; conflict, where disputes are worked out; emergence, which is the beginning of a consensus; and reinforcement, which is the decision and its justification.

The other options are incorrect. Foundation is not a stage in community organization.

92.

Clients use various defense mechanisms in order to protect themselves during treatment sessions.

Which of the following BEST describes the defense mechanism of compensation?

  • Unconsciously trying to make up for undesirable characteristics

  • Unconsciously removing threatening thoughts from their awareness

  • Acting in a manner that opposes an unconscious trait

  • Transforming emotional conflict into physical manifestations

Correct answer: Unconsciously trying to make up for undesirable characteristics

Compensation is a defense mechanism in which a client unconsciously tries to make up for undesirable characteristics.

Suppression is a defense mechanism in which a client unconsciously removes threatening thoughts from their awareness.

Reaction formation is a defense mechanism used by clients who behave in ways that oppose an original unconscious trait.

Conversion is a defense mechanism in which a client transforms their emotional conflict into physical manifestations.

93.

Which of the following is FALSE with respect to grief? 

  • Once the acute phase of grief subsides, it does not recur 

  • Grief is a developmental process 

  • Grief proceeds in idiosyncratic ways 

Correct answer: Once the acute phase of grief subsides, it does not recur 

Grief is a highly idiosyncratic phenomenon. It is best understood as a developmental, individual process that has many influences, such as culture, family, race, spirituality, and so on. It does not evoke the same responses in everyone who experiences it.

The acuity of grief can come and go, even after the "acute" phase has passed.

94.

A woman calls to confirm her husband David’s appointment for tomorrow at 2:00 pm.

What is the BEST action to take?

  • Refuse to acknowledge that David is your client

  • Confirm David’s appointment

  • Ask the woman to clarify her relationship to David

  • State that you cannot confirm David’s appointment time

Correct answer: Refuse to acknowledge that David is your client

Since you only know the caller is female and do not have a release on file, you cannot acknowledge that David is your client, as it would be considered a HIPAA violation.

You could ask the woman's relationship to David, but there would be no way of confirming this relationship. Telling the caller you cannot confirm the appointment time would indicate that David is a client and would be a HIPAA violation.

95.

Which of the following refers to the treatment approach in which roles are enacted in a group context?

  • Psychodrama

  • Group drama

  • Interplay process

  • Role feedback

Correct answer: Psychodrama

Psychodrama is the treatment approach in which roles are enacted in a group context.

The other options are incorrect and are not terms used in group work.

96.

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of a harm-reduction strategy?

  • Abstinence

  • Reducing use

  • Nonclinical approaches

  • Reducing consequences

Correct answer: Abstinence

Harm reduction is a strategy designed to meet clients where they are. It seeks to reduce the harm and consequences of a behavior without insisting on its discontinuation. 

The other options are incorrect, as they are all characteristic of a harm-reduction strategy.

97.

A hospice social worker treats a terminally ill patient who is being cared for by his daughter. The client tells the social worker that his daughter often takes large amounts of money from his safe without asking him, and he is unsure what she is doing with the money. The social worker is concerned that the daughter may be taking more money than what is necessary to take care of the client, but the client does not want any action taken in this matter.

How should the social worker handle the situation?

  • Respect the client’s wishes and monitor the situation

  • Ask for a meeting with the client’s other family members

  • Report the daughter to Adult Protective Services

Correct answer: Respect the client’s wishes and monitor the situation

Since the client is not at risk, the social worker should respect the client’s right to self-determination and continue to monitor the situation.

The other options interfere with the client’s right to self-determination.

98.

Which of the following is NOT a function of a family as a social institution?

  • To support the normative structure of society

  • To provide for the primary socialization of children

  • To control and regulate sexual behavior

  • To provide for the economic and emotional maintenance of individuals

Correct answer: To support the normative structure of society

Social institutions have various explicit and implicit roles that serve a larger society. The functions of a family include providing for the primary socialization of children, controlling and regulating sexual behavior, and providing for the economic and emotional maintenance of individuals. Families are not tasked with supporting the normative structure of society as a primary responsibility.

The other answers are incorrect, as they are all social functions of a family.

99.

A social worker reviews another social worker’s notes on a client with whom they are about to meet. In the notes, the previous social worker noticed that the client had disorganized speech accompanied by delusional content.

Which of the following diagnoses is the MOST likely?

  • Schizophrenia

  • Persistent depressive disorder

  • Major depressive disorder

  • Bipolar disorder

Correct answer: Schizophrenia

According to the DSM-5, the criteria for schizophrenia include the presence of delusions that are accompanied by disorganized speech.

Delusions and disorganized speech are not associated with the other three options.

100.

Which of the following is NOT a function of the social institution of government?

  • To transmit culture

  • To create norms via laws

  • To adjudicate conflict via courts

  • To protect society from external threats

Correct answer: To transmit culture

Social institutions have certain specific functions that are performed on behalf of the larger culture. Some of the functions of the social institution of government are to create norms via laws, to adjudicate conflict via courts, and to protect society from external threats. The transmission of culture is not a primary function of the social institution of government.

The other answers are incorrect, as they are all functions of the institution of government.