ASWB MSW Exam Questions

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21.

You are a social worker meeting with a young child for the first time. During the time you are playing with the child, you observe that the child wants to play house and other forms of pretend play. At one point during your session, the child notices white clouds outside and comments, "Someone painted those clouds very white!" The child then begins asking you lots of curious questions about why and how the clouds are in the sky.

In what stage of Piaget's cognitive developmental theory is this child?

  • Pre-operational

  • Sensorimotor

  • Concrete operational

  • Formal operational

Correct answer: Pre-operational

Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development posits that children learn from their environments, and is composed of four stages: sensorimotor, pre-operational, concrete operational, and formal operational. The pre-operational stage lasts between the ages of about 2 and 7. During this stage, children engage in lots of pretend play; they believe in artificialism, the belief that environmental characteristics can be attributed to human actions; and they are extremely curious about their surroundings. The child in the example is clearly engaging in magical or symbolic thinking.

The sensorimotor stage lasts from birth to age two and is a time when babies gain knowledge about the world from their physical interactions with it. The concrete operational stage occurs between ages 7 and 11 and is characterized by the appropriate use of logic. The formal operational stage occurs from about age 11 until adulthood and is characterized by intelligence, which is demonstrated through the logical use of symbols related to abstract concepts.

22.

Juli, a therapist, is working with her client Marcus. Marcus is extremely afraid of flying, and this fear has begun to hurt his career options and is making him depressed and anxious about his progress in life. Juli and Marcus sit in Juli's office, where Juli asks Marcus to visualize a complete journey by air in order to reduce his anxiety.

Which type of role modeling is this?

  • Covert modeling

  • Participant modeling

  • Live modeling

  • Symbolic modeling

Correct answer: Covert modeling

Covert modeling draws upon imagination and visualization to help the client "see" themselves doing the desired behavior.

Live modeling refers to watching a person perform a desired behavior. Symbolic modeling uses media such as film to show the desired behavior. Participant modeling is a two-step process in which there is a demonstration with the expectation that the behavior will be demonstrated by the participant.

23.

Which orientation of social work focuses on the enhancement of ethical practices in social work for the benefit of all clients?

  • Clinical orientation

  • Paternalistic orientation

  • Defensive orientation

Correct answer: Clinical orientation

The clinical orientation is the enhancement of ethical practices in social work for the benefit of all clients. Other aspects of clinical orientation include the emphasis on making ethical decisions and resolving professional obligation conflicts.

The paternalistic orientation is based on the idea that the profession's public mission is to enhance the rectitude of its clients and enable them to lead virtuous and gainful lives. The defensive orientation is the protection and risk management of the social worker.

24.

Which of the following is FALSE about Sigmund Freud's early psychoanalytic technique?

  • It was usually long-term

  • It focused on childhood experiences

  • It dealt with inner conflict

  • It was usually short-term

Correct answer: It was usually long-term

Though we think of Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic technique as being a very exhaustive and long-term process contrary to the ideas of short-term intervention, his early work was, in fact, much more brief than otherwise. It did, like his later work, concentrate on the inner conflict of the psyche that emerged from childhood experiences.

25.

Christopher, a social worker, is attempting to help his client Stephanie deal with her current depression and anxiety about work. Stephanie is very stressed, feeling that she is unable to communicate well with subordinates. When asked, Stephanie reports that this is something she has struggled with her entire career, and it has affected her job satisfaction and success; when challenged about it, Stephanie tends to leave for another job. Christopher gently suggests that there may be a lifelong pattern of avoidance of the basic problem.

Which of the following BEST describes the technique Christopher is using?

  • Interpretation

  • Clarification

  • Confrontation

  • Reframing

Correct answer: Interpretation

Interpretation attempts to draw together behavioral patterns for deeper understanding.

Clarification seeks to reformulate a problem in a client's words. Confrontation is the direct addressing of a specific item in therapy. Reframing or relabeling invites the client to use language to see problems in a different way.

26.

Which of the following would be an example of the effects of macro discrimination?

  • Access to education

  • Substance abuse

  • Diabetes

  • Anxiety

Correct answer: Access to education

The effects of discrimination can be measured in ways that affect individuals, referred to as micro discrimination, and its effect on systems and communities, known as macro discrimination.

Individuals suffering from discrimination can suffer directly from it; this may result in higher instances of mental health problems such as anxiety and substance abuse. It may also result in poor health choices leading to preventable health issues such as diabetes.

Macro discrimination is reflected more in its effects on larger groups, such as problems of access to education, employment, and social services.

27.

Though we should not make stereotypes or assumptions, some characteristics are recognized as being more prevalent than others in certain groups. In which of the following cultures is there a special value placed on silence, with an avoidance of eye contact with those seen as superior in status?

  • Native American

  • Asian

  • Native Hawaiian

  • Hispanic/Latino

Correct answer: Native American

Generally speaking, Native American cultures are comfortable with silence in communication, and in many cases show respect by avoiding eye contact with those seen as being of superior status.

The other cultures listed have different communicative norms.

28.

A social work student currently in graduate school realizes that a client she is seeing for individual therapy is also a student at her school. At what point should the social work student inform her supervisor of the dual relationship?

  • As soon as possible

  • The student only needs to inform her supervisor if a problem occurs with the client

  • During the termination phase

  • When the client is beginning to set goals for herself

Correct answer: As soon as possible

Dual relationships are relatively common in social work practice and refer to times when a social worker and a client take on multiple roles with each other. Even if the social work student does not think the fact that she and her client attend the same school would affect the therapeutic relationship, she should still inform her supervisor of the dual relationship as soon as possible to determine what should be done, if anything.

The student should inform her supervisor even if no problems arise in therapy. She should certainly inform her supervisor long before the termination phase and the goal-setting phase.

29.

Melody is a 6-year-old girl whose dog, Duke, just died of old age. How can Melody's parents BEST help her process this loss?

  • Directly explain to Melody why Duke died, and answer her questions honestly

  • Avoid discussing the death directly 

  • Agree to discuss Duke's death, but speak only in metaphors

  • Take Melody to a clinical social worker so she can process the loss

Correct answer: Directly explain to Melody why Duke died, and answer her questions honestly

Many children do not have a direct experience with death, so it is necessary for parents or other caregivers to help walk them through these events when they do occur. Children who are given a direct explanation of how and why the death occurred will have an easier time understanding and accepting it. Adults can also give children a simple explanation of the biological functions of the body in order to help them understand the transition from life to death.

By avoiding a discussion about death, Melody will be getting the message that it is not acceptable to talk openly about it. Speaking only in metaphors would probably be confusing and unhelpful in assisting her understanding of what happened to Duke. There is no need to take Melody to see a social worker or other clinician unless Melody begins exhibiting concerning symptoms.

30.

You are working with Olivia, a single mother who is having difficulty managing her son, Jack's, behaviors. You recommend that Olivia offer Jack a reward when he shows desired behavior, as spanking him for bad behavior has not been effective.

Offering a reward for positive behavior is an example of:

  • Positive reinforcement

  • Negative reinforcement

  • Negative punishment

  • Positive punishment

Correct answer: Positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement increases the likelihood of good behavior occurring by providing a reward for positive behavior. Offering Jack a reward when he shows good behavior is positive reinforcement.

Negative reinforcement involves removing an undesirable stimuli to promote desired behavior. For instance, when a mother stops nagging when her child cleans his room, he'll be more likely to clean his room.

A negative punishment means removing something desirable to discourage a behavior. A negative punishment could involve a mother taking away her child's video games when he acts out.

Finally, a positive punishment means adding something undesirable, such as spanking for bad behavior. Olivia has tried this with Jack, and it is not working.

31.

What is designed to help social workers identify relevant considerations when professional obligations conflict or ethical uncertainties arise?

  • NASW Code of Ethics

  • Social Work Guide to Values

  • Ethics of the Social Worker

  • Principles for Social Workers

Correct answer: NASW Code of Ethics

The NASW (National Association of Social Workers) Code of Ethics is a publication that guides the behavior of social workers, on both a micro and a macro level.

The other answer choices are fabricated terms.

32.

Peter has been working with a client for several weeks. He starts to notice that she responds in as few words as possible, is often silent, and demonstrates her distaste for being there.

What conclusion will Peter MOST likely draw about his client?

  • She is resistant to therapy

  • She is afraid to talk about her issues

  • She isn't comfortable talking with him

Correct answer: She is resistant to therapy

By saying little or nothing during the sessions and showing her distaste, the client is giving the message to Peter that she is resistant to therapy.

If the client was afraid to talk about her issues or wasn't comfortable talking to Peter, she might say little or nothing during the sessions, but she more than likely wouldn't show distaste for being there.

33.

Which of the following would BEST describe the reason for health disparities between marginalized groups and dominant groups in society?

  • Discrimination and distrust of the healthcare system

  • Poor lifestyle choices

  • Genetic vulnerabilities

Correct answer: Discrimination and distrust of the healthcare system

Discrimination can take a significantly negative toll on a person's health. It can result in poor quality care. Discrimination is also associated with problems like poverty and lack of opportunity, which can reduce access to health insurance and therefore worsen health. Minority populations may also distrust the healthcare system, based on historical injustices. This can lead to resistance to seeking care, which also worsens health.

Poor lifestyle choices can be to blame for health problems among any group. To blame health disparities on poor lifestyle choices would ignore structural and systemic factors contributing to health disparities in minority groups.

Genetic vulnerabilities also do not explain the health disparities.

34.

Which of the following types of program evaluation is more concerned with measuring benefits that are not captured in financial terms?

  • Cost-effectiveness analysis

  • Cost-benefit analysis

  • Outcome assessment

  • A cost-benefit ratio

Correct answer: Cost-effectiveness analysis

Program evaluation seeks to assess, document, and improve the services offered by an organization. There are at least three types.

A cost-benefit analysis weighs the costs of operating a program versus the fiscal benefits of its outcomes; one specific way of measuring this is to generate a cost-benefit ratio. A cost-effectiveness analysis is much like a cost-benefit analysis but considers non-monetary gains in its analysis. An outcome assessment picks a point of measurement and then gauges whether or not at that time the program has achieved its stated goals.

35.

When using structural family therapy, what is the FIRST step a social worker will take in assessing a family?

  • Leading warm-up exercises like introducing themselves and talking about hobbies

  • Having the family do some role-plays to demonstrate how power is organized in the family

  • Asking each family member to explain why he or she feels that the family needs the help of a social worker

Correct answer: Leading warm-up exercises like introducing themselves and talking about hobbies

When using structural family therapy, it is best to start with warm-up exercises to help the clients feel more at ease. These can be basic activities, such as telling each other where their dream vacation would be or what their hobbies are. It doesn't have to be fancy.

The remaining answer choices might be useful later in the session.

36.

All of the following are useful when intervening in a crisis situation, EXCEPT:

  • Asking the individual going through the crisis what they should have done differently

  • Humor

  • Self-disclosure

  • Installation of hope

Correct answer: Asking the individual going through the crisis what they should have done differently

Crisis situations are dangerous or unstable events that affect an individual, a community, a family, or society as a whole. Asking someone in the midst of a crisis what they should have done differently will probably escalate the situation, not help it.

Humor can be used to help lighten the situation, and self-disclosure can help the social worker relate to the client. The installation of hope helps the client feel that the crisis will pass.

37.

Which level of cognition is concerned with recall of facts?

  • Knowledge

  • Comprehension

  • Synthesis

  • Analysis

Correct answer: Knowledge

There are six levels of cognition: 

  1. Knowledge (recall of facts, rote memorization)
  2. Comprehension (understanding of facts)
  3. Application (using facts or knowledge)
  4. Analysis (breaking down knowledge into components)
  5. Synthesis (combination of facts into a new whole)
  6. Evaluation (forming an opinion about information)

Though there are relative levels of sophistication, all levels are necessary for proper cognitive development.

38.

Which of the following classes of medications is MOST commonly used to treat schizophrenia?

  • Antipsychotics

  • Stimulants

  • Benzodiazepines

  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Correct answer: Antipsychotics

Schizophrenia is a thought disorder characterized by symptoms such as hallucinations, disorganized thinking, delusions, and false beliefs. Antipsychotic medications such as Zyprexa and clozapine target these symptoms to alleviate cognitive disturbances and help those with schizophrenia function more normally.

Stimulants are used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and related attention problems. Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety medications that provide short-term relief for those suffering from intense symptoms of anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are most commonly prescribed to treat depression by changing an individual's level of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain that affects mood.

39.

Which of the following social work assessment terms indicates something that is subsequent to the onset of an illness?

  • Postmorbid

  • Premorbid

  • Contraindicated

  • Comorbid

Correct answer: Postmorbid

Postmorbid is a term that refers to something that occurs after the onset of an illness.

The other terms listed do not refer to this. Premorbid refers to a condition that existed before the current diagnosis. Contraindicated means a course of treatment action that is incorrect to the circumstances. Comorbid means that which co-exists with the current condition.

40.

Which of the following is a risk associated with taking high doses of antipsychotic medication?

  • Tardive dyskinesia

  • Low birth weight

  • Heart attack

  • Low fertility

Correct answer: Tardive dyskinesia

Tardive dyskinesia, or abnormal movements of the face, lips, jaw, extremities, and trunk, is a risk associated with taking high doses of antipsychotic medication.

Low birth weight, heart attack, and low fertility are not necessarily risks associated with the taking of high doses of antipsychotic medication.