ASWB MSW Exam Questions

Page 6 of 50

101.

Which of the following is the preferred type of assessment to use when a social worker wants to assess all aspects of an individual?

  • Biopsychosocial history

  • Family history

  • Medical history

Correct answer: Biopsychosocial history

A biopsychosocial history looks at all aspects of an individual. A good assessment must look at the entire person, not only one part of them. In order to develop a diagnosis, a social worker needs to know everything possible about a client, since people don't live in bubbles. People are affected by the outside world and vice versa.

Family history will only assess the client's family history and risks that could be inherited. Medical history will only assess the client's previous health conditions.

102.

Which of the following would NOT typically be a goal of crisis intervention work with a client?

  • Alleviating all negative emotions in the client

  • Linking the client to resources to resolve the crisis

  • Helping the client return to their previous level of functioning

  • Strengthening the client's coping mechanisms

Correct answer: Alleviating all negative emotions in the client

Crises are time-limited and require brief intervention. The goal of crisis intervention is to alleviate stress and mobilize resources and coping skills to help a client get through the crisis. Crisis intervention does not mean the client experiences no negative emotions; it simply means the client has resources to cope with the crisis and can return to their previous level of functioning.

Helping the client return to their previous level of functioning, linking the client to resources to resolve the crisis, and strengthening the client's coping mechanisms are typical goals of crisis intervention work.

103.

New legislation is passed reducing funding to social service agencies that serve the homeless. What would be a significant result of this funding cut on a macro level?

  • Homeless people would receive fewer of the services they need because agencies have fewer resources to provide them

  • Social service agencies would have to adjust their budgets, which could lead to changes or closures

  • Homeless clients would need to seek services in a different manner

Correct answer: Homeless people would receive fewer of the services they need because agencies have fewer resources to provide them

This macro-level intervention looks at the whole community of people who are homeless, as well as the greater community in which they exist.

The other answer options are on the micro level, because they are looking at how the reduced funding will affect only the agency or only the homeless.

104.

Brad is a social work student working on his final project. He is supposed to choose a hypothetical project he would like to do in his community and write a report on the process of social planning.

Which of the following is MOST likely something that Brad would choose as the focus of his social planning project?

  • Financing and building a community center for children and teenagers to go to after school

  • Petitioning the city to increase funding to the local health center for low-income individuals

  • Organizing educational events that children can attend on weekends

  • Planning and holding a parade in the community to celebrate the coming of fall

Correct answer: Financing and building a community center for children and teenagers to go to after school

Social planning involves problem-solving and data-driven approaches that will recognize, establish, and help organize services for identified groups. Therefore, the option that Brad would most likely choose for his final social planning project is financing and building a community center for children and teenagers to go to after school because this option involves bringing together individuals in the community, planning a budget for the construction and maintenance of the facility, getting support for the project, and then making the idea become reality.

Brad would be less likely to choose the other options because they do not encompass all of the aspects associated with social planning.

105.

Zoloft, Prozac, and Paxil are all names of medications typically used to treat what condition?

  • Depression

  • Conduct disorder

  • Schizophrenia

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Correct answer: Depression

Zoloft, Prozac, and Paxil are all types of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These types of medication were developed to treat depressive symptoms in individuals.

There is no research that supports any medication therapy that effectively treats conduct disorder, which is a behavioral disorder of childhood and adolescence. Schizophrenia is treated using antipsychotic medications such as Zyprexa or clozapine. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is typically treated using stimulant medication, such as Ritalin or Adderall.

106.

All of the following are core values found in the NASW Code of Ethics, EXCEPT:

  • Self-determination

  • Competence

  • Service

  • Dignity and worth of the person

Correct answer: Self-determination

The NASW Code of Ethics includes a set of six core values that are the foundation of social work's unique perspective. These include service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. Self-determination is included in the ethical code, but is listed as one of social workers' ethical responsibilities to clients, not a core value.

107.

As a Hispanic woman living in the United States, Maria has previously experienced discrimination. Working as a waitress when she was in her early 20s, she experienced several customers making negative comments about her and questioning whether she was in the country legally. Now in her early 30s, Maria has fully explored her cultural identity, and she is comfortable interacting with people from her cultural background, as well as those outside her cultural group.

What identity status does Maria align with?

  • Internalization and commitment

  • Encounter

  • Immersion-emersion

Correct answer: Internalization and commitment

According to the classic model of cultural, racial, and ethnic identity development, the internalization and commitment stage involves a secure sense of identity development. At this stage, people can comfortably interact with those both inside and outside their cultural group. Maria has reached this status.

The encounter stage is typically a negative experience during which a person first experiences discrimination. Maria has previously encountered this, but she has moved into the internalization and commitment status.

Finally, immersion-emersion is a period of exploration after an encounter. During this stage, the person learns about their cultural group by interacting with others from their group. Maria has also moved past this status, as she is comfortable interacting with others both inside and outside her group.

108.

Peter is assessing a patient using a 21-item test to determine depression. Which of the following is he using?

  • Beck Depression Inventory

  • Salmon-Trent Depression Inventory

  • Thematic Apperception Test

  • Rorschach Inkblot Test

Correct answer: Beck Depression Inventory

The Beck Depression Inventory is a 21-item test used to determine depression in adolescents and adults.

The Thematic Apperception Test is not used to determine depression; nor is the Rorschach Inkblot Test. The Salmon-Trent Depression Inventory is a fabricated term.

109.

Which of these is a key characteristic of social planning?

  • It's people-centered, not place-centered

  • One person organizes and leads the others

  • It's usually done in large communities

  • Only social workers participate in social planning

Correct answer: It's people-centered, not place-centered

Social planning is people-centered, not place-centered. Social workers listen to what people need; the locale in which the need exists is not relevant. Everyone involved collaborates in order to come up with a plan in any and all types of communities. Anybody is welcome to participate and there is not necessarily a single leadership figure.

The remaining answer options are incorrect. As stated above, there is no leader in social planning. It can be done in communities of any size, and anyone, not only social workers, can participate.

110.

Which of the following ACCURATELY describes a mastery model in role modeling technique?

  • Competent throughout

  • Initially fearful, achieving mastery

  • Initially fearful, achieving mastery, then fearful again

  • Fearful throughout

Correct answer: Competent throughout

In role modeling, two general kinds of model are used. A coping model, in which a model is shown as initially fearful then achieving mastery; or a mastery model, in which competence is demonstrated throughout the process.

The other items do not represent this model. 

111.

In regard to section 1.09 Sexual Relationships of the NASW Code of Ethics, which of the following statements is FALSE?

  • A social worker may engage in a sexual relationship with a former client as long as it has been more than 24 months since the social worker treated the client

  • A social worker may not engage in a sexual relationship with a current client under any circumstances

  • A social worker may not engage in a sexual relationship with the relative of a client

  • A social worker may not provide services to individuals with whom they have previously had a sexual relationship

Correct answer: A social worker may engage in a sexual relationship with a former client as long as it has been more than 24 months since the social worker treated the client

The NASW Code of Ethics states that social workers should not engage in sexual relationships with former clients, regardless of the time frame.

The other three options are all true in regard to section 1.09 Sexual Relationships of the NASW Code of Ethics.

112.

Jeremy is very active in the community, trying to bring about societal change. He believes everyone deserves equal economic, political, and social rights.

What is the BEST phrase to describe what Jeremy is fighting for?

  • Social justice

  • Political justice

  • Equal justice

  • Distribution justice

Correct answer: Social justice

Social justice is the belief that everyone deserves equal economic, political, and social rights regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. Social justice is a core value of social work.

Political justice, equal justice, and distribution justice are not terms used in social work.

113.

You are a social worker employed by a large private practice agency. One of your colleagues has recently agreed to work with a client who has had serious sexual trauma, but he has never worked with a client with these issues. Your colleague has also not had training in this area and as far as you know is not planning on seeking out supervision for this case.

Which of the following should you do FIRST?

  • Initiate a discussion with your colleague about your concerns regarding his lack of competence to effectively treat the client

  • Report the situation concerning your colleague to the state social work board

  • Inform the client that your colleague does not have adequate training

  • You should not do anything

Correct answer: Initiate a discussion with your colleague about your concerns regarding his lack of competence to effectively treat the client

Social workers have an ethical responsibility to provide services only within their areas of competence and expertise. They also have a responsibility to act in the best interest of clients when they believe another clinician is providing services they are not equipped to provide. In this situation, you should first discuss the situation with your colleague and suggest that he either refer the client elsewhere or seek out close supervision while he is providing services in order to avoid harm to the client.

You have a responsibility to take action in this situation in the best interest of the client rather than doing nothing. You may end up reporting your colleague to the state social work board, but only if he refuses to seek out supervision or any other support while providing services. You should only inform the client of your colleague's lack of experience if your colleague refuses additional help and if the social work board, NASW, and other licensing and professional agencies do not take action.

114.

Which of the following was the group that Erikson studied in order to arrive at his model of development?

  • Children

  • Older adults

  • Young adults

  • Mature adults

Correct answer: Children

Erikson's theories of life cycle development was based on his interest in how children socialize. 

Older adults, young adults, and mature adults are all addressed in this model, but Erikson was primarily interested in the socialization of children.

115.

Joe prefers to use the problem-solving approach with his clients to help them work through their issues. Which scenario is an example of a step in the problem-solving process?

  • Joe and his client brainstorm solutions to try one at a time

  • Joe and his client focus on finding as many solutions as possible

  • Joe asks his client to brainstorm solutions and then try one as homework

Correct answer: Joe and his client brainstorm solutions to try one at a time 

According to the problem-solving model, the social worker works with the client to brainstorm solutions. The social worker helps the client brainstorm so that they don't feel overwhelmed by it and benefit from an outside point of view. The social worker doesn't do all of the work for the client. Once they have brainstormed some solutions, the client chooses one to try.

The remaining answer choices are incorrect. Joe and his client brainstorm together, not independently, to come up with ideas. They don't have to come up with as many solutions as possible but aim to come up with a few.

116.

Which of the following terms from system theory describes a system with cross-boundary exchange?

  • Open system

  • Suprasystem

  • Throughput

  • Closed system

Correct answer: Open system

According to systems theory, an open system is one in which there is cross-boundary exchange.

The other systems theory terms do not describe this kind of a system.

117.

Which of the following types of drug includes Ativan, Valium, and Klonopin?

  • Benzodiazepines

  • Tricyclics

  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

Correct answer: Benzodiazepines

The class of drug known as benzodiazepines includes Ativan (lorazepam), Valium (diazepam), and Klonopin (clonazepam). These drugs are used to treat anxiety as well as other conditions.

118.

Affect, associations, ambivalence, and autism are the four As of which of the following mental disorders?

  • Schizophrenia

  • Selective mutism

  • Tourette's disorder

Correct answer: Schizophrenia

Affect, associations, ambivalence, and autism are the four As of schizophrenia, a mental disorder that causes individuals to abnormally interpret reality. In 1911, Eugen Bleuler assigned the four As, which he felt were the fundamental aspects of schizophrenia.

119.

Fred is seeing his client Marissa for the first time. Marissa is highly emotional and constantly seeks to make herself the center of attention. She sexualizes the relationship between herself and Fred, and in other ways assumes that their relationship is closer than what is therapeutically permitted. Marissa dresses in provocative clothing and describes even the smallest crisis as a highly dramatic episode.

Which of the following personality disorders is Marissa MOST likely to be diagnosed with?

  • Histrionic personality disorder

  • Narcissistic personality disorder

  • Borderline personality disorder

  • Dependent personality disorder

Correct answer: Histrionic personality disorder

Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by excessive attention-seeking, the sexualization or forced closeness of most relationships, a high degree of emotionality, and a very dramatic interpretation of most events in life.

Narcissistic personality disorder is a focus on the self with an exaggerated sense of self-importance. Borderline personality disorder is shown by an unstable personality in most domains. Dependent personality disorder is characterized by excessive need for support and guidance in most activities of life.

120.

Denise is a school social worker. One of her clients, Dawn, is a teenager who is doing extremely well academically, with perfect grades and participation in a wide variety of activities. However, Dawn reports to Denise that she does not feel good about herself, often thinks about death, and has trouble sleeping.

Which of the classic parenting styles has MOST likely been applied to Dawn?

  • Authoritarian

  • Authoritative

  • Permissive

  • Uninvolved

Correct answer: Authoritarian

Children raised under authoritarian parenting styles tend to have high scholastic achievement but issues with depression and low self-esteem.

Other parenting styles tend to produce different results. Authoritative parenting, where rules and guidelines are more democratic and supportive, tends to produce more positive results in a variety of domains. Permissive parenting creates more of a "friends" atmosphere with children, and is linked to lower achievement and problems with authority. Uninvolved parenting, where the parental figures are not meaningfully present at all, produces the worst results, with children that are low achievers with little self-control and competence.