ASWB : Association of Social Work Boards

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ASWB

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1 : Use Of Assessment Instruments And Methods

Which of the following psychological tests is used to diagnose individuals with psychopathology?

Possible Answers:

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

Wechsler Intelligence Scale

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

Rorschach Inkblot Test

Correct answer:

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

Explanation:

"Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory" is the psychological test is an objective verbal inventory consisting of 550 statements—16 of which repeat. It is used to assess psychopathology in patients. The other choices are incorrect. The "Myers-Briggs Type Indicator" is a forced-choice, self-reporting inventory that classifies individuals along four dimensions: attitude toward the world, perception, processing and judging. The "Rorschach Inkblot Test" is used to study perceptual reactions and psychological functioning. Last, the "Wechsler Intelligence Scale" is used to measure children's' intellectual and cognitive abilities. 

Example Question #1 : Advanced Generalist Examination

Which of the following is not one of the four main components of the biopsychosocial approach to health?

Possible Answers:

Psychological component

Behavioral component 

Environmental component

Health component

Correct answer:

Health component

Explanation:

The biopsychosocial approach to health is comprised of the following four components: biological, behavioral, psychological, and environmental. It is used to asses a person's overall well-being; therefore, "health" is not one of the for primary components because it is just a part of the biological component. The biological component observes an individual's medical history, family health history, genetics, and other physiological traits, while the behavioral component notes individual habits that may make a person more susceptible to health issues such as smoking or compulsive eating. Next, psychological factors assess a client's mental health. Last, environmental factors complete the picture by situating the individual in their social and physical habitat. Information gained from the environmental component reveal information relating to the influence of environmental variables such as social support or exposure to toxins. 

Example Question #2 : Advanced Generalist Examination

Which of the following accurately displays the order of the five stages of grief/loss?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Anger, denial, bargaining, acceptance, and depression 

Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance 

Depression, anger, denial, bargaining, and acceptance

Correct answer:

Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance 

Explanation:

There are five stages of grief/loss that are generally accepted by professionals:Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. According to this model, an individual who is grieving will initially deny the reality of the situation. Afterwards, they will become angry when they realize the reality of the situation. The next step is bargaining. This is where the linearity of the model is challenged. People may bargain with a higher power to spare a loved one and then may revert to the earlier stages of anger and denial; furthermore, guilt is associated with bargaining and can reappear long after the loss. It it important to note that individuals may repeat stages or challenge the order of this model in an infinite number of ways. Likewise, there is no time standard on grief because individuals can pass through the stages in a flash or over a period of years. Post bargaining, an individual may come depressed and an individual is said to have overcome the loss when they have accepted it and moved on with their life; thus, there is no accurate order to this model. 

Example Question #1 : Advanced Generalist Examination

Which of the following is the first step in a social workers problem-solving process for a client?

Possible Answers:

Plan

Evaluation

None of these

Assessment

Correct answer:

Assessment

Explanation:

A social worker follows a three step model for client problem solving: assessment, plan, evaluation. The first step of this process is client assessment where objective and subjective symptoms of the client are observed and noted. The objective and subjective findings are used to make a plan for the client's needs. Last, evaluations are used to indicate when goals are met and the effectiveness of treatments.  

Example Question #2 : Advanced Generalist Examination

Which of the following is defined as the process by which a client's unconscious creates a series of barriers (i.e. a wall) that serves as a defense against a therapist's attempts to uncover psychosocial issues?

Possible Answers:

Objectivity 

Motivation

Resistance

Subjectivity

Correct answer:

Resistance

Explanation:

"Resistance" is the process by which the unconscious resists therapy through the creation of barriers. In this context, the client's resistance challenges therapy and the changes it might produce. It is important to not that resistance is unconscious: those that actively try to work against therapeutic procedures are considered to be non-cooperative. "Motivation" is the opposite of resistance. It is the ability of the client to be open to therapy as well as the changes it may bring. "Subjectivity" and "objectivity" are classifications of symptoms and observations used for client assessments. 

Example Question #4 : Advanced Generalist Examination

Which of the following is not a reliable test used to detect a malingered psychosis?

Possible Answers:

Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms

Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test

Rorschach Inkblot Test

Revised Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

Correct answer:

Rorschach Inkblot Test

Explanation:

A malingered psychosis is when a patient feigns a particular psychological issue. A patient may do this for several reasons (e.g. to avoid pain or to seek pleasure). There are several tests that are reliable detectors of individuals feigning psychological issues. They include the following: the "Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms," the "Revised Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory," and the "Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test." The "Rorschach Inkblot Test" is only used to assess common psychological issues. On the other hand, a maligned psychosis is difficult to diagnose and requires more specialized tests.

Example Question #2 : Association Of Social Work Boards

According to crisis intervention models, social workers should identify signs of crisis in which of the following areas?

Possible Answers:

Physical level

All of these

Emotional level

Cognitive level

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

According to crisis intervention, therapists should look for signs of crisis on the following three levels: physical, emotional, and cognitive. Physical responses to crisis include the following: tremors, dizziness, weakness, and headaches. Emotional responses to trauma include the following: irritability, anxiety, anger, fear, and guilt. Last, cognitive responses include the following responses to trauma: sense of blame, hypersensitivity, confusion and poor concentration. These are not complete lists but general responses to patient trauma that crisis interventions seek to remedy.  

Example Question #3 : Association Of Social Work Boards

Which of the following can be classified as system approaches to family therapy?

Possible Answers:

All of these

Strategic 

Intergenerational 

Structural

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Family systems approaches to therapy are broken into the following three categories: structural, strategic, and intergenerational. Structural family therapy uses methods such as role playing in order to determine the structure of the family by observing relationships behaviors and patterns. Strategic family therapy evaluates behavior outside the session in order to problem solve by observing family processes and functions. Last, intergenerational family therapy acknowledges the effects of generational influences upon family behaviors and dysfunctions. 

Example Question #1 : Human Development, Diversity, And Behavior In The Environment

Which of the following is not an essential component of conflict theory?

Possible Answers:

Social classes possess differing amounts of resources

Social classes combat social inequalities by working towards egalitarianism 

Wealthier classes use their power to exploit the lower classes

Society is broken into social strata

Correct answer:

Social classes combat social inequalities by working towards egalitarianism 

Explanation:

"Social classes combat social inequalities by working towards egalitarianism" is not an essential component of conflict theory. Conflict or Marxist theory was developed using the works of Karl Marx. This theory states that society is in conflict that arises from the division of social classes, the unequal distribution of resources, and the power of the upperclass to exploit the poor. Under this theory, conflict arises when the poor develop a class consciousness that enables them to realize their exploitation and combat it. Egalitarianism is a societal ideal where all groups are granted equal power and resources. This is in direct opposition to the basic principles of conflict theory. 

Example Question #1 : Human Development, Diversity, And Behavior In The Environment

"Zero tolerance" and "quality of life" policing practices that enforce the regulation of misdemeanors in order to establish a community free of vandalism, crime, and antisocial behavior in order to maintain urban environments are the products of which of the following community theories?

Possible Answers:

Broken windows theory

Giulianism

None of these

Community that cares model

Correct answer:

Broken windows theory

Explanation:

"Zero tolerance" and "quality of life" policing practices are the products of the broken windows theory. The broken windows theory posits that if communities police misdemeanors such as the vandalism (i.e. the breaking of windows), then other crimes in the community will decrease. It is suggested that the enforcement of low-level crimes creates social conformity enforced by formal and informal social sanctions, which results in the deterrence of criminal activities. In New York City, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani used this theory to implement a policing initiative to stop so called "small crimes." Under this initiative, police enforced misdemeanor crimes such as turnstile jumping—where individual jump turnstiles in order to ride subways for free. This initiative resulted in a decline in criminal activity in the city.

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