Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment

Question 1

Upon intake, a client who professes to be “health conscious” reports that she smokes cigarettes. When asked by the social worker if she is aware of the health risks associated with smoking, the client states that “the reports are filled with misinformation and the hazards are not that great.” The client’s assertion MOST likely results from:

A) Cognitive Dissonance
B) Metacommunication
C) Displacement
D) Intellectualization

Answer 1

A) Cognitive Dissonance

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Human Growth & Development –> Communication Theories & Styles

Question 2

A client reports that he was recently in a serious accident at work that has resulted in limitations in his mobility. In this situation, a social worker should FIRST:

A) Assist with making a workers’ compensation claim to help the client pay for medical expenses and lost wages.
B) Refer the client for vocational rehabilitation services to determine whether modifications are needed to his home and work environments.
C) Discuss the psychological impacts of trauma and disability that will need to be addressed in order for the client to make a full recovery.
D) Conduct a biopsychosocial assessment to determine the impact of the client’s physical changes on his other life domains.

Answer 2

D) Conduct a biopsychosocial assessment to determine the impact of the client’s physical changes on his other life domains.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Human Growth & Development –> Systems & Ecological Perspectives & Theories

Question 3

Which of the following is TRUE about child sexual abuse?

A) Perpetrators are male in the majority of reported cases of sexual abuse.
B) Sexual abuse is a cultural or socioeconomic problem.
C) Most victims do not know their perpetrators prior to the sexual abuse first occurring.
D) Victims of sexual abuse will have physical signs of their abuse.

Answer 3

A) Perpetrators are male in the majority of reported cases of sexual abuse.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Concepts of Abuse & Neglect –> Indicators & Dynamics of Abuse & Neglect Throughout the Lifespan

Question 4

An example of cultural blindness in social work practice is:

A) Viewing the needs of all clients, not just those in the dominant culture, as equally important.
B) Identifying cultural norms that have impacted on clients’ presenting problems.
C) Advocating for the rights of all clients regardless of culture, race, and/or ethnicity.
D) Applying helping approaches universally to all clients without considering cultural diversity.

Answer 4

D) Applying helping approaches universally to all clients without considering cultural diversity.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Diversity, Social/Economic Justice, & Oppression –> The Principles of Culturally Competent Social Work Practice

Question 5

A client is upset about the breakup of his marriage. He feels distraught and does not think that he will ever have another intimate relationship. In this situation, the social worker can BEST demonstrate empathy by:

A) Discussing similar events in the social worker’s life that have been resolved successfully.
B) Telling the client that many people in this situation feel similarly.
C) Listening attentively while looking at the client as he describes his feelings.
D) Helping the client to find ways to cope with his emotions during this difficult time.

Answer 5

C) Listening attentively while looking at the client as he describes his feelings.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Human Growth & Development –> Communication Theories & Styles

Question 6

A female social worker is part of a multidisciplinary team working with a Muslim male client. When interacting with the client, the social worker should be aware that physical touch is generally:

A) Prohibited in all public and nonpublic interactions unless occurring between spouses.
B) Limited to handshaking if occurring between members of the opposite gender.
C) Encouraged to demonstrate empathy and compassion in all formal and informal relationships.
D) Not accepted between members of the opposite gender unless they are nonpublic interactions between close family members.

Answer 6

D) Not accepted between members of the opposite gender unless they are nonpublic interactions between close family members.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Diversity, Social/Economic Justice, & Oppression –> The Effect of Culture, Race, & Ethnicity on Behaviors, Attitudes, & Identity

Question 7

A client is upset because a boy whom she recently kissed broke up with her. The client states that she does not understand why the breakup occurred as the kiss indicated that he had strong feelings towards her. The social worker explains that kissing may not have the same meaning for the boy. The social worker’s statement is rooted in which theoretical perspective?

A) Self psychology.
B) Symbolic interactionism.
C) Operant conditioning.
D) Object relations.

Answer 7

B) Symbolic interactionism.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Human Growth & Development –> Communication Theories & Styles

Question 8

A child who is receiving services from a child protection agency due to physical abuse is referred to a school social worker because of bullying behavior. In the last month, the child has hit several of his peers while in school. The child is MOST likely using which defense mechanism?

A) Compensation.
B) Incorporation.
C) Rationalization.
D) Displacement.

Answer 8

D) Displacement.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Human Growth & Development –> Psychological Defense Mechanisms & Their Effects on Behavior & Relationships

Question 9

A client is discouraged as her siblings have received many academic awards and she is a very poor student. The client works hard to get the lead in the high school play in order to earn the praises of others. This client is using the defense mechanism of:

A) Sublimation.
B) Compensation.
C) Substitution.
D) Conversion.

Answer 9

B) Compensation.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Human Growth & Development –> Psychological Defense Mechanisms & Their Effects on Behavior & Relationships

Question 10

When intense subgroup attraction interferes with group functioning, the social worker should employ all of these strategies EXCEPT:

A) Examining whether the group as a whole is sufficiently attractive to members.
B) Engaging in exercises that separate subgroup members.
C) Promoting norms that emphasize group cohesion.
D) Dismissing subgroup members from the larger group.

Answer 10

D) Dismissing subgroup members from the larger group.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Human Growth & Development –> Theories of Group Development & Functioning

Question 11

Ecomaps are BEST defined as visual tools to:

A) Understand whether natural resources are scarce and conservation must occur.
B) Explore clients’ relationships with other people and entities in their environments.
C) Guide environmental justice advocacy efforts on the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
D) Show sources of power within all types of environmental systems.

Answer 11

B) Explore clients’ relationships with other people and entities in their environments.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Human Growth & Development –> Systems & Ecological Perspectives & Theories

Question 12

A client reports that she was recently fired from her job based upon her religious beliefs. She is intimidated by the thought of taking action against her former employer as she does not believe that she will be successful in fighting the bias against her. She feels depressed and hopeless. In formulating treatment goals, the social worker should:

A) Identify whether antidepressant medication may be needed.
B) Determine the impacts of her current emotional state.
C) Complete a suicide risk assessment.
D) Assist the client in fighting the discriminatory practices of the agency.

Answer 12

D) Assist the client in fighting the discriminatory practices of the agency.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Diversity, Social/Economic Justice, & Oppression –> The Effects of Discrimination & Stereotypes on Behaviors, Attitudes, & Identity

Question 13

During acculturation, which of the following statements describes the responsibilities of those in the dominant and nondominant cultures?

A) Individuals in both the majority and minority have an equal responsibility to change in order to work together cooperatively.
B) Individuals in majority groups must teach those in the minority about their customs and traditions.
C) Individuals in the minority must advocate for inclusion to ensure equal access to societal rewards by those in the majority.
D) Individuals in the minority must decide which majority practices they will follow for integration to occur.

Answer 13

A) Individuals in both the majority and minority have an equal responsibility to change in order to work together cooperatively.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Diversity, Social/Economic Justice, & Oppression –> The Principles of Culturally Competent Social Work Practice

Question 14

A client who is a member of an American Indian tribe states that he is “two-spirited” during an assessment. This information likely means that he:

A) Recognizes the impact of elders, including deceased relatives, on his life circumstances.
B) Views the good and bad in his own decisions and actions, as well as those of others.
C) Has encountered difficulties assimilating into broader society due to ethnic differences.
D) Identifies both masculine and feminine parts of his sexual, gender, and/or spiritual identity.

Answer 14

D) Identifies both masculine and feminine parts of his sexual, gender, and/or spiritual identity.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Diversity, Social/Economic Justice, & Oppression –> The Effect of Culture, Race, & Ethnicity on Behaviors, Attitudes, & Identity

Question 15

A client in his early 20s meets with a social worker to discuss his decision to have predictive testing for Huntington’s disease, which occurs later in life. It is not curable, but he thinks it will be useful in making decisions about getting married and starting a family. He states that he does not want anyone to have to care for him so he would not get married or have children if it is found that he will eventually develop the disease. In order to BEST assist the client, the social worker should:

A) Discourage him from undergoing testing because marrying and having children are important life tasks.
B) Ask him about his risk factors so that a better recommendation about testing can be made.
C) Encourage testing so that he can make informed choices now and in the future.
D) Discuss the implications of the testing for him and his family.

Answer 15

D) Discuss the implications of the testing for him and his family.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Human Growth & Development –> Basic Principles of Human Genetics

Question 16

A client who is discriminated against due to their national origin and/or culture is being judged based on:

A) Nondominant ancestry.
B) Race.
C) Ethnicity.
D) Minority status.

Answer 16

C) Ethnicity.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Human Growth & Development –> Theories of Racial, Ethnic, & Cultural Development Throughout the Lifespan

Question 17

A social worker who was recently hired as an executive director of a large mental health agency notices that the racial composition of the administration does not reflect that of the overall organizational staff. There are few individuals of color in leadership positions. In this situation, the social worker should FIRST:

A) Encourage minority staff to apply for supervisory positions in the future.
B) Review the hiring process and practices of the agency.
C) Raise the concern at the next executive staff meeting.
D) Implement a program to attract and develop qualified job candidates of color.

Answer 17

B) Review the hiring process and practices of the agency.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Diversity, Social/Economic Justice, & Oppression –> Systemic (Institutionalized) Discrimination (e.g., Racism, Sexism, Ageism)

Question 18

In recent weeks, a school social worker has developed a reasonable suspicion that a teenage student is being physically abused at home. When asking the child abuse the injuries, she reports child protective services has already interviewed her and found that “everything is fine.” She states that she frequently gets injured in sports and that accounts for the cuts, scrapes, and bruises. In this situation, the social worker should:

A) Report the suspicion immediately to the abuse hotline.
B) Monitor the situation to see if the signs continue when she is not engaged in sports.
C) Document the conversation in the student record.
D) Speak to a supervisor to determine if a report is still needed since child protective services has already investigated the allegations.

Answer 18

A) Report the suspicion immediately to the abuse hotline.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Concepts of Abuse & Neglect –> Indicators & Dynamics of Abuse & Neglect Throughout the Lifespan

Question 19

Trauma bonding helps to explain why victims of abuse:

A) Stay in relationships with their perpetrators.
B) Benefit from providing mutual support to one another.
C) Are likely to be abusers themselves.
D) Experience long-term psychological issues.

Answer 19

A) Stay in relationships with their perpetrators.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Human Growth & Development –> The Impact of Stress, Trauma, & Violence

Question 20

Upon intake, a client reports that she would like to end her marriage, but it is prohibited in her religion. Her relationship with her husband has deteriorated over the years, and he has told her that he is unwilling to change the situation. She feels “torn” between respecting her religious doctrine and her strong desire to leave her husband due to her unhappiness. She begins to cry and says, “Maybe I am just a bad person and supposed to live my whole life in misery.” After reflecting the client’s unhappy feelings, the social worker should NEXT:

A) Use universalization to reassure the client that many people in her situation would feel this way.
B) Suggest that the client ask her husband if he would be willing to attend the next session as a way of determining if he is truly not willing to change.
C) Ask about the reasons that the client feels that she is being punished.
D) Help the client to identify and weigh all costs and benefits of leaving the marriage to assist in her decision making.

Answer 20

A) Use universalization to reassure the client that many people in her situation would feel this way.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Diversity, Social/Economic Justice, & Oppression –> The Effect of Culture, Race, 7 Ethnicity on Behaviors, Attitudes, & Identity

Question 21

Upon intake, a client tells a social worker that she cannot wait “to be told how to fix the problem.” The client’s statement is BEST representative of role:

A) Ambiguity.
B) Reversal.
C) Conflict.
D) Complementarity.

Answer 21

A) Ambiguity.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Human Growth & Development –> Role Theories

Question 22

Which of the following is a dynamic risk factor for predicting the likelihood that perpetuators of sexual assault will reoffend?

A) History of antisocial behavior.
B) Prior criminal history.
C) Use of force in prior assaults.
D) Abuse of substances.

Answer 22

D) Abuse of substances.

Unit 1: Human Development, Diversity, & Behavior in the Environment –> Concepts of Abuse & Neglect –> The Characteristics of Perpetrators of Abuse, Neglect, & Exploitation