Masters Practice Flashcards

A mother visits a social worker because she is worried about her child's cognitive development. The child performs academically far worse than her peers. This youngster is recommended by a social worker for diagnostic testing. Which of the following evaluations will the child most likely receive in light of the mother's worries?

Answer: The Wechsler Intelligence Scale

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale (e.g., WISC for children) is a widely recognized and standardized assessment tool used to evaluate cognitive abilities and intellectual functioning. Given the mother's concerns about her child's academic performance and cognitive development, this evaluation would be the most appropriate to assess the child's intellectual strengths and weaknesses.

A youth group is being led by a social worker. One of the group members phones the social worker because she is quite unhappy about something she said in the group being revealed to others in her school by another group member. The social worker's BEST course of action in this circumstance is to:

Answer: Suggest that the upset group member bring up her concern at the next group session

In group therapy, it is generally most therapeutic to address issues directly within the group setting. Encouraging the upset member to voice her concern at the next session empowers her, models healthy communication, and allows the group to collectively reinforce confidentiality norms. This approach strengthens group cohesion and facilitates learning, rather than singling out individuals or imposing rules unilaterally.

That which follows DOES NOT constitute institutional prejudice.

Answer: Referring a client to another social worker based on his or her cultural background

Institutional prejudice involves discriminatory practices embedded within an organization's policies or culture, leading to systemic disadvantage. Referring a client to another social worker based on cultural background, if done to ensure culturally competent care from a specialist, is a professional and ethical practice, not an act of prejudice. The other options describe systemic barriers or discriminatory hiring.

Which of the following statements about a token economy is not always accurate?

Answer: For the system to be effective, a substantial number of points or rewards must be taken away for undesirable behavior.

While some token economies may incorporate response cost (taking away tokens for undesirable behavior), it is not always a necessary or primary component for effectiveness. The core of a token economy relies on consistently providing positive reinforcement (tokens/rewards) for desired behaviors. The effectiveness primarily stems from the consistent reinforcement and the value of the rewards to the client.

A child attending an after-school program walks into the office of a social worker and displays a burn that appears to have been produced by an iron. The girl claims that her mother punished her for "being bad" by doing that. The youngster is overheard by the social worker's colleague, who informs the social worker that the child has lied numerous times in the past. The social worker ought to

Answer: Report the incident to the child protection agency

Social workers have a legal and ethical mandate to report suspected child abuse or neglect immediately. The presence of a burn injury consistent with abuse, regardless of the child's past truthfulness, triggers this duty to protect. The social worker's role is not to investigate the veracity of the claim, but to ensure the child's safety by reporting the potential harm to the appropriate child protection agency for investigation.

Trauma-related emotional and psychological signs include denial and mood swings. Guilt/shame/blame, hopeless bewilderment, lack of focus anxiety/fear of being cut off/numb withdrawal

Answer: True

Trauma can profoundly impact an individual's emotional and psychological well-being, leading to a wide array of symptoms. Denial, mood swings, guilt, shame, hopelessness, anxiety, fear, emotional numbness, and withdrawal are all common reactions. These symptoms reflect the brain and body's attempts to cope with overwhelming stress and a disrupted sense of safety.

Fake disorder—factitious D/O

Answer: True

Factitious disorder, often historically known as Munchausen syndrome, is indeed characterized by the intentional production or feigning of physical or psychological signs or symptoms of illness. The primary motivation for these behaviors is to assume the 'sick role' and gain attention or sympathy, rather than for external incentives like financial gain.

True/False: Patients who suffer from paraphilic illnesses, which include aberrant sexual behavior and sexual dysfunction, experience personal pain over their interest

Answer: True

For a paraphilia to be classified as a paraphilic *disorder* in the DSM-5, the individual must experience significant personal distress or impairment due to their paraphilic interest. Alternatively, their sexual urges or behaviors must involve another person's psychological distress, injury, or death, or a nonconsenting person. Therefore, personal pain or distress over the interest is a key diagnostic criterion.

Subjective: A client's account of how they've been doing since their last visit and/or the circumstances that led them to seek treatment.

Answer: True

In clinical documentation, particularly using the SOAP note format (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan), the 'Subjective' section is dedicated to the client's self-report. This includes their personal account of their experiences, feelings, and perceptions of their progress or the circumstances that led them to seek treatment. It captures their unique perspective in their own words.

Action: a developmental stage in which a young kid requires assurance from a caregiver.

Answer: False

The description provided, 'a developmental stage in which a young kid requires assurance from a caregiver,' does not accurately define 'Action' in a developmental context. 'Action' is typically associated with stages of change models, where an individual is actively implementing new behaviors or strategies. The need for caregiver assurance relates more to early childhood development and attachment theory.

Watching individuals who have been videotaped engaging in the desired activity is a sort of symbolic modeling.

Answer: True

Symbolic modeling is a learning process where individuals acquire new behaviors or skills by observing them indirectly. This often involves watching demonstrations through media like videos, films, or even reading instructions. Therefore, watching individuals who have been videotaped engaging in a desired activity is a classic example of symbolic modeling, as the learner observes a representation of the behavior.

Lithium: Slower mental degeneration and decline

Answer: False

Lithium is primarily known as a mood stabilizer, widely used in the treatment of bipolar disorder to prevent episodes of mania and depression. While it helps manage mood symptoms and improve overall functioning, it is not specifically indicated or known for slowing mental degeneration or cognitive decline. Its therapeutic effects are focused on mood regulation.

Use a comparison group and an intervention. an experiment without random assignment, more evidence for accidental interferences

Answer: Quasi-Experimental Research Design

A quasi-experimental research design involves an intervention and a comparison group, but it lacks the random assignment of participants that characterizes a true experiment. While it allows for comparisons and attempts to infer causality, the absence of randomization means there's a greater potential for confounding variables. This design is often used when random assignment is impractical or unethical.

The incapacity to compute mathematically

Answer: Acalculia

Acalculia is a specific neurological condition characterized by the acquired inability to perform mathematical calculations. It is distinct from developmental dyscalculia and results from brain injury or neurological impairment. Individuals with acalculia struggle with basic arithmetic operations despite having previously possessed these skills.

Arriving at the same end from different beginnings

Answer: Equifinality (systems theory)

Equifinality, a core concept in systems theory, describes the phenomenon where a system can reach the same final state or outcome through different initial conditions and diverse developmental paths. It emphasizes that there isn't a single, predetermined cause-and-effect trajectory, and various factors can lead to the same result. This highlights the complexity and adaptability of systems.

Examines the generalizability of those conclusions to the general population.

Answer: External Validity

External validity refers to the extent to which the findings of a research study can be generalized to other populations, settings, and times beyond the specific conditions of the study. It addresses whether the results are broadly applicable and representative of the real world. High external validity is crucial for the practical utility of research findings.