ASWB Masters Basic 3 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: Erik Erikson's stage of 'Generativity vs. Stagnation' is MOST associated with which life phase?
- Adolescence (12ā18 years)
- Young adulthood (20sā30s)
- Middle adulthood (40sā60s) (Correct answer)
- Late adulthood (65+)
Correct answer: Middle adulthood (40sā60s)
Generativity vs. Stagnation occurs in middle adulthood and centers on contributing to society versus becoming self-absorbed.
Question 2: A client tells her social worker, 'I know you probably think I'm stupid for staying with him.' The social worker responds, 'It sounds like you're worried about being judged.' This response BEST demonstrates:
- Confrontation
- Reframing
- Reflection of feeling (Correct answer)
- Interpretation
Correct answer: Reflection of feeling
Reflecting feeling involves naming the emotion the client is experiencing, which validates and deepens the therapeutic relationship.
Question 3: Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a biopsychosocial assessment in social work practice?
- To diagnose the client's mental health disorder using the DSM
- To evaluate biological, psychological, and social factors affecting the client's functioning (Correct answer)
- To identify resources for concrete service delivery
- To determine eligibility for mental health treatment
Correct answer: To evaluate biological, psychological, and social factors affecting the client's functioning
A biopsychosocial assessment provides a holistic picture of all factors influencing a client's well-being and informs comprehensive intervention planning.
Question 4: A social worker suspects a client's presenting anxiety is rooted in unresolved childhood trauma. This hypothesis is MOST influenced by which theoretical framework?
- Cognitive-behavioral theory
- Psychodynamic theory (Correct answer)
- Strengths-based perspective
- Social learning theory
Correct answer: Psychodynamic theory
Psychodynamic theory emphasizes how unconscious processes and early childhood experiences shape current emotional and behavioral functioning.
Question 5: A client shares that his cultural community discourages seeking outside help for family problems. A culturally competent social worker should FIRST:
- Educate the client that therapy is beneficial and evidence-based
- Explore the client's values and what seeking help means to him (Correct answer)
- Refer the client to a provider from the same cultural background
- Assess whether cultural beliefs are serving as a resistance mechanism
Correct answer: Explore the client's values and what seeking help means to him
Culturally competent practice begins with exploring the client's own understanding and meaning-making before imposing the social worker's framework.
Question 6: In group work, the stage characterized by conflict, testing of the leader, and member jockeying for position is BEST described as:
- Forming
- Storming (Correct answer)
- Norming
- Performing
Correct answer: Storming
Tuckman's 'storming' stage involves interpersonal conflict and resistance as members establish roles and challenge authority.
Question 7: A client discloses she is undocumented and fears that information shared in sessions will be reported to immigration authorities. The social worker should clarify that:
- Immigration status is a mandatory reporting category in most states
- Confidentiality protects this information with very limited exceptions unrelated to immigration status (Correct answer)
- The agency may be legally required to share this with federal agencies
- The client should sign a release authorizing what is shared
Correct answer: Confidentiality protects this information with very limited exceptions unrelated to immigration status
Social work confidentiality does not include immigration status as a mandatory reporting category, and clients should be reassured about the limits and protections of confidentiality.
ASWB Masters Basic 3
Erik Erikson's stage of 'Generativity vs.
Stagnation' is MOST associated with which life phase?