Diversity and Social Justice Flashcards

A social worker assumes a soft-spoken Asian American client has no opinions because they do not volunteer them in group therapy. This reflects:

Answer: A racial microaggression based on the model minority stereotype

Projecting stereotypes about Asian passivity onto individual clients constitutes a microaggression that can harm the therapeutic relationship.

Which term describes the process by which immigrant communities are encouraged to abandon their cultural identities and adopt the dominant culture?

Answer: Assimilation

Assimilation involves absorbing into and adopting the dominant culture, often at the cost of original cultural identity, whereas acculturation involves navigating between two cultures.

When working with clients who have disabilities, the social model of disability suggests that practitioners should:

Answer: Address societal barriers and structures that disable people rather than the person's condition

The social model locates disability in societal barriers—physical, attitudinal, and systemic—rather than in the individual's body or mind.

A cisgender social worker is assigned to work with a transgender client. What is the most important initial step?

Answer: Use the client's stated name and pronouns and follow the client's lead on disclosure

Respecting a client's self-identified name and pronouns is a fundamental affirmative practice that establishes safety and respect.

Historical trauma, as described by Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart, refers to:

Answer: Cumulative trauma across generations resulting from massive group trauma such as genocide or forced relocation

Historical trauma describes intergenerational psychological wounds transmitted through communities that experienced collective catastrophic losses.

An LMSW working with LGBTQ+ youth in a faith-based agency is asked to provide conversion therapy. The appropriate response is:

Answer: Refuse, as conversion therapy is harmful and contradicts NASW ethical standards

Conversion therapy is condemned by NASW and major mental health associations as harmful and ineffective; ethical social workers must refuse regardless of agency context.

Which federal legislation most directly prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment?

Answer: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The ADA (1990) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunications.