LPC Social and Cultural Diversity 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The RESPECTFUL model used in multicultural counseling represents an acronym that includes all of the following EXCEPT:
- Religion and spiritual identity
- Economic class background
- Sexual identity
- Political party affiliation (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Political party affiliation
The RESPECTFUL model covers Religion, Economic class, Sexual identity, Psychological maturity, Ethnic/racial identity, Chronological age, Trauma, Family history, Unique characteristics, and Location — not political party affiliation.
Question 2: A counselor avoids discussing race with a client of color, believing it is better not to bring it up. This behavior is best described as:
- Color blindness (Correct answer)
- Cultural sensitivity
- Ethical neutrality
- Positive regard
Correct answer: Color blindness
Color blindness is the denial or minimization of racial and ethnic differences, which can invalidate the experiences of clients of color.
Question 3: According to the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC), privileged counselors working with marginalized clients should first:
- Adopt the client's worldview completely
- Examine their own assumptions, biases, and values (Correct answer)
- Refer clients to counselors with the same background
- Focus exclusively on presenting problems rather than identity
Correct answer: Examine their own assumptions, biases, and values
The MSJCC emphasizes that counselors must develop self-awareness of their own cultural assumptions and biases before effectively serving diverse clients.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes the concept of intersectionality?
- The meeting point where two cultural systems conflict
- How multiple social identities interact to create overlapping systems of privilege or oppression (Correct answer)
- A technique for mediating cross-cultural conflicts
- The process of integrating minority clients into majority culture
Correct answer: How multiple social identities interact to create overlapping systems of privilege or oppression
Intersectionality, coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, examines how race, gender, class, and other identities combine to shape experiences of privilege and discrimination.
Question 5: A Native American client tells the counselor that seeking outside help for personal problems is not accepted in their community. The counselor should:
- Explain that therapy is confidential and the community will not find out
- Explore the cultural context and consider incorporating community and traditional healing practices (Correct answer)
- Reassure the client that therapy will help them regardless of community norms
- Diagnose the client with a cultural adjustment disorder
Correct answer: Explore the cultural context and consider incorporating community and traditional healing practices
Culturally competent practice involves understanding cultural attitudes toward help-seeking and collaboratively integrating indigenous healing approaches when appropriate.
Question 6: Stereotype threat, as described by Claude Steele, refers to:
- A counselor's fear of confirming cultural stereotypes about a client
- The risk a person feels of confirming a negative stereotype about their social group (Correct answer)
- Threats made to marginalized individuals based on stereotypical assumptions
- The harmful effects of microaggressions on mental health
Correct answer: The risk a person feels of confirming a negative stereotype about their social group
Stereotype threat is the concern that one's behavior will confirm a negative stereotype about their group, which can impair cognitive performance and well-being.
Question 7: When adapting therapeutic interventions for clients from diverse backgrounds, the LPC should prioritize:
- Using only evidence-based treatments regardless of cultural fit
- Modifying interventions based on the client's cultural context and values (Correct answer)
- Applying the same treatment equally to all clients to avoid discrimination
- Deferring all cultural considerations to a cultural consultant
Correct answer: Modifying interventions based on the client's cultural context and values
Cultural adaptation of evidence-based treatments improves outcomes by aligning therapeutic approaches with the client's cultural values and context.
LPC Social and Cultural Diversity 3
The RESPECTFUL model used in multicultural counseling represents an acronym that includes all of the following EXCEPT: