MFT Basic Marital and Family Therapy 3

Question 1

Which concept in contextual family therapy, developed by Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy, refers to the accumulated ledger of fairness, entitlements, and obligations across generations?

Accepted Answer

Relational ledger

Answer

The relational ledger tracks the balance of give-and-take across family generations, with debts and entitlements that can be passed down to children.

Question 2

According to John Gottman's research, which of the following is the MOST reliable predictor of divorce in couples?

Accepted Answer

Presence of contempt

Answer

Gottman's research identified contempt — expressions of disgust, superiority, and disrespect — as the single strongest predictor of relationship dissolution.

Question 3

A family therapist notices that whenever the parents begin to argue, their teenage son acts out and diverts the parents' attention to him. This pattern best illustrates:

Accepted Answer

Detouring

Answer

Detouring is a structural pattern in which the parental dyad avoids conflict by redirecting tension through a child, who either becomes symptomatic or is scapegoated.

Question 4

In solution-focused brief therapy, the miracle question is primarily used to:

Accepted Answer

Elicit client-generated visions of a preferred future

Answer

The miracle question invites clients to describe life after the problem has disappeared, helping them articulate goals and identify small steps toward change.

Question 5

Which ethical principle requires MFT therapists to disclose the limits of confidentiality at the start of treatment?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Informed consent requires therapists to provide clients with information about the nature, risks, and limits of treatment — including when confidentiality must be broken — before therapy begins.

MFT Exam Practice Test

MFT Exam Practice Test

MFT Basic Marital and Family Therapy 3