MSW Social Work Masters 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which model of community organizing focuses on building relationships and collective power among marginalized communities to address systemic inequities?
- Social planning model
- Locality development model
- Social action model (Correct answer)
- Program evaluation model
Correct answer: Social action model
The social action model focuses on building power among oppressed groups to challenge unjust systems and advocate for structural change.
Question 2: A social worker is treating a client from a culture where mental illness is viewed as a spiritual problem. What is the most culturally competent approach?
- Educate the client that mental illness has biological causes only
- Explore the client's cultural beliefs and integrate them respectfully into the treatment plan (Correct answer)
- Refer the client to a clinician from the same cultural background
- Defer all treatment decisions to the client's religious leader
Correct answer: Explore the client's cultural beliefs and integrate them respectfully into the treatment plan
Cultural competence requires exploring and integrating clients' cultural frameworks rather than imposing Western clinical models.
Question 3: In group therapy, what is the term for the curative factor where members gain hope by observing others' progress?
- Universality
- Altruism
- Instillation of hope (Correct answer)
- Cohesiveness
Correct answer: Instillation of hope
Yalom identified instillation of hope as a curative factor where group members are inspired by witnessing others' recovery and growth.
Question 4: Which social work theory emphasizes identifying and building on existing client strengths rather than focusing on deficits and pathology?
- Structural social work theory
- Task-centered practice
- Strengths-based perspective (Correct answer)
- Cognitive behavioral theory
Correct answer: Strengths-based perspective
The strengths-based perspective, developed by Saleebey, focuses on clients' resilience, assets, and capabilities rather than problems.
Question 5: A social worker suspects a colleague is practicing while impaired by alcohol. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, what should the worker do FIRST?
- Report the colleague to the state licensing board immediately
- Discuss concerns with the colleague directly when appropriate (Correct answer)
- Ignore the situation to avoid damaging the professional relationship
- Inform all clients currently being treated by the colleague
Correct answer: Discuss concerns with the colleague directly when appropriate
The NASW Code of Ethics advises addressing concerns with the colleague first when feasible, before escalating to licensing authorities.
Question 6: What does the term 'countertransference' refer to in the therapeutic relationship?
- The client's unconscious projection of past relationships onto the social worker
- The social worker's emotional reactions to the client influenced by the worker's own experiences (Correct answer)
- The transfer of clinical responsibility from one practitioner to another
- The social worker's strategy for building therapeutic rapport
Correct answer: The social worker's emotional reactions to the client influenced by the worker's own experiences
Countertransference refers to the worker's emotional responses to a client that stem from the worker's own unresolved issues or past relationships.
Question 7: Which federal legislation established the framework for child protective services and mandated reporting in the United States?
- Social Security Act of 1935
- Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) of 1974 (Correct answer)
- Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997
- Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018
Correct answer: Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) of 1974
CAPTA of 1974 established the national framework for child abuse prevention, mandated reporting requirements, and federal funding for CPS.
MSW Social Work Masters 3
Which model of community organizing focuses on building relationships and collective power among marginalized communities to address systemic inequities?