Question 1

Social workers should be able to experience what the clients convey. However, failure to separate themselves from those feelings may contribute to _____.​
A)​compassion fatigue
B)​client opposition
C)a Level 0 response​
D)​confrontations

Accepted Answer

Failure to separate oneself from clients' feelings can lead to compassion fatigue, which is a state of exhaustion and frustration experienced by social workers who deal with high levels of stress and trauma on a regular basis.

Question 2

A female client, aged 35, has a cancerous tumor in her breast. She has been scheduled to undergo surgery and have her breast removed. She says, "I am worried about whether I will still be attractive to my partner or not even if I am cured." Which of the following statements is a Level 3 reciprocal response to the client's concerns?​
A)​So you are apprehensive that you might be physically safer after the surgery, but that your partner might not feel the same way about you?
B)​Can you not think about the alternative, the consequences of not having the cancer removed?
C)​You should focus on tackling one issue at a time.
D)​You'll just have to be patient. I can see that you are worried.

Accepted Answer

This response validates the client's concern while also exploring the fear of their partner's reaction to the physical changes. It shows empathy and encourages the client to express their concerns. The other options are not as effective as they fail to address the client's concerns or offer support.

Question 3

To achieve positive results in role clarification while dealing with a new client, a social worker should:​
A)​not emphasize client responsibility.
B)​avoid mentioning that difficulties are inherent in the process.
C)​determine the client's expectations.
D)​avoid the person-in-the-environment focus.

Accepted Answer

In order to achieve positive results in role clarification while dealing with a new client, a social worker should determine the client's expectations. This will help the social worker to understand the client's needs and tailor their services accordingly. It is important to emphasize client responsibility and acknowledge that difficulties may arise in the process. Additionally, a person-in-the-environment focus is integral to understanding the client's context and developing effective interventions.

Question 4

A client is completing an enrollment session with you for a domestic violence group. In the course of discussion about what precipitated the violent act on his part, the client reports that his wife was nagging him about his relationship with his friend Charles. Which of the following statements would be an appropriate reciprocal response?​
A)​So why don't you stop seeing Charles for some time?
B)​So you were frustrated with your wife's concern about your relationship with Charles?
C)​So your wife has been nagging you?
D)​So your wife must be a jealous person?

Accepted Answer

The appropriate response would be to reflect back what the client has stated and acknowledge their feelings. Option B does this by acknowledging that the client was frustrated with his wife's concern about his friendship with Charles. The other options are not appropriate responses as they either suggest a solution without exploring the underlying issues or make assumptions about the client's wife.

Question 5

In a session with a social worker, a client who has had an abusive relationship with her husband discloses, "I am feeling sick and lonely today. I often miss my ex-husband when I am lonely. My sister usually helps me to get over him so I don't do anything stupid." The social worker responds, "So when you are sick and down like today, you have often coped by contacting your sister?" The social worker's reply in this scenario is an example of a _____ response.​
A)​Level 0
B)​Level 1
C)​Level 2
D)​Level 3

Accepted Answer

The social worker's reply is an example of a Level 3 response, which involves paraphrasing the client's message to clarify and ensure understanding, showing empathy, and acknowledging the client's feelings and coping mechanisms.

Question 6

If a client asks for personal information such as your marital status, which of the following would be an appropriate response?​
A)​I don't see how that information is pertinent here.
B)​Could you tell me how that information would be helpful to you?
C)​I am married.
D)​It is against agency policy to disclose personal information.

Accepted Answer

Asking the client how the information would be helpful allows for clarification and helps the client understand the importance (or lack thereof) of the information. It also avoids a confrontational response while still protecting personal privacy.

Question 7

Which of the following actions of a social worker will reduce the level of threat perceived by an involuntary client and mitigate his or her defensiveness?​
A)​Stating rigid views
B)​Empathizing with the situation
C)​Limiting self-exploration
D)​Blaming those responsible for the client's referral

Accepted Answer

Empathizing with the situation of an involuntary client will reduce the level of perceived threat and mitigate defensiveness. This helps in establishing trust, rapport, and a positive working relationship between the social worker and client. Stating rigid views, limiting self-exploration, and blaming others will only increase the level of perceived threat and defensiveness in the client.

Question 8

In a session with his social worker, a client states that the cops arrested him because he is a member of a racial minority group. Which of the following statements is an example of an empathic response?​
A)​Why do you think that the cops arrested you because of your race?
B)​It must be really difficult to live in this hostile environment.
C)​Would I be correct if I said that you felt harassed by the cops?
D)​What does your arrest have to do with your job search?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a session with his social worker,...

Question 9

Taking the time to explore expectations and to clarify how you can be of assistance to your clients goes a long way in:​
A)​granting immunity to you from prosecutions if an intervention backfires.
B)​preventing clients from drawing unwarranted negative conclusions.
C)​enabling you and your clients to set your own ethical standards.
D)​enabling you to force clients to pursue a particular course of advocacy action.

Accepted Answer

Clarifying expectations helps prevent clients from drawing negative conclusions that may harm the relationship between the client and the professional. It allows for a better understanding of needs and goals, opening the door for effective communication and building trust. It does not provide immunity from prosecution, enable the professional to force clients to pursue a particular course of action, or allow for setting personal ethical standards.

Question 10

A lesbian client who is yet to come out in the open consults a social worker. She tells the social worker, "The other day, the women at my office were talking about lesbians and about how repulsive the very thought of lesbianism was to them. How do you think I felt?" Which of the following would be the most appropriate reciprocal response by the social worker?​
A)Why should you let that bother you?​
B)​Why, that's kind of an exaggeration. If you just work along with me, things will be better soon.
C)​You must have felt extremely uncomfortable imagining that they would condemn you if they knew.
D)​How did you cope with it?

Accepted Answer

Option C validates the client's emotions and acknowledges the difficulty of hiding one's true identity. This response shows empathy and support for the client rather than invalidating or minimizing her feelings. Option A is dismissive and may make the client feel like her feelings are not important. Option B does not provide any meaningful support or validation. Option D is a close second, but it is a closed-ended question that may not encourage the client to share her emotions further.

Question 11

Identify the probable deeper feeling in the following statement by an African American client: "The system is against people like me. People think that we drink, beat our kids, lay up on welfare, and take drugs."​
A)Hopelessness​
B)​Anger
C)​Frustration
D)​Bitterness

Accepted Answer

The statement expresses a sense of hopelessness and frustration with the system and the way people perceive African Americans.

Question 12

Which of the following skills is essential for creating facilitative conditions?​
A)​Empathy
B)​Conditional positive regard
C)​Possessive warmth
D)​Rigidity

Accepted Answer

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It is essential for creating facilitative conditions because it allows the facilitator to connect with the participants and create a safe and supportive environment. Conditional positive regard and possessive warmth can be helpful, but they are not essential. Rigidity is actually counterproductive to creating facilitative conditions.

Question 13

In the context of empathic communication, which of the following statements is an example of self-disclosure?​
A)​As you describe what happened when you entered the new school, I think about what happened when I changed schools.
B)​I feel sad for what happened to you when you entered the new school.
C)​I don't think you should let what happened in school affect you.
D)​You are very disappointed that things are not better and are irritated with me. You feel that I should have been more helpful.

Accepted Answer

Self-disclosure involves sharing personal information or experiences in order to connect with the other person. In this statement, the speaker is sharing their own experience of changing schools, which is an example of self-disclosure. The other statements do not involve self-disclosure as they are either expressing empathy (B), giving advice (C), or reflecting the other person's feelings (D).

Question 14

Ms. Genelia cries while telling you about the recent death of her mother, whom she describes as one of her strongest supporters. You respond, "I know exactly how you feel. My mother died two years ago. We had a similar relationship. I cried for two weeks after her death." This is an example of:​
A)assertive responding.​
B)​compassion fatigue.
C)​sympathetic responding.
D)​a discrepant viewpoint.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of sympathetic responding, where the listener tries to show support and understanding towards the speaker by acknowledging their emotions and expressing similar experiences. However, it is important to note that every individual's grief is different, and comparing one's experience with someone else's may not always be helpful.

Question 15

During early sessions with a client, which of the following self-disclosure statements by a social worker would be appropriate?​
A)​I also enjoy reading mysteries.
B)​I am also contemplating a divorce.
C)​I see several people with this concern.
D)​I cannot agree with that viewpoint.

Accepted Answer

In the early stages of therapy, it is appropriate for social workers to disclose information about themselves that can help build rapport and trust with the client. Sharing common interests, such as enjoying reading mysteries, can help create a sense of connection between the client and social worker. However, it is important for social workers to always keep focus on the needs of the client and not to divulge personal information that could impede the therapeutic relationship or lead to boundary violations. Option B could actually impair the therapeutic relationship, option C doesn't add anything productive to the session, and option D could make the client feel judged.

Question 16

In the context of empathic communication between social workers and clients, which of the following statements is true of confrontation?​
A)​It is employed to expand clients' awareness and to motivate them to action.
B)​It is ineffective when clients are contemplating actions that are unlawful.
C)​It is employed to make a client pay attention to other people's feelings and circumstances.
D)​It is ineffective when clients are contemplating actions that are dangerous to themselves.

Accepted Answer

Confrontation is employed to expand clients' awareness, challenge their resistance, and motivate them to action. It helps clients to see and understand discrepancies between their actions and their stated goals or values. However, confrontation should always be done in a respectful and empathetic manner. It may not be effective when clients are not ready to change or when they are in a dangerous or unstable situation.

Question 17

Identify the apparent feeling in the following client message: "I know my children need to focus on their career. It is difficult for them to have time to call me."​
A)​Disappointment
B)​Guilt
C)​Embarrassment
D)​Confusion

Accepted Answer

The apparent feeling in the client message is disappointment. The client seems to understand that their children are busy with their careers and may not have enough time to call regularly, but it still makes them feel disappointed that they don't get to hear from their children more often.

Question 18

During a session with a social worker, a 30-year-old client conveys angry feelings about the trauma of his childhood abuse. Which of the following statements would be an appropriate Level 4 empathic response?​
A)​You are likely to succeed in gaining your self-respect at the conclusion of the case plan.
B)​I had undergone similar trauma during my childhood.
C)​You are really upset about what happened and you are wondering if you will ever gain your self-respect.
D)​How did you get along with your last social worker?

Accepted Answer

Choice C reflects a Level 4 empathic response because it acknowledges the client's emotions and conveys understanding of their experience. Choices A, B, and D do not acknowledge the client's emotions and are not appropriate empathic responses.

Question 19

_____ often exceed the level of feelings and meanings expressed by clients during early sessions and are thus reserved, in large part, for later phases of the helping process.​
A)​Additive empathic responses
B)​Sympathetic responses
C)​Reciprocal empathic responses
D)​Authentic responses

Accepted Answer

Additive empathic responses are more advanced and attuned responses, which go beyond just reflecting the client's feelings and meanings. They add new insights and perspectives to what the client has expressed. As a result, they are often reserved for later stages of the helping process.

Question 20

If clients verbally or nonverbally object to directives, a social worker should:​
A)​explore the basis of their opposition.
B)​let them ignore the directives.
C)​compel the clients to follow the directives.
D)​change the directives to more amenable ones.

Accepted Answer

It is important for a social worker to explore the reasons behind a client's objection to directives, as it may indicate underlying issues or concerns that need to be addressed. Ignoring or compelling the client to follow the directives may not be effective or ethical, and changing the directives without understanding the root of the objection may not address the underlying issue. Therefore, exploring the basis of the opposition is the best option.

Quiz 5: Building Blocks of Communication: Conveying Empathy and Authenticity

Social workers should be able to experience what the clients convey. However, failure to separate themselves from those feelings may contribute to _____.​

To achieve positive results in role clarification while dealing with a new client, a social worker should:​

If a client asks for personal information such as your marital status, which of the following would be an appropriate response?​

Which of the following actions of a social worker will reduce the level of threat perceived by an involuntary client and mitigate his or her defensiveness?​

In a session with his social worker, a client states that the cops arrested him because he is a member of a racial minority group. Which of the following statements is an example of an empathic response?​

Taking the time to explore expectations and to clarify how you can be of assistance to your clients goes a long way in:​

Identify the probable deeper feeling in the following statement by an African American client: "The system is against people like me. People think that we drink, beat our kids, lay up on welfare, and take drugs."​

Which of the following skills is essential for creating facilitative conditions?​

In the context of empathic communication, which of the following statements is an example of self-disclosure?​

Ms. Genelia cries while telling you about the recent death of her mother, whom she describes as one of her strongest supporters. You respond, "I know exactly how you feel. My mother died two years ago. We had a similar relationship. I cried for two weeks after her death." This is an example of:​

During early sessions with a client, which of the following self-disclosure statements by a social worker would be appropriate?​

In the context of empathic communication between social workers and clients, which of the following statements is true of confrontation?​

Identify the apparent feeling in the following client message: "I know my children need to focus on their career. It is difficult for them to have time to call me."​

During a session with a social worker, a 30-year-old client conveys angry feelings about the trauma of his childhood abuse. Which of the following statements would be an appropriate Level 4 empathic response?​

_____ often exceed the level of feelings and meanings expressed by clients during early sessions and are thus reserved, in large part, for later phases of the helping process.​

If clients verbally or nonverbally object to directives, a social worker should:​

Social workers should be able to experience what the clients convey. However, failure to separate themselves from those feelings may contribute to _____.

To achieve positive results in role clarification while dealing with a new client, a social worker should:

If a client asks for personal information such as your marital status, which of the following would be an appropriate response?

Which of the following actions of a social worker will reduce the level of threat perceived by an involuntary client and mitigate his or her defensiveness?

In a session with his social worker, a client states that the cops arrested him because he is a member of a racial minority group. Which of the following statements is an example of an empathic response?

Taking the time to explore expectations and to clarify how you can be of assistance to your clients goes a long way in:

Identify the probable deeper feeling in the following statement by an African American client: "The system is against people like me. People think that we drink, beat our kids, lay up on welfare, and take drugs."

Which of the following skills is essential for creating facilitative conditions?

In the context of empathic communication, which of the following statements is an example of self-disclosure?

Ms. Genelia cries while telling you about the recent death of her mother, whom she describes as one of her strongest supporters. You respond, "I know exactly how you feel. My mother died two years ago. We had a similar relationship. I cried for two weeks after her death." This is an example of:

During early sessions with a client, which of the following self-disclosure statements by a social worker would be appropriate?

In the context of empathic communication between social workers and clients, which of the following statements is true of confrontation?

Identify the apparent feeling in the following client message: "I know my children need to focus on their career. It is difficult for them to have time to call me."

During a session with a social worker, a 30-year-old client conveys angry feelings about the trauma of his childhood abuse. Which of the following statements would be an appropriate Level 4 empathic response?

_____ often exceed the level of feelings and meanings expressed by clients during early sessions and are thus reserved, in large part, for later phases of the helping process.

If clients verbally or nonverbally object to directives, a social worker should: