Exam 2: Assessment

Oppositional defiant disorder is an ongoing pattern of uncooperative, hostile, and defiant behavior towards authority figures. The symptoms are mostly noticed at home and school, with 16% of students suffering from this disorder. Talking back, questioning rules, and resentment are just a few of the demonstrated signs. What would be the first thing a social worker may do to start an assessment of a disruptive 8-year-old?

Externalizers tend to have problems with anger, self-centeredness, intrusiveness, and being blameless. This is overcompensation for fear of the opposite and may also result in shameless behavior such as physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. All of these traits tend to submerge from the subconscious defense mechanism known as what?

Bethany is asked to speak before her alumni at a high school reunion. She has no problem talking with all her old friends, but fears having to speak on stage. When Bethany begins to walk up to the microphone, she has a panic attack and runs out of the room. A thorough assessment show Bethany is displaying signs of what problem?

Direct practice promotes professionalism with a diverse community. This practice by social workers is very common. Once an assessment is made, therapy sessions may involve cognitive therapy, multicultural perspectives and what else?

Maxine lives by herself in a quiet housing development. She avoids contact with all her neighbors and will only leave the house when no one is outside. If Maxine happens to see someone out and about, she will lower her eyes and go another direction. When assessing the client, what kind of personality disorder is she most likely displaying?

Cognitive therapy involves helping clients develop skills for modifying beliefs, relating to others in different ways, identifying distorted thinking, and changing behaviors. If a client escapes the negative thought patterns and dysfunctional behaviors, the feelings may be relieved over time. Success is derived by developing more flexible ways to think and respond. An assessment would look at ways to reduce what?

This disorder typically occurs in young adulthood and is accompanied by significant occupational or social dysfunction. There are no medical tests to validate the existence of this disorder. The diagnosis is based on self-reported experiences and observed behaviors. What disorder is being described?

Direct practice often utilizes behavior therapy to treat depression, ADHD, addiction, insomnia, chronic fatigue, and phobias. Treatments may include assertiveness training, desensitization, and relaxation training. The length of therapeutic treatment varies with each individual client. What is the first thing a therapist must do when assessing the problem?

Disqualifying the positive is a pattern recognized in cognitive therapy that treats positive events like they do not really count. All-or-nothing thinking fails to recognize there may be a middle ground. Characteristics include terms like always, forever, and never. Clients who take an isolated case and assume that all others are the same may be what?

Operant behavior therapy looks at the antecedent and consequence that causes a negative behavior. Reinforcement and punishment are the core tools that are either positive or negative. During the assessment, a therapist would need to determine what?

Structural family therapy views the family unit as a system that lives and functions within a larger system such as the community, organizations, and culture. Through its transactions, a family establishes a set of rules for its daily functioning and these rules form its structure. When assessing the situation, a social worker must first focus on the family's what?

Children can learn to diminish negative behaviors by rewarding them for positive ones. Jenny steals other children's toys at her play group. When she shares appropriately, the care provider awards her with extra time to feed this fish. Lately, behaviors have improved. This type of conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. When assessing this situation, what theory is being utilized?

Madeline has felt sad and low many times for brief periods of time, becoming a part of life for her. Lately, intense feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness have been lasting for weeks. Experiencing symptoms such as feelings of guilt, persistent sadness, and poor memory may assess Madeline as what?

Social cognitive theory believes that behavior is affected by personal factors, environmental influences, and attributes of the behavior itself. What is the most important concept within this theory a social worker should know when determining a person's behavior change?

Autism is a spectrum disorder defined by a certain set of behaviors that children and adults exhibit in varying ways. The main symptom of autism is the abnormal or impaired development of communication and social interaction. Two people with the same diagnosis may display any combination of behaviors in any degree of severity. What criteria are needed on an assessment for an autism diagnosis?

Benjamin has had difficulty managing aggressive behaviors his whole life. He has been married three times and has two children who do not want to see him. Benjamin spent two years in jail for critically injuring a neighbor after their dog would not stop barking. What assessment would a social worker give this client?

Person-centered therapy should take place in a supportive environment created by a close personal relationship between therapist and client. The general direction of the therapy is determined by the client, while the therapist seeks to increase the client's insight and self-understanding through what?

Ego functions include judgment, object relations, thought processes, defensive functioning, reality testing, impulse control, affect regulation, and synthesis. Proponents of this practice focus on the ego's normal and pathological development, management of aggressive impulses and its adaptation to reality. It is part of what school?

Roger plays football on the varsity team of his high school. He has always thought very highly of his coach and respects his input on various topics. When Roger's grades start slipping and a mid-term demonstrates an "F" in one of his classes, the coach suspends him for two games. Although Roger really likes his coach, he will not speak with him and has negative feelings towards their relationship. When assessing this problem, a social worker may recognize signs of what?

A fairly common problem among society is characterized by two or more distinct identities that each have their own age, sex, and race. Symptoms include depression, suicidal tendencies, sleep disorders, compulsions, mood swings, phobias, and anxiety. Assessment for which disorder would include collecting data back to a person's childhood?