Social Work License (MSW Exam) – ASWB LMSW/LCSW study guide
and practice questions
Piaget
(Adaptations, Assimilation and Accommodation) - correct answer ✔✔0-1 Sensory-Motor
2-4 Preoperational Period
5-7 "
8-12 Concrete Operations period
13-18 formal Operations period
19-21
21 +
50 +
Freud (Libido) - correct answer ✔✔0-1 Oral
2-4 Anal
Oedipal/Phallic
8-12 Latency
13-18 Genital
19-21 "
21+ "
50 + "
Erickson
(Stage conflict) - correct answer ✔✔0-1 Trust vs. Mistrust (stage #1)
2-4 Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt (stage #2)
5-7 Initiative vs. Guilt (stage #3)
,8-12 Industry vs. Inferiority (stage #4)
13-18 Identity vs. Role Diffusion, confusion (stage #5)
19-21 Intimacy Vs. Isolation (stage #6)
21 + Generativity vs. Stagnation (stage #7)
50 + Integrity vs. Despair (stage #8)
Trust vs. Mistrust (stage 1) 0-1 - correct answer ✔✔During infancy (0-1) the child is dependent
on mother for food and care. As the child incorporates or takes in through sucking and
swallowing; there is a receptivity to what is being offered. The mother is responsible for
coordinating the child's experience of getting and hers of giving. At the latter part of this stage
the child's eyes begin to focus and incorporation becomes more active as the child bites to
"hold onto" things. If the mother provides a predictable environment in which the child's needs
are met, a sense of basic trust will develop. This sense of trust implies not only sameness and
continuity from the caretaker, but also self-trust in one's capacity to cope with urges. According
to Erickson, it is the quality rather than the quantity of maternal care that is critical at this stage.
Successful resolution will lead to a lasting ego quality of hope, an enduring belief that wishes
can be fulfilled. Unsuccessful resolution will lead to a sense of mistrust in other people and the
environment.
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (stage 2) 2-3 - correct answer ✔✔During early childhood (2-3)
the child learns a sense of autonomy through retention and elimination of urine and feces. As
the child's muscles mature to the point that bodily wastes can be retained or expelled at will,
the child experiments with two simultaneous social modalities "holding on" and "letting go."
Parents must be firm and tolerant so that the child can gradually learn bowel and bladder
control and a "sense of self-control without loss of self esteem." From this emerges a sense of
autonomy and pride, and the lasting ego quality of WILL POWER, the determination to use free
choice and self-restraint. Unsuccessful resolution of this stage will lead to lifelong feelings of
shame and doubt.
Initiative vs. Guilt (stage 3) 3-5 - correct answer ✔✔During the play age (3-5), increased
locomotor mastery (walking and running) gives the child a wider radius of goals. In addition,
language skills add to the ability to imagine "so many things he cannot avoid frightening himself
with what he himself has created and thought up." The Oedipal wishes and the ambivalent
,feelings that accompany them must be repressed in order to temporarily mask the initiative
toward the opposite sex parent. While this initiative is a prerequisite for masculine and feminine
behaviors later in life, it is now repressed of necessity-in order to avoid the guilt that would
accompany knowledge of incestuous thoughts. Parents assist the child in learning appropriate
roles, including gender roles, as the child diverts the sexual drive into acceptable activities. At
this point conscience, or superego, becomes established to govern the initiative. Proper
resolution of this stage leads to a lasting ego quality of purpose, the courage to pursue goals.
Unsuccessful resolution leads to feeling of shame.
Industry vs. Inferiority (stage 4) 6-12 - correct answer ✔✔The child now enters the school age
(6-12) and is enmeshed in the "world" of school and opportunities for new types of mastery. As
children develop their abilities in new skills and tasks, they desire recognition gained from
producing things. Through this, they develop a sense of industry and a lasting ego quality of
competence. Unsuccessful resolution of this stage leads to life long feelings of inferiority and
inadequacy.
Identity vs. Role Confusion (stage 5) 12-18 - correct answer ✔✔As the child approaches
adolescence (12-18 or so), physical and hormonal changes mark the beginning of puberty. Rapid
growth and physical genital maturity disrupt the earlier continuity of childhood. This stage is
perhaps the most important for Erikson, as the adolescent must now forge a lasting ego identity
through aligning his or her basic dries, endowments, and opportunities. A sense of ego identity
is "the accrued confidence that ones ability to maintain inner sameness and continuity...is
matched by the sameness and continuity of ones meaning for others. Thus, self-esteem grows
to be a conviction that one is learning effective steps toward a tangible future, that one is
developing a defined personality within a social reality which one understands. As the
adolescent struggles to integrate past and future views of self and begins to define new
appropriate sex roles, an identity crisis may emerge from this confusion. New expectations from
parents may add to this stress. Tolerance, understanding, and guidance in the home can assist
the adolescent in achieving an integrated identity. Unsuccessful resolution can result in either
role confusion or identity diffusion, a state in which the individual is left with strong doubts
about who he or she "is." This may lead to delinquency, psychotic incidents, or over-
identification with others. Youths who emerge with a strong sense of identity and individuality
gain a lasting ego quality of fidelity or freely pledges loyalties.
, Intimacy vs. Isolation (stage 6) (early to late 20s) - correct answer ✔✔Young adulthood (early to
late 20s) brings an end to the years of childhood and youth. It is now time for choosing a career,
socializing with the opposite sex, and eventually marriage and raising a family. Interpersonal
intimacy is the task of this stage, encompassing both psychological and sexual intimacy. Failure
to achieve intimacy leads to isolation, an inability to develop intimate and meaningful
relationship. The person who cannot be intimate will likely be self-absorbed. Proper resolution
of this stage leads to a lasting ego quality of love, or mutuality of devotion.
Generativity vs. Stagnation (stage 7) (late 20s-50s) - correct answer ✔✔During adulthood (last
20s-50s), maturity geniality (in the Freudian sense) leads to procreation and establishing
guidance for the next generation. those who do not apply this to their own offspring must
sublimate and find outlets in altruistic activities. According to Erikson, simply wanting or having
children is insufficient for completion of this stage. Rather, an active role and a "belief in the
species" leads to efforts to make the world a better place for future generations. Unsuccessful
resolution of this stage results in a sense of stagnation or self-indulgence that reflection
interpersonal impoverishment. Successful resolution of this stage can be seen in the lasting ego
quality of care, or concern for others.
Integrity vs. Despair (after 50) - correct answer ✔✔Late adulthood (after 50) is a period of
retrospective reflection about one's own life and acceptance of the eventual end of life. If, at
the end of the life cycle, one can accept responsibility for past choices and find meaning and
contentment in the road that was traveled, a sense of integrity is achieved. Unsuccessful
resolution of this stage leads to a sense of despair. This may be exhibited as disgust and anger at
external sources but is an indication of self-contempt. The lasting ego quality that emerges from
proper resolution of this stage is wisdom.
Sensorimotor (0-2 yrs) (Stage 1) - correct answer ✔✔Reflex activity (0-1 months) Learns to
suck / tracks moving object but ignores its disappearance.
Primary circular reactions (1-4 months) Repetitive movements; opesn and closes fist; moves
thumb to mouth; moves hand and watches it. Looks at spot where object disappeared.
and practice questions
Piaget
(Adaptations, Assimilation and Accommodation) - correct answer ✔✔0-1 Sensory-Motor
2-4 Preoperational Period
5-7 "
8-12 Concrete Operations period
13-18 formal Operations period
19-21
21 +
50 +
Freud (Libido) - correct answer ✔✔0-1 Oral
2-4 Anal
Oedipal/Phallic
8-12 Latency
13-18 Genital
19-21 "
21+ "
50 + "
Erickson
(Stage conflict) - correct answer ✔✔0-1 Trust vs. Mistrust (stage #1)
2-4 Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt (stage #2)
5-7 Initiative vs. Guilt (stage #3)
,8-12 Industry vs. Inferiority (stage #4)
13-18 Identity vs. Role Diffusion, confusion (stage #5)
19-21 Intimacy Vs. Isolation (stage #6)
21 + Generativity vs. Stagnation (stage #7)
50 + Integrity vs. Despair (stage #8)
Trust vs. Mistrust (stage 1) 0-1 - correct answer ✔✔During infancy (0-1) the child is dependent
on mother for food and care. As the child incorporates or takes in through sucking and
swallowing; there is a receptivity to what is being offered. The mother is responsible for
coordinating the child's experience of getting and hers of giving. At the latter part of this stage
the child's eyes begin to focus and incorporation becomes more active as the child bites to
"hold onto" things. If the mother provides a predictable environment in which the child's needs
are met, a sense of basic trust will develop. This sense of trust implies not only sameness and
continuity from the caretaker, but also self-trust in one's capacity to cope with urges. According
to Erickson, it is the quality rather than the quantity of maternal care that is critical at this stage.
Successful resolution will lead to a lasting ego quality of hope, an enduring belief that wishes
can be fulfilled. Unsuccessful resolution will lead to a sense of mistrust in other people and the
environment.
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (stage 2) 2-3 - correct answer ✔✔During early childhood (2-3)
the child learns a sense of autonomy through retention and elimination of urine and feces. As
the child's muscles mature to the point that bodily wastes can be retained or expelled at will,
the child experiments with two simultaneous social modalities "holding on" and "letting go."
Parents must be firm and tolerant so that the child can gradually learn bowel and bladder
control and a "sense of self-control without loss of self esteem." From this emerges a sense of
autonomy and pride, and the lasting ego quality of WILL POWER, the determination to use free
choice and self-restraint. Unsuccessful resolution of this stage will lead to lifelong feelings of
shame and doubt.
Initiative vs. Guilt (stage 3) 3-5 - correct answer ✔✔During the play age (3-5), increased
locomotor mastery (walking and running) gives the child a wider radius of goals. In addition,
language skills add to the ability to imagine "so many things he cannot avoid frightening himself
with what he himself has created and thought up." The Oedipal wishes and the ambivalent
,feelings that accompany them must be repressed in order to temporarily mask the initiative
toward the opposite sex parent. While this initiative is a prerequisite for masculine and feminine
behaviors later in life, it is now repressed of necessity-in order to avoid the guilt that would
accompany knowledge of incestuous thoughts. Parents assist the child in learning appropriate
roles, including gender roles, as the child diverts the sexual drive into acceptable activities. At
this point conscience, or superego, becomes established to govern the initiative. Proper
resolution of this stage leads to a lasting ego quality of purpose, the courage to pursue goals.
Unsuccessful resolution leads to feeling of shame.
Industry vs. Inferiority (stage 4) 6-12 - correct answer ✔✔The child now enters the school age
(6-12) and is enmeshed in the "world" of school and opportunities for new types of mastery. As
children develop their abilities in new skills and tasks, they desire recognition gained from
producing things. Through this, they develop a sense of industry and a lasting ego quality of
competence. Unsuccessful resolution of this stage leads to life long feelings of inferiority and
inadequacy.
Identity vs. Role Confusion (stage 5) 12-18 - correct answer ✔✔As the child approaches
adolescence (12-18 or so), physical and hormonal changes mark the beginning of puberty. Rapid
growth and physical genital maturity disrupt the earlier continuity of childhood. This stage is
perhaps the most important for Erikson, as the adolescent must now forge a lasting ego identity
through aligning his or her basic dries, endowments, and opportunities. A sense of ego identity
is "the accrued confidence that ones ability to maintain inner sameness and continuity...is
matched by the sameness and continuity of ones meaning for others. Thus, self-esteem grows
to be a conviction that one is learning effective steps toward a tangible future, that one is
developing a defined personality within a social reality which one understands. As the
adolescent struggles to integrate past and future views of self and begins to define new
appropriate sex roles, an identity crisis may emerge from this confusion. New expectations from
parents may add to this stress. Tolerance, understanding, and guidance in the home can assist
the adolescent in achieving an integrated identity. Unsuccessful resolution can result in either
role confusion or identity diffusion, a state in which the individual is left with strong doubts
about who he or she "is." This may lead to delinquency, psychotic incidents, or over-
identification with others. Youths who emerge with a strong sense of identity and individuality
gain a lasting ego quality of fidelity or freely pledges loyalties.
, Intimacy vs. Isolation (stage 6) (early to late 20s) - correct answer ✔✔Young adulthood (early to
late 20s) brings an end to the years of childhood and youth. It is now time for choosing a career,
socializing with the opposite sex, and eventually marriage and raising a family. Interpersonal
intimacy is the task of this stage, encompassing both psychological and sexual intimacy. Failure
to achieve intimacy leads to isolation, an inability to develop intimate and meaningful
relationship. The person who cannot be intimate will likely be self-absorbed. Proper resolution
of this stage leads to a lasting ego quality of love, or mutuality of devotion.
Generativity vs. Stagnation (stage 7) (late 20s-50s) - correct answer ✔✔During adulthood (last
20s-50s), maturity geniality (in the Freudian sense) leads to procreation and establishing
guidance for the next generation. those who do not apply this to their own offspring must
sublimate and find outlets in altruistic activities. According to Erikson, simply wanting or having
children is insufficient for completion of this stage. Rather, an active role and a "belief in the
species" leads to efforts to make the world a better place for future generations. Unsuccessful
resolution of this stage results in a sense of stagnation or self-indulgence that reflection
interpersonal impoverishment. Successful resolution of this stage can be seen in the lasting ego
quality of care, or concern for others.
Integrity vs. Despair (after 50) - correct answer ✔✔Late adulthood (after 50) is a period of
retrospective reflection about one's own life and acceptance of the eventual end of life. If, at
the end of the life cycle, one can accept responsibility for past choices and find meaning and
contentment in the road that was traveled, a sense of integrity is achieved. Unsuccessful
resolution of this stage leads to a sense of despair. This may be exhibited as disgust and anger at
external sources but is an indication of self-contempt. The lasting ego quality that emerges from
proper resolution of this stage is wisdom.
Sensorimotor (0-2 yrs) (Stage 1) - correct answer ✔✔Reflex activity (0-1 months) Learns to
suck / tracks moving object but ignores its disappearance.
Primary circular reactions (1-4 months) Repetitive movements; opesn and closes fist; moves
thumb to mouth; moves hand and watches it. Looks at spot where object disappeared.
