Master of Social Work Final test; all answered
latest 2022, A+ graded guide.
Systems Theory - answers>A system is a whole comprising component parts that work together. Applied
to social work, systems theory views human behavior through larger contexts, such as members of
families, communities, and broader society. Important to this theory is the concept that when one thing
changes within a system, the whole system is affected. Systems tend toward equilibrium and can have
closed or open boundaries.
Apgar PhD LSW ACSW, Dr. Dawn (2015-05-11). Social Work ASWB Masters Exam Guide: A Comprehensive
Study Guide for Success (p. 43). Springer Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
Systems Theory Applications to Social Work - answers>1. Social workers need to understand interactions
between the micro, meso, and macro levels.
2. Problems at one part of a system may be manifested at another.
3. Ecomaps and genograms can help to understand system dynamics.
4. Understanding "person-in-environment" is essential to identifying barriers or opportunities for
change.
5. Problems and change are viewed within larger contexts.
Apgar PhD LSW ACSW, Dr. Dawn (2015-05-11). Social Work ASWB Masters Exam Guide: A Comprehensive
Study Guide for Success (pp. 43-44). Springer Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
Some System Theory Terms - answers>Closed system- uses up its energy and dies
Differentiation- becoming specialized in structure and function
Entropy- closed, disorganized, stagnant; using up available energy
Equifinality- arriving at the same end from different beginnings
homeostasis steady state
Input- obtaining resources from the environment that are necessary to attain the goals of the system
Negative entropy- exchange of energy and resources between systems that promote growth and
transformation
Open system a system with cross-boundary exchange
[Date] 1
,Output- product of the system that exports to the environment
Subsystem- a major component of a system made up of two or more interdependent components that
interact in order to attain their own purpose( s) and the purpose( s) of the system in which they are
embedded
Suprasystem- an entity that is served by a number of component systems organized in interacting
relationships throughput energy that is integrated into the system so it can be used by the system to
accomplish its goals
Apgar PhD LSW ACSW, Dr. Dawn (2015-05-11). Social Work ASWB Masters Exam Guide: A Comprehensive
Study Guide for Success (p. 44). Springer Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
The eight interlocking concepts of Bowen Theory include: - answers>1) Differentiation of Self
2) Triangles
3) Nuclear Family Emotional Process
4) Family Projection Process
5) Emotional Cutoff
6) Multigenerational Transmission Process
7) Sibling Position
8) Societal Emotional Process.
FAMILY THEORIES - answers>Family theory provides a theoretical and therapeutic base for dealing with
family-related situations; it is also useful in understanding and managing individual problems by
determining the extent to which such problems are related to family issues. A family systems approach
argues that in order to understand a family system, a social worker must look at the family as a whole,
rather than focusing on its members. People do not exist in a vacuum. They live, play, go to school, and
work with other people. Most anthropologists agree that, next to their peculiar tendency to think and
use tools, one of the distinguishing characteristics of human beings is that they are social creatures. The
social group that seems to be most universal and pervasive in the way it shapes human behavior is the
family. For social workers, the growing awareness of the crucial impact of families on clients has led to
the development of family systems theory. Family systems theory searches for the causes of behavior,
not in the individual alone, but in the interactions among the members of a group. The basic rationale is
that all parts of the family are interrelated. Further, the family has properties of its own that can be
known only by looking at the relationships and interactions among all members.
[Date] 2
,Apgar PhD LSW ACSW, Dr. Dawn (2015-05-11). Social Work ASWB Masters Exam Guide: A Comprehensive
Study Guide for Success (pp. 44-45). Springer Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
The family systems approach is based on several basic assumptions: - answers>1. Each family is more
than a sum of its members.
2. Each family is unique, due to the infinite variations in personal characteristics and cultural and
ideological styles.
3. A healthy family has flexibility, consistent structure, and effective exchange of information.
4. The family is an interactional system whose component parts have constantly shifting boundaries and
varying degrees of resistance to change.
5. Families must fulfill a variety of functions for each member, both collectively and individually, if each
member is to grow and develop.
6. Families strive for a sense of balance or homeostasis.
7. Negative feedback loops are those patterns of interaction that maintain stability or constancy while
minimizing change. Negative feedback loops help to maintain homeostasis. Positive feedback loops, in
contrast, are patterns of interaction that facilitate change or movement toward either growth or
dissolution.
8. Families are seen as being goal oriented. The concept of equifinality refers to the ability of the family
system to accomplish the same goals through different routes.
9. The concept of hierarchies describes how families organize themselves into various smaller units or
subsystems that are comprised by the larger family system. When the members or tasks associated with
each subsystem become blurred with those of other subsystems, families have been viewed as having
difficulties. For example, when a child becomes involved in marital issues, difficulties often emerge that
require intervention.
10. Boundaries occur at every level of the system and between subsystems. Boundaries influence the
movement of people and the flow of information into and out of the system. Some families have very
open boundaries where members and others are allowed to freely come and go without much
restriction; in other families, there are tight restrictions on where family members can go and who may
be brought into the family system. Boundaries also regulate the flow of information in a family. In more
closed families, the rules strictly regulate what information may be discussed and with whom. In
contrast, information may flow more freely in families that have more permeable boundaries.
11. The concept of interdependence is critical in the study of family systems. Individual family members
and the subsystems comprised by the family system are mutually influenced by and are mutually
dependent upon one another. What happens to one family member, or what one family member does,
influences other family members.
[Date] 3
, Genograms are diagrams of family relationships beyond a family tree allowing a social worker and client
to visualize hereditary patterns and psychological factors. They include annotations about the medical
history and major personality traits of each family member. Genograms help uncover intergenerational
patterns of behavior, marriage choices, family alliances and conflicts, the existence of family secrets, and
other information that will shed light on a family's present situation.
Apgar PhD LSW ACSW, Dr. Dawn (2015-05-11). Social Work ASWB Masters Exam Guide: A Comprehensive
Study Guide for Success (p. 46). Springer Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
The family systems Key clinical issues include: - answers>-Establishing a contract with the family
-Examining alliances within the family
-Identifying where power resides
-Determining the relationship of each family member to the problem
-Seeing how the family relates to the outside world
-Assessing influence of family history on current family interactions
-Ascertaining communication patterns
-Identifying family rules that regulate patterns of interaction
-Determining meaning of presenting symptom in maintaining family homeostasis
-Examining flexibility of structure and accessibility of alternative action patterns
-Finding out about sources of external stress and support The following are some types of family
therapy.
Apgar PhD LSW ACSW, Dr. Dawn (2015-05-11). Social Work ASWB Masters Exam Guide: A Comprehensive
Study Guide for Success (p. 46). Springer Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
The stages of group development are: - answers>1. Preaffiliation— development of trust (known as
forming)
2. Power and control— struggles for individual autonomy and group identification (known as storming)
3. Intimacy— utilizing self in service of the group (known as norming)
4. Differentiation— acceptance of each other as distinct individuals (known as performing)
5. Separation/ termination— independence (known as adjourning)
[Date] 4
latest 2022, A+ graded guide.
Systems Theory - answers>A system is a whole comprising component parts that work together. Applied
to social work, systems theory views human behavior through larger contexts, such as members of
families, communities, and broader society. Important to this theory is the concept that when one thing
changes within a system, the whole system is affected. Systems tend toward equilibrium and can have
closed or open boundaries.
Apgar PhD LSW ACSW, Dr. Dawn (2015-05-11). Social Work ASWB Masters Exam Guide: A Comprehensive
Study Guide for Success (p. 43). Springer Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
Systems Theory Applications to Social Work - answers>1. Social workers need to understand interactions
between the micro, meso, and macro levels.
2. Problems at one part of a system may be manifested at another.
3. Ecomaps and genograms can help to understand system dynamics.
4. Understanding "person-in-environment" is essential to identifying barriers or opportunities for
change.
5. Problems and change are viewed within larger contexts.
Apgar PhD LSW ACSW, Dr. Dawn (2015-05-11). Social Work ASWB Masters Exam Guide: A Comprehensive
Study Guide for Success (pp. 43-44). Springer Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
Some System Theory Terms - answers>Closed system- uses up its energy and dies
Differentiation- becoming specialized in structure and function
Entropy- closed, disorganized, stagnant; using up available energy
Equifinality- arriving at the same end from different beginnings
homeostasis steady state
Input- obtaining resources from the environment that are necessary to attain the goals of the system
Negative entropy- exchange of energy and resources between systems that promote growth and
transformation
Open system a system with cross-boundary exchange
[Date] 1
,Output- product of the system that exports to the environment
Subsystem- a major component of a system made up of two or more interdependent components that
interact in order to attain their own purpose( s) and the purpose( s) of the system in which they are
embedded
Suprasystem- an entity that is served by a number of component systems organized in interacting
relationships throughput energy that is integrated into the system so it can be used by the system to
accomplish its goals
Apgar PhD LSW ACSW, Dr. Dawn (2015-05-11). Social Work ASWB Masters Exam Guide: A Comprehensive
Study Guide for Success (p. 44). Springer Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
The eight interlocking concepts of Bowen Theory include: - answers>1) Differentiation of Self
2) Triangles
3) Nuclear Family Emotional Process
4) Family Projection Process
5) Emotional Cutoff
6) Multigenerational Transmission Process
7) Sibling Position
8) Societal Emotional Process.
FAMILY THEORIES - answers>Family theory provides a theoretical and therapeutic base for dealing with
family-related situations; it is also useful in understanding and managing individual problems by
determining the extent to which such problems are related to family issues. A family systems approach
argues that in order to understand a family system, a social worker must look at the family as a whole,
rather than focusing on its members. People do not exist in a vacuum. They live, play, go to school, and
work with other people. Most anthropologists agree that, next to their peculiar tendency to think and
use tools, one of the distinguishing characteristics of human beings is that they are social creatures. The
social group that seems to be most universal and pervasive in the way it shapes human behavior is the
family. For social workers, the growing awareness of the crucial impact of families on clients has led to
the development of family systems theory. Family systems theory searches for the causes of behavior,
not in the individual alone, but in the interactions among the members of a group. The basic rationale is
that all parts of the family are interrelated. Further, the family has properties of its own that can be
known only by looking at the relationships and interactions among all members.
[Date] 2
,Apgar PhD LSW ACSW, Dr. Dawn (2015-05-11). Social Work ASWB Masters Exam Guide: A Comprehensive
Study Guide for Success (pp. 44-45). Springer Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
The family systems approach is based on several basic assumptions: - answers>1. Each family is more
than a sum of its members.
2. Each family is unique, due to the infinite variations in personal characteristics and cultural and
ideological styles.
3. A healthy family has flexibility, consistent structure, and effective exchange of information.
4. The family is an interactional system whose component parts have constantly shifting boundaries and
varying degrees of resistance to change.
5. Families must fulfill a variety of functions for each member, both collectively and individually, if each
member is to grow and develop.
6. Families strive for a sense of balance or homeostasis.
7. Negative feedback loops are those patterns of interaction that maintain stability or constancy while
minimizing change. Negative feedback loops help to maintain homeostasis. Positive feedback loops, in
contrast, are patterns of interaction that facilitate change or movement toward either growth or
dissolution.
8. Families are seen as being goal oriented. The concept of equifinality refers to the ability of the family
system to accomplish the same goals through different routes.
9. The concept of hierarchies describes how families organize themselves into various smaller units or
subsystems that are comprised by the larger family system. When the members or tasks associated with
each subsystem become blurred with those of other subsystems, families have been viewed as having
difficulties. For example, when a child becomes involved in marital issues, difficulties often emerge that
require intervention.
10. Boundaries occur at every level of the system and between subsystems. Boundaries influence the
movement of people and the flow of information into and out of the system. Some families have very
open boundaries where members and others are allowed to freely come and go without much
restriction; in other families, there are tight restrictions on where family members can go and who may
be brought into the family system. Boundaries also regulate the flow of information in a family. In more
closed families, the rules strictly regulate what information may be discussed and with whom. In
contrast, information may flow more freely in families that have more permeable boundaries.
11. The concept of interdependence is critical in the study of family systems. Individual family members
and the subsystems comprised by the family system are mutually influenced by and are mutually
dependent upon one another. What happens to one family member, or what one family member does,
influences other family members.
[Date] 3
, Genograms are diagrams of family relationships beyond a family tree allowing a social worker and client
to visualize hereditary patterns and psychological factors. They include annotations about the medical
history and major personality traits of each family member. Genograms help uncover intergenerational
patterns of behavior, marriage choices, family alliances and conflicts, the existence of family secrets, and
other information that will shed light on a family's present situation.
Apgar PhD LSW ACSW, Dr. Dawn (2015-05-11). Social Work ASWB Masters Exam Guide: A Comprehensive
Study Guide for Success (p. 46). Springer Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
The family systems Key clinical issues include: - answers>-Establishing a contract with the family
-Examining alliances within the family
-Identifying where power resides
-Determining the relationship of each family member to the problem
-Seeing how the family relates to the outside world
-Assessing influence of family history on current family interactions
-Ascertaining communication patterns
-Identifying family rules that regulate patterns of interaction
-Determining meaning of presenting symptom in maintaining family homeostasis
-Examining flexibility of structure and accessibility of alternative action patterns
-Finding out about sources of external stress and support The following are some types of family
therapy.
Apgar PhD LSW ACSW, Dr. Dawn (2015-05-11). Social Work ASWB Masters Exam Guide: A Comprehensive
Study Guide for Success (p. 46). Springer Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
The stages of group development are: - answers>1. Preaffiliation— development of trust (known as
forming)
2. Power and control— struggles for individual autonomy and group identification (known as storming)
3. Intimacy— utilizing self in service of the group (known as norming)
4. Differentiation— acceptance of each other as distinct individuals (known as performing)
5. Separation/ termination— independence (known as adjourning)
[Date] 4
