LMSW Exam (Combined Sets)

Closed Channel Thinking

Not receptive. not self critical. no disclosure. good at pointing out, giving feedback on faults of others. lies of omission

Victimstance

Views self as a victim, blames others

Views Self as a Good Person

Focuses only on her positive attributes. fails to acknowledge his destructive behavior. Builds self up at other's expense

Lack of Effort

unwilling to do anything he finds boring or disagreeable "I can't meaning I won't"

Lack of interest in responsible performance

Responsible living is unexciting and unsatisfying. No sense of obligation will respond only if he nets an immediate payoff

Lack of Time Perspective

Doesn’t use the past as a learning tool. Expects others to act immediately on his demands. Decisions on assumptions, not facts

Fear of Fear

Irrational fears many but refuses to admit them. Fundamental fear of injury or death. Profound fear of put down. When held accountable experiences zero state feels worthless

Power Thrust

Compelled need to be in control of every situation. Uses manipulation and deceit. Refuses to be dependent unless he can take advantage of the situation

Uniqueness

different and better than others. expects of others that which he fails to meet, super optimism cuts fear of failure. quites at the first sign of failure

Ownership Attitude

Perceives all things people as objects to possess. no concept of ownership. rights of others, sex for power and control, not intimacy

Structural Family Therapy

Developed by Salvador Minuchin largely as a result of his work with disorganized lower socioeconomic status families which suggested that these families respond best to interventions that use the here-and now directive, concrete approach.

implicit structure

According to Minuchin, all families have an ______ ___________ that determines how family members relate to one another.

Power hierarchies, subsystems

One element of the family's structure is its _______ ___________ which determine how members combine forces during times of conflict. Another element is the family's ___________ such as husband-wife, parent child.

Boundaries , contact

A family's structure is also defined by its ______ which are "barriers" or rules that determine the amount of _______ that is allowed between family members.

Disengaged (isolated), diffuse, enmeshed (0vertly dependent and close)

When the boundaries are overtly rigid, family members are _________ from one another, when boundaries are too _____ or permeable, family members are _________ .

Clear Boundaries

Firm but flexible and allow family members to maintain a balance between separateness from and connection to other family members

Rigid Boundaries

Leads to disengagement between family members and promotes isolation

Diffuse Boundaries

Lead to enmeshment and promote excessive dependence

Detouring, stable coalition, triangulation

Munuchin distinguished between 3 chronic boundary problems or rigid triads

Detouring

Occurs when the parents focus on a child either by protecting or blaming scapegoating, the child to distract from the family's problems

Parents might reinforce deviant behavior in the child because it takes the focus off the problem they are having with each other.

Stable Coalition

Occurs when a parent and child form a cross generational coalition and consistently "gang up" against the other parent.

Triangulation

Also known as unstable coalition occurs when each parent demands that the child side with him/her against the other parents. In this situation the child is constantly being pulled in two directions

View of Maladaptive behavior

Family dysfunction is viewed as the result of an inflexible family structure that prohibits the family from adapting to maturational and situational stressors in a healthy way.

enmeshment, autonomy, conflict , diffuse

For example Munuchin found that "psychosomatic families those w/ diabetes, anorexia, or other condition threatens the life of a child often exhibit a high degree of ____________ that limits individual __________ along with low tolerance for _________ and overprotectiveness. In these families, the child's symptoms help ___________ family conflict by diverting attention away from it

Therapy Goals

Restructuring the family is the primary long term goal of therapy. Therapy may also address symptom relief and other short-term goals using techniques drawn from other forms of therapy. Behavioral techniques for instance, are often used to get a child with anorexia to eat.

Precedes, behaviors, insight

Structural therapy is based on the premise that action ___________ understanding and it emphasizes changing _______ rather than fostering _______.

Joining, evaluating the family structure, restructuring the family

What are the three overlapping steps involved in the process of structural therapy?

Joining

The therapist’s first task is to develop a therapeutic system by joining the family in a position of leadership. Joining involves "blending" with the family and includes tracking (identifying and using the family's values, life themes, and significant life events in conversations) and minesis (adopting the family's affective communication style.

Tracking

Using the content of the family's communication to demonstrate interest and understanding.

Evaluating the Family Structure

Once the therapist has joined the family, he is in a position to evaluate the family's structure, including the transactional patterns, power hierarchies, and boundaries. Evaluation enables the therapist to make a structural diagnosis from which specific goals of therapy can be derived (e.g., strengthening boundaries in an enmeshed family), and it may include constructing a family structural map that helps clarify family interaction patterns.

Restructuring the Family

Techniques uses to deliberately unbalance (stress) the family's homeostasis in order to facilitate transformation of the family structure.

4 techniques for restructuring the family include

-Enactment in which family members are asked to role play their relationship patterns so that they can be identified and altered.

-Reframing which involves relabeling behaviors so that they can be viewed in more positive ways,

-Boundary marking to modify family interactions by strengthening, diffusing, boundaries

-Unbalancing- the therapist takes the side of the scapegoated family member or a subsystem to falter they way the family members act toward the person or system

Psychoeducational Groups

Psychoeducational groups aim to provide information and teach coping skills to participants who share a common issue or concern.

These groups often focus on specific topics, such as mental health conditions, substance abuse, or stress management.

They combine education with skill-building exercises and group discussions to foster understanding, personal growth, and self-help strategies.

Often larger compared to therapeutic groups.

Support Groups

Support groups offer a safe space for individuals facing similar challenges to share their experiences, feelings, and insights. These groups typically focus on mutual support, understanding, and empathy, providing participants with a sense of belonging and validation. Support groups can address various concerns, such as grief and loss, chronic illness, or parenting issues.

Skills Development Groups

Skills development groups focus on teaching practical skills and strategies that can enhance the participants' well-being and functioning in their daily lives. These groups may address topics such as anger management, communication skills, or job-seeking strategies. Participants learn and practice new skills in a supportive group environment, which can lead to increased confidence and competence.

Task Groups

Task groups are formed to accomplish specific tasks or projects within a defined timeframe. These groups often bring together professionals or community members who share a common goal, such as developing a new program, organizing a community event, or advocating for policy changes. Task groups focus on problem-solving, decision-making, and collaboration to achieve their objectives.

A Social Worker is facilitating a group where participants share their experiences and feelings regarding the loss of a loved one. The main goal of this group is to provide emotional support and a sense of belonging to the participants. What type of group intervention is the Social Worker conducting?

A) Psychoeducational Group

B) Support Group

C) Skills Development Group

D) Process Group

B) Support Group

Sensitivity and Encounter Training Groups

Refers to where people are encouraged to relate to one another on an interpersonal basis and self-disclosure is required. There are 3 stages: unfreezing, change, and refreezing.

Ecological systems theory (Bronfenbrenner)

An individual's development is influenced by a series of interconnected environmental systems

Microsystem

The child's immediate surroundings include family, friends, and school. Positive interactions with supportive parents and caring teachers foster the child's learning and well-being.

Mesosystem

The connections between microsystem elements affect the child's development, like how parental involvement in school activities enhances academic success

Exosystem

The broader community/environment indirectly impacts the child. For example, the parents' workplace policies, extended family, local government, mass media

Macrosystem

Cultural norms, economic conditions, and societal beliefs about education and success shape parental expectations, ultimately guiding the child's values and ambitions

Chronosystem

Major life transitions, like a family move to a new city, or historical events, like a global pandemic, affect the child's long-term developmental trajectory

adrenal glands

Two glands, located at the top of the kidneys, that help control heart rate, blood pressure, and other important body functions.

autonomic nervous system

The portion of the nervous system that regulates the action of organs and glands. It is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

axon

The long, hairlike extension of a nerve cell (a neuron) that transmits electrical impulses as outgoing messages, outward from the cell body.

central nervous system

The portion of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

dendrites

Branchlike extensions of a neuron that pick up information from neighboring cells and transmit it to the cell body.

electrochemical

Both electrical and chemical. Neuron transmission is electrochemical because there is an electrical process within the neuron, but there is a chemical process that takes place in the synapse, or the gap between neurons.

endocrine system

A system of glands that release hormones into the blood.

endorphins

Neurotransmitters that cause a feeling of well-being.

Hormones

Substances released by the endocrine glands that travel through the blood to influence other glands and organs.

neurons

Nerve cells.

neurotransmitter

A chemical substance that is released by one neuron into the synapse, or the gap between neurons, to influence the functioning of another neuron.

parasympathetic nervous system

The portion of the autonomic nervous system that helps the body recover from the fight-or-flight response, including lowering heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure.

peripheral nervous system

The portion of the nervous system that relays information between the central nervous system and the rest of the body.

pituitary gland

A gland located at the base of the brain. It produces hormones that control other glands and affect metabolism, bone growth, and sexual maturity.

soma

The body of a neuron or other cell.

somatic nervous system

The portion of the peripheral nervous system that carries messages to and from the sense organs, skin, and muscles.

sympathetic nervous system

The portion of the autonomic nervous system that is aroused in response to stress. It is responsible for creating the fight-or-flight response, including raising heart rate and blood pressure and suppressing digestive activity.

synapses

Tiny gaps between neurons, where neurotransmitters pass signals from one neuron to the next.

thyroid gland

An endocrine gland, located in the necks of humans and other vertebrate animals, that secretes hormones controlling metabolism and growth.

Bowlby

Early social attachment between an infant and a caretaker is essential for normal social development

-babies and mothers have an innate tendency to form an attachment

Ainsworth

Continued Bowlby's research...

-proposed that infants attachment to a caregiver differs in the degree of security in the attachment

-differences in security of attachment influence personality and social relationships in infancy and beyond

Attachment Theory Basics

-infants need a "secure base" (are able to trust) their primary caregiver

-a secure attachment leads to subsequent healthy development

-an insecure attachment leads to unhealthy development

*attachment style affects relationships throughout life

Secure Base

a responsive caregiver provides security to explore the environment

-if caregiver's responses are appropriate=baby will feel confident to explore strange environment/and return back to caregiver for confirmation

inappropriate=child becomes insecure and less likely to use caregiver as base for exploring environment

*Caregiver: typically child's mother, or others who respond to infants needs

Strange Situation

experimental task for infants

-infant, parent and experimenter go into lab room

-eight episodes about 3 minutes long= used to determine the security of the infants attachment to parent

secure attachment

explore environment with parent, distressed when parent leaves, delighted when parent returns.

insecure attachment

Resistant: clings to parent, cries when parent lives, angry when parent returns.

avoidant: does not care if mother leaves and ignores the parent upon return

Securely Attached

Attachment style

-belief that the caregiver will protect and provide for them

-explores the environment with parent,

-might protest seperation from parent but smiles more often when parent is present

-shows pleasure of reunion with parent

Insecure- Avoidant

Attachment Style

-belief that the caregiver will not protect or provide. The caregiver is not a safe haven in stressful circumstances

-does not protest at parents departure

-responds the same to the stranger and the parent or more positively to the stranger

-avoid parent upon return

Insecure-Resistant

Attachment style

-uncertainty about whether the parent will protect or provide safety in stressful circumstances

-remain close to parent. refuse to explore the new environment

-distressed at separation of parent

-mixture of approach and avoidance when reunited

Disorganized Or Disoriented

Attachment Style

-no consistent way of dealing with stress

-exhibits contradictory behavior at the strange situation

-typical attachment style when the infant is abused or neglected

Attachment Depends on:

Caregiver's sensitivity to the infants needs

--children are less likely to develop secure attachment if they are raised in an orphanage

--parents living in poverty tend to provide less sensitive environments

--sensitivity to infants can be taught to mothers that then leads to a higher probability of secure attachment

Family Stress

--infants exposed to verbally abusive aggressive fighting among their parents form more insecure attachments

Parental psychopathology

--depressed mothers tend to have lower quality interactions with their infants

infant's temperament

--if an infant is irritable and the mother has no social support then the child is more likely to develop insecure attachment

Stability of attachment styles

-securely attached infants in stable middle-class american families tend to remain securely attached through two years of age

-stressful life events may cause the attachment style to change

attachment styles are not as stable in dysfunctional families

Attachment theory predicts

that the quality of the attachment predicts subsequent development

--longitudinal study found that securely attached infants were more competent at age-appropriate tasks throughout adolescence

infants attachment style to a caregiver predicts:

-effective social functioning during childhood and adolescence

-sociability through early, middle, and late adulthood

-self-esteem

-school grades

-teenage sexual activity

-quality of attachment to their own children

-attitudes toward their own children

Cultural variations in attachment styles

-the same four types of attachment have been found in various cultures, but the proportion of children in each category differ by culture

** Avoidant attachments are rare in cultures where the child is seldom apart from their mother

-little research examines the causes and effects of secure attachments in non western cultures

Secure

Adult attachment style

-people who find it easy to get close to others and are more comfortable having others feel close to them

*do not feel abandonment*

Fearful or Avoidant

Adult attachment style

-uncomfortable feeling close to another person or having that person feel close them

*difficult for them to trust or depend on a partner*

Preoccupied or Anxious-Ambivalent Lovers

Adult attachment style

-desperately want to get close to a partner but often find that the partner does not reciprocate the feeling

-insecure in the relationship

-worry that the partner does not really love them

Strengths of attachment theory

-explains development in social relationships

-enables predictions about subsequent social relationships

-provides info about specific interventions that can improve social functioning

weaknesses of attachment theory

-only comparative cross-cultural research has been conducted

-does not well predict behavior in cultures where children have ore than one primary caregiver

Implications of attachment theory for education

-parents need to be sensitive to their infants needs

-parents need to provide a stable home environment for thier children

-if children are not functioning well in school, the first problem to investigate is their home life

-any caring, stable adult can provide a secure attachment for any child

Attachment Theory

A psychological model that describes the dynamics of long-term interpersonal relationships.

Behavioral Therapy

Change behaviors through reinforcements and punishment.

Bowen Family Therapy

Change through understanding multigenerational dynamics.

Client Centered Therapy

Therapeutic approach that emphasizes the client's perspective and experience.

Cognitive Therapy

Change happens by learning to modify dysfunctional thought patterns.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Change through insight/understanding of early unresolved/unconscious issues.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

Focuses on changing irrational beliefs that lead to emotional distress.

Solution-Focused Therapy

Change occurs through accessing the client's strengths and resources.

Strategic Family Therapy

Focuses on changing the interactions within the family system.

Structural Family Therapy

Change occurs through remodeling the family's organization.

Systems Theory

Views the family as a complex system where each member affects the others.

Task Centered/Problem-Solving Therapy

Change happens through supporting clients to take actions to address the problems in their lives.

Trauma Informed Therapy

Approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on individuals.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT)

Trauma treatment for children and adolescents.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

A blend of cognitive and behavioral approaches to change thought patterns and behaviors.