ASWB Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (11–20)

✓ Correct answer: A. parent, adult and child

Eric Berne, the founder of transactional analysis, asserted that each person possesses the three independent and observable ego states of parent, adult, and child. These states are roughly similar to Freud’s id, ego, and super-ego.

✓ Correct answer: D. "I hear you saying that the relationship with your mother is codependent."

Option D is seeking clarification from the client that, indeed, the client's relationship with their mother is codependent. <br/><br/>Option A uses confrontation pointing out conscious/unconscious discrepancies. <br/><br/>Option B uses summarization with the indicator of "today, we..." to bring together the main points of the session. <br/><br/>Option C normalizes and generalizes the client's feelings as defined in universalism.

✓ Correct answer: D. Create target goals for change and alternative ways of thinking.

In the Crisis Intervention approach to practice, creating target goals for change and alternative ways of thinking is not considered a phase of treatment. The Crisis Intervention model primarily focuses on short-term and immediate therapeutic interventions to help individuals cope with and resolve crisis situations.<br/><br/>Option A (Identify specific tasks associated with healthy resolution of crisis) is incorrect. This is considered a phase of treatment in the Crisis Intervention approach. Identifying specific tasks associated with healthy resolution of crisis involves helping individuals identify and prioritize the actions they need to take to address and overcome the crisis they are experiencing.<br/><br/>Option C (Identify events that brought on the crisis) is incorrect. This is also considered a phase of treatment in the Crisis Intervention approach. Identifying events that brought on the crisis helps individuals and practitioners gain a better understanding of the triggers and underlying factors that led to the crisis, which can inform the development of effective interventions.<br/><br/>Option D (Manage affect leading to tension discharge and mastery) is incorrect. This is another phase of treatment in the Crisis Intervention approach. Managing affect, or emotions, leading to tension discharge and mastery involves helping individuals regulate their emotions and develop coping strategies to reduce tension and achieve a sense of mastery over the crisis situation.<br/><br/>Overall, the Crisis Intervention approach to practice involves identifying the specific tasks associated with healthy resolution of crisis, identifying the events that brought on the crisis, managing affect leading to tension discharge and mastery, but it does not include creating target goals for change and alternative ways of thinking.

✓ Correct answer: B. biological

The <strong>biological</strong> domain is not one of the three fundamental domains in human growth and development. It may be included in the physical domain but it is not a domain on its own.

✓ Correct answer: B. self-actualization

According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, self-actualization is the stage that exemplifies a growth need. This stage is the highest level in the hierarchy and represents the need for personal development, self-fulfillment, and reaching one's full potential. It involves pursuing interests, goals, and activities that align with one's values and passions.<br/><br/>Option A (esteem) is incorrect. The esteem stage in Maslow's hierarchy of needs is about the need for recognition, respect, and self-worth. While it is an important psychological need, it does not exemplify a growth need like self-actualization does.<br/><br/>Option B (social) is incorrect. The social stage in Maslow's hierarchy of needs focuses on the need for belongingness, love, and meaningful relationships. While social connections are essential for well-being, this stage does not represent a growth need.<br/><br/>Option D (safety) is incorrect. The safety stage in Maslow's hierarchy of needs relates to the need for security, stability, and protection. While feeling safe is crucial for overall well-being, it does not represent a growth need like self-actualization does.

✓ Correct answer: D. Chronic disease of a child

Crises come in many forms. Families can be impacted by crisis of many kinds that warrant support to maintain proper functioning. Chronic disease of a child can have emotional and financial impact on a family dealing with the emotional stress and financial strain of medical care. It is important for Social Workers to understand holistically how crises can impact all members of a family.

✓ Correct answer: A. The social worker acted appropriately considering the danger

In this scenario, the client reveals instances of domestic violence that resulted in their child being injured. The social worker, as a mandatory reporter, is obligated to take action when there is a threat to a child's safety and well-being. The information provided by the client is significant because it indicates potential harm or danger to the child.<br/><br/>Option A (The information should have been forwarded to administration) is incorrect because the social worker has a responsibility to take immediate action in cases of suspected child abuse or neglect. Forwarding the information to administration without immediate intervention would not be appropriate in this case.<br/><br/>Option B (The social worker should never have disclosed this information) is also incorrect because the social worker has a duty to report instances of child abuse or neglect. Confidentiality can be breached when it comes to protecting a child's safety and well-being.<br/><br/>Option D (The social worker wanted to make a bigger case out of the proceedings) is incorrect because it implies that the social worker acted with personal motivations rather than a focus on the child's safety. The social worker's duty is to prioritize the well-being of the child, not to create unnecessary complications in the proceedings.<br/><br/>In conclusion, the social worker acted appropriately based on the danger posed to the child and their obligation as a mandatory reporter. Their actions were necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the child in a situation involving domestic violence.

✓ Correct answer: B. It must be informed

All competent adults have the right to refuse treatment. Consent must meet three criteria. It must be informed, voluntary, and competent.

✓ Correct answer: A. exploitation

Exploitation refers to the act of mistreating an individual in order to gain advantages from their resources or labor. It involves taking advantage of someone's vulnerability, often for personal gain or profit. Exploitation can occur in various forms, such as labor exploitation, where individuals are forced to work in poor conditions or for very low wages, or resource exploitation, where natural resources are excessively and unsustainably extracted for economic benefit.<br/><br/>Option A (transference) is not the correct answer. Transference refers to the unconscious redirection of feelings from one person to another, often based on past experiences or relationships. It is commonly observed in therapy sessions or interpersonal relationships.<br/><br/>Option B (permanency) is not the correct answer. Permanency refers to the state or quality of being permanent or enduring. It is not directly related to mistreating individuals or gaining advantages from their resources or labor.<br/><br/>Option C (deceit) is not the correct answer. Deceit refers to the act of intentionally misleading or tricking someone for personal gain. While deceitful behavior can potentially lead to exploitation, it is not synonymous with the act of mistreating individuals for gaining advantages from their resources or labor.

✓ Correct answer: C. The social worker acted appropriately considering the danger

In this scenario, the client confided in the social worker about instances of domestic violence occurring within their household, resulting in harm inflicted upon their child. The social worker, in this case, acted appropriately considering the danger involved.