EDCO 820: ADVANCED ASSESSMENT IN
MARITAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which psychometric property is most critical when selecting a family assessment tool to
ensure the instrument consistently measures family dynamics across different cultural
contexts?
A. Construct equivalence
B. Face validity
C. Split-half reliability
D. Predictive utility
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Construct equivalence ensures that the underlying theoretical
construct being measured (e.g., cohesion) has the same meaning across different cultural
groups, which is essential for cross-cultural assessment.
2. In the context of the Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems, a family that scores
extremely high on both Cohesion and Flexibility is categorized as:
A. Rigidly Disengaged
,B. Flexibly Connected
C. Structurally Separated
D. Chaotically Enmeshed
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Extremely high cohesion is termed ‘enmeshed’ and extremely
high flexibility is ‘chaotic’. According to the Circumplex Model, these extreme scores often
indicate clinical dysfunction.
3. When utilizing the Genogram as an assessment tool, what does a horizontal dashed line
between two individuals typically represent?
A. A distant or tenuous relationship
B. An informal or common-law marriage
C. A legal separation
D. A foster child connection
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In standard genogram notation, a solid line represents marriage,
while a dashed line indicates a de facto or common-law union.
4. The Marital Satisfaction Inventory-Revised (MSI-R) includes a ‘Global Distress Scale’ (GDS).
What is the primary function of this specific scale?
A. To identify specific areas of sexual dysfunction
, B. To screen for potential domestic violence or physical aggression
C. To measure overall dissatisfaction and general unhappiness in the relationship
D. To assess the influence of the family of origin on current marital conflict
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The GDS is a global measure that reflects the general level of
discontent and serves as a good indicator of the couple’s overall relationship quality.
5. According to Bowen’s Family Systems Theory, the ‘Differentiation of Self Inventory’ (DSI)
assesses an individual’s ability to:
A. Maintain emotional objectivity while remaining connected to the family
B. Successfully cut off ties from intrusive parents
C. Influence other family members to change their behaviors
D. Establish a rigid boundary between self and spouse
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Differentiation refers to the capacity to distinguish between
thinking and feeling and to maintain a sense of self within the emotional ‘we-ness’ of the
family.
6. Which assessment technique is specifically designed to elicit ‘circular causality’ rather than
‘linear causality’ during a family interview?
A. Circular Questioning
MARITAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which psychometric property is most critical when selecting a family assessment tool to
ensure the instrument consistently measures family dynamics across different cultural
contexts?
A. Construct equivalence
B. Face validity
C. Split-half reliability
D. Predictive utility
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Construct equivalence ensures that the underlying theoretical
construct being measured (e.g., cohesion) has the same meaning across different cultural
groups, which is essential for cross-cultural assessment.
2. In the context of the Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems, a family that scores
extremely high on both Cohesion and Flexibility is categorized as:
A. Rigidly Disengaged
,B. Flexibly Connected
C. Structurally Separated
D. Chaotically Enmeshed
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Extremely high cohesion is termed ‘enmeshed’ and extremely
high flexibility is ‘chaotic’. According to the Circumplex Model, these extreme scores often
indicate clinical dysfunction.
3. When utilizing the Genogram as an assessment tool, what does a horizontal dashed line
between two individuals typically represent?
A. A distant or tenuous relationship
B. An informal or common-law marriage
C. A legal separation
D. A foster child connection
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In standard genogram notation, a solid line represents marriage,
while a dashed line indicates a de facto or common-law union.
4. The Marital Satisfaction Inventory-Revised (MSI-R) includes a ‘Global Distress Scale’ (GDS).
What is the primary function of this specific scale?
A. To identify specific areas of sexual dysfunction
, B. To screen for potential domestic violence or physical aggression
C. To measure overall dissatisfaction and general unhappiness in the relationship
D. To assess the influence of the family of origin on current marital conflict
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The GDS is a global measure that reflects the general level of
discontent and serves as a good indicator of the couple’s overall relationship quality.
5. According to Bowen’s Family Systems Theory, the ‘Differentiation of Self Inventory’ (DSI)
assesses an individual’s ability to:
A. Maintain emotional objectivity while remaining connected to the family
B. Successfully cut off ties from intrusive parents
C. Influence other family members to change their behaviors
D. Establish a rigid boundary between self and spouse
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Differentiation refers to the capacity to distinguish between
thinking and feeling and to maintain a sense of self within the emotional ‘we-ness’ of the
family.
6. Which assessment technique is specifically designed to elicit ‘circular causality’ rather than
‘linear causality’ during a family interview?
A. Circular Questioning
