MSW Exam – Master of Social Work Study Guide (Comprehensive Review and
Certification Preparation Material)
Systems Theory - correct answer ✔✔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 - correct answer ✔✔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 - correct answer ✔✔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
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: - correct answer ✔✔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 - correct answer ✔✔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.
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: - correct answer ✔✔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 famil
The family systems Key clinical issues include: - correct answer ✔✔-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: - correct answer ✔✔1. Preaffiliation— development of
trust (known as forming)
Certification Preparation Material)
Systems Theory - correct answer ✔✔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 - correct answer ✔✔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 - correct answer ✔✔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
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: - correct answer ✔✔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 - correct answer ✔✔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.
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: - correct answer ✔✔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 famil
The family systems Key clinical issues include: - correct answer ✔✔-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: - correct answer ✔✔1. Preaffiliation— development of
trust (known as forming)
