ASWB LMSW PRACTICE EXAM 2027 |
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | LATEST SOCIAL
WORK LICENSING STUDY GUIDE
Question 1
According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, which stage is characterized by the conflict of
industry versus inferiority?
A) Early childhood (3–5 years)
B) School age (6–11 years)
C) Adolescence (12–18 years)
D) Young adulthood (19–40 years)
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Erikson's industry versus inferiority stage occurs during school age (6–11 years), when children seek
to master skills and gain competence through social interactions and academic tasks.
Question 2
A social worker is assessing a 9-month-old infant who lacks a secure attachment to a
caregiver. What long-term effect should the social worker be most concerned about?
A) Posttraumatic stress disorder
B) Social anxiety in middle age
C) Negative social interactions with peers
D) High blood pressure
Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
,Insecure attachment in infancy is most strongly linked to future negative social interactions with peers,
as early attachment patterns shape subsequent relational expectations and behaviors.
Question 3
At what age is separation anxiety most likely to occur as a developmentally normal phase?
A) 3 months
B) 12 months
C) 24 months
D) 36 months
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Separation anxiety is most typical around 12 months of age, reflecting the infant's developing
attachment to primary caregivers and growing awareness of object permanence.
Question 4
A 13-year-old adolescent presents with poor hygiene, sleeping in class, and stealing food from
the cafeteria. What should the social worker assess for first?
A) Conduct disorder
B) Child neglect
C) Substance abuse
D) Adolescent rebellion
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
These behaviors are indicators of possible neglect, and the social worker should first assess whether
the adolescent's basic needs are being met before considering other diagnoses.
Question 5
2
,Which developmental theorist is known for identifying four stages of cognitive development,
including sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational?
A) Erik Erikson
B) Jean Piaget
C) Lawrence Kohlberg
D) Sigmund Freud
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Jean Piaget developed the four-stage theory of cognitive development, which describes how children
construct knowledge through sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal
operational stages.
Question 6
A social worker is working with a 4-year-old child who has difficulty sharing and often grabs
toys from other children. According to Erikson, which psychosocial stage is this child likely
navigating?
A) Trust versus mistrust
B) Autonomy versus shame and doubt
C) Initiative versus guilt
D) Industry versus inferiority
Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
The initiative versus guilt stage (3–5 years) involves children asserting themselves and initiating
activities; difficulty with sharing and impulsivity is consistent with this developmental phase.
Question 7
Which term refers to the process by which children learn the values, beliefs, and behaviors of
their culture?
A) Acculturation
3
, B) Socialization
C) Assimilation
D) Enculturation
Answer
Answer: D
Rationale
Enculturation is the process by which individuals learn the culture of their society, including its values,
beliefs, and behaviors, often beginning in childhood.
Question 8
A 70-year-old client has recently retired and is feeling a sense of loss and emptiness.
According to Erikson, which stage is this client navigating?
A) Generativity versus stagnation
B) Integrity versus despair
C) Intimacy versus isolation
D) Identity versus role confusion
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
The integrity versus despair stage (65 years and older) involves reflecting on one's life and evaluating
whether it has been meaningful; feelings of loss after retirement can trigger this reflection.
Question 9
A social worker is assessing an 8-year-old child who is struggling academically and socially.
The child's parents report the child often says, "I can't do anything right." According to
Erikson, this child may be developing:
A) Mistrust
B) Guilt
C) Inferiority
D) Isolation
4
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | LATEST SOCIAL
WORK LICENSING STUDY GUIDE
Question 1
According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, which stage is characterized by the conflict of
industry versus inferiority?
A) Early childhood (3–5 years)
B) School age (6–11 years)
C) Adolescence (12–18 years)
D) Young adulthood (19–40 years)
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Erikson's industry versus inferiority stage occurs during school age (6–11 years), when children seek
to master skills and gain competence through social interactions and academic tasks.
Question 2
A social worker is assessing a 9-month-old infant who lacks a secure attachment to a
caregiver. What long-term effect should the social worker be most concerned about?
A) Posttraumatic stress disorder
B) Social anxiety in middle age
C) Negative social interactions with peers
D) High blood pressure
Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
,Insecure attachment in infancy is most strongly linked to future negative social interactions with peers,
as early attachment patterns shape subsequent relational expectations and behaviors.
Question 3
At what age is separation anxiety most likely to occur as a developmentally normal phase?
A) 3 months
B) 12 months
C) 24 months
D) 36 months
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Separation anxiety is most typical around 12 months of age, reflecting the infant's developing
attachment to primary caregivers and growing awareness of object permanence.
Question 4
A 13-year-old adolescent presents with poor hygiene, sleeping in class, and stealing food from
the cafeteria. What should the social worker assess for first?
A) Conduct disorder
B) Child neglect
C) Substance abuse
D) Adolescent rebellion
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
These behaviors are indicators of possible neglect, and the social worker should first assess whether
the adolescent's basic needs are being met before considering other diagnoses.
Question 5
2
,Which developmental theorist is known for identifying four stages of cognitive development,
including sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational?
A) Erik Erikson
B) Jean Piaget
C) Lawrence Kohlberg
D) Sigmund Freud
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Jean Piaget developed the four-stage theory of cognitive development, which describes how children
construct knowledge through sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal
operational stages.
Question 6
A social worker is working with a 4-year-old child who has difficulty sharing and often grabs
toys from other children. According to Erikson, which psychosocial stage is this child likely
navigating?
A) Trust versus mistrust
B) Autonomy versus shame and doubt
C) Initiative versus guilt
D) Industry versus inferiority
Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
The initiative versus guilt stage (3–5 years) involves children asserting themselves and initiating
activities; difficulty with sharing and impulsivity is consistent with this developmental phase.
Question 7
Which term refers to the process by which children learn the values, beliefs, and behaviors of
their culture?
A) Acculturation
3
, B) Socialization
C) Assimilation
D) Enculturation
Answer
Answer: D
Rationale
Enculturation is the process by which individuals learn the culture of their society, including its values,
beliefs, and behaviors, often beginning in childhood.
Question 8
A 70-year-old client has recently retired and is feeling a sense of loss and emptiness.
According to Erikson, which stage is this client navigating?
A) Generativity versus stagnation
B) Integrity versus despair
C) Intimacy versus isolation
D) Identity versus role confusion
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
The integrity versus despair stage (65 years and older) involves reflecting on one's life and evaluating
whether it has been meaningful; feelings of loss after retirement can trigger this reflection.
Question 9
A social worker is assessing an 8-year-old child who is struggling academically and socially.
The child's parents report the child often says, "I can't do anything right." According to
Erikson, this child may be developing:
A) Mistrust
B) Guilt
C) Inferiority
D) Isolation
4
