ASWB MSW EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
Freud Psychosexual Stages - ANSWER 1. Anal (0-1)
2. Oral (2-3)
3. Phallic (3-5)
4. Latency (5-11)
5. Genital (12-18)
Freud Psychosexual Stages Fixations - ANSWER
Oral stage - ANSWER -infant's primary interaction with world is through mouth, oral stimulation through
sucking and tasting
Anal stage - ANSWER -primary focus of libido was on controlling bladder and bowel movements
-toilet training is primary issue, too much pressure can result in excessive need for order or cleanliness
later in life, too little pressure from parents can lead to messy or destructive behavior later in life
Phallic stage - ANSWER -focus of id's energy is on genitals, children become aware of gender identity
Latent stage - ANSWER -focus of id's energy is on genitals, children become aware of gender identity
Genital stage - ANSWER -onset of puberty causing libido to become active
-strong interest in opposite sex, individual will continue to develop into well-balanced person
Piaget Stages of Development - ANSWER Sensorimotor (0-2)
Preoperational thought (2.5 - 6/7)
Concrete operations (7-11)
Formal Operations (11-18)
,Sensorimotor Stage - ANSWER -learn primarily through sensory input and action
-object permanence, causality, symbolic thought
Preoperational Thought - ANSWER -child is able to use words and images to refer to objects
Concrete operations - ANSWER - think logically but have difficulty with abstracts or hypotheticals
Formal Operations - ANSWER - can think abstractly, use deductive reasoning, and systematically plan
Erikson's Psychosocial Stages - ANSWER 1. Trust vs Mistrust
2. Autonomy vs Shame & Doubt
3. Initiative vs Guilt
4. Industry vs Inferiority
5. Identity vs Identity Diffusion
6. Intimacy vs Isolation
7. Generativity vs Self-Absorption
8. Integrity vs Despair
Trust vs Mistrust - ANSWER Children begin to learn the ability to trust others based upon the consistency
of their caregiver(s).
Autonomy vs Shame & Doubt - ANSWER Between the ages of 1 and 3, children begin to assert their
independence by walking away from their mother. If encouraged it fosters independence, if criticized it
leads to feeling unable to survive and over dependence on parent.
Initiative vs Guilt - ANSWER Children assert themselves more frequently, if encouraged they feel secure
in their ability to lead others and make decisions; if discouraged children develop a sense of guilt and
lack self-initiative.
, Industry vs Inferiority - ANSWER Children begin to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments. If
encouraged and they begin to feel industrious and feel confident in their ability to achieve goals. If not
encouraged they feel inferior, doubting their abilities and failing to reach their potential.
Identity vs Role Confusion - ANSWER During adolescence, transition from childhood to adulthood and
children become more independent, looking to their futures.
Intimacy vs Isolation - ANSWER In young adulthood, individuals begin to share themselves with others
and explore relationships . Successful completion leads to commitment, while unsuccessful completion
leads fear of intimacy & commitment.
Generativity vs Stagnation - ANSWER During middle adulthood, individuals establish careers, settle down
within relationships, begin families, and develop a sense of being a part of the bigger picture. They give
back to society through raising children, being productive at work, and becoming involved in community
activities and organizations.
Ego Integrity vs Despair - ANSWER As individuals grow older and become senior citizens, they tend to
slow down and explore life as retired people. If they view life as unproductive or failed to accomplish
goals it can lead to depression.
Behaviorist Theory - ANSWER (Pavlov, Skinner)—learning is viewed through change in behavior and the
stimuli in the external environment are the locus of learning. Social workers aim to change the external
environment in order to bring about desired change.
Cognitive Theory - ANSWER (Piaget)—learning is viewed through internal mental processes (including
insight, information processing, memory, and perception) and the locus of learning is internal cognitive
structures. Social workers aim to develop opportunities to foster capacity and skills to improve learning.
Humanistic Theory - ANSWER (Maslow)—learning is viewed as a person's activities aimed at reaching his
or her full potential, and the locus of learning is in meeting cognitive and other needs. Social workers
aim to develop the whole person.
Systems theory - ANSWER - A system is comprised of several parts, and when one thing changes within a
system the whole system is affected
- understanding person in environment is essential to identifying barriers or opportunities for change
ANSWERS WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
Freud Psychosexual Stages - ANSWER 1. Anal (0-1)
2. Oral (2-3)
3. Phallic (3-5)
4. Latency (5-11)
5. Genital (12-18)
Freud Psychosexual Stages Fixations - ANSWER
Oral stage - ANSWER -infant's primary interaction with world is through mouth, oral stimulation through
sucking and tasting
Anal stage - ANSWER -primary focus of libido was on controlling bladder and bowel movements
-toilet training is primary issue, too much pressure can result in excessive need for order or cleanliness
later in life, too little pressure from parents can lead to messy or destructive behavior later in life
Phallic stage - ANSWER -focus of id's energy is on genitals, children become aware of gender identity
Latent stage - ANSWER -focus of id's energy is on genitals, children become aware of gender identity
Genital stage - ANSWER -onset of puberty causing libido to become active
-strong interest in opposite sex, individual will continue to develop into well-balanced person
Piaget Stages of Development - ANSWER Sensorimotor (0-2)
Preoperational thought (2.5 - 6/7)
Concrete operations (7-11)
Formal Operations (11-18)
,Sensorimotor Stage - ANSWER -learn primarily through sensory input and action
-object permanence, causality, symbolic thought
Preoperational Thought - ANSWER -child is able to use words and images to refer to objects
Concrete operations - ANSWER - think logically but have difficulty with abstracts or hypotheticals
Formal Operations - ANSWER - can think abstractly, use deductive reasoning, and systematically plan
Erikson's Psychosocial Stages - ANSWER 1. Trust vs Mistrust
2. Autonomy vs Shame & Doubt
3. Initiative vs Guilt
4. Industry vs Inferiority
5. Identity vs Identity Diffusion
6. Intimacy vs Isolation
7. Generativity vs Self-Absorption
8. Integrity vs Despair
Trust vs Mistrust - ANSWER Children begin to learn the ability to trust others based upon the consistency
of their caregiver(s).
Autonomy vs Shame & Doubt - ANSWER Between the ages of 1 and 3, children begin to assert their
independence by walking away from their mother. If encouraged it fosters independence, if criticized it
leads to feeling unable to survive and over dependence on parent.
Initiative vs Guilt - ANSWER Children assert themselves more frequently, if encouraged they feel secure
in their ability to lead others and make decisions; if discouraged children develop a sense of guilt and
lack self-initiative.
, Industry vs Inferiority - ANSWER Children begin to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments. If
encouraged and they begin to feel industrious and feel confident in their ability to achieve goals. If not
encouraged they feel inferior, doubting their abilities and failing to reach their potential.
Identity vs Role Confusion - ANSWER During adolescence, transition from childhood to adulthood and
children become more independent, looking to their futures.
Intimacy vs Isolation - ANSWER In young adulthood, individuals begin to share themselves with others
and explore relationships . Successful completion leads to commitment, while unsuccessful completion
leads fear of intimacy & commitment.
Generativity vs Stagnation - ANSWER During middle adulthood, individuals establish careers, settle down
within relationships, begin families, and develop a sense of being a part of the bigger picture. They give
back to society through raising children, being productive at work, and becoming involved in community
activities and organizations.
Ego Integrity vs Despair - ANSWER As individuals grow older and become senior citizens, they tend to
slow down and explore life as retired people. If they view life as unproductive or failed to accomplish
goals it can lead to depression.
Behaviorist Theory - ANSWER (Pavlov, Skinner)—learning is viewed through change in behavior and the
stimuli in the external environment are the locus of learning. Social workers aim to change the external
environment in order to bring about desired change.
Cognitive Theory - ANSWER (Piaget)—learning is viewed through internal mental processes (including
insight, information processing, memory, and perception) and the locus of learning is internal cognitive
structures. Social workers aim to develop opportunities to foster capacity and skills to improve learning.
Humanistic Theory - ANSWER (Maslow)—learning is viewed as a person's activities aimed at reaching his
or her full potential, and the locus of learning is in meeting cognitive and other needs. Social workers
aim to develop the whole person.
Systems theory - ANSWER - A system is comprised of several parts, and when one thing changes within a
system the whole system is affected
- understanding person in environment is essential to identifying barriers or opportunities for change
