MARRIAGE & FAMILY MIDTERM 2025 – LATEST STUDY
GUIDE WITH MOST TESTED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
This document provides a detailed Q&A format review of foundational concepts in family therapy,
including the origins of marriage counseling, early educational approaches to family dynamics, and
key contributors such as Ernest Groves. It also includes theoretical developments like Bertalanffy’s
systems theory and practical therapeutic techniques for working with blended families. A helpful
study tool for counseling and therapy students or exam preparation.
Which of the following contributed to the development and growth of family therapy? - CORRECT
ANSWER-The initial establishment of marriage counseling; pg. 5
Which of the following groups, in the 1920s and 1930s, worked with families from an educational
perspective to help them to better understand the dynamics of their family situation? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Marriage Counselors; pg. 5
Which one of these individuals is responsible for forming the American Association of Marriage
Counselors (AAMC)? - CORRECT ANSWER-Ernest Groves; pg. 5
The systems theory developed by Bertanlanffy (1968) had less reliance on _____ and more emphasis
on _____. - CORRECT ANSWER-linear causality; circular causality; pg. 11
Manny, a family counselor, is working with a child who is struggling to adjust to his new blended
family. Manny suggests that the child read the book, The Boys and Girs Book about Stepfamlies.
Which of the following statements is accurate about this technique? - CORRECT ANSWER-There
are numerous books and resources that can be used in a therapeutic way to help individuals who are
adjusting to a blended family situation; pg. 105
Multiculturalism is - CORRECT ANSWER-a term used to refer to distinct cultural groups within a
region or nation and their needs; pg. 115
Culture is - CORRECT ANSWER-a multidimensional concept that encompasses the collective
realities of a group of people; pg. 114
,An intercultural couple is working on melding each of their cultures together and celebrating each.
This means that they are work on which one of the following? - CORRECT ANSWER-Integration; pg.
115
Maria tends to see her clients, irrespective of cultural or racial/ethnic background, as the same.
Which of the following terms properly describes Maria? - CORRECT ANSWER-Culturally
encapsulated; pg. 118
All of the following are examples of an external challenge that LGBT individuals face, EXCEPT -
CORRECT ANSWER-Struggles with sense of self; pg. 120
Traditionally, African Americans have relied on _____ for support. - CORRECT ANSWER-Extended
family networks; pg. 124
Although utilization rates for individual therapy are _____ among African Americans, they are _____
for family therapy. - CORRECT ANSWER-high, low; pg. 124
Maki, an Asian American adolescent has adapted to United States culture much quicker than his
mother and father. Which of the following terms describes this phenomenon? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Acculturation gap; pg. 126
The Chang family, an Asian American family, recently began working with a family therapist at the
request of a school social worker. Which of the following statements, based on information in your
text, would be an important consideration for the family therapists? - CORRECT ANSWER-Make
sure the family is familiar with and educated about therapy; pg. 126
Which of the following is true regarding Latina/o couples and families relative to mental health? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Latina/o families and couples experience a high rate of mental health issues,
but utilize mental health services at a lower rate than other ethnic/racial groups; pg. 128
Edward, a family therapist, prefers to use short-term theories of family therapy, particularly one that
emphasizes structured, child-centered play therapy in which parents are taught to respond to their
children on an emotional level. According to this description, Edward is likely practicing which type of
therapy? - CORRECT ANSWER-Filial therapy; pg. 129
,Which of the following, based on acculturation research, is accurate? - CORRECT ANSWER-Family
members may acculturate at different rates; pg. 129
Which of the following statements is accurate regarding Asian American families and racism? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Racism is problematic for Asian American families, similar to other ethnic
minority families, and it may disrupt interal family dynamics as well as outside relationships; pg. 126
Dr. Ong works with a number of Latino couples, and she uses an empirically supported, skill-based
group program designed to teach couples to build and maintain health relationships. Which of the
following techniques, based on this description, is Dr. Ong using? - CORRECT ANSWER-*Solution-
Focused Brief Couples Therapy (SFBCT); *
Marsha, a family therapist, is working with an American Indian family. She has read that open-ended
questions lead to responses more than closed questions. Which of the following is an example of an
open-ended question? - CORRECT ANSWER-What would you like to discuss today?; pg. 130
In the ESCAPE acronym developed by Boynton (1987), the S stands for - CORRECT ANSWER-
Sensitivity to culture; pg. 135
Which of the following is accurate regarding traditional help-seeking behaviors of Arab Americans? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Individuals from Arab cultures usually only seek outside help from so-called
helpers or doctors as a last resort; pg. 132
"WASP" families, according to the text, are known for their _____________. - CORRECT ANSWER-
high levels of emotional expressivity; pg. 133
Which one of the following models emphasizes the values, beliefs, and orientation of different ethnic
cultural groups? - CORRECT ANSWER-culture-specific model of multicultural counseling; pg. 133
In all forms of family therapy with culturally diverse families, it is essential for family therapists to: -
CORRECT ANSWER-Explore personal biases and values; pg. 134
Relationship ethics refer to ethics in a family that are based on the principles of: - CORRECT
ANSWER-Equitability and caring; pg. 140
, There are five primary models and resources for making ethical decisions. They include all the
following EXCEPT: - CORRECT ANSWER-Action-oriented research; pgs. 144-146
Jack, a family therapist in the 1960's, emphasizes the importance of self-esteem, compassion, and
congruent expression of feelings. Whose model of family therapy is Jack likely following? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Virginia Satir; pg. 9
A type of questioning developed by the Milan Associates, emphasized asking questions that
highlighted differences among family members. This type of questioning is called: - CORRECT
ANSWER-Circular Questioning; pg. 14
A person who receives a message to "act boldly and be careful" is receiving which type of
communication, according to Bateson et al., 1956)? - CORRECT ANSWER-Double-bind; pg. 7
Which one of the following therapists wrote on conjoint couple therapy and broke with traditional
psychotherapy of the time by including spouses and children in therapy? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Virginia Satir; pg. 10
Family therapy focuses on the _____ rather than the _____, which creates new and unique ways of
resolving problems. - CORRECT ANSWER-system; individual; pg. 11
In which theory of family therapy is it proposed that human suffering is embedded within a
biopsychosocial-cultural framework? - CORRECT ANSWER-Biopsychosocial Family Therapy?
Which of the following refers to asking a third family member how two other members of a family
relate? - CORRECT ANSWER-Triadic Questioning; pg. 14
James gives conflicting explanations of events to mask what is really going on between family
members. According to Laing (1965), James behavior can be described as ____________________. -
CORRECT ANSWER-mystification; pg. 14
GUIDE WITH MOST TESTED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
This document provides a detailed Q&A format review of foundational concepts in family therapy,
including the origins of marriage counseling, early educational approaches to family dynamics, and
key contributors such as Ernest Groves. It also includes theoretical developments like Bertalanffy’s
systems theory and practical therapeutic techniques for working with blended families. A helpful
study tool for counseling and therapy students or exam preparation.
Which of the following contributed to the development and growth of family therapy? - CORRECT
ANSWER-The initial establishment of marriage counseling; pg. 5
Which of the following groups, in the 1920s and 1930s, worked with families from an educational
perspective to help them to better understand the dynamics of their family situation? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Marriage Counselors; pg. 5
Which one of these individuals is responsible for forming the American Association of Marriage
Counselors (AAMC)? - CORRECT ANSWER-Ernest Groves; pg. 5
The systems theory developed by Bertanlanffy (1968) had less reliance on _____ and more emphasis
on _____. - CORRECT ANSWER-linear causality; circular causality; pg. 11
Manny, a family counselor, is working with a child who is struggling to adjust to his new blended
family. Manny suggests that the child read the book, The Boys and Girs Book about Stepfamlies.
Which of the following statements is accurate about this technique? - CORRECT ANSWER-There
are numerous books and resources that can be used in a therapeutic way to help individuals who are
adjusting to a blended family situation; pg. 105
Multiculturalism is - CORRECT ANSWER-a term used to refer to distinct cultural groups within a
region or nation and their needs; pg. 115
Culture is - CORRECT ANSWER-a multidimensional concept that encompasses the collective
realities of a group of people; pg. 114
,An intercultural couple is working on melding each of their cultures together and celebrating each.
This means that they are work on which one of the following? - CORRECT ANSWER-Integration; pg.
115
Maria tends to see her clients, irrespective of cultural or racial/ethnic background, as the same.
Which of the following terms properly describes Maria? - CORRECT ANSWER-Culturally
encapsulated; pg. 118
All of the following are examples of an external challenge that LGBT individuals face, EXCEPT -
CORRECT ANSWER-Struggles with sense of self; pg. 120
Traditionally, African Americans have relied on _____ for support. - CORRECT ANSWER-Extended
family networks; pg. 124
Although utilization rates for individual therapy are _____ among African Americans, they are _____
for family therapy. - CORRECT ANSWER-high, low; pg. 124
Maki, an Asian American adolescent has adapted to United States culture much quicker than his
mother and father. Which of the following terms describes this phenomenon? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Acculturation gap; pg. 126
The Chang family, an Asian American family, recently began working with a family therapist at the
request of a school social worker. Which of the following statements, based on information in your
text, would be an important consideration for the family therapists? - CORRECT ANSWER-Make
sure the family is familiar with and educated about therapy; pg. 126
Which of the following is true regarding Latina/o couples and families relative to mental health? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Latina/o families and couples experience a high rate of mental health issues,
but utilize mental health services at a lower rate than other ethnic/racial groups; pg. 128
Edward, a family therapist, prefers to use short-term theories of family therapy, particularly one that
emphasizes structured, child-centered play therapy in which parents are taught to respond to their
children on an emotional level. According to this description, Edward is likely practicing which type of
therapy? - CORRECT ANSWER-Filial therapy; pg. 129
,Which of the following, based on acculturation research, is accurate? - CORRECT ANSWER-Family
members may acculturate at different rates; pg. 129
Which of the following statements is accurate regarding Asian American families and racism? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Racism is problematic for Asian American families, similar to other ethnic
minority families, and it may disrupt interal family dynamics as well as outside relationships; pg. 126
Dr. Ong works with a number of Latino couples, and she uses an empirically supported, skill-based
group program designed to teach couples to build and maintain health relationships. Which of the
following techniques, based on this description, is Dr. Ong using? - CORRECT ANSWER-*Solution-
Focused Brief Couples Therapy (SFBCT); *
Marsha, a family therapist, is working with an American Indian family. She has read that open-ended
questions lead to responses more than closed questions. Which of the following is an example of an
open-ended question? - CORRECT ANSWER-What would you like to discuss today?; pg. 130
In the ESCAPE acronym developed by Boynton (1987), the S stands for - CORRECT ANSWER-
Sensitivity to culture; pg. 135
Which of the following is accurate regarding traditional help-seeking behaviors of Arab Americans? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Individuals from Arab cultures usually only seek outside help from so-called
helpers or doctors as a last resort; pg. 132
"WASP" families, according to the text, are known for their _____________. - CORRECT ANSWER-
high levels of emotional expressivity; pg. 133
Which one of the following models emphasizes the values, beliefs, and orientation of different ethnic
cultural groups? - CORRECT ANSWER-culture-specific model of multicultural counseling; pg. 133
In all forms of family therapy with culturally diverse families, it is essential for family therapists to: -
CORRECT ANSWER-Explore personal biases and values; pg. 134
Relationship ethics refer to ethics in a family that are based on the principles of: - CORRECT
ANSWER-Equitability and caring; pg. 140
, There are five primary models and resources for making ethical decisions. They include all the
following EXCEPT: - CORRECT ANSWER-Action-oriented research; pgs. 144-146
Jack, a family therapist in the 1960's, emphasizes the importance of self-esteem, compassion, and
congruent expression of feelings. Whose model of family therapy is Jack likely following? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Virginia Satir; pg. 9
A type of questioning developed by the Milan Associates, emphasized asking questions that
highlighted differences among family members. This type of questioning is called: - CORRECT
ANSWER-Circular Questioning; pg. 14
A person who receives a message to "act boldly and be careful" is receiving which type of
communication, according to Bateson et al., 1956)? - CORRECT ANSWER-Double-bind; pg. 7
Which one of the following therapists wrote on conjoint couple therapy and broke with traditional
psychotherapy of the time by including spouses and children in therapy? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Virginia Satir; pg. 10
Family therapy focuses on the _____ rather than the _____, which creates new and unique ways of
resolving problems. - CORRECT ANSWER-system; individual; pg. 11
In which theory of family therapy is it proposed that human suffering is embedded within a
biopsychosocial-cultural framework? - CORRECT ANSWER-Biopsychosocial Family Therapy?
Which of the following refers to asking a third family member how two other members of a family
relate? - CORRECT ANSWER-Triadic Questioning; pg. 14
James gives conflicting explanations of events to mask what is really going on between family
members. According to Laing (1965), James behavior can be described as ____________________. -
CORRECT ANSWER-mystification; pg. 14
