LCSW (Therapist Development Center)
Complete Exam Practice Guide with
Questions and Verified Answers
Already Graded A+
1. Personality Disorders - ANSWER Patterns of relating to and understanding
others that are so maladaptive, inflexible, and deeply ingrained that they
produce significant social impairment.
2. Paranoid Personality Disorder - ANSWER Non-delusional paranoia;
unjustified doubts; misreading harmless remarks or events; quick reactions
of anger; holding grudges; expectation of being exploited; unjustified
questions re: fidelity of partner.
3. Schizoid Personality Disorder - ANSWER Detachment from social
relationships; preference for being alone; restricted range of affect; lack of
close friends; flat affect; emotionally cold; lack of desire for relationships;
lack of sexual desire; indifference to opinion of others; lack of pleasure in
activities.
4. What is denial in psychological defense mechanisms? - ANSWER A
distortion of reality where a person refuses to accept something that has
happened.
5. What is projection? - ANSWER A defense mechanism where unacceptable
feelings are attributed to another person.
,6. Give an example of projection. - ANSWER A person is angry at their
spouse but accuses the spouse of being angry at them instead.
7. What is displacement? - ANSWER A defense mechanism where feelings
are transferred from one object to another, typically involving three parties.
8. Provide an example of displacement. - ANSWER A man yells at his
children after being upset with his spouse.
9. What is projective identification? - ANSWER A process where the person
who is projected onto believes the projection and may act in accordance with
it.
10.What is intellectualization? - ANSWER A defense mechanism where
emotional content is separated from the affect, often discussing trauma in a
detached manner.
11.Give an example of intellectualization. - ANSWER A victim of sexual
assault researches PTSD criteria instead of addressing emotional pain.
12.What is asceticism? - ANSWER A defense mechanism characterized by
rigor and self-denial.
13.Provide an example of asceticism. - ANSWER An adult refuses to eat or
sleep until a major work project is complete.
14.What is sublimation? - ANSWER A defense mechanism where
unacceptable instincts are displaced into constructive and socially acceptable
behaviors.
,15.Give an example of sublimation. - ANSWER A person with aggressive
impulses becomes a kickboxing instructor.
16.What is introjection/internalization? - ANSWER The process of
internalizing outside events or characteristics of others, often to protect
oneself.
17.Provide an example of introjection. - ANSWER A person puts on their seat
belt because they internalized the advice of authority figures.
18.What is identification? - ANSWER A process by which qualities of an
external object are absorbed into one's personality.
19.Give an example of identification. - ANSWER A Bruce Lee fan becomes a
disciplined martial arts champion.
20.Schizotypal Personality Disorder - ANSWER Inappropriate or constricted
affect; irrational beliefs; magical thinking; ideas of reference; extreme social
anxiety; unusual perceptual experiences (illusions); lack of close friends;
paranoid ideation; eccentric appearance.
21.Histrionic Personality Disorder - ANSWER Constant demands for
approval/praise; exaggeration of emotion; discomfort when not the center of
attention; sexual seductiveness; use of physical appearance to draw
attention; content of speech lacking detail; suggestibility; rapidly shifting
and shallow expression of emotions; belief that relationships are more
intimate than they really are; view of themselves as glamorous and
impressive.
, 22.Narcissistic Personality Disorder - ANSWER Sense of entitlement; believe
rules don't apply to them; using others for personal gain; grandiosity; belief
that they are special/unique; need for excessive admiration; lack of empathy;
envious of others and belief that others are envious of them; fantasies of
success/power/love; arrogance.
23.Borderline Personality Disorder - ANSWER Unstable relationships;
alternation between idealization and devaluation; feelings of emptiness;
mood reactivity; angry outbursts followed by shame/guilt; impulsivity that is
self-damaging; avoidance of abandonment; suicidal threats; self-mutilating
behaviors; identity disturbance; transient paranoia or dissociation.
24.Antisocial Personality Disorder - ANSWER Frequent physical fights or
assaults; irresponsibility; deceitfulness; reckless disregard for safety;
impulsive behavior; lack of remorse; disregard for and violate the rights of
others.
25.Avoidant Personality Disorder - ANSWER Fear of being ridiculed; social
inhibition; poor self-image; preoccupation with being criticized or rejected
in social situations; avoidance of new activities; reluctance to take personal
risks; restraint in intimate relationships; desire for social relationships;
feelings of loneliness.
26.Dependent Personality Disorder - ANSWER Need for excessive
advice/reassurance; need for others to assume responsibility; difficulty doing
things independently; lack of self-confidence; going to great lengths to be
nurtured/supported; feelings of helplessness; moving from one relationship
to the next to receive care and support; difficulty disagreeing with others;
need for approval; preoccupation with being left to take care of oneself.
27.Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder - ANSWER Preoccupation
with details, rules, lists, or organization; perfectionism; stubbornness;
Complete Exam Practice Guide with
Questions and Verified Answers
Already Graded A+
1. Personality Disorders - ANSWER Patterns of relating to and understanding
others that are so maladaptive, inflexible, and deeply ingrained that they
produce significant social impairment.
2. Paranoid Personality Disorder - ANSWER Non-delusional paranoia;
unjustified doubts; misreading harmless remarks or events; quick reactions
of anger; holding grudges; expectation of being exploited; unjustified
questions re: fidelity of partner.
3. Schizoid Personality Disorder - ANSWER Detachment from social
relationships; preference for being alone; restricted range of affect; lack of
close friends; flat affect; emotionally cold; lack of desire for relationships;
lack of sexual desire; indifference to opinion of others; lack of pleasure in
activities.
4. What is denial in psychological defense mechanisms? - ANSWER A
distortion of reality where a person refuses to accept something that has
happened.
5. What is projection? - ANSWER A defense mechanism where unacceptable
feelings are attributed to another person.
,6. Give an example of projection. - ANSWER A person is angry at their
spouse but accuses the spouse of being angry at them instead.
7. What is displacement? - ANSWER A defense mechanism where feelings
are transferred from one object to another, typically involving three parties.
8. Provide an example of displacement. - ANSWER A man yells at his
children after being upset with his spouse.
9. What is projective identification? - ANSWER A process where the person
who is projected onto believes the projection and may act in accordance with
it.
10.What is intellectualization? - ANSWER A defense mechanism where
emotional content is separated from the affect, often discussing trauma in a
detached manner.
11.Give an example of intellectualization. - ANSWER A victim of sexual
assault researches PTSD criteria instead of addressing emotional pain.
12.What is asceticism? - ANSWER A defense mechanism characterized by
rigor and self-denial.
13.Provide an example of asceticism. - ANSWER An adult refuses to eat or
sleep until a major work project is complete.
14.What is sublimation? - ANSWER A defense mechanism where
unacceptable instincts are displaced into constructive and socially acceptable
behaviors.
,15.Give an example of sublimation. - ANSWER A person with aggressive
impulses becomes a kickboxing instructor.
16.What is introjection/internalization? - ANSWER The process of
internalizing outside events or characteristics of others, often to protect
oneself.
17.Provide an example of introjection. - ANSWER A person puts on their seat
belt because they internalized the advice of authority figures.
18.What is identification? - ANSWER A process by which qualities of an
external object are absorbed into one's personality.
19.Give an example of identification. - ANSWER A Bruce Lee fan becomes a
disciplined martial arts champion.
20.Schizotypal Personality Disorder - ANSWER Inappropriate or constricted
affect; irrational beliefs; magical thinking; ideas of reference; extreme social
anxiety; unusual perceptual experiences (illusions); lack of close friends;
paranoid ideation; eccentric appearance.
21.Histrionic Personality Disorder - ANSWER Constant demands for
approval/praise; exaggeration of emotion; discomfort when not the center of
attention; sexual seductiveness; use of physical appearance to draw
attention; content of speech lacking detail; suggestibility; rapidly shifting
and shallow expression of emotions; belief that relationships are more
intimate than they really are; view of themselves as glamorous and
impressive.
, 22.Narcissistic Personality Disorder - ANSWER Sense of entitlement; believe
rules don't apply to them; using others for personal gain; grandiosity; belief
that they are special/unique; need for excessive admiration; lack of empathy;
envious of others and belief that others are envious of them; fantasies of
success/power/love; arrogance.
23.Borderline Personality Disorder - ANSWER Unstable relationships;
alternation between idealization and devaluation; feelings of emptiness;
mood reactivity; angry outbursts followed by shame/guilt; impulsivity that is
self-damaging; avoidance of abandonment; suicidal threats; self-mutilating
behaviors; identity disturbance; transient paranoia or dissociation.
24.Antisocial Personality Disorder - ANSWER Frequent physical fights or
assaults; irresponsibility; deceitfulness; reckless disregard for safety;
impulsive behavior; lack of remorse; disregard for and violate the rights of
others.
25.Avoidant Personality Disorder - ANSWER Fear of being ridiculed; social
inhibition; poor self-image; preoccupation with being criticized or rejected
in social situations; avoidance of new activities; reluctance to take personal
risks; restraint in intimate relationships; desire for social relationships;
feelings of loneliness.
26.Dependent Personality Disorder - ANSWER Need for excessive
advice/reassurance; need for others to assume responsibility; difficulty doing
things independently; lack of self-confidence; going to great lengths to be
nurtured/supported; feelings of helplessness; moving from one relationship
to the next to receive care and support; difficulty disagreeing with others;
need for approval; preoccupation with being left to take care of oneself.
27.Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder - ANSWER Preoccupation
with details, rules, lists, or organization; perfectionism; stubbornness;
