LMSW Exam Human Development,
Diversity, and Behavior 2025/2026
Levels of Cognition - ANSWERSKnowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis,
Evaluation
Knowledge - ANSWERSRote memorization, recognition, recall
Comprehension - ANSWERSUnderstanding what facts mean
Application - ANSWERScorrect use of facts, rules, ideas
Analysis - ANSWERSbreaking down info into component parts
Synthesis - ANSWERSCombo of facts, ideas, or info to make a new whole
Evaluation - ANSWERSJudging or forming an opinion about the info or situation
Sensorimotor (0-2) - ANSWERSRetains images
Primitive logic
Intentional actions
Imitative play
Signals meaning (e.g. understand that babysitter arriving means mom leaving)
Symbol meaning (language) begins
,Preoperational (2-7) - ANSWERSProgress from concrete to abstract thinking
Comprehends past, present, future
Night terrors
Acquires words and symbols
Magical Thinking
Thinking not generalized
Thinking is concrete, irreversible, egocentric
Cannot see other points of view
Thinking centered on one detail or event
(imaginary friends common, not cause for concern, social workers should normalize)
Concrete Operations (7-11) - ANSWERSBeginning of abstract thought
Plays games with rules
Understands cause and effect
Logical implications understood
Thinking independent of experience
Thinking is reversible
Rules of logic are developed
Formal Operations (11+) - ANSWERSHigher level of abstraction
Planning for future
Thinks hypothetically
Assumes adult roles and responsibilities
Preconventional Morality (< 9 y/o) - ANSWERS(1) Child obeys authority (fear of punishment)
(2) Child seeks rewards
, Conventional Morality (early adolescence) - ANSWERS(3) Seeks approval (good girl/good boy)
(4) Obeys laws and fulfills obligations; rules are rules
Postconventional Morality (adult) - ANSWERS(5) Genuine interest in welfare of others;
concerned with individual rights and morality
(6) Guided by individual principles based on broad, universal ethical principles. Concern for
larger universal issues of morality
Behaviorist Theory (Pavlov, Skinner) - ANSWERSLearning viewed through change in behavior.
Stimuli in external environment cause learning (conditioned stimuli/rewards/punishments).
Social workers aim to change external env.
Cognitive Learning Theory (Piaget) - ANSWERSLearning viewed through internal processes and
development of internal cognitive structures. Social workers aim to foster capacity and skill
Humanistic Learning Theory (Maslow) - ANSWERSLearning viewed as person reaching full
potential; locus of learning is meeting cognitive and other needs. SW aim to develop whole
person
Social/Situational Learning Theory (Bandura) - ANSWERSLearning happens between people and
environment - through interactions and observations. SW establish opportunities for
conversation and participation.
authoritarian parenting - ANSWERSStrict rules, punishment, does not explain rationale. Result:
obedience, proficiency, low happiness/self-esteem/social competence
authoritative parenting - ANSWERSRules and guidelines, but democratic. Responsive and willing
to allow questions. Nurturing and forgiveness when children do not meet expectations. Result:
happy, capable, successful
Diversity, and Behavior 2025/2026
Levels of Cognition - ANSWERSKnowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis,
Evaluation
Knowledge - ANSWERSRote memorization, recognition, recall
Comprehension - ANSWERSUnderstanding what facts mean
Application - ANSWERScorrect use of facts, rules, ideas
Analysis - ANSWERSbreaking down info into component parts
Synthesis - ANSWERSCombo of facts, ideas, or info to make a new whole
Evaluation - ANSWERSJudging or forming an opinion about the info or situation
Sensorimotor (0-2) - ANSWERSRetains images
Primitive logic
Intentional actions
Imitative play
Signals meaning (e.g. understand that babysitter arriving means mom leaving)
Symbol meaning (language) begins
,Preoperational (2-7) - ANSWERSProgress from concrete to abstract thinking
Comprehends past, present, future
Night terrors
Acquires words and symbols
Magical Thinking
Thinking not generalized
Thinking is concrete, irreversible, egocentric
Cannot see other points of view
Thinking centered on one detail or event
(imaginary friends common, not cause for concern, social workers should normalize)
Concrete Operations (7-11) - ANSWERSBeginning of abstract thought
Plays games with rules
Understands cause and effect
Logical implications understood
Thinking independent of experience
Thinking is reversible
Rules of logic are developed
Formal Operations (11+) - ANSWERSHigher level of abstraction
Planning for future
Thinks hypothetically
Assumes adult roles and responsibilities
Preconventional Morality (< 9 y/o) - ANSWERS(1) Child obeys authority (fear of punishment)
(2) Child seeks rewards
, Conventional Morality (early adolescence) - ANSWERS(3) Seeks approval (good girl/good boy)
(4) Obeys laws and fulfills obligations; rules are rules
Postconventional Morality (adult) - ANSWERS(5) Genuine interest in welfare of others;
concerned with individual rights and morality
(6) Guided by individual principles based on broad, universal ethical principles. Concern for
larger universal issues of morality
Behaviorist Theory (Pavlov, Skinner) - ANSWERSLearning viewed through change in behavior.
Stimuli in external environment cause learning (conditioned stimuli/rewards/punishments).
Social workers aim to change external env.
Cognitive Learning Theory (Piaget) - ANSWERSLearning viewed through internal processes and
development of internal cognitive structures. Social workers aim to foster capacity and skill
Humanistic Learning Theory (Maslow) - ANSWERSLearning viewed as person reaching full
potential; locus of learning is meeting cognitive and other needs. SW aim to develop whole
person
Social/Situational Learning Theory (Bandura) - ANSWERSLearning happens between people and
environment - through interactions and observations. SW establish opportunities for
conversation and participation.
authoritarian parenting - ANSWERSStrict rules, punishment, does not explain rationale. Result:
obedience, proficiency, low happiness/self-esteem/social competence
authoritative parenting - ANSWERSRules and guidelines, but democratic. Responsive and willing
to allow questions. Nurturing and forgiveness when children do not meet expectations. Result:
happy, capable, successful
