Clinical Cards

Question 1

Conversion

Answer 1

A defense mechanism in which anxiety or emotional conflict is transformed into overt physical manifestations or symptoms such as pain, loss of feeling, or paralysis.

Question 2

Crisis

Answer 2

An internal experience of emotional change and distress; precipitated by a perceived life problem resulting in internal discord because the individual’s typical coping strategies are inadequate.

Question 3

Introjection

Answer 3

A mental mechanism in which the individual derives feelings from another person or object and directs them internally to an imagined form of the object or person

Question 4

Secondary Gain

Answer 4

The advantages or benefits one derives from a physical or mental illness, such as attention, freedom from responsibility, and disability benefits.

Question 5

Differential Diagnosis

Answer 5

The process of distinguishing between similar mental

disorders or social problems on the basis of their compared and unique characteristics.

Question 6

Resistance

Answer 6

Conscious or unconscious avoidance behavior used by the client to protect oneself from the influence of the social worker.

Question 7

Defense Mechanism

Answer 7

A mental process that protects an individual from anxiety, feelings of guilt, or unacceptable thoughts.

Question 8

Confidentiality

Answer 8

A principle of ethics according to which the social worker or other professionals may not disclose information about a client without a client’s consent; In specific circumstances, such as threats of violence, the commission of crimes, and suspected child abuse, the social worker may be compelled by law to reveal to designated authorities some information.

Question 9

Flat Affect

Answer 9

The appearance of apathy in mood, sometimes seen as a symptom of schizophrenia or depression.

Question 10

Partialization

Answer 10

The social work process of temporarily considering a
client’s interconnected problems as separate entities so that work toward
their solution can be more manageable.

Question 11

Developmental Stages

Answer 11

The progression of physical and mental changes
occurring over time that results in clusters of identifiable and predictable
characteristics tending to occur during specific periods

Question 12

Bereavement

Answer 12

The emotional and physical reaction to the loss of a loved one.

Question 13

Enabler

Answer 13

Often indicates the actions of one who facilitates the

dysfunctional behavior of another.

Question 14

Rationalization

Answer 14

Presenting in logical terms or interpreting the reasons for some action or events; is also used as a defense mechanism in which a person explains or justifies an action or thought to make it acceptable when it is unacceptable at a deeper psychological level.

Question 15

Reaction Formation

Answer 15

A defense mechanism in which the person behaves or

thinks in ways or assumes values that are the opposite of the original unconscious trait.

Question 16

Self-Determination

Answer 16

An ethical principle in social work that recognizes the
rights and needs of clients to be free to make their own choices and decisions; includes helping the client know what the resources and choices are and helping the client implement the decision made.

Question 17

Role Re-Equilibration

Answer 17

The process that takes place between two or more

people to end the conflict; This is usually achieved by clarifying mutual expectations.

Question 18

Akinesia

Answer 18

Reduced or minimal motor movement.

Question 19

Akathisia

Answer 19

A sustained pattern of fidgety movements, such as

swinging of the legs, rocking, tapping the feet or hands, pacing, and being unable to remain in a position for long.

Question 20

Dystonia

Answer 20

Sustained abnormal postures or muscle spasms, symptomatic of mental disorders.

Question 21

Ecomap

Answer 21

A diagram of family relationships is used to depict a variety of reciprocal influences between the client and those people related to the client, relevant social institutions, and environmental influences.

Question 22

Genogram

Answer 22

A diagram often used in family therapy to depict family

relationships extended over at least three generations

Question 23

Boundaries

Answer 23

A central concept in family systems theories pertaining to the implicit rules that determine how the family members or subsystems are expected to relate to one another and to nonfamily members.

Question 24

Interventions

Answer 24

The treatment process and other activities to solve or

prevent problems or achieve goals.

Question 25

Values

Answer 25

The customs, beliefs, standards of conduct, and

principles considered desirable by a culture, a group of people, or an individual.

Question 26

Manipulative Behavior

Answer 26

Actions intended to control and often exploit the thoughts, feelings, or responses of others; may be intentional or unconscious.

Question 27

Referral

Answer 27

The social work process of directing a client to an

agency, resources, or a professional known to be able to provide a needed service.

Question 28

Consultation

Answer 28

An interpersonal relationship between an individual or

organization possessing special expertise and someone who needs that expertise to solve a specific problem.

Question 29

Assessment

Answer 29

The process of determining the nature, cause,

progression, and prognosis of a problem.

Question 30

Rapport

Answer 30

In the social work interview, the state of harmony,
compatibility, and empathy that permits mutual understanding and the working relationship between the client and the social worker.

Question 31

Dual Diagnosis

Answer 31

The identification of coexistent diseases within an individual; is most commonly associated with a problem with drugs or alcohol and another psychiatric disorder.

Question 32

Organic

Answer 32

Pertaining to the biological aspects of an individual; This is most commonly used to distinguish between physiological and psychosocial problems.

Question 33

Denial

Answer 33

The defense mechanism that protects the personality from anxiety or guilt by disavowing or ignoring unacceptable thoughts, emotions, or wishes.

Question 34

Dual Relationship

Answer 34

The unethical practice of assuming a second role with the client in addition to professional helpers, such as a friend, business associate, family member, or sex partner.

Question 35

Dependency

Answer 35

A state of reliance on other people or things for existence or support, nurturance, protection, security, and shelter.

Question 36

Subpoena

Answer 36

A legal document ordering an individual to appear in court at a certain time; Failure to comply may result in some penalty.

Question 37

Predisposition

Answer 37

A tendency to develop a trait or attribute under the right circumstance.

Question 38

Adaptation

Answer 38

A reciprocal process between the individual and the

environment, often involving changing the environment or being changed by it.

Question 39

Compulsion

Answer 39

A strong and repetitive urge to act in a certain way; frequently a means of relieving anxiety.

Question 40

Coping Skill

Answer 40

Effective behavior an individual uses in responding to or avoiding sources of stress.

Question 41

Kleptomania

Answer 41

Compulsive stealing; The theft is often motivated by emotional release, excitement, or gratification and not by the need for the object or its material value.

Question 42

Labile Affect

Answer 42

Abrupt shifts and excessive variation in an individual’s

expression of affect.

Question 43

Learned Helplessness

Answer 43

A pattern of behavior that is frequently seen in victims of spouse abuse and child abuse, in which the individual responds passively to risks of harm.

Question 44

Unconscious Motivation

Answer 44

A compelling wish or drive that is out of an individuals
immediate awareness but that influences him or her to act in a way that would seem contrary to his or her rational objectives.

Question 45

Ego Strength

Answer 45

The individual’s capacity for logical thinking, intelligence, perceptiveness, and self-control over impulses to achieve immediate gratification.

Question 46

Privilege

Answer 46

The premise and understanding between therapist and
a client that the information revealed by the client will not be divulged to others without expressed permission; Courts often honor this unless there is a risk of public danger or threat to the public good.

Question 47

Ego Syntonic

Answer 47

Traits of personality, thought, behavior, and values that are incorporated by the individual who considers them acceptable and consistent with his or her overall “true” self.

Question 48

Countertransference

Answer 48

A set of conscious or unconscious emotional reactions to a client experienced by a therapist; These feelings usually originate in the therapist’s own developmental conflicts or past.

Question 49

Tardive Dyskinesia

Answer 49

A medication-induced movement disorder that includes
uncontrollable physical movements, especially in the face, lips, and tongue, and sometimes repetitive movements of the head, hands, and feet.

Question 50

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 50

In behavior modification, the strengthening of a response through the removal of adverse stimuli.

Question 51

Empathy

Answer 51

The act of perceiving, understanding, experiencing, and responding to the emotional state and ideas of another person.

Question 52

Extinction

Answer 52

In behavior modification, the elimination or weakening of a conditioned response by discontinuing the reinforcement after the response occurs.

Question 53

Transference

Answer 53

A concept that refers to emotional reactions that are assigned to current relationships but originated in earlier experiences (often the feelings a client has toward a therapist).

Question 54

Reinforcement

Answer 54

In behavior modification, a procedure that strengthens the tendency of a response to recurring.

Question 55

Informed Consent

Answer 55

The granting of permission by the client to the therapist or agency to use specific interventions, including diagnosis, treatment, follow up, and research; This must be based on full disclosure of the facts needed to make
the decision, including risks, benefits, and alternatives.

Question 56

Punishment

Answer 56

A penalty imposed for misbehavior in behavior modification; the presence of an unpleasant or undesired event following a behavior.

Question 57

Projection

Answer 57

A defense mechanism in which unacceptable aspects of one’s own personality are rejected or attributed to another person or entity.

Question 58

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 58

Strengthening a desired behavior or response by presenting the desired stimulus contingent on the performance of the response.

Question 59

Scapegoating

Answer 59

A phenomenon in groups in which members settle on a particular person to target or blame, though that person is often innocent; prevents true group cohesion and distracts from the actual group purpose.

Question 60

Supervision

Answer 60

An administrative and educational process used to help someone further develops and refine his or her skills enhances staff morale and provides quality assurance for clients.

Question 61

Empowerment

Answer 61

The process of helping individuals, families, groups, and communities increase their strengths and develop influence toward improving their circumstances.

Question 62

Ego Dystonic

Answer 62

Traits of personality, behavior, thought, or orientation
considered to be unacceptable, repugnant, or inconsistent with the individual’s perceptions—conscious or unconscious—of himself or herself.

Question 63

Triangulation

Answer 63

The process in which one individual who feels pressured, distressed, or powerless in relating to another individual brings into the relationship a third person to act as an ally or a distracter.

Question 64

Enmeshment

Answer 64

A relationship pattern in which role boundaries between individuals are so vague or diffuse that there is little opportunity for independent functioning.