Deck 1: Human Behavior and the Social Work Profession

Question 1

When it comes to a definition for "human behavior in the social environment,"

A) There is one specific definition agreed upon across the professions
B) Only the social sciences agree on the definition
C) There is no single definition
D) The variety of definitions shows how complex human behavior is

Answer 1

There is no single definition

Question 2

Given the complexity of individuals' lives and the multifaceted nature of the problems that clients experience, social workers need knowledge in which area?

A) Politics
B) Economics
C) Biology
D) All of the above

Answer 2

All of the above

Question 3

According to the text, it is important for social workers to have a strong liberal arts base in their education because it:

A) Provides social work students opportunities to interact with other professionals
B) Provides social workers the foundation for conceptualizing and intervening with client problems
C) Allows social work students to explore graduate school opportunities
D) All the above

Answer 3

Provides social workers the foundation for conceptualizing and intervening with client problems

Question 4

A theory is a set of ideas and concepts that when considered together

A) Result in practice-based evidence
B) Result in an intervention
C) Establish causality
D) Help explain certain phenomena and predict behavior

Question 5

Understanding a variety of theories is important for social workers for all of the following reasons EXCEPT:

A) Understanding theories ensures they apply to all people in all situations
B) Theories can offer contexts from which to approach problems
C) Make connections among related facts and information about human behavior and social issues
D) Theories help develop contexts from which to approach problems and develop interventions related to the behaviors

Question 6

The terms theory, model, approach, and perspective often are used interchangeably. However, these terms differ from theories because they

A) lack some of the necessary elements that allow for empirical testing of hypotheses and constructs.
B) are not related to human behavior in the social environment.
C) refer only to psychology or sociology and are not used in social work practice.
D) refer to smaller, more minute details.

Question 7

Theories:

A) Are accurate explanations of various individual social problems but do not explain social problems
B) Clarify individual actions but do not explain social situations
C) Separate levels of interactions and types of behavior to explain how to intervene
D) May be used in combination to help explain various problems that occur at individual, familial, and social levels

Question 8

The best way for social workers to gain knowledge and develop theories is through:

A) Practical knowledge and experience
B) Empirical knowledge (knowledge based in observable facts)
C) University-based research
D) Both Practical and Empirical knowledge

Question 9

Science-based knowledge

A) Is knowledge generated from practice experience
B) Insures interventions will be effective
C) Is not useful for direct practice
D) Uses objective methods to test hypotheses

Question 10

Evidence-based practice is a movement among social workers

A) That establishes the effectiveness of social work interventions
B) To document that their interventions are effective
C) To eliminate practice-based evidence
D) All of the above

Question 11

The approach of "unknowing" means

A) Balancing rigid assumptions by embracing the diversity of a client's experience
B) Ignoring evidence-based practices
C) Disregarding theories and going with a "client is always right" approach
D) It is ok to not read and study your human behavior textbook

Question 12

Which criteria for theory evaluation answers the question "Do the theory's concepts explain the phenomenon in clear, simple, and straightforward terms?"

A) Is it strong
B) Is it parsimonious
C) Is it functional
D) Is it falsifiable

Question 13

Which criteria for theory evaluation answers the question "Does it clearly explain how concepts are related to one another and to the phenomenon it is trying to explain?"

A) Is it strong
B) Is it parsimonious
C) Is it functional
D) Is it falsifiable

Question 14

The tendency to assume that what we experience can be universally applied to other people and circumstances is called:

A) Lack of inquiry
B) Biases and value judgments
C) Problems with observations
D) Overgeneralization

Question 15

The tendency to impose our own values, inclinations, expectations, and experiences onto an event to help make sense of it derives from:

A) Biases and value judgments
B) Lack of inquiry
C) Problems with observations
D) Overgeneralization

Question 16

Many classic theories and empirical research on human behavior have been criticized or thought to be invalid for all of the following reasons EXCEPT:

A) Many theories in the past have focused on the concerns of white males but been applied without testing to women and ethnic and sexual minorities
B) Theories have been applied to populations without consideration of the biological and cultural differences from white males
C) Theories have been applied to populations without consideration of the cultural and economic differences from white males
D) Theories were created by social workers who do not use theories

Question 17

When evaluating research, asking who is the intended audience refers to:

A) Making sure other experts in the field have reviewed the findings
B) Determining if the results are biased to serve the needs of a particular group
C) Determining if the language seems biased
D) Determining if the findings are meant to inform, teach, entertain, enlighten, sell, or persuade

Question 18

When evaluating research, does the language seem subjective refers to:

A) Is the information biased?
B) Who is the intended audience?
C) What is the author's expertise?
D) Have other experts in the field reviewed the information?

Question 19

When evaluating research, is the information peer reviewed refers to:

A) Determining if the results are biased to serve the needs of a particular group
B) Assuring the validity of the research regardless of the audience
C) Making sure other experts in the field have reviewed the information
D) Determining if the findings are meant to inform, teach, entertain, enlighten, sell, or persuade

Question 20

An eclectic practitioner is a social worker who:

A) Works with a broad array of other professionals
B) Is an effective at both administration and direct practice
C) Utilizes ideas and concepts from several theories
D) Works with several different client populations

Question 21

The ethical principle of "Help people in need and address social conditions and concerns" refers to which social work value?

A) Service
B) Integrity
C) Social Justice
D) Competence

Question 22

The ethical principle of "Behave in a trustworthy manner" refers to which social work value?

A) Service
B) Integrity
C) Social Justice
D) Competence

Question 23

When it comes to understanding the many facets of the human experience,

A) Social workers can never know enough
B) Social workers need to understand all these facets in order to effectively work with clients
C) Social workers need to know just a couple theories that best describe human behavior
D) All of the above

Question 24

Compare and contrast empirically based knowledge and practice-based knowledge.

Question 25

Describe what "unknowing" means for how social workers using knowledge and theory to guide their work with clients.

Question 26

Describe the 6 criteria to judge the usefulness of a theory.

Question 27

List and describe some of the common errors that can affect the way research is developed, carried out, interpreted, and applied to human situations.

Question 28

List and describe ways you could evaluate research.

Question 29

What are the pros and cons to the single theory argument?

Question 30

Describe the 6 social work ethical principles in relation to working with Janice.

Question 31

Describe 2 ways each that research, policy and practice courses in the social work curriculum are related to a human behavior course.

Question 32

How does the concept of "unknowing" support the Social Work Code of Ethics?

Question 33

Describe ways of gathering information that are consistent with the Social Work Code of Ethics.

Question 34

Explain how social workers with different theoretical knowledge might approach Janice's case differently (list at least two different theories and how each might lead the social worker to react differently).

Question 35

Briefly explain the argument for eclecticism and then explain how a social worker who uses eclectic theories might benefit Janice?

Question 36

According to the article by Thompson, Stevenson Wojciak, and Cooley, how does theory help shape how someone works in the child welfare field? (Be sure to include a brief explanation that shows you understand what a theory is)

Question 37

According to the Klawetter and Frankel article, explain the concept of "lens" and how this concept may affect a social worker's actions.