Deck 8: Focusing the Interview: Exploring the Story From Multiple Perspectives

Question 1

The community genogram provides

A) an opportunity for the client to present her or his family in an individually unique way.
B) a chance to see the client's community of origin and how it might represent the unique client's culture.
C) a flexible situation that may enable the counselor to determine the importance of extended family and other significant people in one's past development.
D) an opportunity to compare the community of origin with one's present community setting.
E) all of these.

Answer 1

E

Question 2

The following questions require you to identify what type of focus the interviewer is using in the reply to the following client statement.
"I just can't believe how much fun I'm having right now. They call this an exam, but I feel more like I'm at a party. And not only that, I'm learning so much at the same time. I just feel so smart and competent as I answer these questions I could just jump up and down. My parents never told me how much fun college was going to be. The only problem is the professor's sense of humor. Sometimes I think he got into teaching because it was the only way he could get away with such bad jokes without having people leave the room."
Identify the kind of focus by its letter:

-___ Several people I worked with last semester felt so good during an exam that they actually began to sing too.

A) Client focus
B)Problem/concern focus
C)Significant others focus
D)Mutual "we" focus
E)Interviewer
F)Cultural/environmental context

Answer 2

C

Question 3

A culture that emphasizes group harmony and joint goals is likely to focus on

A) the individual.
B) others, so as to provide the group with a joint goal.
C) mutual or "we" focus.
D) individuals who can make a difference as leaders of the group.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Your employee responds, "That's unfair to me. Where did you get that idea?" The response is a(n) ___________ focus.

A) individual
B) issue or concern
C) interviewer
D) cultural/environmental/contextual

Question 5

We exist in a web of relationships.

Question 6

You are giving feedback to someone who is working for you. You say, "The major difficulty seems to be that your communication skills are not up to par." Your statement is a(n) ___________ focus.

A) individual
B) issue or concern
C) interviewer
D) other

Question 7

The following questions require you to identify what type of focus the interviewer is using in the reply to the following client statement.
"I just can't believe how much fun I'm having right now. They call this an exam, but I feel more like I'm at a party. And not only that, I'm learning so much at the same time. I just feel so smart and competent as I answer these questions I could just jump up and down. My parents never told me how much fun college was going to be. The only problem is the professor's sense of humor. Sometimes I think he got into teaching because it was the only way he could get away with such bad jokes without having people leave the room."
Identify the kind of focus by its letter:

-___Sounds like your only problem with this course is a lack of humor.

A) Client focus
B)Problem/concern focus
C)Significant others focus
D)Mutual "we" focus
E)Interviewer
F)Cultural/environmental context

Question 8

The following questions require you to identify what type of focus the interviewer is using in the reply to the following client statement.
"I just can't believe how much fun I'm having right now. They call this an exam, but I feel more like I'm at a party. And not only that, I'm learning so much at the same time. I just feel so smart and competent as I answer these questions I could just jump up and down. My parents never told me how much fun college was going to be. The only problem is the professor's sense of humor. Sometimes I think he got into teaching because it was the only way he could get away with such bad jokes without having people leave the room."
Identify the kind of focus by its letter:

-___ Arturo, it sounds like you are much more satisfied with yourself now.

A) Client focus
B)Problem/concern focus
C)Significant others focus
D)Mutual "we" focus
E)Interviewer
F)Cultural/environmental context

Question 9

Which of the following is closely related to focusing?

A) self-disclosure
B) selective attention
C) confrontation
D) checkout

Question 10

In working with some Asian and Southern European peoples, which focus is often more appropriate than typical middle-class U.S. focusing?

A) the individual
B) the cultural/environmental context
C) mutual focus emphasizing we
D) mutual focus emphasizing different cultures

Question 11

The prompt, "Tell me more about the abortion," may result in drawing out details of the abortion procedure but little may be learned about the client's distinctive personal experience.

Question 12

Social justice is

A) a socialist term coined by Marx.
B) a moral orientation toward a just and fair world.
C) a technique to help clients advance their individuality.
D) all of these.

Question 13

The following questions require you to identify what type of focus the interviewer is using in the reply to the following client statement.
"I just can't believe how much fun I'm having right now. They call this an exam, but I feel more like I'm at a party. And not only that, I'm learning so much at the same time. I just feel so smart and competent as I answer these questions I could just jump up and down. My parents never told me how much fun college was going to be. The only problem is the professor's sense of humor. Sometimes I think he got into teaching because it was the only way he could get away with such bad jokes without having people leave the room."
Identify the kind of focus by its letter:

-___It makes me feel good to hear that you are enjoying things.

A) Client focus
B)Problem/concern focus
C)Significant others focus
D)Mutual "we" focus
E)Interviewer
F)Cultural/environmental context

Question 14

Advocacy is

A) something that only social workers do.
B) a moral orientation toward a just and fair world.
C) speaking out for your clients.
D) all of these.

Question 15

Feminist counseling or multiculturally oriented counseling is more likely than traditional counseling to focus on

A) the individual.
B) the family.
C) the issue or concern.
D) the cultural/environmental context.

Question 16

Which of the following is correct regarding focusing?

A) It is an important skill.
B) It enables clients to gain more complete understanding of issues affecting their life.
C) It helps clients recognize the web of relationships in which they live.
D) All of these.

Question 17

Focusing often results in

A) increased cognitive complexity.
B) broadening understanding through looking at different points of view.
C) increased ability to direct client talk (or not direct, due to your awareness).
D) all of these.

Question 18

A culture that emphasizes self-actualization is likely to focus on

A) the individual.
B) careful problem-solving.
C) freeing people from sexism and racism.
D) actualization of human potential through multiple focus.

Question 19

The genogram or family chart is

A) only for family counseling.
B) a good way to help a client focus on family issues.
C) a technique for only advanced therapy.
D) all of these.
E) only for family counseling;a technique for only advanced therapy.

Question 20

In typical middle-class cultural interviewing settings for counseling, the focus is usually on

A) the individual.
B) the family.
C) the group.
D) the cultural/environmental context.

Question 21

The following questions require you to identify what type of focus the interviewer is using in the reply to the following client statement.
"I just can't believe how much fun I'm having right now. They call this an exam, but I feel more like I'm at a party. And not only that, I'm learning so much at the same time. I just feel so smart and competent as I answer these questions I could just jump up and down. My parents never told me how much fun college was going to be. The only problem is the professor's sense of humor. Sometimes I think he got into teaching because it was the only way he could get away with such bad jokes without having people leave the room."
Identify the kind of focus by its letter:

-___Tell me a bit more about your family's reactions to your improved performance.

A) Client focus
B)Problem/concern focus
C)Significant others focus
D)Mutual "we" focus
E)Interviewer
F)Cultural/environmental context

Question 22

Discuss the value of a genogram and how listening skills and focusing might be used to help an individual understand how family issues relate to current concerns.

Question 23

The following questions require you to identify what type of focus the interviewer is using in the reply to the following client statement.
"I'd like to buy a new car. But I'm not sure if I can afford it. The ones I have been looking at seem terribly expensive. But then, I have a large family and could use the space. But will they be dependable? And what about gas mileage? What do you think I should do?"
Identify the kind of focus by its letter.

-___ Did you know that women and minorities often are charged more for cars than European American men are?

A) Client focus
B)Problem/concern focus
C)Significant others focus
D)Mutual "we" focus
E)Interviewer
F)Cultural/environmental context

Question 24

"I love it here in Wyoming. Just being here and feeling the mountains every day is special. I have this opportunity to leave the university to go to Chicago for a really well-paying job."  Write alternative focus statements of a variety of types (do not repeat any classification of helping lead) that may be useful to this client.

Question 25

The following questions require you to identify what type of focus the interviewer is using in the reply to the following client statement.
"I'd like to buy a new car. But I'm not sure if I can afford it. The ones I have been looking at seem terribly expensive. But then, I have a large family and could use the space. But will they be dependable? And what about gas mileage? What do you think I should do?"
Identify the kind of focus by its letter.

-___ I really like my Edsel. It's made me feel good just to drive it.

A) Client focus
B)Problem/concern focus
C)Significant others focus
D)Mutual "we" focus
E)Interviewer
F)Cultural/environmental context

Question 26

The following questions require you to identify what type of focus the interviewer is using in the reply to the following client statement.
"I'd like to buy a new car. But I'm not sure if I can afford it. The ones I have been looking at seem terribly expensive. But then, I have a large family and could use the space. But will they be dependable? And what about gas mileage? What do you think I should do?"
Identify the kind of focus by its letter.

-___John, it sounds as if you are pretty anxious about your decision.

A) Client focus
B)Problem/concern focus
C)Significant others focus
D)Mutual "we" focus
E)Interviewer
F)Cultural/environmental context

Question 27

The following questions require you to identify what type of focus the interviewer is using in the reply to the following client statement.
"I just can't believe how much fun I'm having right now. They call this an exam, but I feel more like I'm at a party. And not only that, I'm learning so much at the same time. I just feel so smart and competent as I answer these questions I could just jump up and down. My parents never told me how much fun college was going to be. The only problem is the professor's sense of humor. Sometimes I think he got into teaching because it was the only way he could get away with such bad jokes without having people leave the room."
Identify the kind of focus by its letter:

-___Apparently, there is a university rule prohibiting excessive jumping up and down with happiness during an exam.

A) Client focus
B)Problem/concern focus
C)Significant others focus
D)Mutual "we" focus
E)Interviewer
F)Cultural/environmental context

Question 28

Your client says to you: "The job situation in Puerto Rico is tough right now. So I've been thinking of moving to the mainland. Whether I should or not isn't clear to me." Write six alternative focus statements in the form of open questions which might be used to respond to this client.

Question 29

The following questions require you to identify what type of focus the interviewer is using in the reply to the following client statement.
"I really don't know. It seems clear that my not getting the raise was really unfair... just because I'm a woman. It really hurts!"
Identify the kind of focus by its letter.

-___ Let us take action. We can do it! We've got what it takes!

A) Client focus
B)Problem/concern focus
C)Significant others focus
D)Mutual "we" focus
E)Interviewer
F)Cultural/environmental context

Question 30

Is focusing something that also applies to the interviewer or counselor? Justify your response.

Question 31

The following questions require you to identify what type of focus the interviewer is using in the reply to the following client statement.
"I really don't know. It seems clear that my not getting the raise was really unfair... just because I'm a woman. It really hurts!"
Identify the kind of focus by its letter.

-___As I listen to you, I get very angry with the situation.

A) Client focus
B)Problem/concern focus
C)Significant others focus
D)Mutual "we" focus
E)Interviewer
F)Cultural/environmental context

Question 32

The following questions require you to identify what type of focus the interviewer is using in the reply to the following client statement.
"I'd like to buy a new car. But I'm not sure if I can afford it. The ones I have been looking at seem terribly expensive. But then, I have a large family and could use the space. But will they be dependable? And what about gas mileage? What do you think I should do?"
Identify the kind of focus by its letter.

-___Your friends will really like what you are doing.

A) Client focus
B)Problem/concern focus
C)Significant others focus
D)Mutual "we" focus
E)Interviewer
F)Cultural/environmental context

Question 33

The following questions require you to identify what type of focus the interviewer is using in the reply to the following client statement.
"I really don't know. It seems clear that my not getting the raise was really unfair... just because I'm a woman. It really hurts!"
Identify the kind of focus by its letter.

-___ The average woman's pay is 70% of the average man's pay.

A) Client focus
B)Problem/concern focus
C)Significant others focus
D)Mutual "we" focus
E)Interviewer
F)Cultural/environmental context

Question 34

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the community genogram?

Question 35

How can the family genogram be criticized from an adoptive, extended family or alternative view of family perspective?

Question 36

The following questions require you to identify what type of focus the interviewer is using in the reply to the following client statement.
"I'd like to buy a new car. But I'm not sure if I can afford it. The ones I have been looking at seem terribly expensive. But then, I have a large family and could use the space. But will they be dependable? And what about gas mileage? What do you think I should do?"
Identify the kind of focus by its letter.

-___How would you like to finance? And how much did you plan to spend on a car?

A) Client focus
B)Problem/concern focus
C)Significant others focus
D)Mutual "we" focus
E)Interviewer
F)Cultural/environmental context

Question 37

Discuss and provide examples of possible cultural differences on the focusing skill.

Question 38

Focusing has been presented as a technique or skill that could be used to control or free a client. Explain how focus could be used in both ways, and present a coherent argument for use or nonuse of this skill.