Deck 5: Social Work With Individuals: Interviewing

Question 1

When an interview is used to take a social history, the interview is primarily:

A) Informational
B) Assessment
C) Intervention
D) Appraisal oriented

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Social histories:

A) Are taken to learn all there is to know about the person's background
B) May include information from other agencies having contact with the client
C) Should contain only objective facts
D) Contain the same specific information for every agency

Answer 2

B

Question 3

When a protective service worker investigates a child abuse complaint to make a judgment as to whether abuse is occurring, the interview is primarily:

A) Informational
B) Assessment
C) Intervention
D) A social study

Answer 3

B

Question 4

When a worker counsels a client on probation on techniques for applying for and finding a job, the interview is primarily:

A) Informational
B) Assessment
C) Intervention
D) Social study

Question 5

In an initial interview, an opening phrase that is desirable for getting clients to discuss their concerns is:

A) "I'm glad you came in this afternoon."
B) "In what way can I help you?"
C) "You have a problem?"
D) "Is there something you would like to talk about today?"

Question 6

When closing an interview:

A) It usually inhibits clients' ability to concentrate on resolving the concerns if they are reminded of the time constraints
B) If a time limit is issued, the social worker should help the client prepare for time alloted
C) Short social conversation at the end is more important than at the beginning of the interview
D) What occurs at the beginning stage is more likely to determine the interviewee's impression of the interview than what happens at the end

Question 7

Which of the following is accurate regarding the end of an interview with a client:

A) Ideally, the interviewer should introduce emotionally charged content at the end of an interview to allow the client to think about it between visits
B) If a set period for contact with the client is established, the client will become too anxious and feel pressured
C) It is best to use the entire time allotted discussing the issues with the client instead of social conversation
D) It may be good to end by summarizing what has occurred in the interview, including any decisions that were made.

Question 8

If a counselor says, "How are you feeling today, and did you and your husband get a chance to further discuss what we talked about last week?" this represents the following type of questioning error:

A) The loaded question
B) The suggestive question
C) Bombarding
D) Garbled question

Question 9

If a protective service worker (who is investigating whether child abuse is occurring) asks, "When did you stop hitting your children?" this represents the following type of questioning error:

A) The loaded question
B) The suggestive question
C) Bombarding
D) Garbled question

Question 10

The question, "Have you thought about-no, that won't work-another possible thing you could do is-I don't know. What were we talking about?" represents the following type of questioning error:

A) The loaded question
B) The suggestive question
C) Bombarding
D) Garbled question

Question 11

Which of the following statements is true about note taking in an interview:

A) You should be somewhat secretive when note taking
B) Note taking is paramount, even if it interferes with the flow of an interview
C) Note taking presents a possible distraction to interview interaction
D) Sometimes it is necessary that note taking becomes a type of cross examination

Question 12

The following is true about note taking in an interview:

A) Clients should not be informed of the purpose of taking notes
B) As a worker gains experience, note taking during an interview usually increases in quantity
C) Most experienced interviewers find that they often do not have to take notes during a therapeutic interview
D) If note taking appears to be a disruptive tactic, remind the client that he or she gave consent

Question 13

The following is true about home visits:

A) Social workers should never invade the privacy of a client's home by making home visits
B) The site of an interview is almost always more important in determining the productivity of an interview than the skills of the interviewer
C) The home visit offers more opportunities for the worker to enter the life of the interviewee as a participant
D) Office visits have an advantage over home visits in that they help the interviewer to better understand the living conditions of the interviewee

Question 14

Regarding the use of taped role playing with students to assess and develop interviewing skills, which of the following statements is incorrect:

A) The laboratory approach rarely helps students transition from theory to real life
B) Students whose capacities lie elsewhere can be identified early and counseled to explore some other major
C) Students have the opportunity to test their skills and interpersonal behaviors in a relatively safe setting
D) This approach tends to build students' confidence so that they feel better prepared to counsel clients

Question 15

Informational interviews differ from assessment interviews primarily in that the questions asked in informational interviews are more focused on making specific decisions involving human services than the questions asked in assessment interviews.

Question 16

Intervention interviews can be used to bring about changes in the social environment to help clients function better.

Question 17

Social workers should never begin an interview with small talk.

Question 18

It is usually a waste of time to give clients homework assignments between interviews.

Question 19

If a client appears reluctant to end an interview, it may be helpful to address this directly.

Question 20

The interviewer should generally seek to introduce emotionally charged content at the end of an interview.

Question 21

The tone an interviewer uses to ask a question is often as important as the question itself.

Question 22

"You're really making good progress, aren't you?" is a suggestive question.

Question 23

Social workers need to be aware of any microaggressions they may use when interviewing a client.

Question 24

Recording of simulated interviewing situations can be used to help students assess and develop their interviewing and skills.

Question 25

Define the following three types of interviews and discuss their purposes:
Informational interviews
Assessment interviews
Intervention interviews

Question 26

Describe how you believe an interviewer should begin each of these two types of interviews: (a) an interview initiated by the interviewee, and (b) an interview initiated by the interviewer.

Question 27

Describe some of the desirable ways to close an intervention interview.

Question 28

Write an example for each of these errors in phrasing questions:
A. Bombarding
B. Garbled
C. Loaded

Question 29

Provide four safety guidelines to consider when completing a home visit.

Question 30

Summarize the guidelines for taking notes during an interview.

Question 31

Write the words you would use to explain note taking to your client.

Question 32

Explain the advantages and disadvantages for social workers to record the interviews with their clients.