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Quiz Session - Attempts With Random Questions

NBCC NCE Exam Questions

Page 10 of 43

181.

In what situation might a mixed-method research design be used?

  • A counselor wants to test a particular type of cognitive behavioral intervention, then document one client's experience with the treatment

  • A counselor wants to write a comprehensive review of the cognitive behavioral treatments that have been used over the past century

  • A counselor wants to compare interventions by randomly assigning individuals to two counseling groups

  • A counselor wanting to build her private practice is interested in exploring the relationship between client age and cost per session

Correct answer: A counselor wants to test a particular type of cognitive behavioral intervention, then document one client's experience with the treatment

Mixed-method research designs utilize both quantitative and qualitative research approaches in the same design. Researchers who choose to combine approaches typically use one method, such as quantitative research, first and follow it by using the second method. In this example, the counselor would use quantitative methods to measure the effects of the cognitive behavioral intervention, and would then use a qualitative approach to record one client's experience with that intervention.

182.

What would be the best use of a token economy in treatment planning? 

  • To shape behavior around desired goals 

  • To elicit feedback about cognitive issues 

  • To create accountability around outcomes 

  • To suggest further clinical directions 

Correct answer: To shape behavior around desired goals 

A token economy's purpose is to shape behavior around desired goals for an individual. It usually takes place in treatment settings in which most of the client's behavior can be observed and documented, with good behavior rewarded with small, meaningful motivators. 

The point of a token economy is not to elicit feedback, create accountability, or suggest further clinical directions. 

183.

A counselor working from the perspective of feminist psychology is least likely to believe which of the following?

  • Clients should be examined outside of their sociocultural environments

  • Clients are experts on themselves

  • Therapy is meant to advance a transformation in society as well as in clients

  • Symptoms are often types of survival strategies

Correct answer: Clients should be examined outside of their sociocultural environments

Counselors operating from a feminist therapy approach believe that gender is central to the therapeutic process, that women should be empowered, and that counselors should acknowledge the significance of the role of sociocultural influences. Clients should be seen in the context of their sociocultural environments rather than separate from those influences. Feminist therapists also believe that all clients are experts on themselves and their own experiences, that therapy can transform society as well as individuals, and that maladaptive symptoms are often types of survival strategies.

184.

An individual scores a percentile rank of 48 on an assessment. Which of the following best describes this score?

  • The individual's score is higher than 48 percent of the individuals in the norm group

  • The individual's score is lower than 48 percent of the individuals in the norm group

  • The individual has a 48 percent chance of getting the same answers again should they retake the assessment

  • The individual has earned a score equivalent to a 48-year-old person

Correct answer: The individual's score is higher than 48 percent of the individuals in the norm group

Tests and assessment scores are sometimes reported as percentile ranks. This means that a group norm has been established as a comparison point for individual scores. The percentile rank indicates that the individual has scored above a certain percentage of other people in that same group. For example, an individual who scores in the 48th percentile means that the individual's score is higher than 48 percent of people in the norm group. Fifty-two percent of people in the norm group score higher than this individual (100% - 48% = 52%).

185.

Irene was diagnosed with an intellectual disability in childhood, and her IQ was tested to be 68. Now in her 30s after on-the-job training, a subsequent test suggests that her IQ is actually higher, around 72. Which of the following statements is likely true about this change?

  • Both tests can be accurate 

  • Neither test is likely accurate 

  • One test result must be wrong 

  • The intellectual disability diagnosis was mistaken 

Correct answer: Both tests can be accurate 

A person can be diagnosed with intellectual disability (ID) if the onset of the condition was before the age of 18 and their IQ test result is 70 or below. However, IQ as a measurable result can change over time and often does, usually in response to some kind of training. Therefore, both results can be accurate in the case at hand. 

186.

Which of the following is true about the ideal group size for children as opposed to adults?

  • Clinical groups for children should be smaller 

  • Clinical groups for children should be larger

  • There is no meaningful difference in ideal group size 

  • Group therapy is not indicated for children 

Correct answer: Clinical groups for children should be smaller 

Although individual groups show considerable variation, to provide the best balance of clinical attention, leader focus, and engagement, clinical group sizes should be smaller than those intended for adults.

Group therapy is often used with children and can be clinically indicated. 

187.

What does the available research suggest about the need for providers to share the same gender and ethnicity as those they serve?

  • Similarity between counselor and client does not necessarily produce a better therapeutic relationship

  • Similarity between counselor and client tends to produce a better therapeutic relationship

  • Similarity between counselor and client is essential for therapy to be effective 

  • Similarity between counselor and client creates greater satisfaction with therapy

Correct answer: Similarity between counselor and client does not necessarily produce a better therapeutic relationship

Although more research is needed, a similarity between a counselor and a client does not necessarily produce a better therapeutic relationship. 

The research does not suggest that the effectiveness of therapy or satisfaction with therapy overall is a function of similarity in these areas.

188.

Which of the following is true about people's sexual habits in older age?

  • Men and women tend to keep the same habits as earlier in life

  • Men maintain the same habits, while women do not 

  • Women maintain the same habits, while men do not 

  • For men and women, sexual interest drops dramatically 

Correct answer: Men and women tend to keep the same habits as earlier in life

As men and women age, they may or may not experience a decline in sexual interest and activity. However, later interest, activity, and practice tend to be the same as earlier interest, activity, and practice. Physical and psychological factors related to aging are major influences.

This tendency to keep the same habits is not broken by gender, and sexual interest does not always drop dramatically. 

189.

Which of the following would be the most accurate statement about group treatment? 

  • They are supported by research but are not more effective than single-patient modalities 

  • They are not supported by research but can be more effective than single-patient modalities 

  • They are supported by research and are more effective than single-patient modalities 

  • They are not supported by research and are not as effective as single patient modalities 

Correct answer: They are supported by research but are not more effective than single-patient modalities 

Hundreds of studies attest to the efficacy of group work; the modality of group therapy in its various forms is well-supported by research. However, it is not accurate to say that group treatment is more effective than single-patient modalities. Shy clients or those preoccupied with interpersonal dynamics may not benefit from group work, but group work can provide advantages that single-patient modalities cannot, such as affiliation, social accountability, and non-expert engagement. 

190.

What two factors influence treatment planning in addition to diagnosis?

  • Client specifics and counselor orientation

  • Client specifics and medical staffing 

  • Client specifics and hospital orientation

  • Client specifics and medical acuity 

Correct answer: Client specifics and counselor orientation

In arriving at treatment plans, many factors are important to consider. In addition to the diagnosis of the client, there will be an array of client specifics that must be understood and included in treatment planning, such as cultural background, age, etc. Also, the counselor's therapeutic orientation must also be considered, as it will drive the interventions selected.

Medical staffing and the patient's medical acuity are important factors, but they would already be considered as part of the diagnostic impression.

191.

Which of the following is an accurate definition of confirmation bias? 

  • Taking in information that agrees with your view and ignoring that which does not 

  • Taking in information that agrees with your view as well as that which does not 

  • Remembering information that agrees with your view but not that which does not 

  • Taking in information that agrees with your view as long as there is no evidence to the contrary

Correct answer: Taking in information that agrees with your view and ignoring that which does not 

Confirmation bias is a perceptual/judgmental phenomenon by which people tend to take in and accept information and data that agree with their point of view while ignoring those that do not. This is in keeping with the general tendency of the mind to attempt to prevent challenges to its homeostasis. 

This tendency does not have to do with memory or evidence per se, except insofar as evidence is less favored when it does not agree with an established point of view. 

192.

What is also known as Type II error?

  • Beta

  • Alpha

  • t-test

  • Multivariate analysis of variance

Correct answer: Beta

Type II error, also known as beta error, refers to researchers' failure to reject the null hypothesis when there is a difference between groups. Researchers can change the significance level to change the probability of Type I and Type II errors occurring. If the significance level goes down, Type I error decreases, though Type II error increases.

193.

A middle-aged woman, employed for 20 years at a financial institution, meets with a career counselor to discuss the fact that she has not been given a promotion in 15 years. The woman is intelligent, performs excellently at her job, and gets along well with coworkers. The career counselor notices that several men, younger and less experienced than the client, have been promoted to positions above the client over the past ten years. The career counselor believes that, due to preconceived notions about women's abilities and other constraints, the client has been overlooked for higher-paying positions with more responsibilities. This is known as the:

  • glass ceiling 

  • occupational family tree

  • homemaker effect

  • self-fulfilling prophecy

Correct answer: glass ceiling

The "glass ceiling" refers to the idea that a collection of restraints in the workplace have historically prevented women from moving up the career ladder in organizations. These restraints include childcare duties, stereotypes of women's cognitive abilities, and other factors.

194.

The National Defense Education Act was passed in 1958 and did which of the following?

  • Provided money for the training of school counselors

  • Enforced discrimination in public schools

  • Allowed any individual to attend public school no matter their age

  • Increased spending for schools with military programs

Correct answer: Provided money for the training of school counselors

The National Defense Education Act was passed in 1958 and provided additional funding for public schools for a variety of purposes. There are ten titles within the law, and Title V includes funding for the training of guidance counselors along with the addition of standardized testing to identify academically gifted students.

195.

Measures of intelligence and aptitude are usually:

  • speed-based

  • power-based

  • reliable but not valid

  • criterion-referenced

Correct answer: speed-based

Tests and assessments are administered according to a variety of factors. Power-based tests, such as the National Counselor Examination, have no (or generous) time limits. Speed-based tests, such as intelligence and aptitude tests, are timed, and scores are based on accuracy and speed. These are not necessarily reliable or valid, either or both, such an assessment would be highly variable. They are also not usually criterion-referenced, meaning that they test specific knowledge. 

196.

What is one advantage of samples of convenience?

  • They produce candidates for study without the need for a more detailed process

  • It provides a random sample of subjects

  • It allows researchers to use smaller sample sizes

  • Validity is higher than with other forms of sampling

Correct answer: They produce candidates for study without the need for a more detailed process

Samples of convenience refer to a form of non-probability sampling that is gathered with the goal of obtaining any participant that meets specific characteristics. The main advantage of this approach is that it is an expedient way to gather candidates for study. One drawback of this technique is that because the sample is not random, study results will not be representative of the greater population. 

197.

A counselor is meeting with a 12-year-old boy who she believes would benefit from adventure-based counseling. What outcomes might be expected for the client with this type of counseling?

  • Increased self-confidence and communication skills

  • Better awareness of how early childhood experiences have affected his relationships

  • More clarity about what diagnosis the client might have

  • Better understanding of what aspects of socialization the boy struggles with

Correct answer: Increased self-confidence and communication skills

Adventure-based counseling is a unique intervention that is designed for children and adults. This type of counseling consists of an experiential set of outdoor activities such as challenge courses, hiking, camping, and other activities designed for individuals or groups. The goals of adventure-based counseling include increased self-awareness and self-confidence, improved communication skills, and camaraderie. Diversity sensitivity and multicultural skills may also be developed through adventure-based counseling.

198.

A dog does not like being placed in their kennel. As a reward for good behavior, the dog is allowed to spend more time outside their kennel. Which of the following reinforcement/punishment strategies is being enacted here? 

  • Negative reinforcement 

  • Positive reinforcement 

  • Positive punishment 

  • Negative punishment 

Correct answer: Negative reinforcement 

Reinforcement and punishment strategies are usually considered in four ways. Negative reinforcement is when an undesirable is removed in order to increase behavior.

Positive reinforcement would be a desirable addition in order to increase behavior. All punishment aims to reduce a behavior, either by adding something (positive) or taking something away (negative).

199.

Which of the following is meant by an ego-dystonic symptom?

  • A symptom that is not desired by the client 

  • A symptom that the client can tolerate 

  • A symptom that the client is not aware of 

  • A symptom that the client is aware of 

Correct answer: A symptom that is not desired by the client 

In general, symptoms of mental illness can be divided into two areas based on the desire or lack of a desire on the part of the patient for the symptom. In other words, there are some symptoms that are tolerable for a client and some that are not. An ego-dystonic symptom is one that the client does not desire and cannot tolerate; an ego-syntonic symptom is one that the client can tolerate and may actually desire. 

The term does not involve awareness of a symptom.

200.

What do personality tests such as Rorschach and MMPI-2 suggest about persons who complete suicide?

  • Their personalities show no difference from those who do not complete suicide 

  • Their personalities show profound differences from those who do not complete suicide 

  • Their personalities show small differences from those who do not complete suicide 

  • Their personalities show a tendency to dramatize their interpretation of events 

Correct answer: Their personalities show no difference from those who do not complete suicide 

Personality tests are designed to measure the functioning of the "toolkit" a person uses to manage their environment. Tests of personality, such as Rorschach and MMPI-2, are concerned with differentiating functional from pathological personality. 

These tests generally do not show any difference between persons who complete suicide and those who do not complete it, suggesting that situational factors may be more important than underlying personality in suicidal individuals.

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