This examination question paper consists of seventeen (17) pages, plus instructions for completion of a mark-reading sheet.

The question paper consists of the following three (3) sections:

Section A: 20 Multiple-choice questions, based on the case study included

Section B: 10 True/False questions

Section C: 30 Multiple-choice questions

Please note that ALL the questions are compulsory and you must answer all 60 questions on the mark-reading sheet provided.

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SECTION A: CASE STUDY MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

Carefully read the case study below and then answer the 20 questions that follow. Select the most appropriate answer from the options provided.

CASE STUDY

Raven and Reshma have been married for three years. They complain that they spend little time together and Raven blames Reshma for this. He claims that when he tries to take Reshma out, she does not enjoy it because she hates spending money. Raven believes that Reshma does not want to have fun with him and so he goes out with his friends, but this just upsets Reshma further. Reshma does not like to be left alone when Raven goes out, so she spends her leisure time with her parents. This upsets Raven because he believes that she is overly influenced by her parents and fails to base her decisions on what is right for them as a couple. Reshma, on the other hand, believes that Raven is very selfish in not taking her family’s needs and wishes into consideration.

The couple’s arguments have been escalating and they have been making personal attacks on each other. Reshma accuses Raven, “All you think about is yourself”, to which he replies, “Well at least I am my own person. You are just like your mother!” After arguments, Reshma usually seeks support from her parents, who are very protective of her and tend to take her side. As a result, they are becoming critical of Raven and his family of origin and they offer their daughter advice on how she should handle her husband. They accuse Raven of being unable to handle responsibility. Reshma worries that this pattern of fighting will lead to divorce, which is why she has insisted that they attend counselling together.

During the assessment phase, the counsellor gets Raven and Reshma to share their personal perceptions of their relationship difficulties. She starts off by asking the couple, “What brings you here?” Raven says that since Reshma made the appointment, she should explain why they are there. After learning about the issues that the couple are experiencing, the counsellor suggests that they stop for a while and just reflect on what things were like between them before the problems arose.

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The counsellor steers them to talk about their dating and the activities they enjoyed together before they were married. They also spend time focusing on the messages that each of them received from their respective families of origin on issues such as independence, money and in-laws. The counsellor creates a safe environment in which they can talk. Before long, they start talking about their arguments calmly and rationally.

TURN OVERThe counsellor helps them to identify the needs that caused their frustration with each other. Thus they begin to understand what has been fuelling their anger. By the end of the first session, Raven and Reshma recognise that they have similar needs and feelings and a common vision of what they want in their marriage: they want to sort out their differences and work towards improving their relationship. This will ultimately enable them to work towards buying a home and planning to have children.

Counsellor: Reshma, I would like you to talk about your experience of the arguments between the two of you, without blaming Raven. Talk about how the problem affects you.

Reshma: Raven, you are happy to spend money on your friends, even though you know we can’t afford it. You clearly don’t want us to be able to buy our own home.

Counsellor: Reshma, I would like you to try again, but this time don’t focus on what you believe Raven is doing wrong; simply state what you need from Raven at this point in time; mention how you are feeling.

Reshma: Raven, I feel worried that I am not important to you. I would like us to decide how we can work together to buy our first home so that we can start thinking of having a family of our own.

Raven: But that is what I have been trying to tell you. You are very important to me. I want us to be together. I also want us to have a house. I just think that as we both work so hard, we need to spend some time together having fun, without our families. They make me feel so pressurised. I don’t feel as though they give us space to sort ourselves out. I want us to work on our issues alone.

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How can I prove my love to you and prove to them that I care for you if they are always stepping in to take charge of our personal matters? Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I don’t appreciate them. In fact, I admire them greatly. I just believe that we need a little more space between us and them so that everyone can see that we are now a separate family. We need to decide on things for ourselves, by ourselves.

Counsellor: So let me make sure that I understand you, Raven. You want many of the same things that Reshma wants. You want a house and you want time to have fun with Reshma. You appreciate the support that you get from her parents, but you realise that this is a crucial time for you both to work together so that you can create your own family blueprint.

TURN OVERYou want to be able to sort out issues as a couple and create your own goals and values, rather than follow the blueprints of the families you grew up in.

Raven: Yes. That is exactly it! I think that what we have been going through is a typical stage that all young married couples go through. We have to start to work these things out for ourselves. I love Reshma and don’t want anything or anyone to come between us. We have to decide what is important to us, instead of just doing things the way our parents did them.

Reshma: Well, I am so relieved to hear this! The way we have been fighting made me fear that we would soon be planning our divorce, rather than a new home or a family. The counsellor then draws the couple’s attention to the way in which they manage conflict. Raven discloses that Reshma is easily angered when he goes out with his friends or when he refuses to comply with what her family expects of him. At those times, she refuses to talk to him for several days. In trying to discover more about Reshma’s angry withdrawal from Raven, the counsellor asks Reshma, “When you become silent and ignore Raven’s attempts to make friendly conversation with you, what happens next?”

As the couple start to relax with the counsellor and their intense fighting abates, they talk about their relationship more objectively.

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It becomes apparent to the couple that their values about money and recreation are different and the counsellor assists them to explore the needs that are behind their personal values. Raven starts to recognise which friendships and leisure time activities upset Reshma and need to be terminated to protect their marriage. In the same session, Reshma is helped to find appropriate ways to demonstrate her respect for Raven. Soon the couple begin to see the need for developing their own family traditions and rituals. Together they talk about the rituals that they both value and would like to adopt from their respective families of origin. Raven recognises that he is less traditional than Reshma and indicates which rituals he is prepared to participate in without feeling resentful. They also identify the traditions/rituals that they cannot agree on and reach a mutual decision about which of these will become redundant in their nuclear family.

After three sessions, the couple and the counsellor decide that they have made sufficient progress to terminate counselling.

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The counsellor helps the couple to identify possible setbacks and obstacles that could threaten their progress as a young married couple and then asks them to think about how they could overcome these effectively.

Read the following 20 questions and select the most appropriate answers from the options provided. Enter your answers on the mark-reading sheet provided.

1. The psychological task described by Wallerstein (1995) that this couple failed to achieve, as demonstrated in the introductory paragraph, is …

1. consolidating psychological separation and establishing new connections with a family of origin.

2. building togetherness and creating autonomy.3. creating a safe place for conflict.4. coping with crises.

2. The couple need to find ways to address the psychological task discussed in question 1 by being assisted to …

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1. make decisions based on what is good for their relationship.2. develop respect for each other and their relationship.3. Both 1 and 2 apply.4. None of the above.

3. In the case study, it becomes clear that Reshma shares her experiences of her marital relationship with her parents and that they give her advice and tell her what to do. This is an indication that the couple have not yet …

1. developed family traditions and rituals relevant to their own relationship.2. adapted to each other’s changing needs in the relationship.3. upheld the intimacy within their relationship and the independence of their

relationship over their respective families of origin.4. Both 1 and 2 apply.

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4. According to Gottman’s (1998) classification of unhelpful conflict styles, Reshma’s accusation of Raven, “All you think about is yourself”, is …

1. criticism.2. contempt.3. defensiveness.4. None of the above.

5. Raven’s response to Reshma is, “Well at least I am my own person. You are just like your mother!” Gottman (1998) would classify this as …

1. criticism.2. contempt.3. defensiveness.4. None of the above.

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6. The psychological task described by Wallerstein (1995) that Reshma and Raven still have to achieve, namely … , is a good indication that a couple have succeeded in managing their conflict.

1. maintaining a dual vision of each other that combines early idealisation with reality perception

2. achieving fusion instead of intimacy3. establishing the relationship as a zone of safety and nurturance4. developing realistic expectations of each other and marriage

7. As Reshma made the appointment, we can expect the counsellor to conclude that …

1. Raven is the one who is unhappiest in the relationship.2. Reshma is the one who is unhappiest in the relationship.3. Raven forced Reshma to make the appointment.4. None of the above.

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8. We can expect the counsellor to start the therapeutic relationship with Raven and Reshma by …

1. starting a dialogue about their problem.2. sharing information about her approach to working with couples.3. asking questions to elicit basic information about the couple, such as

their identifying details.4. explaining the format that the couple counselling will take.

9. The counsellor gets Raven and Reshma to share their personal, individualised perceptions of their difficulties. She encourages them to explain what prompted them to seek counselling. She spends time learning about their issues. She steers them to talk about their dating and the

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activities they enjoyed together before they were married. Together, they explore the influences of their respective families of origin on issues such as independence, money and in-laws. The counsellor creates a safe environment in which they can talk. Before long, they start talking about their arguments calmly and rationally. The counsellor helps them to identify the needs that led to their frustration with each other.

This is typical of the three steps of assessment, as proposed by Young and Long (1998). These steps are as follows: obtaining each person’s individual definition of the problem; gathering historical information and information of current behaviours and feelings associated with the problem; and creating a shared, interactive definition of the problem.

1. Young and Long (1998)2. Brown and Brown (2002)3. Sperry and Carlson (1991)4. Hendrix and Hunt (2003)

10.The counsellor asks, “What brings you both here?” This question is typically used by counsellors to …

1. develop a definition of the problem.2. diagnose the problem.3. start a dialogue about the problem.4. All of the above.

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11.The questions that the counsellor asks during the session are mainly intended to …

1. assemble content-related information about the couple.2. find out who and what is responsible for causing the conflict.3. lead to revelations about each partner and their relationship.4. All of the above.

12.The counsellor asks Reshma, “When you become silent and ignore Raven’s attempts to make friendly conversation with you, what happens next?” This is an example of a/an … question.

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1. problem-definition2. sequence-of-interaction 3. comparison-and-classification 4. intervening

13.When the counsellor asks Reshma, “When you become silent and ignore Raven’s attempts to make friendly conversation with you, what happens next?”, she is attempting to …

1. start a dialogue about the problem.2. collect information about the developmental history of the relationship.3. develop an operationalised definition of the problem.4. develop an alternative meaning of what is really going on.

14.In the second-last paragraph of the case study, the counsellor and couple focus on ways of achieving one of the psychological tasks. The counsellor focuses on these things to assist the couple in finding appropriate ways of …

1. consolidating psychological separation and establishing new connections with the family of origin.

2. building togetherness and creating autonomy.3. establishing their relationship as a zone of safety and nurturance.4. None of the above.

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15.The counsellor helps the couple to recognise the importance of building up their relationship so that it remains fun and interesting. In so doing, she encourages Reshma and Raven to …

1. express their feelings openly.2. identify leisure time activities that they each need to terminate in order

to protect their relationship.3. develop their own rituals.4. find a balance between spontaneity and tradition.

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16.According to Carter and McGoldrick (1999), Raven and Reshma are typically experiencing …

1. vertical stressors.2. horizontal stressors.3. system-level stressors.4. All of the above.

17.According to a systems perspective, the underlying problem that Reshma and Raven are experiencing is linked to their failure to …

1. resolve their arguments amicably.2. define a clear boundary around their relationship.3. maintain a dual vision of each other that combines early idealisation with

reality perception.4. demonstrate mutual respect for each other.

18.Reshma and Raven are experiencing a/an …

1. psychological crisis.2. normative crisis.3. idiopathic crisis.4. None of the above.

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19.According to Wallerstein (1995), the prognosis for this relationship is good. He would say that this couple is likely to transcend their conflict because they have …

1. taken action to tackle the problem.2. a lot of family support.3. intelligence to find solutions.4. a relationship full of love.

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20.Had the counsellor working with this case applied a psychodynamic approach, she would have directed more attention to …

1. discovering the needs that motivate their behaviour.2. creating insight and consciousness of how their past experiences affect

their relationship.3. developing a behavioural exchange programme.4. identifying their ability to choose self-sustaining actions that will produce

meaningful change.

SECTION B: TRUE or FALSE

Instructions: Indicate whether the following statements are true or false.

If the statement is correct (true), mark 1 on the mark-reading sheet.

If the statement is incorrect (false), mark 2 on the mark-reading sheet.

21.When using strategic therapy, we can expect the facilitator to promote some chaos within the family’s relationships and roles, since this action forces

the family to find a new order or balance.

22.Wallerstein (1995) proposed psychological tasks and Carter and McGoldrick (1989) proposed developmental tasks. These psychological tasks and developmental tasks are exactly the same, differing only in the terms used to describe them.

23.The family life cycle transitions, as proposed by Carter and McGoldrick, are known to be predictable and universal.

24.The psychoanalytic approach adopts a deterministic view of human behaviour.

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25.A shared intention of the Western therapist and African sangoma is to assist the person consulting them to reach a point of catharsis and confession, because this is believed to relieve the person’s psychological tension.

26.Healthy couple relationships are easily recognised as those where conflict is absent.

27.According to transactional analysts, the “parent” of the “inner self” can manifest in three different styles: nurturing, critical and moral.

28.In order to resolve conflict in a couple’s relationship, the partners have to be completely open with each other, get to the truth and identify who is right and who is wrong.

29.Hauck (1983) proposed that it is not the person you love that is important, but the way in which the person fulfils or enables you to fulfil your personal needs.

30.Infatuation is a temporary phase of an intimate relationship that is identified at the start of all intimate love-filled relationships.

SECTION C: FILL IN THE MISSING WORDS OR PHRASES.

Read the following sentences and select the most accurate words or phrases from the options provided to complete the sentences correctly.

31.Psychoanalytic theory is based on …

1. a unified theory.2. several different theories.3. a developmental theory.4. None of the above.

32.Major life cycle events are stressful and may lead to partners’ making new discoveries about each other that result in their loving one another …

1. more.2. less.3. the same.

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4. Both 1 and 2 apply.

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33.The integrated approach is a/an … approach.

1. couple-centred 2. eclectic3. cognitive behavioural4. psychoanalytical

34.Another term for “respect” that is central to the person-centred approach is

…

1. conditional positive regard.2. acceptance.3. judgement.4. Both 1 and 2 apply.

35.“How do you know you are unhappy?” is an example of a/an … question.

1. sequence-of-interaction 2. problem-definition 3. intervening4. comparison-and-classification

36.The ability to communicate effectively is compromised when a person’s … have been affected.

1. breathing and heart rate2. reasoning and patience3. Both 1 and 2 apply.4. None of the above

37.An expression such as “You stupid jerk!” is an expression of …

1. contempt.2. complaint.3. criticism.

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4. defensiveness.

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38.The boundaries between a young married couple in a healthy relationship and their respective families of origin should be …

1. open.2. closed.3. semipermeable.4. undefined.

39.A therapist who adopts an object relations perspective will preferably see the couple …

1. individually.2. together.3. individually and together.4. by conducting alternate sessions with each individual.

40.The marital happiness scale is an example of a/an …

1. Likert scale.2. assessment tool.3. structured assessment tool.4. All of the above.

41.When a couple share a good sexual relationship, it is most likely because they have … relationship.

1. high levels of trust in their 2. a realistic expectation of sex and intimacy in the 3. openness about what each person likes and dislikes in the 4. All of the above.

42.Genograms are constructed with a couple as a form of a/an … of their family.

1. timeline

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2. visual map3. Both 1 and 2 apply.4. eco map

TURN OVER43.The process of disrupting repetitive patterns of responding to stress creates

… in the family, according to strategic family therapy.

1. chaos2. change3. chaos and change 4. None of the above.

44.Highlighting “report, control and respond” sequences is typical of …

1. object relations.2. psychoanalysis.3. structural family therapy.4. strategic family therapy.

45.Marriage enrichment is a … intervention offered by couple counsellors.

1. preventive2. educational3. remedial4. preventive and educational

46.When working with couples according to the person-centred approach, the counsellor explores …

1. each individual’s reality.2. the couple’s shared reality.3. Both 1 and 2 apply.4. the couple’s history.

47.Psychoanalysts’ primary concern in therapy is to …

1. promote each individual’s insight.2. increase each individual’s self-actualising potential.

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3. teach the couple new skills.4. All of the above.

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48.The term used by systems theorists to describe a family that demonstrates high levels of member autonomy and limited intimacy and self-disclosure is …

1. enmeshed.2. disengaged.3. estranged.4. fragmented.

49.Hauck (1983) presented a pragmatic theory of love, which he classified as a/an … construction of love.

1. eclectic 2. psychoanalytic3. strategic4. cognitive behavioural

50.Afrocentric approaches foster the development of …

1. the family as a whole.2. each individual within the family.3. the children first and foremost.4. None of the above.

51.The conviction that every person has wisdom, which they will use to make self- sustaining choices, is linked to the professional value of …

1. respect.2. individualisation.3. self-determination.4. confidentiality.

52.Traditional African interventions with couples are likely to focus on …

1. “What is happening here?”

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2. “Who is causing this to happen?”3. “Why is this happening?”4. None of the above.

TURN OVER53.Paying attention to dreams is characteristic of working according to …

1. the psychoanalytic approach.2. the traditional Afrocentric perspective.3. Both 1 and 2 apply.4. None of the above.

54.When a couple reaches the stage of a family with adolescents, one of the second- order changes that is required of them is to ...

1. join in child-rearing, financial and household tasks.2. refocus on midlife marital and career issues.3. renegotiate the marital system as a dyad.4. deal with disabilities and death of parents.

55.When a newly married couple start to develop their own ways of relating to and dealing with the many aspects of family life, we assume that they have achieved …

1. a key principle of the emotional transition of the new couple.2. a second-order challenge of the new couple.3. a happy marriage.4. None of the above.

56.Religion may become a … stressor in the lives of some couples.

1. system-level 2. vertical 3. horizontal 4. idiopathic

57.Wallerstein (1995) believes that couples who are able to communicate openly and express their feelings have achieved the psychological task of …

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1. building a relationship that is fun and interesting.2. building togetherness and creating autonomy.3. establishing a relationship as a zone of safety and nurturance.4. committing to equality in the relationship.

TURN OVER58.In-laws may place a strain on a couple’s relationship, and this stress is

commonly regarded as a/an … stressor.

1. vertical 2. horizontal3. system-level4. idiopathic

59.Confidentiality in the field of couple counselling is defined as protecting …

1. all information disclosed by one party during counselling under all circumstances.

2. all information disclosed to the counsellor by the client, as far as possible, unless failure to disclose the information would be harmful to the person or others.

3. information disclosed by the client, as far as possible, unless failure to do so would be harmful to the person or others, or would be regarded as an obstruction of justice in a court of law.

4. All of the above.

60.Cognitive-behavioural helpers assess the manner in which thoughts and attitudes …

1. influence behaviour.2. trigger and maintain behaviour.3. influence rationality.4. All of the above.

TOTAL: 60 MARKS

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