Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

What does ego psychology suggest if a client is consistently late for appointments?

1. It indicates strong commitment to therapy

2. It shows ambivalence and resistance

3. It exemplifies punctuality issues

4. It reflects disinterest in treatment

The correct answer is: It shows ambivalence and resistance

Ego psychology focuses on the ways a person's ego—or the conscious part of their personality—interacts with their environment and its implications for behavior and mental health. When a client is consistently late for appointments, this behavior can be seen as an expression of ambivalence and resistance. From an ego psychology perspective, lateness may indicate an internal conflict regarding the therapy process. The client may have subconscious feelings of ambivalence about the therapeutic relationship, which can manifest as delays in attendance. This ambivalence may stem from fears about change, vulnerability, or the nature of the therapeutic work itself. Additionally, resistance can take many forms, including not just outright refusal to participate but also through avoidance behaviors like tardiness. This behavior can suggest that the individual is grappling with feelings that they have not yet expressed verbally, thus warranting further exploration into their thoughts and feelings surrounding therapy. In contrast, other options do not capture the underlying complexities of the client's behavior. For instance, punctuality issues might suggest a practical concern rather than emotional resistance, while disinterest in treatment is a more definitive judgment that may not accurately reflect the client's ambivalence. Additionally, suggesting strong commitment to therapy contradicts the habitual behavior of arriving late, as consistency and commitment typically align with