Quiz on Key Milestones of Professional Social Work

Quiz on Key Milestones of Professional Social Work

Explore 15 multiple-choice questions on the historical milestones of professional social work, from its origins in the 19th century to modern developments. Perfect for social workers and students seeking to understand the profession’s evolution.

Overview: The history of professional social work is marked by significant milestones that shaped its identity, methods, and global impact. Beginning in the late 19th century with organized charity efforts and settlement houses, social work evolved through key developments like the establishment of formal training programs, international conferences, and ethical standards. Influenced by social movements and global events, such as the Progressive Movement and World War II, the profession expanded to address poverty, mental health, and public welfare. This set of 15 multiple-choice questions covers pivotal moments, including the founding of organizations like the NASW and IFSW, landmark publications, and the formalization of practices like casework and group work, providing social workers and students with a concise yet comprehensive understanding of the profession’s growth.

Below is a set of 15 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) designed to test knowledge of key historical milestones in professional social work. Each question is followed by the correct answer and a brief overview explaining its significance. This content is crafted to be informative and educational for social workers and those interested in the profession’s history.


1. When was the first formal school of social work established?

(1) 1898
(2) 1904
(3) 1917
(4) 1920

Answer: (1) 1898
Overview: The New York Charity Organization Society established the first formal training program for social workers in 1898, known as the New York School of Philanthropy (later Columbia University School of Social Work). This marked the beginning of professional social work education.


2. Where was the first International Conference on Social Work held, formalizing the term "social work"?

(1) London
(2) Amsterdam
(3) Paris
(4) New York

Answer: (2) Amsterdam
Overview: The first International Conference on Social Work was held in Amsterdam in 1899, where the term "social work" was formally recognized, laying the foundation for the profession’s global identity.


3. Who is considered the "Mother of Social Work" for her contributions to settlement houses?

(1) Mary Richmond
(2) Jane Addams
(3) Octavia Hill
(4) Frances Perkins

Answer: (2) Jane Addams
Overview: Jane Addams founded Hull House in Chicago in 1889, a pivotal settlement house that provided social services to immigrants and the poor, shaping community-based social work.


4. In which year was the book Social Diagnosis published, advancing casework methodology?

(1) 1901
(2) 1917
(3) 1925
(4) 1930

Answer: (2) 1917
Overview: Mary Richmond’s Social Diagnosis (1917) was a seminal work that introduced systematic casework methods, emphasizing assessment and individualized intervention in social work practice.


5. Which organization, founded in 1928, became a global body for social work professionals?

(1) National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
(2) International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW)
(3) Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
(4) Charity Organization Society (COS)

Answer: (2) International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW)
Overview: The IFSW was established in 1928 to promote social work globally, foster international collaboration, and advocate for social justice and professional standards.


6. When was the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) founded in the United States?

(1) 1935
(2) 1945
(3) 1955
(4) 1965

Answer: (3) 1955
Overview: The NASW was formed in 1955 through the merger of seven social work organizations, becoming the primary professional association for social workers in the U.S., advocating for standards and ethics.


7. Which movement significantly influenced social work’s focus on poverty and urban reform in the late 19th century?

(1) Progressive Movement
(2) Civil Rights Movement
(3) Feminist Movement
(4) Labor Movement

Answer: (1) Progressive Movement
Overview: The Progressive Movement (late 19th to early 20th century) pushed for social reforms addressing poverty, child labor, and urbanization, shaping social work’s advocacy for systemic change.


8. Where was the first Charity Organization Society (COS) established, pioneering organized charity work?

(1) New York
(2) London
(3) Boston
(4) Chicago

Answer: (2) London
Overview: The London Charity Organization Society, founded in 1869, introduced coordinated charity efforts and casework, influencing the development of professional social work worldwide.


9. When was the first code of ethics for social workers formally adopted by the NASW?

(1) 1960
(2) 1970
(3) 1980
(4) 1990

Answer: (1) 1960
Overview: The NASW adopted its first Code of Ethics in 1960, establishing professional standards and ethical guidelines that remain a cornerstone of social work practice.


10. Which U.S. legislation, passed in 1935, expanded social work’s role in public welfare?

(1) Social Security Act
(2) Civil Rights Act
(3) Fair Labor Standards Act
(4) National Housing Act

Answer: (1) Social Security Act
Overview: The Social Security Act of 1935 created public welfare programs, significantly increasing the demand for social workers to administer services like unemployment benefits and child welfare.


11. Who developed the concept of "friendly visiting," a precursor to modern casework?

(1) Octavia Hill
(2) Jane Addams
(3) Mary Richmond
(4) Florence Nightingale

Answer: (1) Octavia Hill
Overview: Octavia Hill’s "friendly visiting" in the 1870s involved trained volunteers providing personalized support to the poor, laying the groundwork for professional casework.


12. In which decade did social work begin to emphasize group work as a formal practice method?

(1) 1920s
(2) 1930s
(3) 1940s
(4) 1950s

Answer: (2) 1930s
Overview: In the 1930s, social work expanded to include group work as a formal method, influenced by settlement houses and the need for community-based interventions during the Great Depression.


13. Which global event in the 1940s increased the need for social workers to address mental health and rehabilitation?

(1) Great Depression
(2) World War II
(3) Cold War
(4) Korean War

Answer: (2) World War II
Overview: World War II (1939–1945) created a demand for social workers to support veterans, refugees, and families, particularly in mental health and rehabilitation services.


14. When was the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) established to standardize social work education?

(1) 1942
(2) 1952
(3) 1962
(4) 1972

Answer: (2) 1952
Overview: The CSWE, founded in 1952, standardized social work education in the U.S., accrediting programs and ensuring consistency in professional training.


15. Which milestone marked the formal recognition of clinical social work as a specialized field?

(1) Establishment of the American Association of Psychiatric Social Workers in 1926
(2) Publication of Social Casework journal in 1950
(3) NASW’s recognition of clinical social work in 1980
(4) Introduction of licensure laws in the 1990s

Answer: (1) Establishment of the American Association of Psychiatric Social Workers in 1926
Overview: The American Association of Psychiatric Social Workers, founded in 1926, marked the formal recognition of clinical social work, focusing on mental health and therapeutic interventions.

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