LMSW Practice Test

A client who is unable to tolerate frustration and has a tendency to discharge tension by action is said to

1. act-in

2. act-out

3. decompensate

4. sublimate

The correct answer is: act-in

The correct answer in this context is that a client who is unable to tolerate frustration and tends to discharge tension by action is described as "acting out." This behavior typically involves expressing emotional conflicts or distress through impulsive actions rather than through verbal expression or reflective processing. Acting out is often seen in individuals who might struggle to articulate their feelings or regulate their emotional responses, leading them to engage in behaviors that release tension or frustration, which can sometimes be disruptive or maladaptive. In contrast, the term "act-in" generally refers to an internalization of feelings or behaviors rather than exhibiting them outwardly. "Decompensate" suggests a decline in functioning due to stressors, while "sublimate" involves channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable actions, which doesn’t correlate with discharging tension through impulsive behavior. Hence, "acting out" accurately captures the nature of the client's response to frustration.