LMSW Practice Test

A drug-addicted client believes that his anger and thoughts of revenge concerning a former girlfriend led her to becoming HIV positive. The client is demonstrating

1. a psychotic delusion

2. brain damage

3. magical thinking

4. primary ego damage

The correct answer is: a psychotic delusion

The correct answer reflects the concept of magical thinking, which is a cognitive distortion commonly associated with certain psychological conditions. In this scenario, the client believes that his personal feelings of anger and thoughts of revenge have the power to influence events outside of his control, specifically the former girlfriend's health status. This kind of thinking often involves the superstition that one's thoughts or feelings can directly cause or change reality, which does not follow logical cause-and-effect reasoning. Magical thinking can manifest in various ways, such as believing that thoughts can affect the physical world or that one has control over outcomes that are governed by chance or the actions of others. This perspective is particularly significant in the context of addiction and mental health, where clients might attempt to rationalize their feelings and behaviors to alleviate guilt or regain a sense of control. The other answer choices involve different psychological concepts that do not accurately describe the client’s behavior. The idea of a psychotic delusion refers to a fixed false belief that is held with strong conviction, typically found in more severe mental illnesses. Brain damage suggests a physiological impairment affecting cognitive functions rather than the thought process demonstrated in the scenario. Primary ego damage implies more deep-seated issues related to the structure of the self and personality functioning, which is not