ASWB LCSW Social Work Clinical Practice Exam

Which of the following is not a characteristic of authoritarian parenting?

1. Punishment

2. High responsiveness

3. Strict rules

4. Low emotional warmth

The correct answer is: High responsiveness

High responsiveness is not characteristic of authoritarian parenting. This parenting style is characterized by an emphasis on obedience and discipline, often at the expense of emotional warmth and nurturing. In authoritarian households, parents typically enforce strict rules and expect compliance without much room for dialogue or feedback from the child. The focus is primarily on maintaining control and ensuring the child follows established guidelines, which can manifest through punishment and low emotional warmth. In contrast, high responsiveness, which involves being attentive and sensitive to a child's emotional needs, is more aligned with authoritative parenting, where parents set reasonable expectations while also nurturing and supporting their child's development. Therefore, understanding that high responsiveness is absent in authoritarian parenting helps clarify the fundamental characteristics that define this style.