Assessment To collect and INTERPRET information about a client or subject –Remember, the data do not speak for themselves The purpose of assessment: biopsychosocial formulation –Dynamic formulation The results of an assessment process will be used idiographically –Although most assessment tools are nomothetic –i.e., standardized procedure and established norms

Physical Assessment Tools Medical examination: referral to rule out medical disorders with psychological or behavioral concomitants or sequelae Neuropsychological examination –EEG: electrical activity –CAT scan: locate abnormalities in the brain –MRI: view anatomical features of the CNS, especially the brain –fMRI: anatomy and function –PET: monitors metabolic processes

fMRI A:\

Standardization Two types: –Administration and scoring –Sampling Reliability: –Is a test consistent? Test-retest Inter-rater Validity –Is the test measuring what it purports to measure?

Important note: We can have reliability without validity But We cannot have validity without reliability.

The clinical interview A GOOD interview is a clinician’s best assessment tool (according to Dr. S). –Structured: intake interview –Unstructured: suitability for therapy –Semi-structured: diagnostic Clinical interview criticized: observer bias

Mental Status Exam A structured interview, sometimes embedded within a semi-structured interview. –Tests cognitive functioning Eg.: Clarity of thought, orientation, ability to follow instructions

Projective Tests Presentation of ambiguous stimuli The purpose is to tap unconscious mental processes

Some of the most common Projective Tests Rorschach Inkblot Test Thematic Apperception Test Drawing Tests –Draw A family –House-Tree-Person –Kinetic Family Drawing

A Rorschach-type Stimulus “What might this be” –Similar to seeing objects in clouds –Useful for assessing how the client views his/her world

A TAT-card Stimulus Tell me a story; a complete story with a beginning, a middle and an end. What is happening in the picture. What happened before, and how will it end. Useful for learning about clients’ relationships

Drawing Tests Useful with children –Develops rapport –Aids in diagnosis Also useful with non-verbal adults

Personality Inventories Usually personality inventories consist of a series of questions to which the respondents answer “true” or “false” (“yes”/”no”) The scoring is objective Most popular is MMPI2: designed to identify psychopathology CPI also frequently used but is designed to identify positive psychological characteristics

MMPI-Profile Left side: validity scales ?, L, F, K. –An advantage of the MMPI Right side: 10 clinical scales –Designed to identify pathology.

Misuses of the MMPI Hiring and promotion decisions in business: the test is designed to detect pathology, and normed on a psychiatric sample Elevated scores in a non-psychiatric sample may not have the same meaning as in a psychiatric sample

Response Inventories Tests which are focused on a specific area of functioning Example: Beck Depression Inventory (text p. 94)

Other psychological assessment tools Psychophysiological tests: measure autonomic nervous system functioning –Example: Polygraph (lie detector) Neuropsychological tests: –Example: Bender - Gestalt