chapter questions Flashcards
What is the main focus of clinical Psychology?
- clinical psychology focuses on developing assessment strategies and interventions to deal with mental disorders and psychological distress.
What is the purpose of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC)?
- the MHCC was established to address the needs of Canadians suffering from mental disorders and to promote the right to receive services and support, as well as dignity and respect for individuals with mental health problems.
Name two initiatives of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC)
- two initiative of the MHCC are “Opening Minds,” which aim to reduce the stigma associated mental disorders, and “mental Health First, Aid” a program for training the public to assist individuals experiencing mental health problems or crises.
how does evidence-based practice (EBP) in psychology work?
EBP involves synthesizing information from research, collected data on the patient, the clinician’s professional experience, and patient preferences to inform healthcare options for assessment, prevention, or intervention services
use of research and theory to guide (a) the variable assessed, (b) the methods and measures, and (c) the manner in which the assessment process unfolds
What is the distinction between clinical and counselling psychology?
Historically, clinical psychology focused on diagnosing and treating severe psychopathology, while counselling psychology dealt with individuals facing normal life challenges. However, both fields now provide a wide range of services and can be employed in various settings.
What role do school psychologists play in addressing students well-being?
School psychologists address students’ mental health, social, emotional, and medical factors within the context of learning and development. They diagnose disorders, develop school-based programs, and promote social skills, conflict resolution, and violence prevention.
What are the primary responsibilities of psychiatrists?
Psychiatrists specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses. They assess physiological and biochemical factors, determine interactions between physical and emotional health, and provide psychopharmacological and psychological treatments.
what is the role of social wokers in improving health and well-being?
Social workers focus on improving the health and well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities. They engage in various activities, including policy development, counseling, therapy, advocacy, and program planning, to address social and psychological needs.
Who were the influential figures in the early development of assessment in clinical psych?
Emil Kraepelin, a German psychiatrist, contributed to the classification of mental disorders, while Alfred Binet, a French psychologist, developed intelligence tests. Their work established standardization, norms, and the importance of test construction.
What was the significance of the Army Alpha test during World War I?
The Army Alpha test, developed by the American Psychological Association, allowed for the evaluation of mental fitness and abilities of recruits in a group format. This marked the recognition of psychologists’ expertise in test construction and individual differences measurement.
What are projective tests and provide examples?
Projective tests are based on the idea that an individual’s interpretation of a situation reveals their personality characteristics. Examples include the Rorschach Inkblot Test, which assesses interpretations of inkblots, and the House-Tree-Person Test, which analyzes drawings for psychological meaning.
What is the difference between intelligence tests, personality tests, and projective tests?
Intelligence tests measure performance on a task, personality tests are based on self-description, and projective tests are predicated on the notion that an individual’s interpretation of a situation is determined by his or her personality characteristics.
Who published the Rorschach Inkblot Test, and in which year?
Swiss psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach published the Rorschach Inkblot Test in 1921.
whihc projective technique was consdiered suitable for both adults & children in assessing psychological meaning?
The House-Tree-Person Test was considered suitable for both adults and children in assessing the psychological meaning of qualities in a person’s drawing.
What was the purpose of the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) published by Henry Murray and Christina Morgan?
The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) comprised 20 pictures and aimed to assess individuals by having them interpret the stories behind the pictures.
Who was responsible for developing the Revised Examination M used in the selection and assignment of military personnel in Canada during World War II?
he Test Construction Committee of the Canadian Psychological Association was responsible for developing the Revised Examination M.
What was the goal of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) published in 1943?
he goal of the MMPI was to provide an easily administered test that could effectively screen for psychological disturbances among adults.
According to Paul Meehl’s review, which approach to assessment was typically inferior in accurately describing or diagnosing adults?
Paul Meehl’s review found that a purely clinical approach to assessment was typically inferior to a more statistically oriented approach in accurately describing or diagnosing adults.
What change did the publication of the third edition of the DSM in the 1980s bring to psychological assessments?
The publication of the third edition of the DSM led to increased attention on the value of structured interview approaches to gathering diagnostic information, aiming to improve the reliability of psychiatric diagnoses.
How did the DSM-III encourage clinicians to approach diagnosing disorders?
Clinicians were strongly encouraged to use scientifically established structured interviews to diagnose DSM-III disorders or, at a minimum, ensure that the necessary diagnostic criteria were met before assigning a diagnosis.
What is clinical utility?
usefulness of assessment data to provide information that leads to a clinical outcome that is better (or faster or less expensive) than would be the case if the psychologist did not have the assessment data.
What is the term used to describe evidence that a treatment was shown to work in research conditions (internal validity)?
The term “efficacy” is used to denote evidence that a treatment was shown to work under research conditions with an emphasis on internal validity.
According to research using meta-analysis, what was the primary finding about the effectiveness of psychotherapy?
The primary finding was that psychotherapy, in general, was clearly very effective, with the average person receiving therapy being better off after therapy than 80% of people with similar problems who did not receive therapy.
What are some ways tests can be biased?
o First, the test content may not be equally applicable or relevant to all cultural groups.
o Second, the pattern of validity coefficients may not be similar across groups. For example, an association between a negative attributional style and depressive symptoms may be much larger for one group than for another.
o Third, the use of a cut-off score on a scale to classify individuals may not be equally accurate across groups.
o A fourth form of bias could occur with respect to the test’s underlying structure. Researchers frequently use a statistical procedure called factor analysis to explore exactly how components of a construct relate to each other.
How should a psychologist conduct an assessment with a client from an ethnic minority background?
A – use measures that have been shown to be psychometrically sound for people who come from the same ethnic group as the client
B – consult published norms relevant to the client’s ethnic group in interpreting the test results
C – adopt multiple assessment methods to minimize errors that might be associated with any one method or test
If a & b is not possible, then caution must be exercised in interpreting the results
What is the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-IV (MCMI-IV)
- clinical measures for youth.
The MCMI-IV contains scales to assess validity, clinical personality patterns, severe personality pathology, clinical syndromes, and severe symptoms. The MCMI-IV is a 195-item true-false self-report measure designed to assess personality styles and disorders.
Problem:It is intended for use with clients seeking mental health services and is not appropriate for use with adults with no psychological problems
what is Personality Assessment Inventory (pai)
The PAI is a 344-item self-report measure designed for use with adults. Although the PAI has many items, it requires only a Grade 4 reading level and can be completed in under an hour. The overall reliability of the scales is superior to the inventories described thus far & has Good validity.
What is the most commonly used measure of normal personality?
Neo personality inventory-3
- The NEO PI-3 is based on the five-factor model of personality that is generally seen as the most scientifically supported personality theory. Because of its growing use in clinical contexts, researchers have developed and evaluated validity scales for the instrument.
Why have psychologists shifted from using broadband tests (personality inventories and projective tests) toward greater use of self-report checklists of behaviours and symptoms?
Instead of personality inventory and projective tests, behaviour and symptom checklists are very inexpensive and have direct and immediate relevance to treatment planning and monitoring
what do clinical psychologists devote their time doing?
they devote their time to providing psycholgical services, conducting research and providing clinical training, and consulting with other professionals and agencies.
what activities do clinical psychologists engage in?
Assessment, research, psychotherapy, prevention & consultation.
What assessment methods do clinical psychologists use to reach clinical formulation?
interviews self-report measures, observations, performance (or skill) tasks, and reports from informants other than patients.
What is the goal of assessment and diagnosis in clinical psychology?
The goal is to evaluate the psychological functioning of individuals or relationships, understand their current level of psychosocial functioning, and provide a concise statement about the nature of a person’s disorder or dysfunction. It also aids the psychologists in being able to search scientific literature to update their knowledge of etiology, prognosis and beneficial treatments
What is the most common type of intervention provided by clinical psychologists?
Psychotherapy is the most common type of intervention provided by clinical psychologists, with a majority (40%) of their time devoted to it.
What are some common techniques used in psychotherapy?
Techniques include identifying or challenging thoughts, relating thoughts to feelings, focusing on emotions, gathering information, and guiding or directing the client. Additionally, most people attend less than 10 sessions.
What is North America’s most popular orientation of therapy?
Cognitive behavioural approach
Cog-behv psychologists versus psychodynamic approaches – what are the differences?
Cog-beh psychologists are more likely to spend more time providing psychoeducation by informing the client about the nature of the presenting problem. More encouragement for asking questions, collaboration, engagement in certain activities, teach coping skills. The psychodynamic approach is more likely to talk about childhood experiences related to clients’ reactions, explore dysfunctional patterns of behaviour and its expectations
What is the role of clinical psychologists in prevention? // Prevention activities goals?
Clinical psychologists can develop, implement, and evaluate prevention programs aimed at reducing risk factors and enhancing protective factors for various disorders.
What are risk factors and what are protective factors?
Risk factors – trait of an individual to their circumstances that increase the likelihood of the dev of a disorder
Protective factors – individual or enviro factors that lessen the likelihood of eventually developing a disease or disorder
What is clinical consultation, and what are its types?
Clinical consultation involves providing information, advice, and recommendations about assessing, understanding, or treating a client. It can be clinical consultation (focused on clients) or organizational consultation (focused on developing programs or evaluating healthcare services).
What is a needs assessment in clinical psychology? Consultation to agencies often falls into one of several categories, what are they?
A needs assessment is conducted to determine the extent of an unmet healthcare need in an identified population, such as ensuring new immigrants are aware of available healthcare services. Once the psychologist understands the cope of the need for a population, they may be hired to create a program to educate a target pop about the available services.
What is Policy consultation?
To determine if an agent’s policy is congruent with its mission or consistent with professional standards or scientific evidence
Why is research important in clinical psychology?
Research helps guide the provision of psychological services and allows clinical psychologists to stay updated on relevant knowledge, treatments, and best practices.
What teaching and supervision activities do clinical psychologists engage in?
Clinical psychologists engage in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology, as well as supervising students in the provision of psychological services.
What is clinical supervision, and in what settings does it occur?
Clinical supervision involves students providing services under the close supervision of licensed clinical psychologists. It occurs in various settings, including hospitals, residential treatment centers, rehabilitation centers, and psychiatric hospitals.
What is the role of clinical psychologists in administration & institutional settings?
In private practice, clinical psychologists handle activities necessary for maintaining an efficient office. In institutional settings such as hospitals and universities, psychologists are expected to contribute to the overall running of the institution by serving on committees and assuming management positions
How is clinical psychology founded?
Clinical psychology is founded on the application of scientific reasoning to address emotional, behavioral, and neurological problems.
Why is it important for clinical psychologists to maintain knowledge of research?
Clinical psychologists need to stay updated with relevant research to inform their professional practices and provide evidence-based services.
Do most clinical psychologists agree that professional services should be informed by research evidence?
Yes, most clinical psychologists agree that professional services should be informed by research evidence.
When do disagreements arise regarding the role of research evidence in clinical practice?
Disagreements may arise when discussing how research should inform or determine practice and what constitutes valid research evidence.
What does an evidence-based approach involve?
An evidence-based approach involves using research evidence as a basis for decision-making about clinical services.
What should psychologists do when no research is available to guide their services?
When no research is available, psychologists should take a systematic, questioning, and self-critical approach to evaluate the value of a psychological service and monitor its effects to determine whether it is primarily beneficial or harmful.
What is the purpose of theoretical orientation in clinical practice?
Theoretical orientation directs a clinician’s attention to the most relevant phenomena and their possible explanations while diverting attention from aspects of a client’s experience deemed irrelevant.
What is the significance of adopting a scientific position in clinical psychology?
Adopting a scientific position involves putting ideas to the test and being open to the possibility that some ideas that seem sensible may be incorrect.
What prompted the creation of a code of ethics in psychology?
The code of ethics in psychology was created in response to the unethical conduct observed during the Nazi era.
What is informed consent in psychology?
Informed consent is an ethical principle that ensures individuals receiving psychological services or participating in research understand what will be done and agree to participate.
What are the four ethical principles outlined in the Code of Ethics?
The four ethical principles in the Code of Ethics are respect for the dignity of persons, responsible caring, integrity in relationships, and responsibility to society.
How do ethics and science interact in clinical psychology?
Ethics provides fundamental principles that guide the way psychologists work, while science ensures that their practices are informed by research evidence and a systematic approach to decision-making.
Why is it crucial for clinical psychologists to monitor the effects of their services?
Monitoring the effects of services helps determine whether they are primarily beneficial or harmful, allowing psychologists to make necessary adjustments and improvements..
How do theoretical orientations influence clinical practice?
Theoretical orientations guide clinical practice by shaping a clinician’s perspective on relevant phenomena, potential explanations, and treatment approaches.
Why is it necessary to search for common elements of human behaviour?
It is necessary to search for common elements of human behavior in order to describe, understand, and predict the responses of others. This helps us navigate through life and interact effectively with friends, family members, and co-workers.
How does classification help in managing the complexities of life?
To manage the complexities of life, we tend to categorize, classify, and search for patterns.
Without a way to conceptualize and categorize the reactions of friends, family members, and co-workers, it would be impossible for us to navigate through life.
What are the two key aspects of the adequacy of classification systems?
The two key aspects of the adequacy of classification systems are validity and utility. Validity refers to the effectiveness of the principles used in classifying an entity in capturing its nature, while utility refers to the usefulness of the resulting classification scheme.
What is the difference between a categorical and a dimensional approach to classification?
In a categorical approach, an entity is determined to be either a member of a category or not. It assumes a qualitative difference between entities in a category and those outside of it (living or non-living- having the disorder or not having it). On the other hand, a dimensional approach classifies entities based on the extent to which they possess certain characteristics or properties, focusing on quantitative differences and arranging entities on a continuum (weight & height).
Thomas Achenbacks work yielded two broad dimensions of problems within symptoms that tend to co-occur. What were they?
Externalziing and internalziing problems. Externalizing problems are acting-out behaviors such as yelling, destroying things, stealing, and showing aggression. Internalizing problems refer to feelings of sadness, worry, and withdrawn behavior.
How do people categorize people?
People use a diagnostic system. Whether based on a categorical or a dimensional approach, a diagnostic system is a classification based on rules used to organize and understand diseases and disorders
When these decision-making rules are applied to the symptoms of a specific individual, the classification system yields a diagnosis that concisely describes the symptoms that comprise the person’s condition
Give 5 purposes of a diagnostic system for mental disorders
Provide a concise description of essential aspects of the patient’s condition
Reflect best current scientific knowledge of psychopathology
Provide a common language for clinicians, researchers, and, increasingly, patients to use in discussing mental health conditions
Indicate possible causes of the current condition (i.e., etiology)
Indicate possible future developments in the condition (i.e., prognosis)
Who is Emil Kraepelin and what did he examine?
Emil Kraepelin, whose initial examination of dementia praecox (now called schizophrenia) and manic-depressive insanity (now called bipolar mood disorder) laid the foundation for current psychiatric diagnostic systems.
How does the prototype model approach impact psychiatric diagnosis?
The prototype model approach recognizes that members of a diagnostic category may differ in the degree to which they represent the concepts underlying the category. This means that not all individuals receiving the same diagnosis have exactly the same set of symptoms, allowing for more flexibility in understanding psychiatric disorders.
What are the purposes of a diagnostic system for mental disorders?
The purposes of a diagnostic system for mental disorders include providing a concise description of the patient’s condition, reflecting scientific knowledge of psychopathology, providing a common language for discussions, indicating possible causes and future developments, guiding evaluation and treatment, facilitating research, and determining reimbursement and eligibility for services.
How does context influence the determination of whether a behavior is abnormal?
The determination of whether a behavior is abnormal requires knowledge of the context in which it occurs. Factors such as age, cultural norms, developmental milestones, and specific circumstances play a significant role in interpreting and evaluating behavior as normal or abnormal.
What is the developmental psychopathology approach?
The developmental psychopathology approach examines problem behavior in relation to the milestones specific to each stage of development. It emphasizes that biological and psychological systems are constantly changing and considers major developmental transitions and disruptions to normal patterns. It relies on empirical knowledge of normal development to understand difficulties at different stages of life.
How does the lack of valid biological markers affect the diagnosis of mental disorders?
Unlike physical disorders, mental disorders lack valid biological markers for diagnosis. Classification systems for mental disorders rely primarily on the observation of symptoms and self-report data from clients. This poses challenges in diagnosing mental disorders and underscores the need for ongoing research to develop a more robust diagnostic system based on biological and psychological markers.
Why was childhood depression overlooked in the past? What was this an example of?
Childhood depression was overlooked in the past due to theoretical models and assumptions that believed children were incapable of experiencing depression. Psychoanalytic models suggested that depression was a disorder of the superego, which develops later in childhood. Also, the expression of sadness in children differs from adults, making it challenging to detect depression using adult-focused behavioral models.
- This was an example of relying on scientific evidence, not just value judgments.
For example, beliefs based on theoretical models of human functioning may, at times, interfere with an ability to see forms of psychological distress and suffering.
What is the definition of a mental disorder according to the American Psychiatric Association?
A mental disorder is a syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning.
What distinguishes a mental disorder from an expectable response to a common stressor?
An expectable or culturally approved response to a common stressor or loss is not considered a mental disorder. Mental disorders are usually associated with significant distress or disability in social, occupational, or other important activities.
What is the concept of harmful dysfunction in relation to mental disorders?
Harmful dysfunction refers to the idea that the behaviors associated with a mental disorder are dysfunctional and cause harm to the individual or those around them. Both criteria of dysfunction and harm need to be satisfied for a diagnosis of a mental disorder. It is also needed for diagnosis.
What does dyscontrol refer to in the context of mental disorders?
Dyscontrol refers to the requirement that the impairment resulting from a mental disorder must be involuntary or not readily controlled. This addition is important, especially in legal contexts, to differentiate between intentional unacceptable behavior and a mental disorder
What were the most common mental disorders found in a Canadian survey?
The most common mental disorders reported in the Canadian survey were alcohol or illicit drug dependence, mood disorders (major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder), and generalized anxiety disorder.
