Introduction

Question 1

What are the key features of having theoretically based assessment?

Answer 1

To understand where problems come from and how we can measure the change process. Understanding key constructs of a mood, feeling, behaviour and thought and mapping these onto assessment strategies.

Question 2

What are the key features of measuring key constructs?

Answer 2

Are the measurement tools reliable?
Are the measurement tools valid?
To understand that the psychometric properties of the tools are predicting, and measuring what they say they are.

Question 3

In application, what are the reasons we conceptualise a psychosocial problem?

Answer 3

To formulate a case based on theory
To develop critical skills in choosing relevant and useful measurements
To communicate evidence-based assessment choices coherently

Question 4

In application, what are the reasons we conceptualise a psychosocial problem?

Answer 4

To formulate a case based on theory
To develop critical skills in choosing relevant and useful measurements
To communicate evidence-based assessment choices coherently

Question 5

In terms of the ‘thinking, feeling and acting’ matrices, how does Humanistic/Existential, Psychodynamic/Neo-Freudian, and Social Cognitive/ neo-behaviouralist theories understand it?

Answer 5

H/E – Thinking and feeling influence each other and actions are separate
Psycho/NF – Preconscious influences feeling and actions are separate
SC/NB – Thinking influences feeling which influences acting

Question 6

What is the social cognitive definition of personality?

Answer 6

The complex organisation of cognitions, affects, and behaviours that gives direction and pattern (coherence) to a person’s life”

Question 7

When conducting an assessment or a formulation of an assessment plan, what are the 5 factors that we need to consider for an individual case study and the 6th one added in clinical assessment?

Answer 7

1. Presenting Factors
2. Predisposing Factors
3. Precipitating Factors
4. Perpetuating Factors
5. Protective Factors
6. Prognosis

Question 8

What are presenting factors?

Answer 8

The initial factors presented in a case that need to be worked through.

Question 9

What are predisposing factors?

Answer 9

Longstanding and often fixed vulnerabilities, such as childhood economic disadvantage, harsh parenting, or anxious temperament. Not specific events but factors that might be implicated in the development of general problems.

Question 10

What are precipitating factors?

Answer 10

Past events that are linked with recent escalation of problems and help seeking. Examples might include a major car accident for someone with a drug and alcohol problem.

Question 11

What are perpetuating factors?

Answer 11

Theoretically orientated constructs or mechanisms that explain why a problem continues, despite continued distress and harm.

Question 12

What are protective factors?

Answer 12

Resources that a person has available to them or are potentially available that are probably important for resolving the presenting problems. They are often people-oriented resources.