Lecture 4 Textbook Flashcards
Reliability
Definition: The consistency of a psychological measure or test.
Example: A test that gives the same result when repeated under the same conditions.
Validity
Definition: The extent to which a test measures what it is intended to measure.
Example: A depression scale should measure depression, not just general sadness.
Standardization
Definition: A process ensuring that tests are administered and scored consistently.
Example: IQ tests are standardized to compare individual scores with a normative sample.
Cultural Competence
Definition: The ability of a clinician to consider cultural, linguistic, and social factors in assessment.
Example: Using an adapted test for non-English-speaking patients.
Professional Orientation
Definition: The theoretical background that influences a clinician’s approach to assessment and treatment.
Example: A behavioral therapist focusing on learned behaviors rather than unconscious conflicts.
Clinical Observation
Definition: The direct assessment of a client’s appearance, behavior, and emotional responses.
Example: Observing a child’s interactions in a classroom to assess social skills.
Self-Monitoring
Definition: The process of observing and recording one’s own behavior, thoughts, and emotions in real-time.
Example: A client tracking their anxiety levels throughout the day.
Rating Scales
Definition: Standardized tools used to quantify psychiatric symptoms.
Example: The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) measures symptoms like anxiety and depression.
Projective Personality Tests
Definition: Tests that use ambiguous stimuli to uncover unconscious thoughts and conflicts.
Example: Rorschach Inkblot Test and Thematic Apperception Test (TAT).
Rorschach Inkblot Test
Definition: A projective personality test where subjects interpret inkblots to reveal unconscious emotions.
Example: A patient sees a “house in flames,” which could indicate anxiety.
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
Definition: A projective test where subjects tell stories about ambiguous pictures.
Example: A subject describing a violin in a TAT image as a “machine gun” may indicate distress.
Subjectivity in Projective Tests
Definition: The high variability in interpretations of test results, making reliability questionable.
Example: Different clinicians may interpret the same Rorschach response differently.
Sentence Completion Test
Definition: A projective test where subjects complete sentence stems to reveal subconscious beliefs.
Example: “I wish ___” or “I hate ___”.
Objective Personality Tests
Definition: Structured assessments using questionnaires and rating scales to measure personality traits.
Example: NEO-PI, MMPI, and SNAP (Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality).
MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory)
Definition: A widely used clinical personality test with validity and clinical scales.
Example: Used for mental health and forensic evaluations.
MMPI Validity Scales
Definition: Scales designed to detect response biases and exaggeration in test answers.
Example: The L (Lie) scale detects attempts to present oneself in an unrealistically positive way.
MMPI Clinical Scales
Definition: Scales measuring psychological disorders and personality traits.
Example: The Paranoia Scale (Pa) detects suspicious and paranoid thoughts.
Neuropsychological Assessment
Definition: Tests measuring cognitive, motor, and perceptual abilities to assess brain function.
Example: Halstead-Reitan Battery used to detect brain damage.
Trail Making Test
Definition: A test assessing attention, processing speed, and cognitive flexibility.
Example: Connecting numbers and letters in Trails A and B.
EEG (Electroencephalography)
Definition: A technique that measures brain electrical activity via scalp sensors.
Example: EEG monitoring for epilepsy or sleep disorders.
What is PET scanning?
A functional imaging technique that requires injecting radioactive agents to study brain activity.
How does PET differ from MRI?
PET scans require radioactive tracers, whereas MRI provides high spatial resolution without radiation.
Why is integrating assessment data important?
It allows a team of mental health professionals to validate diagnoses and improve treatment plans.
What are the three main classification approaches for mental disorders?
Categorical, Dimensional, Prototype.
What is the main limitation of the categorical approach?
It assumes disorders are distinct, even though many conditions overlap.
What is comorbidity?
The presence of two or more mental disorders in a single individual.
What does the RDoC framework focus on?
Biological explanations for psychological conditions instead of traditional diagnostic categories.
How does RDoC differ from DSM?
RDoC examines brain circuits and genetics rather than classifying disorders into fixed categories.
How does the dimensional approach differ from the categorical approach?
It views disorders as existing on a spectrum rather than fixed categories.
What is a major advantage of the dimensional approach?
It preserves individual variability and improves treatment customization.
How does the prototype approach classify disorders?
By comparing patients to an ‘ideal case’ on a rating scale instead of using strict criteria.
What is the primary difference between DSM and ICD?
DSM uses strict diagnostic criteria, while ICD allows for more clinical judgment.
What is a common criticism of DSM-5?
It has expanded the number of disorders, leading to over-medicalization.
Why is DSM-5 criticized for cultural bias?
It defines disorders primarily from a Western perspective, which may not apply universally.
What is the DSM-5 Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI)?
A structured interview with 16 questions to assess how a patient’s cultural background influences mental health.
How can culture impact psychiatric diagnosis?
Language barriers and acculturation levels can cause misinterpretations, making some individuals appear more psychologically disturbed than they actually are.
