PA 1

Question 1

Name 5 major categories of psych tests, and give examples where possible

Answer 1

Mental ability eg. WAIS
Achievement eg. NAPLAN
Personality eg. MMPI
Interests / Attitudes eg. career guidance
Neuropsych eg. executive functions after brain injury

Question 2

Describe the difference between “paper and pencil” and “performance” tests

Answer 2

Paper and pencil: basically answering questions (often yes /no, multiple choice or scale type
Performance: demonstrate proficiency / accuracy / speed

Question 3

Describe the difference between norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests

Answer 3

Norm-referenced: score compared to the mean of a population

Criterion-referenced: score compared to a particular level of performance

Question 4

List 4 major settings where psych assessments are used

Answer 4

Clinical
Educational
Personnel / employment
Research

Question 5

List 4 critical assumptions of psych assessments

Answer 5

1. People differ in important traits
2. We can measure these traits
3. The traits are reasonably stable
4. Measures (tests) of the trait relate to actual behaviour

Question 6

What is the “differential perspective”?

Answer 6

In social sciences, we attempt to formulate laws or generalisations that, more or less, apply to everyone.
The differential perspective assumes that the answer may differ for different people.

Question 7

What is the difference between psych testing and psych assessment?

Answer 7

Psych testing: A standardised process or device that yields information about a sample of behaviour or cognitive process in a quantified manner
Psych assessment: Evaluate an individual in a problem situation so that the info derived from the assessment can help with the problem (often comes from referral question)

Question 8

List 5 potential goals of psych assessment

Answer 8

Gather data on existing symptoms / problems
Understand the underlying issues
Establish a diagnosis (rule out alternatives)
Inform a treatment plan
Evaluate progress and outcomes of treatment

Question 9

List 4 basic stages of the psych assessment process

Answer 9

1. Initial referral
2. Test selection
3. Conduct the formal assessment
4. Feedback and report writing

Question 10

List 4 types of data collection in psych assessment

Answer 10

Interview
Observation
Psych tests
Case history / records

Question 11

List a few practical considerations of psych assessment

Answer 11

Test selection and duration must be appropriate for client
Clinician must have sufficient training to administer tests
Test materials must be well prepared
Environment must be appropriate
Good rapport with client
Generally avoid third parties (there are exceptions to this)

Question 12

What are the two ways of gathering data on client history?

Answer 12

Formal: medical records etc
Informal: eg from referrer, family member

Question 13

What are the 3 types of interview structures?

Answer 13

Structured
Semi‐structured
Unstructured

Question 14

Describe a few key components of a history interview

Answer 14

History of the problem
Family background
Personal history (infancy through to current age)
Misc past and present psych experiences (fears, dreams, self-concept, somatic concerns etc)

Question 15

What is behavioural observation?

Answer 15

Monitoring the actions of others (or oneself) by visual or electronic means, while recording quantitative and / or qualitative information regarding those actions

Question 16

Describe key aspects of a good psych report

Answer 16

Primary purpose of report: answer the referral question
• Provide a succinct account of the client’s difficulties, and the context in which they have emerged
• Integrate various pieces of assessment data into a coherent narrative about the client
• Provide a logical framework for developing treatment recommendations and clinical management plans

Question 17

What are the key parts of a psych report structure?

Answer 17

1. Identifying Data
2. Referral Question
3. Background / History
4. Behavioural Observations / Presentation
5. List of Evaluation Procedures (Tests Used)
6. Test Findings and Interpretation
7. Summary and Conclusion
8. Recommendations
9. Signature and title of the Examiner

Question 18

When writing the background / history section of a psych report, what are some of the key qualities?

Answer 18

Chronological
Grouped by domain
Relevant to referral question
Clear and succinct
Source always stated (esp if conflicting info)

Question 19

Should the psychometric properties of tests be included in a psych assessment report?

Answer 19

As a general rule, only of the report will be used as a court document

Question 20

In the test findings of a psych report, what two types of comparison should be mentioned relative to client performance?

Answer 20

Normative comparison: how does your client compare to others of similar age from the normative sample?
Personal comparison: is the client’s performance consistent across all abilities assessed, or do they have clear pattern of strengths and weaknesses?

Question 21

Should numerical values be included in the test results of a psych report?

Answer 21

No, test results should be reported only with reference to the descriptive performance categories provided by the test developer (e.g. High, Average, Low).

Question 22

What are the 3 key characteristics of the recommendation section of a psych report?

Answer 22

Relevant to the original referral question (but can include additional recommendations if important issues have been overlooked in initial referral) 
Evidence based
Clear
Practical
Obtainable