PA 1 Flashcards
Name 5 major categories of psych tests, and give examples where possible
Mental ability eg. WAIS
Achievement eg. NAPLAN
Personality eg. MMPI
Interests / Attitudes eg. career guidance
Neuropsych eg. executive functions after brain injury
Describe the difference between “paper and pencil” and “performance” tests
Paper and pencil: basically answering questions (often yes /no, multiple choice or scale type
Performance: demonstrate proficiency / accuracy / speed
Describe the difference between norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests
Norm-referenced: score compared to the mean of a population
Criterion-referenced: score compared to a particular level of performance
List 4 major settings where psych assessments are used
Clinical
Educational
Personnel / employment
Research
List 4 critical assumptions of psych assessments
- People differ in important traits
- We can measure these traits
- The traits are reasonably stable
- Measures (tests) of the trait relate to actual behaviour
What is the “differential perspective”?
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.
What is the difference between psych testing and psych assessment?
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)
List 5 potential goals of psych assessment
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
List 4 basic stages of the psych assessment process
- Initial referral
- Test selection
- Conduct the formal assessment
- Feedback and report writing
List 4 types of data collection in psych assessment
Interview
Observation
Psych tests
Case history / records
List a few practical considerations of psych assessment
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)
What are the two ways of gathering data on client history?
Formal: medical records etc
Informal: eg from referrer, family member
What are the 3 types of interview structures?
Structured
Semi‐structured
Unstructured
Describe a few key components of a history interview
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)
What is behavioural observation?
Monitoring the actions of others (or oneself) by visual or electronic means, while recording quantitative and / or qualitative information regarding those actions
Describe key aspects of a good psych report
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
What are the key parts of a psych report structure?
- Identifying Data
- Referral Question
- Background / History
- Behavioural Observations / Presentation
- List of Evaluation Procedures (Tests Used)
- Test Findings and Interpretation
- Summary and Conclusion
- Recommendations
- Signature and title of the Examiner
When writing the background / history section of a psych report, what are some of the key qualities?
Chronological Grouped by domain Relevant to referral question Clear and succinct Source always stated (esp if conflicting info)
Should the psychometric properties of tests be included in a psych assessment report?
As a general rule, only of the report will be used as a court document
In the test findings of a psych report, what two types of comparison should be mentioned relative to client performance?
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?
Should numerical values be included in the test results of a psych report?
No, test results should be reported only with reference to the descriptive performance categories provided by the test developer (e.g. High, Average, Low).
What are the 3 key characteristics of the recommendation section of a psych report?
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
