Prac notes 8-10 Flashcards
What is a behavioural experiment
They are another way psychologist can help clients to test their beliefs and cognitive distortions – they are an information gathering exercise designed to test the accuracy of an individual’s beliefs or to test new beliefs
Behavioural experiments take different forms and can be broken down into
Hypothesis testing and observational forms
What is hypothesis testing in behavioural experiments
We consider our beliefs as hypotheses, predictions about the future and without carefully gathering evidence that these are unsupported but might still be strongly held
Hypothesis testing can help the person to challenge their own on helpful beliefs, allow the person to test a new more helpful belief in to collect and evaluate the evidence for both existing and new beliefs
What is a direct observation behavioural experiment
Sometimes an individual has a hypothesis about what might happen but does not feel capable of testing it directly for themselves
For example a person who holds the belief that they won’t be like if they say no to people might watch the psychologist say no to a request from the practice receptionist and observe what happens
What is information gathering from other sources in behavioural experiments
An example might be gathering information from the Internet – for example, a client with OCD has overestimated the dangerousness of driving a car so they may go on the Internet together more accurate information about the relative safety of driving their car
How do you plan a behavioural experiment
Step 1: identify the belief to be tested
Step 2: rate the strength of the belief
Step 3: plan and experiment that could test the belief
Step 4: identify any obstacles that could make it difficult to carry out the experiment
Step 5: Carry out the experiment
Step 6: Record the results
Step7: reflect on the results and re-rate how strongly the client believes in the original belief now
What is cultural competence
Being able to treat everyone in an affective, respectful and ethical manner means practising in a culturally competent manner
It is founded on three broad factors; knowledge, skills and critical self reflexivity
Explain the knowledge part of cultural competence
Understanding the nature and significance of a persons cultural background and being aware of factors that may have a negative impact in therapy
You need to know what differences they might be in communication styles and any perceptions that might influence the client therapist relationship
Explain the skills part of cultural competence
You need to develop generic skills to allow appropriate and respectful interactions you need to be able to distinguish when culture might be influencing presentation (trance vs. Psychosis) 
You need to be able to Select appropriate assessment if needed and knowing their limitations you also might need to consider using approaches that fall outside of the typical western skill set
Explain the critical self reflexivity part of cultural competence
Think about what your attitudes and beliefs are about people from other cultures, how you might appear to someone from another culture, how people from a given culture have previously experienced psychology and what you can do to Reduce tensions associated with these differences or beliefs
What is the mental status exam (MSE) 
It is a template that is routinely used in the collation an organisation of clinical information about a client presentation and functioning, based on observations of verbal and non-verbal behaviour, emotional state and cognitive function
It helps clinicians to consistently note all elements of a persons presentation and can be used as a foundation for writing up a report
What are the physical/behavioural aspects of the MSE
Appearance
Attitude
Behaviour (level of consciousness, degree of arousal, mannerisms)
Motor activity (psychomotor retardation, or agitation, Bradykinesia, hypokinesia, akinesia, tremor)
Speech (rate, intonation, spontaneity, articulation, volume, quantity, disturbances)
What are the emotional aspects of the MSE
Affect:
An external expression of an emotional state which can be observed by clinician such as fluctuations appropriateness, restricted use, blunted expression, flat, exaggerated
Mood:
Internal emotional experience
Irritable, elevated, anxious, depressed
Thought processes
Disorganised, quantity and speed, loose associations, bizarre
Thought content
Is there evidence of delusions, phobias, obsessions, preoccupations
Perception
Evidence of hallucinations or delusions, derealisation or depersonalisation
Orientation
Aware of time, place and self
Memory and concentration
Insight
Judgement
