Psychometrics and Assessment Skills Flashcards
What is psychological assessment?
Can include testing, but is more comprehensive than just giving someone a test. Clinical assessment typically includes;
An interviews/session where a therapist asks about current problems
Observing the person in a particular setting
A test to measure symptoms
A checklist to ensure therapist has gathered all relevant details.
Reviewing collateral info.
WHERE AND WHY
In clinical psych.?
Diagnosing clinical disorders and mental health issues
Assessing the risk and severity of symptoms
Measuring efficacy of treatment interventions
WHERE AND WHY
In neuropsych.?
Assessment of behaviours and functional changes associated with neurological illness or injury.
Measuring efficacy of treatment interventions
Measuring specific cognitive functions
WHERE AND WHY
In organisational/HR?
Assessing suitability for particular role (e.g. aptitude tests)
Measuring performance.
WHERE AND WHY
In educational/developmental?
Assessing learning abilities (giftedness, learning disorders)
Observing and managing classroom behaviour
Measuring developmental stages.
WHERE AND WHY
In Health?
Assessment of motivation/ability to change health related behaviours Chronic pain management Pre surgery (e.g. before plastic surgery is there a body image disorder)
WHERE AND WHY
In Forensic?
Assessing risk
Behavioural issues
Impact reports.
What are important things to look for when interviewing?
Bodily behaviour (slouched/fidgety)
Eye behaviour (avoiding eye contact)
Emotional tone
Physiological responses (blushing/shaking)
General appearance (hair brushed, clothing style)
- Not just about what people say, it is also what they don’t say*
What are some important things to consider about how you conduct yourself?
Facial expression
Voice-related behaviour (tone, pitch, volume, speed)
Space (physical distance between C & T)
General presentation
Important to present yourself in a way that makes them feel comfortable and that they can trust you
What is bodily behaviour unpacked?
S = face the client squarely
O = adopt and open posture
L = remember that it Is possible to lean towards the other person
E = Maintain good eye contact
R = try to be relatively relaxed or natural in these behaviours.
What is the clinical treatment process?
- Initial assessment
- Case formualtion
- Treatment planning
- Implement plan
- Monitoring progress
- prepare for closure
- closure
What does initial assessment involve?
Why has this person come to see you? gather relevant information from various sources (e.g. school, family) but this is not always necessary.
What does case formulation involve?
Makes initial diagnosis, think about what factors might be contributing to current concerns. As you go through, reevaluate as new information continues to be added.
What does treatment planning involve?
Develop an evidence based treatment plan that is concrete, with specific goals and clear steps describing how to get to those goals.
It is important to always explain to the client what is happening.
What does implementing a plan involve?
Talking through the plan and initiate it.
What does monitoring progress involve?
This helps both you and the client to be able to look back and see how things have or have not improved.
This can boost peoples confidence.
What does preparing for closure involve?
What might happen when therapy ends? How might we reduce the risk of relapse?
What does closure involve?
Provide advice on how to ensure continued wellbeing.
What should be covered in initial assessment?
Identifying info about the client. General appearance and demeanour History related to the presenting problems Past psychiatric/psychological/counselling history Educational and job history Health (medical) history Social/developmental history Family history.
It is important to begin with the least threatening topics
What is Psychometrics?
It is a branch os psychology that deals with the design, administration, and interpretation of quantitative tests for the measurement of psychological variable.
What is psychological testing?
administering some form of test (pen and paper, computerised) often as part of a broader assessment.
How can interpretation of scores occur?
A test may have a cut off (passing the cut off score may indicate pathology)
A person might be tested repeatedly to see if there is a change in scores.
An individuals test score might be compared to how a large number of other have scored to see if the person is above average, below average, or average (known as the norm referenced test)
What might be an example of a self-report test?
Personality, emotional state, aptitude testing, Pain
What might be an example of a performance test?
Memory recall, block test (spatial awareness)
What are some things to think about when testing?
Is this test appropriate for the person
Is this a good test?
Are you using the test appropriately?
Is this person administering it appropriately qualified/train?
Is this test process ethical?
Have all details been appropriately recorder?
Have the results been clearly explained to the person/other agencies?
How do you know if the test is appropriate for the person?
Age, gender, physical ability, norms and diagnostic all need to be taken into account when delivering a test.
