S - Issues for Classifying and Diagnosing Flashcards
What is reliability?
Consistency
If a diagnosis is repeated, we should find the same results
What is validity?
Accuracy
If a diagnosis of schizophrenia is given, we would expect that it is accurate and the person does actually have it
Why is two diagnostic systems an issue?
DSM and ICD
Particularly a problem prior to the 1970’s where there was a significant difference in prevalence rate in different countries
Diagnosis = inreliable
Why is inter-rater reliability an issue?
Should not matter what doctor diagnoses a patient, they should all reach the same conclusion/diagnosis
Not always high - unreliable/invalid
Why is lack of objective testing an issue?
Most psychiatric disorders don’t have a test that definitely determines if someone has it or not
Most diagnoses are based on self-reports which are not always accurate (social desirability)
Why is bias an issue?
Social class - diagnosis is more prevalent among those in lower socio-economic groups
Ethnicity is also a factor
What is a problem with Becks study?
Conducted in 1967 using DSMll and DSM - changes have since been made
