Week 8

Question 1

The 4 S’s of interpretation

Answer 1

Scan

Sift

Synthesize

Summarize

This process builds the nomothetic backbone to structure key findings, and then modifies these interpretations based on idiographic response process considerations

Question 2

Scan (interpretive activities)

Answer 2

Quickly scan Profiles for high or low scores

• The red and black icons
• Should take a minute or less
• Start with Page 1 and move to Page 2

Goal is to be familiar with the scores before beginning formal interpretation
- Just so there are no surprises later

Question 3

Sift (interpretive activities)

Answer 3

Sift carefully through the interpretive possibilities for each variable
- Score by score, section by section, page by page

Go through the Interpretive handout indicator by indicator and pull out the possible interpretive meaning of each one.

Create a list of possible characteristics of the client

Begin grouping findings into themes

Question 4

Sifting vs. Synthesizing

Answer 4

Sifting:
- Refining the meaning of the specific score

Synthesizing:
- Linking information and inferences across scores

Reciprocal processes; not separate activities

Question 5

Complexity: Key variable to understand

What to do it high vs low

Answer 5

What does it mean for this individual?
- Is it as expected given other info?
- Consider reactions to the assessment context
- High is not necessarily healthy and low is not necessarily unhealthy

Recognize its likely impact on other scores; e.g.,
- When high, attend to what is not elevated
- When low, attend to codes & what is elevated
- If low (< 85) or high (> 115), use Complexity Adjusted scores
(But must understand what the level of complexity means for this person before removing its impact on other scores)

Question 6

Interpretive Activities: Synthesize

Answer 6

Consider how all the variables in each domain together help form an overall picture of the person’s functioning in that domain
- Being mindful that Page 2 variables have less empirical support

Actively challenge hypotheses and beware of confirmation bias
- Actively seek information to challenge or contextualize your inferences

Question 7

Interpretive Activities: Summarize

Answer 7

Formulate final answers to referral questions

Clarify uncertainties and contradictions and challenge inferences a final time

Focus on what was learned from administering this complex visual-spatial task, as well as what still needs to be determined
- Address strengths, not just limitations
- Attend to what is atypical or unique to the person, as well as any resources suggested by average-range scores