WK1 Introduction to Psych Assessment

Question 1

What are the major categories of tests?

Answer 1

Different divisions 1) Content [mental ability, personality, achievement, interests and attitudes, neuropsychology] 2) Other (paper + pencil/ performance, Speed/ Power, Norm-/ Criterion- Referenced)

Question 2

Describe Mental Ability category and a specific test. Including reference to the construct it is designed to measure and a common purpose for its use.

Answer 2

COGNITIVE FUNCTION
WAIS
IQ test for 16-90 y.o. testing 4 domains: verbal comp., perceptual reason/g, WM, and processing
Assessment of academic or occupational difficulties
(also OSLAT/ Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale)

Question 3

Describe Achievement category and a specific test. Including reference to the construct it is designed to measure and a common purpose for its use.

Answer 3

PREVIOUS LEARNING
WIAT-III
Test of achivement/ or specific areas of need for 4-50y.o. (reading, math, writing, oral language)
Useful for identifying academic strengths and weaknesses, and in planning intervention and solutions to any problem areas (esp. in conjunction with WISC-V)

Question 4

Describe Personality category and a specific test. Including reference to the construct it is designed to measure and a common purpose for its use.

Answer 4

TRAITS, TEMPERAMENT, DISPOSITION
1) Objective > MMPI tests adult personality and psychopathology
> BDI tests for the presence and severity of depression
2) Projective > Rorshach Inkblot Tests

Question 5

Describe Interests and Attitudes category and a specific test. Including reference to the construct it is designed to measure and a common purpose for its use.

Answer 5

Interests and Attitudes towards vocations, topics, groups, practices

Question 6

Describe Neuropsychology category and a specific test. Including reference to the construct it is designed to measure and a common purpose for its use.

Answer 6

BRAIN FUNCTIONING

e.g. learning and memory

Question 7

Difference between Paper and Pencil VS. Performance Tests?

Answer 7

Paper and Pencil > responds to a set of q., e.g. multiple choice, True/ False
Performance > required to complete an action

Question 8

Difference between Speed VS. Power Tests?

Answer 8

Speed > How many can be completed in set time
> How much time required for response
Power > Stimulus is challenging and there is either no or a generous time limit (Testing the limits of knowledge)
NB: there can be overlap

Question 9

Difference between Norm- VS. Criterion-Referenced Tests?

Answer 9

Norm- > How individual compares to others from a normative sample
Criterion- > There is a clearly defined criterion regardless of other people’s scores (emphasises diagnostic method to spot issues and intervene)

Question 10

Why might psychological testing be used in clinical setting?

Answer 10

Used by? Clinical, school or clinical neuropsychologists
To help? People who has or may have a problem
E.g.? identify nature/ severity, solutions to best deal with condition, and track progress
E.g. MMPI is it mild or comples, what is the treatment baseline and is there progress a few months down the road?

Question 11

Why might psychological testing be used in educational setting?

Answer 11

Tested as? Both individual and group
To help? Diagnose learning disorders and problem areas, test achievement
E.g.? NAPLAN, WIAT-III (specific learning difficulties), WISC-V (intellectual disability, strengths and weaknesses), U.S.A.s’ SAT (Stanford Achievement Test), UNSW’s LSAT

Question 12

Why might psychological testing be used in employment/ personnel setting?

Answer 12

Used for? Testing key skills or attributes that might be predictive of an employee’s future success
E.g.? General Ability, Personality, Interpersonal Skills?

Question 13

Why might psychological testing be used in research setting?

Answer 13

Used for? operationalise the outcome to be measured e.g. Wechsler Memory Scale
Used for? Describing the research sample e.g. BDI for an elderly population
Used for? Assess psychometric property of the tests themselves e.g. The Royal Children’s hospital developed PEERS (Paediatric Evaluation of Emotions, Relationships and Socialisation) for children with traumatic brain injury

Question 14

What are the Four Assumptions underpinning psychological testing?

Answer 14

1) People differ in important traits > the differences are in fact different > hence they will have predictive value e.g. on memory, extraversion, depression
2) We can QUANTIFY such traits > on a continuum > we can say how did you ‘test’/’measure’ that quality
3) Traits are reasonably stable > stability is required for a test to have any use
4) Measures of the trait relate to actual behaviour > theoretically just need to measure, practically it is important for it to relate to behaviour

Question 15

What is the Differential Perspective?

Answer 15

Although psychology attempts to form general ‘laws’ and generalisations, important to note that the answers might differ for different people and really aren’t universally true all of the time

Question 16

Define Psychological Testing? 6 Common Elements?

Answer 16

A: A standardised process or device that yields information about a
sample of behaviour or cognitive process in a quantified manner
Elements 1. A procedure or device 2. Yields information 3. Behaviour or cognitive process are targets 4. Sample-based (hence we need validity and reliability) 5. Standardised (set rules and procedures)
6. Quantified (we use numbers to determine things like competence/ not, WM etc.)

Question 17

Define Psychological Assessment?

Answer 17

“gathering and integration of psychology‐related data for the purpose of making a
psychological evaluation….. accomplished through the use of tools such as tests,
interviews, case studies, behavioural observations” i.e. not just one method to best make clinical judgement i.e. whole person understanding

Question 18

How does Psychological Testing differ from Psychological Assessment? Objective Process Role of Evaluator Skill of Evaluator Outcome

Answer 18

measure attribute vs. answer referral question
determining performance without reference to client’s approach to task vs. testing PLUS focuses on HOW client performs the task
tester is not key vs. tester IS key
Admin, score and interpret test result vs. select tests, evaluation and integration of data
test score/s vs. answer to a referral question from gathering data

Question 19

What are the four main stages of the psychological assessment process? and associated key practical considerations?

Answer 19

1. Initial Referral
2. Test Selection
3. Conducting Formal Assessment
4. Feedback and Report Writing
5. Be specific about referral q. e.g. does the child have a learning disbility? What strategies can they use to help focus? And form initial hypotheses
6. Is informed by clinician’s prior experience and education and training > e.g. what type of dementia? use tests of new learning and memory > consider its validity and reliability, are the tests suitable for clients unique background, is there enough funding, is it tedious/ comfortable level?
7. need to consider number of sessions, level of client focus and who else is allowed in the room
8. Report to referrer (formal) may be face to face with client&raquo_space; may lead on to further assessment, especially regarding progress and usefulness of prescribed answer
   OTHER PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
   - most appropriate test for client
   - training of clinician + familiarity with test
   - good environment for testing
   - clients comfort e.g. need glasses, hearing aid
   - testing duration (should be shorter for kids and elderly)
   - therapist/ client rapport (anxiety/ mood/ etc. can affect test results)

Question 20

What is and what is the purpose of a formal psychological report? Good qualities? Why might it vary in length/ style?

Answer 20

1. Psychological report is the end product of the overall assessment process
2. Primary purpose of report: answer the referral question and outline the next steps for addressing identified difficulties
3. Good qualities: account of current difficulties and context, logical framework leading to recommendations, coherent narrative
4. depending on purpose and complexity

Question 21

Describe Identifying data section?

Answer 21

clearly delineated textbox, basic information and dates of assessment

Question 22

Describe Referral Question Section?

Answer 22

provides framework for the rest of the report
> orienting sentence > brief description of problem > brief purpose of referral plus issues/ upcoming decisions relating to client

Question 23

Describe bg/ history Section?

Answer 23

Context for assessment results, needs to state source of the information and be RELEVANT and SUCCINCT, information grouped by domain and chronological in each domain e.g. history of problem and impact, changes in behaviour, important life events, past and present interpersonal relationships, education and work, medical history, summary of other assessments, developmental milestones, substance abuse, clients own perception

Question 24

Describe bg/ history Section?

Answer 24

Context for assessment results, needs to state SOURCE of the information and be RELEVANT and SUCCINCT, information grouped by domain and chronological in each domain e.g. history of problem and impact, changes in behaviour, important life events, past and present interpersonal relationships, education and work, medical history, summary of other assessments, developmental milestones, substance abuse, clients own perception

Question 25

Describe behavioural obs./ presentation Section?

Answer 25

Abbreviated Mental Status Examination (MSE)
Often a single paragraph. May include; appearance, mood, attitude to processes, rapport, conversation, motivation, attention and concentration, motor abilities, validity of assessment comment, include any contradictions

Question 26

Describe list of evaluation procedures Section?

Answer 26

List of formal tests. Onlu include psychometric properties if used in court document. simple and straightforward.

Question 27

Describe test findings and interpretation Section?

Answer 27

Main body of report, for crucual info. Rquires careful thought. Group by domains (sometimes by hypotheses) part of the interpretation is determining how certain you are about it and looking at multiple sources to integrate and conclude.
Can comment by
1) Normative comparison (compare to others)
2) Personal comparison (consistent performance or strengths and weaknesses pattern?
NB: Do not include actual test scores (unless have explanation of test and scoring). It is more useful to describe using (avg, below avg, high avg) etc.

Question 28

Describe summary and conclusion section?

Answer 28

Summarises information. Can’t just copy sentences. Needs to integrate. Is there a solid conclusion? Shouldn’t be lengthy or repetitice. Conclusion should go further than interpretation. Should be punchy.
NB: not all conclusions point to diagnosis.. might say “considering X factors” contribute to presentation

Question 29

Describe recommendations section? Primary function? Key qualities of a good recommendation?

Answer 29

Should be specific to referral question and very tailored to the individual. Client centred approach. Outline steps to solve problem that are evidence-based. Often most re-visited section. Should be CLEAR PRACTICAL and OBTAINABLE