week 1

Question 1

Psychological Assessment

Answer 1

a processes that uses both nomothetic and ideographic means to understand a subject and their behavior in context;

Question 2

Goal of Psychological Assessment

Answer 2

to guide treatment planning

inform decision-making about the client

help the client understand themself in a way that ameliorate the problems in their life

Question 3

Nomothetic

Answer 3

part of variance in a quality that is shared by people

Question 4

Idiographic

Answer 4

part of variance that is unique to the individual

Question 5

traditional objective tests

Answer 5

structured stimulus (a specific statement)

limited set of externally provided answers (true/false, likert scale)

does not rely on scorer’s judgment to classify the response (scored according to a preexisting key)

Question 6

objective tests ignore …

Answer 6

the test takers willingness to be honest/malingering

test takers lack of self knowledge, response style, halo effect and scapegoating effect

imperfections in the test (ambiguity, psychometrics etc)

Question 7

replaced objective tests

Answer 7

self-report tests

can be differentiated by type of informant (self typically) but also can be parent questionnaire, spouse questionnaire, teacher questionnaire etc

Question 8

Projective tests

Answer 8

refers to ambiguous stimulus or activity (inkblot)

test takers generate a response with minimal guidance; puts forward elements of their habits and personality; interpretation requires subjectivity

Question 9

which test fits classical definition of projective tests and why

Answer 9

rorschach inkblot method

ambiguity and infinite answers

Question 10

Rorschach scoring

Answer 10

involves stimulus classification and problem solving styles more than projection

scoring strictly limits subjectivity

Question 11

modified use of projective tests

Answer 11

we distinguish between two types
1) projective tests
2) performance based personality tests

Question 12

projective tests (type)

Answer 12

rely exclusively on projection (house-tree-person, thematic apperceptions tests, Roberts picture story)

Question 13

Performance based personality tests

Answer 13

have substantial nomothetic aspects
Rorschach, Wartegg Drawing Completion, Adult attachment projective

Question 14

Attributes of a good test

Answer 14

clear instructions for administering, scoring, and interpreting
efficient use (incremental validity)
accurate
- reliability: consistency
- validity: measures what its supposed to

Question 15

Purpose of personality assessments

Answer 15

• describe current functioning
• confirm, refute or modify impressions
• Identify therapeutic needs
• aid in differential dx
• monitor treatment
• manage risk
• effective short term therapeutic intervention
• guard against bias/human thinking errors

Question 16

best defenses against inaccurate conclusions

Answer 16

using valid/reliable measures (guard against biases)
multi-method assessment
collaborative/therapeutic assessment

Question 17

reasons NOT to do assessment

Answer 17

reaching beyond our limits
invading privacy
collecting data too limited to draw conclusions
data will be misused
over-generalizing
inefficient use of money
when feedback will NOT be provided

Question 18

What is personality

Answer 18

an individuals unique constellation of psychological traits and states

Question 19

traits

Answer 19

relatively enduring ways in which one person varies from another
at least somewhat situation-dependent
perfect consistency will not be found; no absolute standards

Question 20

states

Answer 20

temporary (unlike traits which are enduring)

Question 21

Personality (Meyer Erdberg)

Answer 21

a bio-psycho-social construct
relatively stable set of attitudes and behaviors that make each person unique
product of complex interaction of nature nurture and context

Question 22

personality disorders (Meyer Erdberg)

Answer 22

maladaptive extremes of normal personality characteristics
deviate markedly from expectation of an individual’s culture

Question 23

States v Traits debate: Mischel

Answer 23

traits are not very important determinants of behavior, rather the context of the behavior is most important

Question 24

States v Traits debate: Bandura

Answer 24

traits theorists neglect the functionality of a behavior in a particular situation (reinforcement etc)

Question 25

States v Traits debate: Wachtel

Answer 25

traits are important; differing experiences cause people to see similar situations differently, or different situations similarly; traits can influence the kinds of situations we put ourselves in

Question 26

underlying assumptions in assessment

Answer 26

1. traits and states do exist 2. traits and states can be quantified and measured 3. various approaches to measuring aspects of the same thing are a vital part of the assessment process (multi-method) 4. assessment can provide insight to important issues that are not efficiently available otherwise 5. various sources of error are part of the assessment process 6. tests and other measurement techniques all have strengths and weaknesses 7. test-related behavior predicts non-test related behavior 8. present day behavior sampling predicts future behavior 9. testing and assessment can be conducted in fair and unbiased manner 10. testing and assessment benefit individuals and society

Question 27

personality dimensions: NEO-PI big 5

Answer 27

1. neuroticism 2. extraversion 3. openness to experience 4. agreeableness 5. conscientiousness

Question 28

methods of personality assessment

Answer 28

self report performance based behavioral

Question 29

methods of personality assessment: self report

Answer 29

true/false Lickert scale force choice Q sort technique adjective checklist

Question 30

methods of personality assessment: Performance based

Answer 30

sentence completion inkblot picture stories drawings

Question 31

methods of personality assessment: behavioral

Answer 31

actual exercises behavioral observations role play physiological methods

Question 32

Methods of self-report construction

Answer 32

rational factorial empirical

Question 33

Methods of self-report construction: Rational

Answer 33

items are written to capture understanding of what a trait is Characteristics: tend to be face valid, susceptible to responses biases (easily faked), may not be internally consistent or valid

Question 34

Methods of self-report construction: factorial

Answer 34

items are selected on the basis of factor analysis Characteristics: highly internally consistent, tends to be face valid, somewhat susceptible to response bias

Question 35

Methods of self-report construction: empirical

Answer 35

items are selected on their ability to empirically distinguish one group from another Characteristics: often have low internal consistency, items are not face valid, may be less susceptible to response bias