PSYCH 214-Lab: Psychodiagnostic Laboratory

 

 

TEST AS ASSESSMENT/DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS

 

A.      Basic principles in the use of Assessment/Diagnostic Tests

 

1)      tests are a sample of behavior

2)      Tests do not reveal traits or capacities directly

3)      Psychological maladjustments selectively and differentially affect the test’s scores.

4)      The psychometric and projective approaches, although distinguishable, are mutually complementary.

 

B.     CRITERIA FOR TESTS SELECTION

 

1)      It must be relevant to the problem

2)      Appropriate for the patient/client

3)      Familiar to the examiner

4)      Adaptable to the time available

5)      Valid and reliable

 

C.     NEED FOR BATTERY TESTING

 

1)      No single test proves to yield a diagnosis in all cases, or to be in all cases correct in the diagnosis it indicates.

2)      Psychological maladjustment whether mild or severe may encroach any or several of the functions tapped by the tests, leaving other functions absolutely or relatively unimpaired.

 

 

PREPARING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORT

Requires: Interpretation

 

·         Levels of Interpretation

 

Level - i *

 

Ψ There is minimal amount of any sort of interpretation

Ψ There is a minimal concern with intervening processes

Ψ Data are primarily treated in a sampling or correlate way

Ψ There is no concern with underlying constructs

Ψ Found in large-scale selection testing

Ψ For psychometric approaches

 

Level - II *

 

There are 2 kinds of interpretation:

1)      Descriptive generalizations

2)      Hypothetical Construct --- the assumption of an inner state which goes logically beyond the description of visible behavior

Level - III *

 

The effort is to develop a coherent and inclusive theory of the individual life or a “working image” of the patient. In terms of a general theoretical orientation, the clinician attempts a full-scale exploration of the individual’s personality, psychosocial situation, and developmental history.

 

 

A Psychological report must meet the following criteria:

 

1)      Clarity – written in language that can easily be understood.

2)      Meaningfulness of the report – perceived by the reader as clear and is understood by the reader

3)      Synthesis of the report – details are formed into broader concepts about the specific person

 

Y       What a psychological Report Consider or Include:

1)      INDUSTRIAL

a)      Identifying Information

b)      Test Results

c)      Skills and Abilities

d)      Personality Profile

e)      Summary/Recommendations

 

2)      CLINICAL

a)      personal Information

b)      Referral question

c)      Test administered

d)      Behavioral observation (Test and Interview)

e)      Test results and interpretation

f)        Summary formulation

g)      Diagnostic Impression

h)      Recommendation

 

Here are some principles of value in writing an individualized psychological report:

 

1)      Avoid mentioning general characteristics, which could describe almost anyone, unless the particular importance in the given case is made clear.

2)      Describe the particular attributes of the individual fully, using as distinctive terms as possible.

3)      Simple listing of characteristics is not helpful; tell how they are related and organized in the personality.

4)      Information should be organized developmentally with respect to the time line of the individual life.

5)      Many of the problems of poor reports, such as vague generalizations, overqualification, clinging to the immediate data, stating the obvious and describing stereotypes are understandable but undesirable reactions to uncertainty.

6)      Validate statements with actual behavioral responses.

7)      Avoid, if possible, the use of qualities such as “It appears”, “tends to”, etc. for these convey the psychologist’s uncertainties or indecisions.

8)      Avoid using technical terms. Present them using layman’s language.

 

Some Sources of Error in Psychological Interpretation

 

1)      Information Overload

2)      Schematization

3)      Insufficient internal evidence for interpretation

4)      Insufficient external verification of interpretation

5)      Overinterpretation

6)      Lack of Individualization

7)      Lack of Integration

8)      Overpathologizing

9)      Over-“psychologizing”

 

 

PORTRAYING THE INDIVIDUAL

 

Here is a part of a hypothetical report on a male college student, age 20, who came to a University Psychological Clinic.

 

Joe is a bright student who sometimes doubts his intellectual ability. Though he does reasonably well in his courses, he is fearful at examination time. When studying, he sometimes feels he is not learning anything, though later on he realizes that a fair amount of material was retained. He is uncertain in his relations with women classmates for fear that he cannot please them. He hesitates before making dates, though usually things turn out all right. Toward his family, he holds ambivalent attitudes; often welcoming their concern, other times wanting to be free from their control. At present, he is in an identity crisis. His future seems vague, and he is not sure what is really important. He is looking for meaning in philosophy, in rap sessions with friends, and by going to meetings of campus political groups. He has a conflict between hostile and dependent needs, sometimes acting aggressively, sometimes passively. He feels he is not assertive enough, but feels guilty when he takes advantage of someone. He should do well in psychotherapy with a sympathetic therapist, provided with a proper relationship develops. And so on.

 

 

 

Sample

 

Drug Rehabilitation Center

Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig, M.M.

 

Psychological report

 

I.                    Identifying Data

Name: Age:

Sex: Civil Status:

Educational Attainment:

 

II.                  Reason for referral:

-          Assessment of personality dynamics

 

III.                Psychological Tests administered

 

Date Administered

- Raven Progressive Matrices _______________

- SSCT _______________

- BGT _______________

- DAP _______________

- HTP _______________

- TAT _______________

 

IV.                Test Results and Interpretation

 

Psychological test revealed that the subject’s intellectual capacity falls within the superior level of intelligence, suggestive of his superior ability to perceive and integrate logical relationship among abstract concepts. Visual-motor coordination is fair with an above average retentive memory recall. No sign of psychosis.

Affective, the subject seems to be experiencing anxiety due to lack of mother figure and of his father’s illness. Difficulty in coping with emotional stresses is likewise noted, thus, exhibits weak personality. Maternal dependence for emotional support was verbalized. Low frustration is noted.

Socially, subject is apparently afraid or interpersonal relationship and feeling of inferiority emanating from his fellow drug patients, which caused him to be aloof. Moreover, he seems to have unsatisfying social status.

Sexually, subject identifies himself with the same sex.

 

V.                  Remarks and Recommendation

 

The said subject is suggested to join group dynamics, which can help him to uplift self-confidence and self-esteem. It is also recommended that he should undergo thought-stopping therapy.