Psychological Assessment (Psy 012) To pass on March 24, 2013 (Sunday) 1.

Define and differentiate psychodiagnostic test and projective test. (10 pts) Psychodiagnostic testing enhances diagnostic accuracy by controlling for subjective opinion because it uses highly reliable, standardized tests that have been validated in clinical trials. For example: the reliability of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, which measures cognitive abilities and determines intelligence quotients, ranges from impressive .93 to .97. Because it is able to provide both accurate diagnostics and to grade the severity of impairment, psychodiagnostic testing helps the physician or psychiatrist to make pharmacological or psychotherapeutic treatment recommendations that have the highest likelihood of success. "Differential therapeutics", the prescription of effective treatments and proscription of ineffective ones, is the standard of care in contemporary medicine. Psychodiagnostic testing, because of its standardized and objective qualities, aids the practitioner in developing differential treatment recommendations. In psychology, a projective test is a type of personality test in which the individual offers responses to ambiguous scenes, words or images. This type of test emerged from the psychoanalytic school of thought, which suggested that people have unconscious thoughts or urges. These projective tests were intended to uncover such unconscious desires that are hidden from conscious awareness. 2. What are the different types of psychological tests? Define and differentiate each. (15 pts) Types of Psychological Tests Psychological tests can reveal information about an individual's personality, psychopathology, view of self and others, learning disabilities, cognitive abilities and more. These tests provide helpful information that can be used in a variety of different settings including in schools, in therapy to formulate treatment plans, in legal settings and in the workplace. 1. MMPI-2 o The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) is an extensive test that reveals information about the client's personality and psychopathology. Clinical scales include such categories as perception of health, family and mental illness. H-T-P

House Tree Person (H-T-P) is a test in which the client is given a blank piece of paper and asked to draw a house, tree and person. A series of questions are asked after the drawings in order to reveal how the clients views self, others and the world.

IQ Tests
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IQ tests are given to students at a young age in order to find out their Intelligence Quotients as well as cognitive impairments. Schools may administer these to determine whether students require special education programs.

Beck Depression Inventory

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The Beck Depression Inventory is used in therapy settings to determine whether clients meet the requirements for a diagnosis of depression.

Myers-Briggs
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The Myers-Briggs is a test that reveals basic traits of an individual's personality. Clients are tested on their rate of introversion and extroversion, whether they are sensing or intuitive among others. This test is often used in the workplace in order to improve team member dynamics.

Hare Psychopathy Checklist

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Dr. Robert Hare developed the Hare Psychopathy Checklist as a diagnostic tool to determine whether someone meets the characteristics of a psychopath. Traits include disregard for the law, lack of conscience, lack of remorse and lack of empathy. This test is frequently used in prisons and psychiatric hospitals.

There are several types of psychological test batteries which are offered at Veridian Behavioral Health. Giftedness Testing: Giftedness testing is done when a child or adolescent seems to be exceptionally bright, and placement in special programs for talented children is available. ADHD / Learning Disability Screening: Testing for ADHD and learning disabilities involves an in-depth assessment of ones IQ, academic and attention skills, and personality style. With information collected in all of these areas, the psychologists are able to understand whether some of the patients problems may be due to ADHD and/or other psychological problems.

Cognitive Functioning / Memory Testing: The evaluation of cognitive functioning is usually carried out in adults who are experiencing difficulties with memory loss or daily functioning. Often, there are questions regarding the possible presence of Alzheimers disease or some other type of memory problem. Personality Testing: Testing of this type is needed when an individual is having difficulty coping with life in such a manner that suggests they are experiencing difficulties within the core of their personalities. Testing will help them learn about themselves and how to make positive growth in their life. Pervasive Developmental Disorder Testing: There are times when a child, adolescent or even adults behavior suggests the presence of a pervasive developmental disorder, such as Autism or Aspergers Disorder. Testing is essential in these cases as the proper diagnosis is necessary for early intervention.

3. Based on our discussion, how do you understand psychological assessment? (5 pts) Psychological assessment is a process of testing that uses a combination of techniques to help arrive at some hypotheses about a person and their behavior, personality and capabilities. Psychological assessment is also referred to as psychological testing, or performing a psychological battery on a person. Psychological testing is nearly always performed by a licensed psychologist, or a psychology trainee (such as an intern). Psychologists are the only profession that is expertly trained to perform and interpret psychological tests. Psychological assessment should never be performed in a vacuum. A part of a thorough assessment of an individual is that they also undergo a full medical examination, to rule out the possibilities of a medical, disease or organic cause for the individuals symptoms. Its often helpful to have this done first, before psychological testing (as it may make psychological testing moot).

Clinical Psychology (Psy 009) To pass on March 24, 2013 (Sunday) 1. Define what is psychotherapy in the context of treatment? (10 pts) Psychotherapy is a general term for treating mental health problems by talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health provider. During psychotherapy, you learn about your condition and your moods, feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Psychotherapy helps you learn how to take control of your life and respond to challenging situations with healthy coping skills. There are many specific types of psychotherapy, each with its own approach. The type of psychotherapy that's right for you depends on your individual situation. Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy, counseling, psychosocial therapy or, simply, therapy.

2. How many psychotherapeutic approaches are being utilized in the field of clinical psychology? What are these? (10 pts)

Approaches to psychotherapy fall into five broad categories:

Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapies. This approach focuses on changing problematic behaviors, feelings, and thoughts by discovering their unconscious meanings and motivations. Psychoanalytically oriented therapies are characterized by a close working partnership between therapist and patient. Patients learn about themselves by exploring their interactions in the therapeutic relationship. While psychoanalysis is closely identified with Sigmund Freud, it has been extended and modified since his early formulations. Psychoanalytic therapies have a strong research base confirming their efficacy. Behavior therapy. This approach focuses on learning's role in developing both normal and abnormal behaviors.
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Ivan Pavlov made important contributions to behavior therapy by discovering classical conditioning, or associative learning. Pavlov's famous dogs, for example, began drooling when they heard their dinner bell, because they associated the sound with food. "Desensitizing" is classical conditioning in action: A therapist might help a client with a phobia through repeated exposure to whatever it is that causes anxiety.

Another important thinker was E.L. Thorndike, who discovered operant conditioning. This type of learning relies on rewards and punishments to shape people's behavior. Several variations have developed since behavior therapy's emergence in the 1950s. One variation is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which focuses on both thoughts and behaviors.

Cognitive therapy. Cognitive therapy emphasizes what people think rather than what they do.
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Cognitive therapists believe that it's dysfunctional thinking that leads to dysfunctional emotions or behaviors. By changing their thoughts, people can change how they feel and what they do. Major figures in cognitive therapy include Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck.

Humanistic therapy. This approach emphasizes people's capacity to make rational choices and develop to their maximum potential. Concern and respect for others are also important themes.
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Humanistic philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre, Martin Buber and Sren Kierkegaard influenced this type of therapy. Three types of humanistic therapy are especially influential. Client-centered therapy rejects the idea of therapists as authorities on their clients' inner experiences. Instead, therapists help clients change by emphasizing their concern, care and interest. Gestalt therapy emphasizes what it calls "organismic holism," the importance of being aware of the here and now and accepting responsibility for yourself. Existential therapy focuses on free will, self-determination and the search for meaning.

Integrative or holistic therapy. Many therapists don't tie themselves to any one approach. Instead, they blend elements from different approaches and tailor their treatment according to each client's needs.

3. Based on our discussion, what is the relevance of clinical psychology? Its application? And limitations? (10 pts) To assess a client, a clinical psychologist may undertake a clinical assessment, using a variety of methods including, psychometric tests, interviews and direct observation of behaviour. Assessment may lead to therapy, counselling or advice. Due to their high level of research skills, clinical psychologists undertake the role of scientist-

practitioner, as an innovator and applied researcher, adding to the evidence base of practice in a variety of health care settings. Clinical psychologists may undertake further training to work as a high intensity therapist as part of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service. Clinical psychologists who work as psychotherapists often utilize different treatment approaches when working with clients. While some clinicians focus on a very specific treatment outlook, many use what is referred to as an eclectic approach. This involves drawing on different theoretical methods to develop the best treatment plan for each individual client.