Psy631 Psychological AssessmentCore ConceptsDiagnosis/LabelingAdvantages and Disadvantages of DiagnosisIn ContextSlide 6Slide 7Abnormal per cultureSlide 9Cultural Relativity TheoryMultiple CausalityOn a ContinuumSlide 13Neurons (Mind/Body)Data (Empiricism)Slide 16Science MethodologySlide 18What Is Psychological Abnormality?DevianceSlide 21EccentricityDistressDysfunctionDangerSlide 26The Assessment InterviewThe Assessment InterviewInterview vs. ConversationInterview GoalsSlide 31Psychometric considerationsHalo EffectsHalo EffectConfirmatory BiasUnstructured InterviewUnstructured InterviewsMinimum requirementsInterview PrepSlide 40Directive versus NondirectiveSequence of interview tacticsAvoidance of why questions.Structured InterviewsSlide 45Slide 461Psy631Psychological AssessmentThe Assessment InterviewDSM-IVWilliam P. Wattles, Ph.D.2Core Concepts•Diagnosis/Labeling•In Context•Abnormal per culture•Multiple Causality•On a Continuum•Neurons (Mind/Body Connection)•Data (Empiricism)3Diagnosis/Labeling•Diagnosis. The method or process by which the nature or category of an individual's disorder is determined4Advantages and Disadvantages of Diagnosis•Advantages:–Facilitate Treatment–Enhance Research–Improve Teaching•Disadvantages:–Oversimplifies complex problems–Diagnosis can stigmatize–Diagnosis can be demoralizing.5In Context•Behavior is only abnormal in a situational context.67In Context•Demographic contextual variables influence diagnosis, and treatment of abnormal behaviors. •Age•Race•Gender•Class•Culture8Abnormal per culture•Definitions of abnormal behavior vary across cultures and historical periods.•Cultural and historical relativism.910Cultural Relativity Theory•A theory stating that human behavior lies on a continuum and that it is the role of culture to limit the spectrum by defining acceptable forms of behavior.11Multiple Causality•Mental disorders can result from a variety of causes.•Different theoretical perspectives can contribute to the field.•Psychological•Biological•Internal•External12On a Continuum•Emotional and behavioral symptoms occur along a continuum that ranges from mild to severe. Also, many forms of abnormality are exaggerated versions of normal feelings and behaviors. Paranoia-Extreme, irrational distrust of others.1314Neurons (Mind/Body)•Brain abnormalities can cause emotional symptoms and emotional stress can cause physical symptoms.15Data (Empiricism)•Psychology is a science–Empirical data1617Science Methodology•Control and manipulation•Connectivity to current knowledge–Building upon existing base•Convergence of multiple sources–Different methods and progress•Probabilistic reasoning–Correlation and prediction•Multiple Causation and Interaction•The role of chanceFrom Stanovich, K. How to think straight about psychology18Science Methodology•Systematic Empiricism•Public Knowledge•Operationalism •The role of Theory–Falsifiability•Testimonials and case study evidence–Placebo•Correlation and CausalityFrom Stanovich, K. How to think straight about psychology19What Is Psychological Abnormality?•Many definitions have been proposed, yet none are universally accepted•Most definitions, however, share some common features…–“The Four Ds”•Deviance – Different, extreme, unusual•Distress – Unpleasant & upsetting•Dysfunction – Causes interference with life•Danger – Poses risk of harm20Deviance•No one had ever won the Tour de France six times.21Deviance•From what?–From behaviors, thoughts, and emotions considered normal in a specific place and time and by specific people–From social norms •Stated and unstated rules for proper conduct in a given society or culture•Examples?•Judgments of deviance also depend on specific circumstances (i.e., social context)22Eccentricity•Eccentric: Departing from a recognized, conventional, or established norm or pattern. See Synonyms at strange.23Distress•According to many clinical guidelines, behavior must be personally distressing before it can be labeled abnormal–Not always the case•Examples?24Dysfunction•Abnormal behavior tends to be dysfunctional – it interferes with daily functioning•Dysfunction alone does not mean abnormality.25Danger •Abnormal behavior may become dangerous to oneself or others–Behavior may be careless, hostile, or confused26Danger •Although cited as a feature of psychological abnormality, dangerousness is an exception rather than a rule27The Assessment Interview•Without Interview data, most psychological tests are meaningless.28The Assessment Interview•Behavioral Observations•Unique characteristics•Patient’s reaction to events•Rapport builder•Check against test validity29Interview vs. Conversation•Interview–Sequence–Organized–Discuss unpleasant subjects–One-sided•Conversational elements–Build rapport–Help Client relax–Observe social skills30Interview Goals•Assess:– strengths–Level of adjustment–Nature and history of problem–Diagnosis–Relevant personal and family history.31•Content Versus Process•Information explicitly given by client.•Information gleaned from observation.–i.e., dreams32Psychometric considerations•Interrater Reliability–Varies from .23 to .97–Dilemma of differing results –Interviews: structure versus flexibility33Halo Effects•Tendency of interviews to develop a general impression of a person and then infer other seemingly related characteristics. –NYT clipping–jurors34Halo Effect•May cause interview to exaggerate or minimize pathology.35Confirmatory Bias•Occurs when interviewer makes an inference and that directs the interview to confirm the inference.36Unstructured Interview•Data should be treated cautiously and hypotheses considered tentative needing further support. •Adding structure increases reliability.37Unstructured Interviews •Interviews allow clinicians to place test results in context. •Build rapport•Encourage client self-exploration38Minimum requirements•Interviewer must show:•Sincerity•Acceptance•Understanding•Genuine interest•Warmth •Positive regard39Interview Prep•Setting: lighting, comfortable seating, proper space, comfortable but tidy. •Introduce self and preferred manner of address•Explain purpose of interview, check client’s expectation. •Explain how interview and test data will be used.40Interview Prep•Explain