Psychological Assessment Prelims

Study Notes

Early roots trace back to twentieth-century France, notably through Alfred Binet's work in 1905.
Binet created a test aimed at appropriately classifying Paris schoolchildren for education.
An English version of Binet's test emerged within a decade for U.S. schools.
The U.S. military implemented psychological testing during World War I to assess recruits rapidly for intellectual and emotional conditions.
World War II saw an increased dependence on psychological tests for screening military personnel, leading to the development of diverse assessments measuring intelligence, personality, and various psychological and social factors.

Involves gathering and integrating psychology-related data to create evaluations through various methods, including tests, interviews, and observations.
Aims to interpret and derive meaning from the information gathered about clients.
Key tools for assessment include:
- Interviews
- Observations
- Questionnaires and surveys
- Review of records (Case History)

The process entails measuring psychology-related variables through established methods to obtain behavior samples.
Follows specific protocols outlined in manuals and involves designated time frames.
Types of tests include:
- Personality Tests
- Neuropsychological Tests

Testing focuses specifically on quantifying psychological variables, while assessment encompasses a broader evaluation integrating multiple data sources.

Educational Assessment: Evaluates abilities and skills linked to success in academic settings.
Retrospective Assessment: Analyzes psychological aspects of a person as they were at a previous point in time.
Remote Assessment: Gathers data and conclusions about a subject not physically present with the evaluators.
Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA): Assesses cognitive and behavioral variables in real-time, location-specific contexts.

Begins with a referral from sources like teachers, psychologists, counselors, or HR specialists, addressing specific questions.
Assessors may meet with the client or others before formal evaluation to clarify referral reasons.
Involves selecting appropriate assessment tools before conducting formal evaluations.
Findings are documented in a report tailored to answer the referral question, with potential feedback sessions scheduled afterward.
Assessment approaches vary; some assessors work with minimal client input while others advocate for a more collaborative approach.

Collaborative Psychological Assessment: Involves a partnership between assessor and client from initial contact to final feedback.
Therapeutic Psychological Assessment: Focuses on self-discovery and generating new insights during the assessment process.