Comprehensive Guide to Psychological Assessment and DSM-5 Revisions

What is the definition of a mental disorder according to the DSM?

A clinically significant disturbance in cognition, emotion regulation, and behavior.

What theory combines value and scientific components in defining disorders?

Harmful Dysfunction theory.

What does the term 'harmful' refer to in the context of mental disorders?

A value term based on social norms.

What is the role of the medical model in the DSM?

It categorically lists and defines each disorder with specific symptoms.

What significant change was made in the DSM-5 compared to previous editions?

Dropped the multiaxial assessment system and added new disorders.

Name one new disorder added in the DSM-5.

Premenstrual dysmorphic disorder.

What is the purpose of an intake interview?

To determine whether a client needs treatment and what form of treatment is needed.

What is the primary focus of a diagnostic interview?

To assign DSM diagnoses to the client's problems.

What are the advantages of structured interviews?

Produces diagnoses based explicitly on DSM criteria, is empirically sound, and standardized.

What is a key disadvantage of structured interviews?

Rigidity inhibits rapport and does not allow for inquiries outside DSM categories.

What is the purpose of mental status exams?

To capture psychological and cognitive processes of an individual at a specific moment.

What is a crisis interview designed to assess?

Problems demanding urgent attention, such as suicidal thoughts.

What is the five-factor model of personality?

A model that includes neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness.

What are some basic skills important for effective interviewing?

Being self-aware, maintaining eye contact, and displaying appropriate body language.

What is the difference between directive and nondirective questioning approaches?

Directive questioning targets specific information, while nondirective allows clients to choose topics.

What is a potential risk of using only a directive questioning approach?

It could sacrifice rapport in favor of gathering information.

What is the significance of the DSM's emphasis on empirical research?

It enhances the reliability and validity of diagnoses.

What cultural considerations are important in defining mental disorders?

Cultures and values of those defining disorders influence the definitions produced.

What is a common criticism of the DSM-5?

It may promote diagnostic inflation and mislabel normal behaviors as disorders.

What is one technique used in effective interviewing?

Paraphrasing or reflecting the context of the client's statements.

What is the role of field trials in the DSM revision process?

To test the reliability and validity of proposed changes before they are finalized.

What is the purpose of a safety plan in psychological assessment?

To provide immediate and effective intervention.

Name two key components of establishing rapport in interviews.

Quickly establishing rapport and expressing empathy.

What are the advantages of unstructured interviews?

They help build rapport and capture interpersonal aspects not covered in structured formats.

What is the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS)?

A test that measures a broader range of abilities, including verbal skills, attention, and visual memory, taking 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

What does the Wechsler Memory Scale - Fourth Edition (WMS-IV) assess?

Visual and auditory memory across seven subtests, including immediate and delayed recall.

What is multimethod assessment in personality evaluation?

Using multiple methods, such as interviews, behavioral observation, and self-reports, to gather comprehensive information.

What criteria should be used for evidence-based assessment?

Strong psychometrics, validity, clinical utility, sufficient normative data, and sensitivity to diversity issues.

What are projective personality tests?

Tests that use ambiguous stimuli to elicit open-ended responses, based on the assumption that clients reveal their personalities through interpretation.

What is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2)?

A widely used objective personality test that consists of 567 self-descriptive sentences scored as true or false.

What is the focus of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-IV?

It is a comprehensive personality test designed for adults, emphasizing personality disorders.

What does the NEO Personality Inventory assess?

Normal personality characteristics based on the Big Five model: neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness.

What is a concern regarding the NEO Personality Inventory?

It lacks validity scales and is vulnerable to client faking or inattention.

What is the primary focus of behavioral assessment?

Client behaviors are seen as the problems, rather than signs of underlying issues.

What is analogue observation in behavioral assessment?

A systematic observation method that identifies and defines target behaviors.

What is the Beck Depression Inventory-II?

A self-report test to assess depressive symptoms, consisting of 21 items listed in order of increasing severity.

What is a potential issue with self-report questionnaires?

Response bias, including social desirability and central tendency bias.

What does cultural competence in assessment refer to?

The ability to understand and respect cultural differences in the assessment process.

What is cultural malpractice in psychological assessment?

The overpathologizing of individuals based on cultural biases.

What are the disadvantages of structured interviews?

They may miss interpersonal aspects and limit the depth of understanding.

What is the significance of the term 'self-report' in assessments?

It refers to methods where clients provide information about themselves, often through questionnaires.

What is forensic psychology?

The application of psychological methods and principles within the legal system.

What are some common assessments conducted in forensic psychology?

Child custody, competency, presentencing evaluations, parole decisions, personal injury lawsuits, workers' compensation hearings, preemployment screenings, guardianship cases, and Social Security Disability evaluations.

What are the primary assessment techniques used in forensic psychology?

Clinical interviews, diagnostic interviews, neuropsych tests, intelligence tests, personality tests, and malingering tests.

What is the importance of a multimethod approach in forensic assessments?

It ensures a comprehensive understanding by integrating various methods and perspectives.

What does the term 'Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity' (NGRI) imply?

It indicates that an individual was unable to control their actions due to a mental disorder and is treated rather than imprisoned.

What is the M'Naghten test?

The first legal standard focusing on the cognitive ability of the defendant to determine insanity.

What role does a guardian ad litem play in child custody evaluations?

They act as a neutral party to ensure the child's rights are protected, meeting with involved individuals and third parties.

What is the 'best interest of the child doctrine'?

A legal principle guiding child custody evaluations to prioritize the child's welfare.

What are the common childhood disorders addressed in forensic psychology?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and separation anxiety disorder.

What is the significance of environmental and parental factors in child assessments?

They are crucial for understanding the context of a child's psychological problems.

What are the two-step processes for commitment to mental institutions?

Initial emergency admission by a clinician followed by judicial approval for continued confinement.

What is the base rate problem in predicting dangerous behavior?

It refers to the challenge of accurately predicting true-positive and true-negative outcomes in cases with high base rates of behavior.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of behavior rating scales?

Advantages include convenience and objectivity; disadvantages include restricted responses and potential inadequacy in capturing behaviors.

What is the purpose of self-report scales in psychological assessments?

They are used to gather information from adolescents through true/false statements or other response formats.

What are some commonly used self-report scales?

MMPI, PAI, and MCMI.

What is the role of clinical interviews in forensic assessments?

To gather detailed histories and insights from the individuals involved.

What is the importance of establishing rapport in interviews with children?

It helps children feel comfortable and encourages open communication.

What are projective tests and why are they generally not used?

They include techniques like the Rorschach Inkblot Method and TAT, but lack evidence-based support.

What is the difference between cross-sectional and longitudinal study designs?

Cross-sectional studies analyze data at one point in time, while longitudinal studies track changes over time.

What is a randomized clinical trial?

A study that tests the outcome of a specific therapy on a diagnosis by comparing groups.

What is the purpose of meta-analysis in research?

To combine results from separate studies to create a comprehensive summary of findings.

What is the significance of technology in research?

It enhances data collection methods, such as e-mail surveys and actigraphs for sleep studies.

What are dispositional variables in forensic assessments?

Demographic factors such as gender that may influence behavior and assessments.

What does the term 'malingering' refer to in forensic psychology?

The act of feigning or exaggerating symptoms for personal gain, often evaluated during assessments.

What is the role of clinical judgment in forensic assessments?

It involves the evaluator's experience and expertise in interpreting assessment results.

What is the importance of a pluralistic approach in assessing children?

It emphasizes using multiple sources, methods, and settings to gain a comprehensive understanding of the child.