Exam 3 studyguide

flashcards

How is personality defined?

Personality is defined as an individual's unique constellation of psychological traits that are relatively stable over time, encompassing values, interests, attitudes, world view, identity, and sense of humor.

What is a personality profile?

A personality profile can be represented negatively or graphically, providing insights into an individual's psychological makeup.

What are personality states?

Personality states are temporary exhibitions of personality features, such as feeling anxious before a job interview or optimistic after receiving good news.

What are personality traits?

Personality traits are enduring characteristics that differentiate individuals, such as being generally introverted or extroverted, which can vary based on context and culture.

What are personality types?

Personality types are categories that describe individuals with similar patterns of traits and states, such as 'Type A' or 'Type B' personalities.

What are the advantages of self-report measures in personality testing?

Self-report measures provide an accurate view of the individual's thoughts and feelings, as they are the best sources of their internal experiences.

What are the disadvantages of self-report measures in personality testing?

Disadvantages include potential inaccuracies due to lack of self-awareness, social desirability bias, and response styles that may skew results.

What are the advantages of third party reports in personality testing?

Third party reports can provide unbiased insights and a broader understanding of the individual in different contexts.

What are the disadvantages of third party reports in personality testing?

Disadvantages include the risk of biased ratings based on the rater's perspective and potential conflicts of interest.

What are response styles in personality testing?

Response styles are patterns in how individuals respond to assessments, such as socially desirable responding or acquiescence, which can affect the validity of results.

What are fake good/bad responses in personality testing?

Fake good/bad responses occur when individuals present themselves in an overly positive or negative light, impacting the accuracy of assessments.

What are leniency and severity errors in personality testing?

Leniency and severity errors occur when raters consistently rate individuals too leniently or harshly, skewing results.

What are some typical item formats on personality tests?

Typical item formats include True/False, Two-Choice, Semantic Differential, and Forced Choice.

What is the nomothetic approach to scoring personality tests?

The nomothetic approach applies a common set of traits to all individuals, allowing for broad comparisons.

What is the idiographic approach to scoring personality tests?

The idiographic approach focuses on the unique constellation of traits for each individual, emphasizing personal differences.

What is the difference between normative and ipsative approaches in personality testing?

Normative approaches compare individuals to a group, while ipsative approaches compare strengths of traits within the same individual.

What are data reduction techniques in developing personality tests?

Data reduction techniques simplify the interpretation of personality traits by reducing data dimensions.

What is factor analysis in personality testing?

Factor analysis is a statistical method used to identify underlying relationships between variables, grouping related variables into factors.

What is the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire?

Developed by Raymond Cattell, this test measures 16 different personality traits.

What are the 'Big Five' personality domains?

The 'Big Five' personality domains include Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.

What does the NEO personality inventory (NEO-PI-R) assess?

The NEO-PI-R assesses the BIG five personality traits: Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness.

What are the characteristics of the MMPI-2-RF?

The MMPI-2-RF, revised in 2008, addresses previous limitations by reducing item overlap and improving discriminant validity.

What types of validity scales are found on the MMPI-2-RF?

The validity scales include the L scale (Lie), F scale (Frequency), and K scale (Defensiveness), which assess the test taker's response style and help identify potential biases.

What can high scores on validity scales indicate in the MMPI-2-RF?

High scores can indicate random responding or attempts to manipulate results, which is crucial for accurate interpretation.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of objective personality assessments?

Objective tests, like self-report inventories, are efficient and standardized but rely on honesty and may be susceptible to faking.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of projective personality assessments?

Projective tests, such as the Rorschach Inkblot Test, can reveal unconscious aspects of personality but are subjective, time-consuming, and may lack reliability and validity.

What is the Rorschach Inkblot Test and how is it used?

The Rorschach Inkblot Test involves interpreting 10 inkblots, scored based on location, determinants, and content, providing insights into the test-taker's thought process.

How is the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) administered and what does it measure?

The TAT uses storytelling based on ambiguous images to assess needs and motivation, though it has been criticized for poor reliability.

What are some methods of projective testing?

Methods include providing ambiguous stimuli to elicit unfiltered responses, revealing underlying personality traits.

How are word association tests, sentence completion tests, and figure drawing tests used in personality assessment?

These projective techniques present ambiguous stimuli and observe interpretations, potentially revealing unconscious thoughts and feelings.

What are some methods used in behavioral assessment?

Methods include behavioral observation, self-monitoring, and situational performance to assess personality traits.

What is behavioral observation in personality assessment?

Behavioral observation involves recording specific behaviors in naturalistic or laboratory settings to provide objective data.

What is self-monitoring in personality assessment?

Self-monitoring involves individuals tracking their own behaviors to reveal patterns and triggers related to personality.

What is situational performance in personality assessment?

Situational performance uses role-playing and psychological measures (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure) to assess responses in various contexts.

What are some goals of clinical assessment?

Goals include clarifying the nature of the psychological problem, making a diagnosis, estimating current and premorbid functioning, and designing a treatment plan.

What changes were made in the DSM-5?

Changes include brief and vague descriptions of disorders, low reliability in diagnosis, and revisions introducing more specific diagnostic criteria.

What issues were identified in the previous versions of the DSM?

Previous versions had low reliability in diagnosis and ascribed numerous disorders to causes that were not definitively established, leading to low validity.

What is typically included in a standard clinical assessment test battery?

A standard clinical assessment test battery typically includes various psychological tests and measures to evaluate mental health.

What types of tests are commonly used in clinical assessments?

An IQ test, at least one personality test, and a test to screen for neurological problems.

What should not be the sole basis for diagnosis and clinical decisions?

A single test.

What are the advantages of structured interviews over unstructured interviews?

Consistency, efficiency, and easier comparison of candidates using standardized questions.

What basic information should be gathered in a diagnostic interview?

Basic information, reason for referral, psychological history, medical history, current medications, family psychological and medical history, treatment history, developmental/educational history, occupational history, social history, legal history, history of alcohol and drug use, and behavioral observations.

What variables should be assessed in a mental status examination?

Intellectual, emotional, and neurological deficits; appearance; behavior; orientation; memory; speech; affect/mood; personality; thought content/process; insight; and judgment.

What is a stress interview designed to do?

Pressure the person being interviewed into a stressful situation to observe their reactions.

What is a hypnotic interview?

An interview where patients may be more suggestible and vulnerable to leading questions that could distort memories.

What is a cognitive interview?

An interview where the interviewee is encouraged to take control of the process.

What is the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory?

A psychological assessment tool consisting of 195 true/false questions, 5 validity scales, and scores for 15 personality scales and 10 clinical scales, normed only on psychiatric patients.

What are the strengths of the Beck Depression Inventory?

Good internal consistency.

What are the weaknesses of the Beck Depression Inventory?

Questions are too transparent and easily manipulated by test takers; it should only be used with individuals who have no reason to fake their answers.

What cultural factors should be considered in clinical assessments?

Culture-related variables, case history data, consultation with family and professionals, caution with translators, careful behavior interpretation, cultural differences, and sensitivity to culture and language.

What factors should be considered when assessing for addiction and substance abuse?

Screening tests, evaluations of personal history, interviews and questionnaires, analogue measures, evaluation of culture and environment, and distinguishing between self-referred and court-referred clients.

What are some reasons for conducting a forensic psychological assessment?

Psychological evaluation for legal purposes, predictions of dangerousness, competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, capacity to appreciate wrongfulness, readiness for parole or probation, emotional injury, profiling, and custody evaluations.

What factors should be considered when assessing for child abuse and neglect?

Factors include the child's environment, family dynamics, and behavioral indicators of abuse or neglect.

What are some physical signs of abuse?

Physical signs include observable injuries or neglect.

What are some emotional signs of abuse?

Emotional signs may include anxiety, depression, or withdrawal.

What are some behavioral signs of abuse?

Behavioral signs can include aggression, fearfulness, or changes in behavior.

What factors should be considered when assessing for suicide risk?

Factors include talk about dying by suicide, having a plan, and past suicide attempts.

What types of information should be included in a psychological report?

Demographic data, reason for referral, background, tests administered, findings, recommendations, and summary.

What is mechanical prediction in psychological assessment?

Mechanical prediction applies statistical rules and probabilities to generate findings and recommendations.

How does clinical prediction differ from mechanical prediction?

Clinical prediction relies on a clinician's training and experience for judgment and actions.

What are some goals of neuropsychological assessment?

Goals include determining if behavioral problems are due to brain damage, levels of impairment, and identifying rehabilitation targets.

How does damage to different parts of the brain affect cognitive function?

It can cause changes in behavior, personality, sensory and motor functions.

What are some causes of brain damage?

Causes include genetic disorders, birth trauma, toxic exposure, head injury, disease, infection, epilepsy, stroke, and tumors.

What are some effects of brain damage?

Effects include changes in behavior, personality, sensory and motor functions.

What factors make neuropsychological assessment difficult?

Variability in injuries, differing issues among similar injuries, non-brain damage problems mimicking brain damage, and recovery from deficits.

What are some hard signs of a head injury?

Hard signs include loss of consciousness, severe headache, vomiting, seizures, changes in pupil size, and patterns of strength and weakness.

What are some soft signs of a head injury?

Soft signs include poor motor coordination, sensory perceptual difficulties, and involuntary movements.

What types of tests make up a neuropsychological test battery?

Tests include intelligence tests, personality tests, language tests, perceptual-motor tests, memory tests, fixed batteries, and flexible batteries.

How does history aid a neuropsychological assessment?

It provides medical and psychosocial history, developmental milestones, and observations of personality.

How can a physical exam aid a neuropsychological assessment?

It checks for skull and body peculiarities, muscle tone, strength, coordination, and reflexes.

What types of tests are used to assess abstract thinking?

Tests include Wechsler similarities subtest, sorting tasks, and proverb tests.

What types of problems would be assessed using the Trail Making Test?

The Trail Making Test assesses cognitive flexibility, attention, and visual-motor functioning.

What types of problems would be assessed using the Tower of Hanoi Test?

The Tower of Hanoi Test assesses problem-solving and planning abilities.

What types of problems would be assessed using the Stroop Test?

The Stroop Test assesses cognitive control and processing speed.

What deficits are associated with organizing, planning, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition of impulses?

These deficits can lead to difficulties in managing tasks and controlling impulses.

What types of problems would the Field of Search Test or the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test assess?

Problems with sensory function, motor function, or a combination of the two.

What is aphasia?

Aphasia is the inability to express oneself or understand spoken or written language.

What tests are used to assess verbal functioning and aphasia?

Controlled word association test, Boston naming test, and trials with different letters.

What types of tasks are included in the Wechsler Memory Scale - IV?

Tasks include recall vs recognition, immediate vs delayed memory, auditory vs visual memory, retelling stories, remembering word pairs, remembering drawn designs, and multitasking.

What is acalculia?

Acalculia is the inability to calculate numbers.

What is dyslexia/alexia?

Dyslexia/alexia is a reading disability.

What is agnosia?

Agnosia is the inability to recognize stimuli.

What are some approaches used to help people make career decisions?

Measures of interest, ability and aptitude, and personality.

What are the six vocational interest clusters in the RIASEC model?

Realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and conventional.

What types of interest tests can be used to assess career choices?

Checklist of Adaptive Living Skills (CALS), Cross-cultural Adaptability Inventory (CCAI), Career Transitions Inventory (CTI), and Retirement Satisfaction Inventory.

What types of aptitude tests can assess career potential?

Verbal reasoning, numerical ability, abstract thinking, mechanical reasoning, space relations, and language usage.

What assessments can be used to evaluate personality characteristics for career paths?

NEO-PI-R, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Criterion-Focus Occupational Personality Scales (COPS), and Applicant Potential Inventory (API).

For what type of assessments is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator used?

It is used to assess personality types.

What is the Strong Interest Inventory?

An assessment created by evaluating the interests of people in specific occupational groups.

What are some assessment tools used for employment selection?

Personality tests, tests of interest, CALS, CTI, CCAI, and Retirement Satisfaction Inventory.

What are the advantages of using assessment tools for employment selection?

They can help identify individuals who excel in certain jobs.

What are the disadvantages of using assessment tools for employment selection?

They may screen out qualified candidates.

What methods are used to assess work productivity?

Supervisor ratings, peer ratings, and critical incidents.

What are some flaws associated with supervisor ratings?

Leniency bias, strictness bias, central tendency, and contrast effect.

What biases can affect peer ratings?

Social desirability bias, horns effect, similarity bias, lack of information.

What are some flaws of using critical incidents for assessing productivity?

Limited scope, subjectivity, potential for bias, and time-consuming.