psychodiagnostics tests + key terms (week 5)

broad band tests

broad band tests

tests that measure the full range of functioning (personality) and are not limited to aspects of it

originated in the 40s

issues: conflict between classification and dimensionality, should people be placed into distinct categories by this test?

myers-briggs type indicator (MTBI)

forced-choice, self-report inventory that classifies people according to an adaptation of Jung’s personality types theory.

each person assigned to one side of four polarities:

1. extraversion → introversion

2. sensing → intuition

3. thinking → feeling

4. judging → perceiving

these four polarities give 16 personality types

MBTI test polarities

1. extraversion → introversion

   1. energy towards people vs. towards self

2. sensing → intuition

   1. relying on immediate senses vs. beliefs of possibilities

3. thinking → feeling

   1. decisions based on logic vs. based on personal values

4. judging → perceiving

   1. seeking closure/decisiveness vs. being flexible and spontaneous

MBTI psychometric properties

test-retest reliability is depended on the interval between test period, 41% of test takers have same letters every time

generally positive validity

recommended to use caution because newer versions are hard to evaluate

California Psychological Inventory (CPI)

a true/false test that measures the dimensions of normal personality

most frequently given online

items are given with two extremes of a certain characteristic, person chooses which one fits best

scored for 20 general scales, 7 work-related and 3 broad vectors, the scores are T-scores (M=50, Sd=10)

vectors of the CPI

orientations, can lead to four life styles

1. 2 polarities: toward people - toward inner life

2. 2 polarities: rule favoring - rule questioning

life styles: implementors, supporters, innovators, visualizers

1. 7-point continuum: self-realization

   1. low scores = negative expression

   2. high scores = positive expression

what the CPI predicts

psychological and physical health,

school-college achievement,

effectiveness of teachers, effectiveness of police/military,

effectiveness of leaders,

identification of people likely to engage in delinquent behaviors (low scores on vector 3)

Neo Personality Inventory - Revised (NEO PI-R)

test based on the Big-5 model, with 5 domains (OCEAN), administered as self-report or by outside observers.

consists of 240 items on a 5-point dimension, M=50

O: openness to experience

C: conscientiousness

E: extraversion

A: agreeableness

N: neuroticism

NEO-PI-R psychometric properties

high internal consistency and validity, main limitation is the lack of validity scales (it assumes respondents will just be truthful)

NEO-PI-R uses

used to make portraits of good leaders, to detect psychopathology,

best only used as a supplementary instrument

longitudinal designs

when researchers assess the same sample of individuals periodically, over several years

selective attribution

tendency of less healthy people to drop out of research project, produces unrealistically positive view of aging

cross-sectional designs

researchers compare different cohorts, inventory is administered once to all participants

limitation: sensitive to cohort effect (differences between cohorts exist because they went though different experiences, generational differences)

cross-sequential designs

researchers combine characteristics of longitudinal and cross-sectional designs by re-testing the cross-sectional sample of participants at least once more

strength: the ability to isolate cohort effects from aging effects

normative changes

generalizable patterns of development found in most people

meta-analysis

statistical technique that allows for combining data from different studies,

effect sizes are calculation and combined for a comprehensive analysis

issues with online testing

reliability and validity of the tests are questioned

lack of examiner control

examiner cannot be sure of who is filling in the test

Dunning-Kruger effect

phenomenon that states incompetent people do not know they are incompetent

can be negative point for questionnaires that require self reflection

statistical approach to clinical judgement

clinician uses data to determine what is going on and which treatment would work the best

clinical approach

therapist uses clinical experience to guide the choice for treatment

what is needed for case formulation?

• referral letters

• initial assessment of the client

• interview w the client

• present complaint or problem of the client

• history of the problem

• family history

• developmental history

• educational/work history

• medical history (use of drugs)

• legal history (substance abuse)

• previous psychological treatment

• mental status examination of behavior/personality

requirements of the case formed

• a clear overview of the clients situation

• describe client’s problems

• know developmental course of these problems

• connect the problems and developmental course

CBT

treatment method where problematic behavior can be changed using positive reinforcements and punishments

psychodynamic therapies

treatment method where the problematic/maladaptive behavior can be changed if client becomes aware of their unconscious processes, (style of attachment, etc)

systematic therapies

treatment method where the problem behavior can be changed if the client becomes aware of their relations with other people, and that the way the client has formed these relations is based on how they interacted with their parents