Deck 3: Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis

Question 1

In trying to understand and help an individual with a psychological problem, the psychologist will obtain detailed information about the person's life as part of a .

A) physical exam
B) clinical interview
C) mental status exam
D) brain scan

Answer 1

clinical interview

Question 2

If the short version of a test yields the same results as a longer version, then you could conclude that the brief version had validity.

A) concurrent
B) divergent
C) predictive
D) excessive

Answer 2

concurrent

Question 3

The process of clinical assessment results in narrowing the focus to

A) concentrate on problem areas that seem most relevant.
B) consider a broad range of problems.
C) cover all possible problems.
D) concentrate on all problem areas equally.

Answer 3

concentrate on problem areas that seem most relevant.

Question 4

Anna sees a doctor for persistent nausea. Her primary care physician tells her that she is probably dehydrated and suggests drinking more water. Her neurologist tells her that there could be swelling in her brain and that she should get a CAT scan. Anna's allergist suggests that her sinus infection is to blame. Anna is anxious and confused as to the cause of her headaches. This is due to what aspect of her doctors' diagnoses?

A) Reliability
B) Validity
C) Standardization
D) Inaccuracy

Question 5

In order to develop useful standards for a test, it is important to use a normative group that consists of a

A) small group of people who are very similar to each other.
B) large group of people who all share a key characteristic.
C) large group of very diverse people.
D) small group that differs from the population at large.

Question 6

Treminitia, who had recurrent headaches, fatigue, and loss of appetite, received different diagnoses from several psychologists. In terms of assessment, this indicates a problem with .

A) reliability
B) subjectivity
C) validity
D) standardization

Question 7

In the first interview with Frank, a patient described in the textbook, he stated that he had been having intrusive thoughts that he tried to prevent by performing certain movements. Based on this information, you might predict that Frank would be diagnosed with .

A) major depressive disorder
B) obsessive-compulsive disorder
C) a personality disorder
D) schizophrenia

Question 8

The process of determining whether an individual's symptoms meet the criteria for a specific psychological disorder is called _____________.

A) prognosis
B) diagnosis
C) classification
D) analysis

Question 9

Mr. J., a 40-year-old recent immigrant to the United States, comes from a working-class background and is just learning to speak English. He applies for a job and is given a test. His score is compared to others who have taken the test, mostly young college graduates whose native language is English. Mr. J. thinks this is unfair. In fact, this is an issue of __________.

A) reliability
B) classification
C) validity
D) standardization

Question 10

A clinical interview should be based on information from the client's .

A) past behaviors, attitudes, and emotions
B) interpersonal and social history
C) present behaviors, attitudes, and emotions
D) all of the above

Question 11

Comparing assessment scores to those of individuals who are demographically similar to you reflects what concept of clinical assessments?

A) Reliability
B) Validity
C) Standardization
D) All of the above are correct

Question 12

In order to be useful, assessment techniques should be based on .

A) beliefs
B) attitudes
C) evidence
D) assumptions

Question 13

A measurement which is consistent is considered to be .

A) valid
B) reliable
C) standardized
D) accurate

Question 14

Clifton had been experiencing a number of psychological issues, so he decided to go to a psychiatrist to see what was wrong. Dr. A told him he had major depressive disorder. He decided to seek a second opinion. Dr. B diagnosed him with generalized anxiety disorder. Wanting yet another opinion, he went to Dr. C who told him he was obsessive-compulsive. This demonstrates poor .

A) test-retest reliability
B) concurrent validity
C) descriptive validity
D) inter-rater reliability

Question 15

The systematic evaluation and measurement of psychological, biological, and social factors in a person with a possible mental disorder is known as clinical .

A) assessment
B) interpretation
C) validation
D) standardization

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT one of the three basic concepts that help determine the value of a psychological assessment procedure?

A) Reliability
B) Subjectivity
C) Validity
D) Standardization

Question 17

Observing appearance and behavior during a mental status exam

A) is simply done to give the appearance that the clinician is paying attention.
B) rarely yields useful information.
C) can yield clues regarding the presence of certain disorders.
D) may just confuse the diagnostic process.

Question 18

In terms of psychological assessment, which of the following describes the concept of validity?

A) Two or more "raters" get the same answers.
B) An assessment technique is consistent across different measures.
C) Scores are used as a norm for comparison purposes.
D) An assessment technique measures what it is designed to measure.

Question 19

As part of a psychological assessment, a mental status exam is used to find out how a person thinks, feels, and behaves; its primary purpose, however, is to determine

A) if a psychological disorder might be present.
B) what type of treatment should be used.
C) which medication would be most effective.
D) whether the individual also has a medical condition.

Question 20

In a mental status exam, a psychologist evaluates an individual's thought processes by

A) asking the person to read aloud.
B) listening to what the person says.
C) reading what the person has written.
D) evaluating the person's dreams.

Question 21

The Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-5 (ADIS-5) is an example of a

A) personality inventory.
B) semistructured clinical interview.
C) projective test.
D) behavioral intervention.

Question 22

Which of the following people would make a good candidate for a behavioral assessment?

A) A very verbal adult
B) A young child
C) A person with a cognitive deficit
D) Both b and c

Question 23

In a clinical interview, the law regarding "privileged communication" does NOT apply if the patient

A) threatens self-harm or harm to another person.
B) relates a history of sexual abuse.
C) has been mentally ill for more than five years.
D) is hospitalized in a psychiatric facility.

Question 24

Even though there is no evidence that this is true, Roger thinks that someone is following him. Roger is experiencing:

A) delusions of persecution.
B) derailment.
C) psychomotor retardation.
D) delusions of grandeur.

Question 25

When Abernathy went to a psychologist for the first time, the clinician asked him what the date was, what time it was, what year was it, and where they were. Which category of a mental status exam do these questions cover?

A) Thought processes
B) Appearance and behavior
C) Sensorium
D) Intellectual functioning

Question 26

In regard to a mental status exam, which of the following questions is NOT related to the concept of sensorium?

A) What is today's date?
B) Where are you?
C) Who are you?
D) How old are you?

Question 27

An observation that involves identifying specific behaviors that are observable and measurable is called a(n) _______________.

A) informal observation
B) formal observation
C) unstructured observation
D) self-observation

Question 28

Maria-Christina tells stories which are disconnected with each other and with reality. A disorganized speech pattern is referred to as:

A) psychomotor retardation.
B) derailment.
C) delusions of persecution.
D) delusions of grandeur.

Question 29

The initial assessment of the patient in your textbook named Frank, who was anxious about his job and his marriage, revealed that he

A) had intrusive thoughts.
B) was disoriented.
C) showed inappropriate affect.
D) had a low intelligence level.

Question 30

An operational definition refers to identifying specific behaviors that are .

A) abnormal
B) harmful
C) long-standing
D) measurable

Question 31

Behavioral assessments are used to formally assess an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behavior in ____________.

A) general
B) context
C) the abstract
D) theory

Question 32

Determining mood and affect is an important part of the mental status exam. Although both of these terms refer to feeling states of the individual, it would be correct to say that affect is more than mood.

A) immediate
B) severe
C) problematic
D) stable

Question 33

A mental status exam covers all of the following categories EXCEPT .

A) intellectual functioning
B) appearance
C) behavior
D) physical symptoms

Question 34

All of the following describe how a psychologist conducts a clinical interview EXCEPT

A) attempts to facilitate communication.
B) uses non-threatening ways of seeking information.
C) keeps patient information confidential in all circumstances.
D) applies appropriate listening skills.

Question 35

Javon, who is normally energetic and lively, is walking and talking slowly. The therapist thinks that Javon may be depressed because ______can indicate severe depression.

A) psychomotor retardation
B) derailment
C) delusions of persecution
D) delusions of grandeur

Question 36

In a mental status exam, it is important to determine if the individual's sensorium is clear and if he/she is "oriented times three." This refers to

A) person, place, and time.
B) day, month, and year of birth.
C) ability to follow directions.
D) spatial orientation.

Question 37

A clinician who wished to assess the effects of treatment over a period of time would be most likely to do so by repeatedly administering a(n) .

A) neuropsychological test battery
B) projective test
C) intelligence test
D) behavior rating scale

Question 38

As part of a behavioral assessment, psychologists sometimes use do direct observation in a naturalistic setting.

A) imaginary
B) empirical
C) analogue
D) virtual

Question 39

The ABCs of observation refer to the sequence.

A) affect-behavior-cognition
B) antecedent-behavior-cognition
C) antecedent-behavior-consequence
D) affect-behavior-consequence

Question 40

Four-year-old Roberto is very aggressive toward his peers, which results in poor peer relationships. A psychologist has been asked to assess Roberto's aggressiveness and determine if he needs intervention. The psychologist would probably do what type of assessment?

A) General
B) Projective
C) Cognitive
D) Behavioral

Question 41

In regard to projective tests, research has found that most clinicians

A) do not use projective tests.
B) have their own ways of administering and scoring the tests.
C) use standardized procedures when administering and scoring the tests.
D) rely on these tests to diagnose psychopathology.

Question 42

If you were asked to compare and contrast the MMPI and the Rorschach inkblot test, you could say correctly that

A) responses are interpreted individually in the MMPI.
B) the pattern of responses is evaluated in the MMPI.
C) the Rorschach test is more tedious and time-consuming for the patient to complete.
D) the Rorschach test more accurately predicts psychopathology.

Question 43

The reactivity phenomenon of self-monitoring procedures has been shown to

A) increase desired behaviors.
B) decrease undesired behaviors.
C) both increase desired behaviors and decrease undesired behaviors.
D) neither increase desired behaviors nor decrease undesired behaviors.

Question 44

The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) differs from the Rorschach inkblot test in that the person taking the TAT is asked to use his or her imagination to

A) tell a complete story about a picture.
B) draw a picture based on a story that is read aloud by the examiner.
C) write down responses after reading a short story.
D) tell a story and draw a picture about it.

Question 45

Which of the following describes a personality inventory?

A) Determines the possible contribution of brain damage to the person's condition
B) Uses imaging to assess brain structure and/or function
C) Involves self-report questionnaires that assess individual traits
D) Ascertains the structure and patterns of cognition

Question 46

All of the following statements are TRUE about the MMPI EXCEPT that

A) there is little room for interpretation.
B) the test is tedious and time-consuming.
C) there is a version for adolescents.
D) individual responses are examined to determine a diagnostic pattern.

Question 47

The comprehensive system for administering and scoring the Rorschach inkblot test was developed because

A) a lack of standardized procedures affects the way the test taker responds to the questions.
B) it was discovered that inter-rater reliability had increased significantly.
C) Hermann Rorschach was dissatisfied with the way his test was being given.
D) the previous scoring system was found to be difficult and time-consuming.

Question 48

As an assessment measure, the MMPI is considered unique because it is

A) empirically based.
B) theory based.
C) based on the biological model.
D) based on the humanistic approach.

Question 49

Hannibal is presented with a series of cards that are blots of ink. He is asked to state what he sees on these cards. Hannibal is probably taking a(n)

A) personality inventory.
B) response inventory.
C) projective test.
D) intelligence test.

Question 50

Observing one's own behavior to find patterns is called:

A) antecedent behavior searching.
B) behavioral introspection.
C) psychoanalysis.
D) self-monitoring.

Question 51

"The questions make sense to the person reading them and the wording of the questions seems to fit the type of information desired." In regard to personality inventories, which type of validity is defined by the preceding statement?

A) Predictive
B) Face
C) Construct
D) Analytic

Question 52

The projective type of psychological test is based on theory.

A) behavioral
B) cognitive
C) humanistic
D) psychoanalytic

Question 53

The Rorschach test is considered controversial because of all of the following concerns EXCEPT that

A) for some time there was no standardized way of administering the test.
B) there is little or no data regarding its reliability or validity.
C) the inkblots have been changed many times since the test was developed.
D) until recently there were no standardized procedures for administering the test.

Question 54

Most of the "psychological tests" in popular magazines are .

A) reliable
B) valid
C) for entertainment only
D) informative and educational

Question 55

A psychoanalytic therapist who wants to assess the unconscious thoughts and feelings of a patient would be most likely to use the test.

A) MMPI
B) Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test
C) Rorschach inkblot test
D) Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery

Question 56

When an individual describes what he/she sees in the ambiguous stimuli of the Rorschach test, it is assumed that the person's thoughts are revealed.

A) unconscious
B) conscious
C) preconscious
D) subconscious

Question 57

Which of the following is an example of the reactivity phenomenon?

A) A man joins a weight-loss center, but quits after he feels he is not getting the desired results.
B) After joining a fitness club, a woman stops exercising in her home and instead walks 2 miles a day by herself.
C) A man changes his brand of cigarettes after his father dies of lung cancer.
D) On parents' visiting day in a classroom, the children who often misbehave in class are unusually compliant and well-behaved.

Question 58

Dr. Jiminez is using Exner's Comprehensive System to administer and score the Rorschach inkblot test. This specifies all of the following EXCEPT

A) how the cards with the inkblots should be presented.
B) exactly what the psychologist administering the test should say.
C) the way in which the test taker's responses should be recorded.
D) the amount of time allowed for each inkblot card to be presented.

Question 59

Interpreting ambiguous figures on cards is usually associated with which test: .

A) MMPI
B) MENSA Intelligence test
C) Rorschach inkblot test
D) Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery

Question 60

Which of the following is an accurate statement about the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)?

A) Most psychologists interpret responses to the TAT cards in the same way.
B) High inter-rater reliability exists among those administering the test.
C) The TAT is used as a diagnostic test because validity is high.
D) Many clinicians use the TAT to encourage people to talk more openly about their lives.

Question 61

A neuropsychological test measures abilities in all but which of the following areas?

A) Attention and concentration
B) Perceptual abilities
C) Learning and abstraction
D) Adaptive personality traits

Question 62

The performance scales on the WISC-IV (Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children) measure all of the following EXCEPT ____________.

A) factual knowledge
B) psychomotor abilities
C) ability to learn new relationships
D) non-verbal reasoning

Question 63

The problem with generating a false negative during an assessment strategy is that the patient

A) will not receive treatment for an actual disorder.
B) will receive treatment for a disorder they don't have.
C) will be tired of being tested.
D) will be discredited.

Question 64

Heinrich falsifies answers his answers on the MMPI so that he will look good. He will probably have a high score on the __________ scale.

A) Cannot Say
B) Lie
C) Paranoia
D) Defensiveness

Question 65

Personality tests linked through social media are typically:

A) based on scientific evidence
B) valid
C) reliable
D) just for fun

Question 66

Intelligence Quotients (IQs) were historically measured by:

A) assessing a child's reading.
B) observing the child playing with peers.
C) dividing the child's mental age by their chronological age.
D) measuring how much the child cried.

Question 67

The MMPI-2 differs from earlier versions of the MMPI because it

A) is shorter.
B) was normed on a much more diverse sample.
C) is less reliable.
D) is normed on a much more selective sample.

Question 68

Neuropsychological tests are used to assess whether or not an individual might .

A) suffer from a dissociative disorder
B) have a brain dysfunction
C) have had a psychotic episode
D) be in a depressed state

Question 69

If it were important to determine the exact location of brain impairment, which of the following tests would most likely be used?

A) Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test
B) Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery
C) Gall Phrenological Brain Scan
D) Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale

Question 70

The MMPI-A, a new version of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, has been developed specifically for testing ____________.

A) children with ADHD
B) children with autism
C) adults
D) adolescents

Question 71

When an assessment strategy shows a problem when none exists, it is referred to as a .

A) false negative
B) false positive
C) negative outcome
D) forecast error

Question 72

In regard to IQ tests, which of the following statements is FALSE?

A) IQ and intelligence are the same thing.
B) An IQ test has some validity with respect to predicting academic success.
C) IQ tests measure abilities such as attention, memory, reasoning, and perception.
D) Psychologists have different theories about which skills and abilities constitute intelligence.

Question 73

The calculation of an IQ, previously done by using a child's mental age, is now done by using a deviation IQ. This means that the child's score is compared to the scores of others .

A) of the same age
B) in the same grade
C) who took the test at the same time
D) with the same level of intelligence

Question 74

The MMPI-2, a more recent version of the personality inventory, has been updated to reflect all of the following EXCEPT _____________.

A) cultural diversity
B) gender equality
C) contemporary issues
D) sexual values

Question 75

Which of the following describes a neuropsychological test?

A) Determines the possible contribution of brain impairment to the person's condition
B) Uses imaging to assess brain structure and/or function
C) Assesses long-standing patterns of behavior
D) Ascertains the structure and patterns of cognition

Question 76

Although abnormalities in the structure and functioning of the brain can be detected by neuroimaging techniques, current research is also looking at

A) a possible association of these abnormalities with psychological disorders.
B) using brain-imaging techniques as a treatment for psychological disorders.
C) preventing psychological disorders with neuroimaging techniques.
D) changing brain functioning from abnormal to normal.

Question 77

Since the MMPI is , the assessment concept known as reliability is increased.

A) often interpreted by computer
B) made up of many scales
C) non-sexist
D) well-researched

Question 78

The MMPI is a notable measurement instrument because it

A) has been shown to be valid with a range of psychological problems.
B) relies on subjective interpretations of patterns.
C) is short and easy to administer.
D) is the oldest test measure developed.

Question 79

Intelligence tests were originally designed to

A) determine a person's mental status.
B) predict academic success.
C) identify potential psychopathology.
D) indicate the presence of neurological problems.

Question 80

IQ tests measure all of the following abilities EXCEPT

A) attention.
B) memory.
C) reasoning.
D) adaptability.