In making a differential diagnosis, the psychologist performing the assessment gathers data from multiple sources and completes a process that is more extensive than a screening in order to determine the

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Making a differential diagnosis involves gathering data from multiple sources (such as clinical interviews, psychological testing, and medical records) and comparing symptom patterns to rule out certain diagnoses and determine the likelihood that the patient has one disorder over another. The process is more comprehensive than a screening, which typically only involves a brief assessment to determine if further evaluation is necessary.

Option B is too general, as the goal of making a differential diagnosis is to determine a specific disorder, not just assess for the general presence of any psychological disorder. Option C specifically refers to ruling out organic causes, which is a part of the diagnostic process but does not encompass the entirety of making a differential diagnosis. Option D focuses on psychosocial factors, but differential diagnosis is more focused on identifying specific disorders rather than identifying contributing factors.

In Making a Differential Diagnosis, the Psychologist Performing the Assessment