Question 1

What are the three basic elements to look for when assessing a psychology test?

Accepted Answer

The three basic elements to look for when assessing a psychology test are reliability, validity, and standardization. Reliability is a measure of test consistency, validity is a measure of test usefulness, and standardization provides a mean (average) and a standard deviation (spread) relative to a certain group.

Question 2

To make a diagnosis of a Major Depressive Episode based on DSM-5 criteria, a client would need to have five or more specific symptoms, with at least one of two necessary symptoms. Which symptom below is one of those necessary symptoms?

Accepted Answer

A markedly diminished interest or pleasure in most all activities nearly every day for two weeks is a necessary symptom for a diagnosis of a Major Depressive Episode. Such a diagnosis can be made when this symptom is also accompanied by other symptoms of depression for a total of five or more symptoms.

Question 3

What is the differential diagnosis for Reactive Attachment Disorder according to the DSM-5?

Accepted Answer

Pervasive Developmental Disorder is one of several differential diagnoses for Reactive Attachment Disorder in children. Other possible diagnoses include Mental Retardation, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and Disruptive Behavior Disorders. Schizophrenia, Depression, and Anxiety are not part of a differential diagnosis for RAD.

Question 4

When using the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale, clinicians need to start ________.

Accepted Answer

A clinician starts at the top level of the GAF scale and keeps moving down the scale until the best match for the individual's function is located. To determine the specific rating within the ten point range, a clinician can consider whether the person is functioning at the lower or higher end of that range.

Question 5

When assessing a client's progress toward counseling goals, a clinician should __________.

Accepted Answer

Referring to the initial treatment plan where treatment goals were determined is an excellent way to assess a client's progress toward those goals. Is treatment on track or has therapy taken on a life of its own and wandered away from the initial treatment goals? A clinician might discuss these goals and progress towards them with the client as part of the therapeutic process, but would first refer to the treatment plan. Remember confidentiality.

Question 6

A person who scores highly in the Realistic area of Holland's vocational types is someone who_____.

Accepted Answer

A person who scores highly in the Realistic area of Holland's vocational types is someone who likes to work with their hands, machines, and tools. They like to be actively working, not sitting at a desk, and are often seen in jobs that involve working outdoors such as construction, farming, and letter carrier.

Question 7

When meeting with a client, a career counselor might _____________.

Accepted Answer

When meeting with a client, a career counselor might utilize all of the options listed in this question. Career counseling involves using a wide variety of inventories designed to assess interests, abilities, and values to help the client pinpoint career goals. The counselor may also assist the client in self-exploration and values clarification to further the likelihood for setting goals that will be successful. They may also teach a variety of skills such as decision-making, effective goal setting, and life planning.

Question 8

In the counseling assessment process, who is responsible for obtaining or bringing forth information needed for successful counseling?

Accepted Answer

In the counseling assessment process, the counselor is responsible for obtaining or bringing forth information needed for successful counseling. The counselor should not rely solely on information provided by the client or family members as this information may be one-sided and may not provide the complete picture. The counselor should use a variety of means to bring as much information to the surface as possible.

Question 9

Another reason to continue testing throughout the term of counseling is:

Accepted Answer

Another reason to continue testing throughout the term of counseling is that ongoing assessment will bring to light new needs that may have surfaced during counseling. These needs can then be addressed in conjunction with the initial problems. Continuous assessment lets both the counselor and client know what a client's needs are throughout the counseling process.

Question 10

Do assessment practices stop once the counseling begins?

Accepted Answer

No, assessment is an ongoing process throughout counseling and does not stop once the counseling begins. A client may develop new symptoms during counseling, which may or may not be detected without further assessment beyond the initial testing. A counselor can then alter the treatment plan for the client to address the new issues.

Question 11

A preliminary step in utilizing tests in counseling is:

Accepted Answer

A preliminary step in utilizing tests in counseling is letting the expectations of the test be known. It is important for both the counselor and the client to know what the expected outcome is and how they are going to go about attaining that outcome. This step may take more than one session as this can lead to negotiations until realistic expectations are agreed upon

Question 12

What are two of the criticisms of projective tests?

Accepted Answer

Two of the criticisms of projective tests are that interpreting the results of the tests depends too much on the subjective judgment of the examiner, and that the reliability and validity of projective tests is the lowest of all the personality tests.

Question 13

A test using cards that portray human figures in a variety of settings and situations is called___________.

Accepted Answer

A test using cards that portray human figures in a variety of settings and situations in called the Thematic Apperception Test. The Thematic Apperception Test is a projective test created by Henry Murray in 1938. It is mainly used by psychoanalytically trained therapists. The underlying theory is that the test's respondents identify with the main character and project their psychological needs and conflicts into the story they tell using the cards.

Question 14

What is the Rorschach test?

Accepted Answer

All of the options listed in this question describe the Rorschach test. The Rorschach Inkblot test is a projective test created by a Swiss psychiatrist (Hermann Rorschach) in the 1900's that involves showing subjects cards of abstract inkblots and having them interpret concrete images from them. The idea behind the test is that the differences in perception relate to differences in personalities.

Question 15

What is the difference between the MMPI-1 and MMPI-2?

Accepted Answer

The difference between the MMPI-1 and the MMPI-2 is that the MMPI-2 is a revision of the MMPI-1. The MMPI-1 was developed during the 1930's and contains many cultural and racial biases. A revision was completed in 1989 to correct these biases, including gender references and outmoded idiomatic expressions. The result is the MMPI-2.

Question 16

Why are most of the questions on the MMPI test about abnormal behavior?

Accepted Answer

Most of the questions on the MMPI test are about abnormal behavior because it is designed for clinical and counseling psychologists to diagnose psychological disorders. It is grouped into ten clinical scales, each measuring a different disorder.

Question 17

Which of the following socioeconomic factor could affect the outcome of therapeutic counseling? Choose all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Both the lack of transportation and the lack of cultural norms for receiving therapy are both socioeconomic factors that could definitely affect the outcome of therapeutic counseling. If a client does not have transportation to get to and from the counseling session the benefits of counseling would be for naught. If there was a cultural norm that did not approve of therapeutic counseling, the input from family or friends could easily put a stop to the therapy itself or denigrate the outcome.

Question 18

What does socioeconomic status (SES) have to do with aging and health? Choose all that apply.

Accepted Answer

It's true - if money is available for better medical care, better and more plentiful food, plus a wider variety of interests and activities, aging will be a healthier and happier process One of the difficulties of measuring the relationship between SES, health, and aging is that occupation is the key status indicator. With the elderly population mostly retired, they are not factored into the data gathered for economic well-being when the data is based on occupation.

Question 19

All but which of the following are warning signs that an older depressed male is at risk for committing suicide?

Accepted Answer

Recent retirement is not one of the warning signs for increased risk of committing suicide in an older depressed male, while the other signs (being socially isolated, over age 85, or becoming disabled by a chronic health problem) are all definite indicators of an increased risk of suicidality.

Question 20

Elderly couples are concerned about which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Elderly couples are concerned about finances, physical health of each other, and possible memory loss. They may also be concerned about being left alone when one spouse dies, needing additional care and leaving their home and neighborhood, and being able to remain as independent as possible.

Quiz 2: Assessment And-Diagnosis