Question 1

Research on the reliability of diagnoses using unstructured interviews

Accepted Answer

Research on the reliability of diagnoses using unstructured interviews has generally not supported their use. This is because unstructured interviews lack standardization, making it difficult for clinicians to consistently and reliably assess symptoms and assign diagnoses. Additionally, unstructured interviews are more prone to clinician bias and subjective interpretations. While some research has focused on the use of unstructured interviews for personality disorders, the overall findings still do not support their reliability.

Question 2

A clinician who refers to an interview as a "clinical interview" is probably conducting a(n)

Accepted Answer

The answer of A clinician who refers to an interview...

Question 3

The __________ of an interview concerns how well the interview measures what it intends to measure.

Accepted Answer

Validity refers to the accuracy of an interview in measuring what it is intended to measure. It is a crucial aspect of any interview as it determines whether the results obtained from the interview are usable or not. Test-retest reliability refers to the consistency of the interview results over time, practical utility refers to the usefulness of the interview in real-world settings, and interrater reliability refers to the consistency of the interview results among multiple interviewers. While all these factors are important, validity is specifically concerned with the accuracy of the interview itself in achieving its intended purpose.

Question 4

The most common type of reliability assessed and reported for structured diagnostic interviews is

Accepted Answer

The most common type of reliability assessed and reported for structured diagnostic interviews is interrater reliability, which measures the degree to which different raters or interviewers agree on the presence or absence of diagnostic criteria. Test-retest reliability measures the stability of the assessment over time, internal consistency reliability measures the degree to which items within a scale are consistent with each other, and temporal reliability refers to the stability of the assessment across different time points or occasions. While these other types of reliability may also be important for assessing the quality of a diagnostic interview, interrater reliability is typically the most relevant and frequently reported in the literature.

Question 5

According to the text,which of the following is true based on research on structured interviews?

Accepted Answer

The text states that "Research has shown that structured interviews are tolerated well by patients, but are used less frequently than unstructured interviews." Therefore, patients don't mind them, but they are used less frequently than unstructured interviews.

Question 6

What is the term for the type of interview that consists of a standard set of questions and follow-up probes that are asked in a predetermined sequence?

Accepted Answer

A structured interview is a type of interview that consists of a standard set of questions and follow-up probes that are asked in a predetermined sequence. This type of interview is often used in research studies or when conducting job interviews to ensure consistency and objectivity in the interview process. Option A (intake-admission) refers to the process of gathering initial information from a client or patient. Option C (case-history) refers to a comprehensive record of a person's medical, psychological, and social history. Option D (systematic) means following a methodical or orderly approach.

Question 7

Intake-admission interviews generally have the purpose of

Accepted Answer

Intake-admission interviews usually serve multiple purposes, such as determining the reason for the patient's visit, assessing whether the agency can meet the patient's needs and expectations, and obtaining a complete personal and social history.

Question 8

The introduction of operational criteria as part of the definitions of most mental disorders was essential to the development of structured interviews.Such criteria first appeared in

Accepted Answer

The introduction of operational criteria as part of the definitions of most mental disorders first appeared in DSM-III. This was a major change from the previous versions of the DSM, which relied more heavily on descriptive criteria and lacked operational definitions. The inclusion of operational criteria was essential to the development of structured interviews and improved diagnostic reliability.

Question 9

Intake-admission interviews

Accepted Answer

Intake-admission interviews are increasingly conducted over the telephone to accommodate more patients and streamline the process.

Question 10

Mental status examination interviews cover

Accepted Answer

Mental status examination interviews cover all three areas of mood, state of consciousness, and thought processes. It is a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's mental health and is important in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses. Therefore, all three options are correct.

Question 11

The purpose of __________ interviews includes the provision of immediate resources.

Accepted Answer

Crisis interviews are specifically designed to provide immediate resources and support during an acute psychological crisis. Diagnostic interviews are used to assess and diagnose a client's mental health status, intake-admission interviews are conducted when a client is first admitted to a facility, and a mental status examination is typically conducted by a mental health professional to evaluate a person's current mental state.

Question 12

Interviewers should never

Accepted Answer

The answer of Interviewers should never
...

Question 13

Dr.Seul will be doing a clinical assessment later this morning,and he wants things to go as well as possible.ALL BUT WHICH of the following should help him to achieve that goal?

Accepted Answer

Giving full play to the client's emotions during the contact, even if it means going off topic, may not necessarily help Dr. Seul achieve his goal of conducting a successful clinical assessment. Staying focused and on-topic is important for obtaining necessary information and making appropriate diagnoses and treatment plans. Therefore, choice C is the exception and unlikely to help Dr. Seul achieve his goal. The other options (A, B, D) are all important in helping Dr. Seul prepare for and conduct a successful clinical assessment.

Question 14

According to the text,in what two basic respects do the various types of clinical interviews differ?

Accepted Answer

The text states that the various types of clinical interviews differ in their purpose (for example, diagnostic, assessment, or therapeutic) and in their level of structure (ranging from unstructured to highly structured). Therefore, option C, which identifies purpose and level of structure as the two basic respects in which clinical interviews differ, is the best choice. Options A and D mention time, which is not mentioned as a basis for differentiating clinical interviews in the text. Option B mentions formality, which is not specifically discussed as a factor distinguishing different types of clinical interviews, although formality may be related to level of structure in some cases.

Question 15

Dr.Hebb and his client are of the same sex and ethnicity.Dr.Vernon and his client differ with regard to both sex and ethnicity.What assumption below is a safe one to make?

Accepted Answer

The sex and ethnicity of the therapist and client are not sufficient to assume anything about their values or beliefs. These assumptions may lead to stereotyping and should be avoided.

Question 16

If a clinical psychologist is going to work with psychiatrists extensively,it is particularly important that he/she be familiar with __________ interviews,as they are one of the primary assessment tools used by psychiatrists.

Accepted Answer

Mental status examinations are often used by psychiatrists as an initial assessment tool to evaluate a patient's cognitive and emotional functioning. Therefore, it is important for a clinical psychologist to be familiar with this assessment tool if they will be working closely with psychiatrists. Intake-admission interviews, crisis interventions, and case-history interviews may be important for clinical psychologists to know, but they are not necessarily the primary assessment tools used by psychiatrists.

Question 17

The SCID-I

Accepted Answer

The SCID-I (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders) is a structured interview that is specifically designed to generate DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, making choice B the correct answer. It is not primarily intended to provide immediate assistance to clients nor is it designed for child clients, thereby eliminating choices A and C as correct answers.

Question 18

Dr.Lyons has developed an interview that assesses for a temporary psychiatric syndrome.When he collects data and calculates the one-month test-retest reliability,the figure is low.Which of the following is a possible explanation for this low figure?

Accepted Answer

Both A and B are possible explanations for low test-retest reliability. People's symptoms may have changed over the one-month time frame, leading to different responses on the second administration. Additionally, people may have been bored or fatigued during one or both administrations, leading to inconsistent responses.

Question 19

The type of interview that generally covers the broadest range of material is the __________ interview.

Accepted Answer

The case-history interview covers the broadest range of material as it involves collecting comprehensive information about the client's background, personal history, and reasons for seeking help, providing a broad understanding of the individual's life and issues.

Question 20

Case-history interviews of adult clients

Accepted Answer

Case-history interviews of adult clients typically cover a wide range of topics, including sexual development and medical history, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the client's background and current situation.

Quiz 6: The Assessment Interview