Question 1

A client is asked to respond to items such as "How much distress do your obsessive thoughts cause you?" by using numbers from 0 to 4.What type of assessment is being used?

Accepted Answer

This is a rating scale because the client is asked to quantify their distress level using a numerical scale from 0 to 4.

Question 2

A psychologist is reviewing results of the MMPI-2 test administered to a client who was mandated by a judge to seek therapy.The psychologist is concerned that the client may not have answered the questions consistently and honestly.Which part of the MMPI-2 will be of special interest to this psychologist?

Accepted Answer

The validity scales on the MMPI-2 are designed to detect response patterns that may suggest the test-taker is not answering honestly or consistently. In the case of a client who was mandated to seek therapy, it is particularly important to examine the validity scales to understand whether the results are reliable and valid.

Question 3

An actuarial procedure of interpretation of psychological tests relies on

Accepted Answer

An actuarial procedure is a statistical method of interpretation that relies on empirical research findings to determine the probability of certain outcomes based on test results. This method emphasizes the use of objective and quantifiable data rather than subjective interpretations or assumptions. Therefore, choice D, which involves probability statements derived from empirical research, is the best option for interpreting psychological tests using an actuarial procedure.

Question 4

Self-monitoring refers to

Accepted Answer

Self-monitoring refers to when clients keep records of their own behavior, thoughts, and feelings outside of therapy sessions. This technique can be useful for identifying patterns, reinforcing progress, and increasing self-awareness.

Question 5

What is the primary assumption of projective personality tests?

Accepted Answer

The primary assumption of projective personality tests is that individuals would project unconscious feelings onto ambiguous stimuli. This means that the individual's response to the test would reveal aspects of their personality that are not consciously accessible. Self-report checklists (A) and interviews are not based on this assumption. Visual processing errors (B) may be indicative of schizophrenia, but this is not related to projective tests. Future goals (D) may reveal information about a person's motivation and personality, but this is not the primary assumption of projective tests.

Question 6

Carol is asked to complete a questionnaire made up of more than 500 true-false items.What test is she taking?

Accepted Answer

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is a standardized test used to assess personality characteristics and psychopathology. It consists of more than 500 true-false items, making it the only option among the given choices. The other tests listed have different formats and purposes.

Question 7

What is one of the limitations of the MMPI-2 as a personality measure?

Accepted Answer

People who are acutely psychotic often have difficulty reading and comprehending the questions in the MMPI-2, which limits its usefulness as a personality measure for this population.

Question 8

After reviewing the manual for scoring the MMPI-2,Elizabeth decides that the scoring can best be described as

Accepted Answer

The scoring of the MMPI-2 is considered to be objective because it is based on a standardized scoring key and does not involve subjective interpretation by the scorer. The answers are simply compared to the established norms to determine the extent to which the individual deviates from the norm.

Question 9

Several questions on the MMPI-2 contain questions that almost everyone is likely to answer in the same way; these questions are included to catch unsophisticated attempts to avoid answering honestly and are scored on the

Accepted Answer

The Lie Scale (L) of the MMPI-2 contains questions that are likely to be answered in a socially desirable manner, even by those with psychopathology. These questions are designed to catch attempts at faking good or avoiding answering honestly.

Question 10

A psychologist administers a series of projective tests to a client.Which major theoretical orientation is most consistent with this psychologist's preference in assessment methods?

Accepted Answer

Projective tests, such as the Rorschach and Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), were developed within the psychodynamic theoretical framework. These tests are based on the assumption that people will reveal unconscious thoughts and feelings through ambiguous stimuli. Psychodynamic theory emphasizes the importance of unconscious processes in shaping behavior, and projective tests are considered a tool to access these unconscious dynamics. Therefore, the psychologist's preference for projective tests suggests a psychodynamic orientation in assessment methods.

Question 11

What is one of the limitations of structured interviews?

Accepted Answer

One of the limitations of structured interviews is that the information provided by the client can be distorted. This can occur if the client responds in a socially desirable manner or if they are not able to accurately recall or report their experiences.

Question 12

One empirical finding about the MMPI-2 scales is that an individual's scores change over time.This finding could indicate a(n)

Accepted Answer

The fact that an individual's scores on the MMPI-2 scales change over time suggests that the scales may lack reliability, meaning they are not consistently measuring the same traits or characteristics. This could be due to a variety of factors, such as changes in the individual's life circumstances, mood, or level of stress.

Question 13

Reactivity refers to the

Accepted Answer

Reactivity refers to the tendency for a person to change their behavior when they know they are being observed. This can occur in various research settings, such as in laboratory experiments or during naturalistic observations, and it can affect the validity of the findings.

Question 14

Alice has been experiencing a number of symptoms of anxiety for several months.A psychologist decides to assess her symptoms by using a behavioral coding system.What is Alice likely to be asked to do?

Accepted Answer

A behavioral coding system involves observing and recording specific behaviors or symptoms displayed by an individual. Therefore, Alice would likely be asked to record the presence of specific symptoms during 30-minute segments throughout the day. This allows for a more objective assessment of her symptoms compared to self-reported ratings or subjective discussions. Option A is more relevant to a psychoanalytic approach. Option C could also be used but it is not specific to behavioral coding. Option D relates to physiological measurements and is not directly relevant to behavioral coding.

Question 15

A researcher wants to compare the use of rating scales to behavioral coding systems.After making the comparison,he concludes that behavioral coding systems tend to

Accepted Answer

The passage does not suggest that behavioral coding systems are less reliable, more qualitative, or require more subjective judgment. However, it does indicate that rating scales require more inference by the observer, whereas behavioral coding systems involve direct observation of behaviors. Therefore, the researcher concludes that behavioral coding systems require less inference by the observer compared to rating scales.

Question 16

What is the benefit of personality tests in psychological assessment?

Accepted Answer

The same stimuli are used every time the test is given, which ensures consistency and reliability in the assessment.

Question 17

An advantage of the MMPI-2 in clinical assessment is that it

Accepted Answer

The MMPI-2 covers a wide range of problems in an efficient manner, making it advantageous for clinical assessment.

Question 18

Projective tests

Accepted Answer

Projective tests involve the presentation of ambiguous stimuli, such as inkblots or pictures, and rely on the individual's interpretation and projection of their own personality onto that stimulus. They are not objectively scored or primarily used by cognitive behavioral therapists.

Question 19

Ray is suspicious and has the unrelenting delusion that agents of a foreign government are following him with the intention of killing him.If Ray were administered the MMPI-2,you expect that he would have a high score on the scale measuring

Accepted Answer

The MMPI-2 scale that measures suspicion and paranoia is the Paranoia (Pa) scale. Ray's belief that foreign agents are following him with the intent to kill him aligns with this scale, so it is highly likely that he would score high on this measure.

Question 20

Using observation as part of a clinical interview can help the interviewer to

Accepted Answer

Observing the client's behaviors during the clinical interview can help to validate or challenge what the client self-reports, providing more accurate information for assessment and treatment planning. It does not necessarily relate to uncovering unconscious or hidden issues, changing the client's self-report, or observing behaviors not performed in front of the interviewer.

Quiz 4: Classification and Assessment of Abnormal Behavior