Advanced Psychological Assessment
Duration
- One semester / teaching period
Contact hours
- 42 hours + Blended
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
2024 teaching periods
| Hawthorn Higher Ed. Semester 1 |
||
|---|---|---|
Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Prerequisites
Admission to the one of the Doctor of Psychology programs.Corequisites
NilAims and objectives
This unit of study introduces a number of specific assessment instruments and procedures commonly employed by practicing psychologists. The goal is to build on competencies required at APAC Level 2 (Honours or equivalent) and to focus on the practical application of specific tests and procedures. A basic knowledge of concepts of reliability and validity is assumed. In discussing tests and interview procedures, the role of assessment in psychological practice is considered along with the process of clinical decision making. The aim is to further develop students’ capacity to use tests judiciously and to build towards competency in the use of tests of psychological functioning (including learning, intelligence, emotion, cognition, memory and personality) as required by the Psychology Board of Australia for clinical psychology endorsement.
After successfully completing this unit, the student will be able to:
1. Administer psychometric tests and personality inventories and interpret the results of these measures in a clinically meaningful way
2. Identify limitations of psychological tests with particular reference to validity, reliability, and cultural considerations
3. Conduct an assessment interview using a range of techniques including questionnaires, structured and semi-structured interviews, and unstructured interviews
4. Competently conduct a Mental State Examination, which will include the systematic observation of behaviour
5. Write informed, succinct, and valid reports based on a psychological assessment
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
This unit will involve up to 150 hours of work including:
Type | Hours per week | Number of Weeks | Total |
On campus Lecture | 1 | 12 | 12 |
On campus Workshop | 3 | 2 | 6 |
On campus Class | 2 | 12 | 24 |
Unspecified Activities Various | 9 | 12 | 108 |
TOTAL | 150 hours |
Assessment
Types | Individual or Group task | Weighting | Assesses attainment of these ULOs |
Report 1 (Personality Report) | Individual | 1,2,3,4,5 | |
Report 2 (Cognitive Report) | Individual | 1, 2, 5 | |
Reflection | Individual | 2, 3 | |
| Practical Exam | Individual | 1, 2 |
Hurdle requirements
General skills outcomes
You will be provided with feedback on your progress in attaining the following generic skills:
• Evaluation skills and report writing.
• Critical thinking.
• Report writing and integration of data
• Evaluation skills and report writing.
• Critical thinking.
• Report writing and integration of data
Content
- The theoretical basis for the assessment techniques used in psychology
- Guidelines for conducting an assessment interview
- Guidelines for test selection, including the psychometric properties of psychological tests
- Instruction in test administration and interpretation:
- The current version of an individually administered adult or child test of intelligence (some examples of appropriate tests include – WISC IV, WAIS IV)
- The current version of at least one major standardised test of personality (examples of appropriate tests include, MMPI-3 (and RF version), PAI, CPI, OMNI, NEO-PI)
- The current version of at least one specialised memory assessment (e.g. Wechsler Memory Scale; Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning)
- Guidelines for reporting on the results of a psychological assessment
- Graduate Attribute 1 (Communication 1 - Verbal Communication)
- Graduate Attribute 2 (Communication 2 - Communicating using different media)
- Graduate Attribute 3 (Teamwork 1 - Collaboration and negotiation)
- Graduate Attribute 4 (Teamwork 2 - Teamwork roles and processes)
- Graduate Attribute 5 (Digital Literacies 1 - Information literacy)
- Graduate Attribute 6 (Digital Literacies 2 - Technical literacy)