Advanced Psychological Assessment
Duration
- One semester / teaching period
Contact hours
- 36 hours per teaching period plus two 3 hours workshops
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
2023 teaching periods
| Hawthorn Higher Ed. Semester 1 |
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|---|---|---|
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 course introduces a number of specific assessment instruments and procedures commonly employed by psychologists. The goal is to build on the theoretical material covered at fourth year level and to focus on the practical application of specific tests and procedures. In discussing tests and interview procedures the role of assessment in psychological practice is considered along with the utility of diagnostic systems such as DSM-IV and ICD-10, and the process of diagnostic decision making. The aim is to further develop students’ capacity to use tests judiciously and the tests selected fit with the competencies required for the Psychology Board of Australia.
After successfully completing this unit, you should have achieved a level of competence so that you will have:
1. An awareness of limitations of psychological tests with particular reference to notions of validity, reliability, and cultural issues;
2. A proficiency in interviewing (structured and unstructured interviews,
3. Ability to conduct selection interviews, survey interviewing, history taking, clinical interviewing for diagnostic purposes and group-based interviewing);
4. Competence in systematic observation of behaviour involving both naturalistic and clinical observation and in using predetermined procedures for observing the behaviour of one or more persons;
5. An understanding of assessment and diagnostic processes (selecting the appropriate assessment tool(s), administering the assessment tool(s), interpreting the assessment results
6. The ability to competently undertake a mental status examination; and writing informed, succinct, valid and well organised reports.
1. An awareness of limitations of psychological tests with particular reference to notions of validity, reliability, and cultural issues;
2. A proficiency in interviewing (structured and unstructured interviews,
3. Ability to conduct selection interviews, survey interviewing, history taking, clinical interviewing for diagnostic purposes and group-based interviewing);
4. Competence in systematic observation of behaviour involving both naturalistic and clinical observation and in using predetermined procedures for observing the behaviour of one or more persons;
5. An understanding of assessment and diagnostic processes (selecting the appropriate assessment tool(s), administering the assessment tool(s), interpreting the assessment results
6. The ability to competently undertake a mental status examination; and writing informed, succinct, valid and well organised reports.
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
This unit is taught using lectures (3 hours per week) with some guest speakers and case presentations, workshops, and class discussion.
Assessment
Psychological interview and MMPI OR interview and PAI Report Individual Pass/Resubmit
One of either a WAIS and WMS Report OR a WISC and WIAT report Group Pass/Resubmit
Hurdle requirements
This unit is marked as Pass or Fail. To pass this unit you must successfully complete all assessment tasks. You may be asked to resubmit or resit an assessment component if it is unsatisfactory on the first sitting.
One of either a WAIS and WMS Report OR a WISC and WIAT report Group Pass/Resubmit
Viva Test Administration Individual Pass/Resit
This unit is marked as Pass or Fail. To pass this unit you must successfully complete all assessment tasks. You may be asked to resubmit or resit an assessment component if it is unsatisfactory on the first sitting.
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;
• knowledge of psychometric properties of psychological tests and the ability to use this knowledge to inform problem formulation;
• test selection - ability to select appropriate assessment techniques and instruments with proper consideration of issues relating to reliability and validity;
• test administration and interpretive skills, including experience in the skilled administration and interpretation of at least
(i) the current version of an individually administered adult or child test of intelligence (some examples of appropriate tests include – WISC IV, WAIS IV, WPPSI-III,
(ii) the current version of at least one major standardised test of personality (examples of appropriate tests include, MMPI-2 (and RF version), PAI, CPI, OMNI, NEO-PI)
(iii) the current version of at least one specialised memory assessment (e.g. Wechsler Memory Scale; Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning); AND
(iv) at least four other tests, appropriate to the learning objectives of the course, which are based on empirically validated approaches and equivalent accuracy in the measurement of cognitive or behavioural functioning or an accurate measurement of aptitude, abilities or skills.
• knowledge of psychometric properties of psychological tests and the ability to use this knowledge to inform problem formulation;
• test selection - ability to select appropriate assessment techniques and instruments with proper consideration of issues relating to reliability and validity;
• test administration and interpretive skills, including experience in the skilled administration and interpretation of at least
(i) the current version of an individually administered adult or child test of intelligence (some examples of appropriate tests include – WISC IV, WAIS IV, WPPSI-III,
(ii) the current version of at least one major standardised test of personality (examples of appropriate tests include, MMPI-2 (and RF version), PAI, CPI, OMNI, NEO-PI)
(iii) the current version of at least one specialised memory assessment (e.g. Wechsler Memory Scale; Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning); AND
(iv) at least four other tests, appropriate to the learning objectives of the course, which are based on empirically validated approaches and equivalent accuracy in the measurement of cognitive or behavioural functioning or an accurate measurement of aptitude, abilities or skills.