PSYC9036 Psychological Assessment

2018

3

1 x 3-hour seminar weekly

1 Admission into MPSC-Master of Psychology (Clinical)
1a Admission into PHDCP-Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology)
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a))

The topic, which emphasises adult assessment, aims to equip each student with the necessary background to begin to perform psychological assessments for clients who are seen during the placement component of the program. Classes will consist of formal lectures, demonstrations, skills practice and other class work. The lectures will provide an introduction and orientation to the principles of psychological assessment, exposure to some of the more important and basic psychological test instruments, and approaches to the writing of psychological reports. The psychological tests to be covered will serve as an introduction to the assessment of intellectual and general cognitive functioning, memory and affective states.

To ensure that students develop an understanding of the theoretical and practical principles of psychological assessment. The topic will cover a range of domains, from behavioural assessment in clinical disorders to assessment of adult cognitive abilities.

Students successfully completing the topic should be able to:

• Administer and score the WAIS-III and WMS-III according to standardised instructions.

• Administer and score commonly used tests of depression and anxiety.

• Provide psychometric and qualitative descriptions of performances on the WAIS-III and WMS-III.

• Select appropriate and adequate test instruments in relation to the referral question.

• Demonstrate a basic capacity for appropriate report writing that integrates formal test results with other data such as history and clinical interview, observations and existing documentation.

• Demonstrate knowledge about the conduct of relevant clinical interviews and observations.

• Demonstrate general knowledge of the theory, structure, psychometrics, test conditions and the administration of psychological tests.

• Show an understanding of the psychometric framework for the interpretation of individual test results.