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Psychological Testing – How it Can Help Therapists
Brooke Schauder, PhDErie Psychology Consortium
Pacific Graduate School of Psychology
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4 Categories of Psychological Tests
1. Intelligence Tests
2. Achievement Tests:Measure how well an individual is functioning relative to their potential (based on IQ), and relative to their age, peer, similar demographic group. (WRAT)
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3. Neuropsychological Tests:Determine whether there is an organic or medically/biologically based problem in cognitive functioning (head injury, Alzheimer's dementia, toxic chemical exposure).
4. Personality Tests: Measures “non-intellectual” factors, such as emotional, interpersonal, motivation, interests, attitudes (Axis I & II syndromes).
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True Psychological Assessments
Empirical / Standardized
Valid
Reliable
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Bell Curve
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Subtypes of Tests:
Qualitative Vs. Quantitative Qualitative: TAT (no numerical score) Quantitative: WAIS Projective Vs. Objective Projective: Rorschach (theory: individual
projects/expresses personal beliefs/emotions/psyche outward)
Self Report: BDI
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Importance of Test Confidentiality and Trained Examiners
-Patients cannot practice for tests or relay information to others (faking a psychological disorder, attaining a high score on an IQ test, etc)
-If the examiner is not trained sufficiently, responses can be invalid – very strict in how to administer questions. Can hurt patients if incorrect results are produced. Scoring and interpretation require statistics training.
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When To Refer
Differential Diagnosis, ie: -asperger’s vs. schizoid -PDD vs. learning disorder -head injury vs. ADHD -Psychosis vs. Borderline -Major Depression vs. alzheimer’s,
aging -head injury vs. dementia
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When To Refer School has not done comprehensive
evaluation – you suspect emotional component
ADHD ONLY if totally necessary – often does not require formal testing – good if you need parent AND teacher rating (if child only displays symptoms at home and you need to point this out to parent)
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When to Refer If you suspect Malingering
Sudden decline in cognitive functioning
Medications aren’t working
If differential diagnosis between Axis II disorders is needed
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What to Include in Referral ALL Demographics
Previous Testing – ALWAYS ask patient
Your diagnostic Impressions/Differential Diagnosis
What to look for??? (psychotic features, PTSD symptoms, language/memory problems, etc.)