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Psychological Testing – How it Can Help Therapists
Brooke Schauder, PhDErie Psychology Consortium
Pacific Graduate School of Psychology
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)
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).
True Psychological Assessments
Empirical / Standardized
Valid
Reliable
Bell Curve
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
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.
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
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)
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
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.)