Exam 3: Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis

Dr.Hall, a clinical psychologist, decides to conduct a behavioural assessment of five-year-old Sarah, instead of a clinical interview, after her parents report that she has had repeated and often physical conflicts with other children on the playground.Why is a behavioural assessment preferable in this case?

Identify and describe the ABCs of observational assessment.Using illustrative examples, explain how informal observation differs from formal observation, and the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Which form of assessment measures changes in the nervous system that reflect emotional or psychological events?

Many types of stress-reduction treatments, through the process of relaxation, attempt to increase the frequency of which wave pattern?

The DSM-5 is similar to the DSM -IV- R in which of the following ways?

Suppose an individual taking the MMPI makes false claims about psychological problems.On which scale will they most likely obtain an elevated score?

With respect to monitoring procedures, which of the following is an example of the reactivity phenomenon?

What is a disadvantage of semistructured interviews?

Researcher David Wolfe used contrived situations to assess the emotional reactions of parents with a history of abuse toward their children.His goal of creating these situations was to use the observations to develop which of the following?

Why are neuropsychological tests used?

What is main goal of a prognosis?

A patient who had recurrent headaches, fatigue, and loss of appetite received different diagnoses from several psychiatrists.In terms of assessment, what type of problem does this example illustrate?

Why was the Comprehensive System for administering and scoring the Rorschach inkblot test developed?

If it were important to determine the exact location of brain impairment, which of the following would most likely be used?

Labelling a patient with a diagnosis is often referred to as a "double-edged sword," as the diagnostic label can both help and hurt the patient.Explain the advantages and disadvantages (to the patient) of a diagnostic label.

Dr.Klassen is a therapist who has chosen to employ the Thematic Apperception Test with one of his clients.What is the most likely reason for his decision?

How does the fMRI procedure differ from the traditional MRI?

Which approach allows some variation in symptoms without changing classification?

Which of the following is NOT a category covered in a mental status exam?

Your 70-year-old father is recounting a childhood story when he describes affectionately the boy down the street as an imbecile.You respond to your father by saying, in classifying mental disorders, we don't use labels such as "moron," "imbecile," or "idiot" anymore.When he asks you why, how do you respond?