PSYCH 270 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Sensorium, Emil Kraepelin, Nosology
Chapter 3
ASSESSING PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS
➢ Clinical assessment→ Systematic evaluation & measurement of
psych/bio/social factors in an individual presenting with a possible
psych disorder
➢ Diagnosis→ Process of determining that those factors meet all criteria
for specific psych disorder
➢ Reliability, validity, & standardization are important components in determining VALUE of psych
assessment
➢ Clinicians may first interview & take informal mental status exam of patient
➢ Variety of tests can be used during assessment:
○ Projective tests
○ Personal inventories→ Self-reported questionnaire
○ Intelligence testing→ IQ
➢ Biological aspects of psych disorders may be assessed through neurophysical testing designed to
identify possible areas of brain dysfunction
KEY TERMS
- Reliability→ Degree to which a measurement is consistent
- Validity→ Degree to which a technique measures what it is designed to
measure
- Standardization→ Certain set of standards that ensure consistency across
diff. measures
- Mental status exam→ Systematic observation of one’s behavior
- Looks at (1) appearance & behavior, (2) thought process, (3) mood & affect, (4) intellectual
functioning, (5) sensorium
- Behavioral assessment→ Using direct observation to formally assess an
individual’s thoughts/feelings/behavior in specific situations
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Document Summary
Clinical assessment systematic evaluation & measurement of psych/bio/social factors in an individual presenting with a possible psych disorder. Diagnosis process of determining that those factors meet all criteria for specific psych disorder. Reliability, validity, & standardization are important components in determining value of psych assessment. Clinicians may first interview & take informal mental status exam of patient. Variety of tests can be used during assessment: Biological aspects of psych disorders may be assessed through neurophysical testing designed to identify possible areas of brain dysfunction. Reliability degree to which a measurement is consistent. Validity degree to which a technique measures what it is designed to measure. Standardization certain set of standards that ensure consistency across diff. measures. Mental status exam systematic observation of one"s behavior. Looks at (1) appearance & behavior, (2) thought process, (3) mood & affect, (4) intellectual functioning, (5) sensorium.
