PSY 6204

This course provides students with an opportunity to learn about the foundational theory and practices in psychological assessment of adults and begins with an examination of the nature and limitations of psychological assessment through an in-depth review of psychometric theory. Students are then provided with a survey of prominent approaches to the assessment of various psychological constructs including intelligence, personality (objective and projective), and mental health symptoms. A critically informed analysis of the role, benefits and costs of psychological assessment and diagnosis is undertaken. An emphasis on issues related to psychological assessment with diverse populations is present throughout the course. Students receive hands-on instruction in the administration, scoring and interpretation of major psychological measures used with adults (e.g., tests of intelligence, academic achievement, personality and mental health). Within the context of conducting rigorous and comprehensive assessments, students are also introduced to the concept of "formulation", namely how clinical psychologists draw on theory and key empirical findings to examine a client's or family's problems, how they arose and what may currently be holding them in place. Moreover, the importance of considering cultural and individual differences when assessing clients is examined. Ethical issues that may arise when working with adults in an assessment context are explored.