Unit 6:  Types of Unit 6:  Types of Assessment - Seminar     Assessment - Seminar       

This week we read chapters 9 and This week we read chapters 9 and 10, took a field trip to 10, took a field trip to humanmetrics to take a Jungian test. We have to take a Jungian test. We have looked at how we assess looked at how we assess Intelligence and Psychopathology. Intelligence and Psychopathology. Tonight the Seminar Discussion Tonight the Seminar Discussion focuses on the Thematic focuses on the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) see box 10 Apperception Test (TAT) see box 10 in your textbook (pages 215-6) in your textbook (pages 215-6)

Sample TAT Card (12F)Sample TAT Card (12F)

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

Box 10 in your textbook (pages 215-6) Box 10 in your textbook (pages 215-6) contains a TAT Card along with six contains a TAT Card along with six simulated responses.  Select one of simulated responses.  Select one of these responses.  these responses. 

What inference would you draw about What inference would you draw about the person telling this story?  the person telling this story? 

Compare your interpretation to those Compare your interpretation to those of the other students in the seminar.  of the other students in the seminar.  How consistent are your conclusions?How consistent are your conclusions?

Personality Assessment Personality Assessment and Behavioral and Behavioral AssessmentAssessment Multi-method assessmentMulti-method assessment

– No measure of personality or behavior is No measure of personality or behavior is perfectperfect

– It is best to use multiple methodsIt is best to use multiple methods TestsTests InterviewsInterviews ObservationsObservations Other sourcesOther sources

– Convergent conclusions can be made with Convergent conclusions can be made with more confidencemore confidence

Culturally Competent Culturally Competent AssessmentAssessment Every culture has its own definitions of Every culture has its own definitions of

“normal” and “abnormal”“normal” and “abnormal” Culturally competent clinical Culturally competent clinical

psychologists are aware of this, and of psychologists are aware of this, and of the influence of their own cultural the influence of their own cultural perspectiveperspective

Especially important not to Especially important not to overpathologize overpathologize – View as abnormal what is culturally normalView as abnormal what is culturally normal

Objective Personality Objective Personality TestsTests Include unambiguous test items, Include unambiguous test items,

offer clients a limited range of offer clients a limited range of responses, and are objectively responses, and are objectively scored scored

Typically self-report questionnairesTypically self-report questionnaires Typically a series of brief Typically a series of brief

statements or questions to which statements or questions to which clients respond in a true/false or clients respond in a true/false or multiple choice formatmultiple choice format

Objective Personality Objective Personality TestsTests What is your impression of What is your impression of

objective personality tests? Do objective personality tests? Do you think they can accurately you think they can accurately identify the components of an identify the components of an individual’s personality? Why or individual’s personality? Why or why not?why not?

Minnesota Multiphasic Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2)(MMPI-2) Most popular and most Most popular and most

psychometrically sound objective psychometrically sound objective personality testpersonality test

Pencil & paper formatPencil & paper format 567 self-descriptive sentences567 self-descriptive sentences Client marks true or false for eachClient marks true or false for each

Minnesota Multiphasic Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) (cont.)(MMPI-2) (cont.) Original MMPI was published in 1943Original MMPI was published in 1943

– Primary authors were Starke Hathaway Primary authors were Starke Hathaway and J. C. McKinleyand J. C. McKinley

– Empirical criterion keying was used as test Empirical criterion keying was used as test construction methodconstruction method

Item is included in test only if it elicits different Item is included in test only if it elicits different responses from clinical groupsresponses from clinical groups

Revised edition, MMPI-2, was published Revised edition, MMPI-2, was published in 1989in 1989– Better norms (especially Better norms (especially

demographically/culturally)demographically/culturally)– Less outdated wording of itemsLess outdated wording of items

Minnesota Multiphasic Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) (cont.)(MMPI-2) (cont.) MMPI and MMPI-2 also feature validity MMPI and MMPI-2 also feature validity

scalesscales– To measure test-taking attitudesTo measure test-taking attitudes– Can identify clients who “fake good” or Can identify clients who “fake good” or

“fake bad,” or clients who respond “fake bad,” or clients who respond randomlyrandomly

MMPI-A (for adolescents, age 14-18) MMPI-A (for adolescents, age 14-18) was published in 1992was published in 1992– Similar clinical scales, validity scales, and Similar clinical scales, validity scales, and

administrationadministration

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

What are some advantages of using a What are some advantages of using a disorders-based objective personality disorders-based objective personality measure, such as the MMPI-2? measure, such as the MMPI-2?

What are some disadvantages? What are some disadvantages?

Minnesota Multiphasic Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) (cont.)(MMPI-2) (cont.) Strengths include psychometrics Strengths include psychometrics

(established reliability and (established reliability and validity) and comprehensivenessvalidity) and comprehensiveness

Limitations include length, Limitations include length, reading requirement, attention reading requirement, attention requirement, and emphasis on requirement, and emphasis on pathology/abnormalitypathology/abnormality

Millon Clinical Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-III)(MCMI-III) Originally created by Theodore MillonOriginally created by Theodore Millon Like the MMPI-2 in some waysLike the MMPI-2 in some ways

– Comprehensive objective personality testComprehensive objective personality test– Self-report, pencil & paper formatSelf-report, pencil & paper format

Main difference: MCMI-III emphasizes Main difference: MCMI-III emphasizes personality disorderspersonality disorders– Its clinical scales are based on DSM Its clinical scales are based on DSM

personality disorders (e.g., antisocial, personality disorders (e.g., antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, paranoid)borderline, narcissistic, paranoid)

NEO Personality NEO Personality Inventory—Revised (NEO-Inventory—Revised (NEO-PI-R)PI-R) Originally created by Paul Costa and Robert Originally created by Paul Costa and Robert

McCrae McCrae Another objective personality testAnother objective personality test

– Pencil & paper, self-report formatPencil & paper, self-report format Main distinction: measures “normal” Main distinction: measures “normal”

personality traits (not pathologies)personality traits (not pathologies)– Based on Five Factor model of personalityBased on Five Factor model of personality– Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness,

Conscientiousness, AgreeablenessConscientiousness, Agreeableness Lacks validity scales, and of limited help with Lacks validity scales, and of limited help with

clinical diagnosisclinical diagnosis

NEO Personality NEO Personality Inventory—Revised (NEO-Inventory—Revised (NEO-PI-R)PI-R) What are some advantages of using a What are some advantages of using a

more neutral objective personality more neutral objective personality measure, such as the NEO-PI-R? measure, such as the NEO-PI-R?

What are some disadvantages?What are some disadvantages?

California Personality California Personality Inventory—III (CPI-III)Inventory—III (CPI-III) Another example of an objective Another example of an objective

personality testpersonality test– Pencil & paper, self-report formatPencil & paper, self-report format

Like NEO-PI-R, doesn’t emphasize Like NEO-PI-R, doesn’t emphasize pathologypathology

In fact, CPI-III emphasizes positive In fact, CPI-III emphasizes positive attributes of personality—strengths, attributes of personality—strengths, assets, internal resourcesassets, internal resources

Consistent with recent positive Consistent with recent positive psychology movementpsychology movement

Beck Depression Beck Depression Inventory—II (BDI-II)Inventory—II (BDI-II) Not a comprehensive test of personality, Not a comprehensive test of personality,

but a brief, targeted measure of one but a brief, targeted measure of one characteristic (depression symptoms)characteristic (depression symptoms)

21 items; takes 5-10 minutes to 21 items; takes 5-10 minutes to completecomplete

Pencil & paper, self-report formatPencil & paper, self-report format Lacks validity scales, and much more Lacks validity scales, and much more

limited scope than other tests discussed limited scope than other tests discussed to this pointto this point

Projective Personality Projective Personality TestsTests Based on the assumption that clients Based on the assumption that clients

will “project their personalities when will “project their personalities when presented with unstructured, ambiguous presented with unstructured, ambiguous stimuli and an unrestricted opportunity stimuli and an unrestricted opportunity to respondto respond

Lack of objectivity in scoring and Lack of objectivity in scoring and interpretationinterpretation– Considered by many to be empirically Considered by many to be empirically

inferior to objective testsinferior to objective tests– Usage has declined in recent decadesUsage has declined in recent decades

Rorschach Inkblot Rorschach Inkblot MethodMethod Created in 1921 by Hermann Created in 1921 by Hermann

RorschachRorschach 10 inkblots (5 in color, 5 black & white) 10 inkblots (5 in color, 5 black & white)

are presentedare presented Clients say what they see in each blot Clients say what they see in each blot

(in “response” phase)(in “response” phase) Later (in “inquiry” phase), explain Later (in “inquiry” phase), explain

what features of the blot caused them what features of the blot caused them to make their responsesto make their responses

Exner’s Comprehensive System is Exner’s Comprehensive System is most widely used scoring systemmost widely used scoring system

Rorschach Inkblot Rorschach Inkblot Method (cont.)Method (cont.) Scoring emphasizes how the client Scoring emphasizes how the client

perceives the blot as well as what the client perceives the blot as well as what the client seessees

Scoring variables include:Scoring variables include:– Location (Whole blot, large part, or small detail?)Location (Whole blot, large part, or small detail?)– Determinants (Form, color, or shading of blot?)Determinants (Form, color, or shading of blot?)– Form Quality (Conventional? Distorted?)Form Quality (Conventional? Distorted?)– Popular (What others see? Idiosyncratic?)Popular (What others see? Idiosyncratic?)– Content (What kinds of objects appear Content (What kinds of objects appear

frequently?) frequently?) Reliability and validity are questionable and Reliability and validity are questionable and

hotly debatedhotly debated

Rorschach-like CardRorschach-like Card

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

What types of information, if any, might a What types of information, if any, might a projective personality measure, such as the projective personality measure, such as the Rorschach Inkblot Method, elicit that an Rorschach Inkblot Method, elicit that an objective instrument, such as the MMPI-2, might objective instrument, such as the MMPI-2, might fail to produce? Besides attempting to assess fail to produce? Besides attempting to assess personality, do projective assessment personality, do projective assessment instruments provide any additional benefit? (For instruments provide any additional benefit? (For example, a projective test, such as the example, a projective test, such as the Rorschach, may aid a psychologist in Rorschach, may aid a psychologist in establishing rapport and may reveal a particular establishing rapport and may reveal a particular client’s tolerance for ambiguity or abstract client’s tolerance for ambiguity or abstract thinking.)thinking.)

Thematic Apperception Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)Test (TAT) Published in 1943 by Henry Murray and Published in 1943 by Henry Murray and

Christiana MorganChristiana Morgan Like Rorschach in that it involves a Like Rorschach in that it involves a

series of cards with ambiguous stimuliseries of cards with ambiguous stimuli Cards feature interpersonal scenes Cards feature interpersonal scenes

rather than inkblotsrather than inkblots Client tells a story to go along with Client tells a story to go along with

each sceneeach scene Often, not formally or empirically Often, not formally or empirically

scoredscored Reliability and validity are questionableReliability and validity are questionable

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

How is the TAT typically administered How is the TAT typically administered and interpreted by a psychologist?  and interpreted by a psychologist?  What do you think are the most (and What do you think are the most (and least) appropriate uses of the TAT?least) appropriate uses of the TAT?

Sentence Completion Sentence Completion TestsTests The ambiguous stimuli are not inkblots or The ambiguous stimuli are not inkblots or

interpersonal scenes, but beginnings of interpersonal scenes, but beginnings of sentences sentences

Rotter Incomplete Sentence Blank (RISB) is Rotter Incomplete Sentence Blank (RISB) is most widely usedmost widely used

Simulated examples:Simulated examples:– I enjoy_______________.I enjoy_______________.– It makes me furious_______________.It makes me furious_______________.– My greatest weakness_________.My greatest weakness_________.

Not often formally or empirically scoredNot often formally or empirically scored Reliability and validity are questionable Reliability and validity are questionable

Behavioral AssessmentBehavioral Assessment

As opposed to traditional personality As opposed to traditional personality assessment, behavioral assessment assessment, behavioral assessment assumes that client behaviors are not assumes that client behaviors are not signs of underlying issues or problems; signs of underlying issues or problems; instead, those behaviors instead, those behaviors areare the the problemsproblems

The behavior a client demonstrates is a The behavior a client demonstrates is a sample of the problem itself, not a sign sample of the problem itself, not a sign of some deeper, underlying problem of some deeper, underlying problem

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

How useful is projective testing in How useful is projective testing in general?  What concerns do you have general?  What concerns do you have about its use?  Do you think it is about its use?  Do you think it is culturally fair?  Why or why not?culturally fair?  Why or why not?

Techniques of Techniques of Behavioral AssessmentBehavioral Assessment Behavioral observation is the most Behavioral observation is the most

essential techniqueessential technique– Direct, systematic observation of a client’s Direct, systematic observation of a client’s

behavior in the natural environmentbehavior in the natural environment– Also known as naturalistic observationAlso known as naturalistic observation– Requires operationally defining target Requires operationally defining target

behavior and measuring its frequency, behavior and measuring its frequency, duration, or intensity across specified time duration, or intensity across specified time periodsperiods

Often more accurate than asking client to report Often more accurate than asking client to report on their own behaviorson their own behaviors

Technology in Technology in Behavioral AssessmentBehavioral Assessment Laptop computers or handheld Laptop computers or handheld

devices can be used to record devices can be used to record observed behaviorsobserved behaviors

Numerous software programs have Numerous software programs have been created for this purposebeen created for this purpose

Clients can use similar technological Clients can use similar technological tools for self-monitoring tools for self-monitoring

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

To which settings and for what clients might To which settings and for what clients might behavioral assessment most appropriately behavioral assessment most appropriately lend itself? What are your impressions of the lend itself? What are your impressions of the behavioral assessment method?behavioral assessment method?

Personality Assessment and Personality Assessment and Behavioral Assessment Behavioral Assessment Internet Internet ResourcesResources http://www.pearsonassessments.com/tests/mmpi_2.htm Website of the publisher of the MMPI-2Website of the publisher of the MMPI-2

   http://www.stub.unibe.ch/html/rorschach/en/allginfo.html Website of the Hermann Rorschach Archives and MuseumWebsite of the Hermann Rorschach Archives and Museum

http://www3.parinc.com/products/product.aspx?Productid=NEO-PI-R Website of the publisher of the NEO-PI-RWebsite of the publisher of the NEO-PI-R

http://www.millon.net/ Website of Theodore Millon, creator of the MCMI-IIIWebsite of Theodore Millon, creator of the MCMI-III

   http://mfba.net/ Website on Multimodal Functional Behavioral Assessment (a type of Website on Multimodal Functional Behavioral Assessment (a type of

behavioral assessment)behavioral assessment)

Questions?Questions?