assessment concepts reliability validity inter-rater test-retest construct content concurrent/descriptive predictive/criterion standardization use of consistent set of standards in procedure for testing, scoring, evaluation
clinical interview mental status exam 1.appearance & behavior 1.thought process 1.mood & affect 1.intellectual functioning 1.sensorium
semi-structured clinical interview DSM Multiaxial System Axis I: Major Disorders Axis II: Personality Disorders & Mental Retardation Axis III: Medical Conditions Axis IV: Psychosocial & Environmental Factors Axis V: Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF)
testing Projective tests Rorschach Thematic Apperception Test
testing Personality Inventories (e.g.MMPI) Also: Lie Scale Malingering Scale
testing Neuropsychological Tests -tasks are associated with functioning of specific brain areas -poor task performance indicates impaired function (and possibly physical damage) of the specific brain area
structural vs. functional CT MRI PET fMRI testing Neuroimaging
CT scan x-ray & sensor low spatial resolution computerized axial tomography
MRI high spatial resolution magnetic resonance imaging
PET scan positron emission tomography low resolution (both temporal & spatial) radioactive material is absorbed
fMRI scan higher spatial resolution than PET (poor temporal resolution) 3-D images possible hemoglobin (blood protein that binds oxygen) changes its magnetic field response functional MRI
EEG psychophysiological techniques EO G EMG “electrophysiology” = electro-myograph = electro-oculograph = electro-encephalograph
EEG electroencephalography record of electrical activity below each electrode
EEG brainwaves characterize mental states
EMG electromyograph
SCR skin conductance/resistance index of physiological arousal
classification Classification – categories Taxonomy – scientific categories Nosology – psych or medical categories Classical Categorical Approach Used in medicine; discrete categories Dimensional Approach Characteristics range from low to high. Not “presence or absence” but rather “How much?” Prototypical Approach Essential features + meet # symptoms for dx
types of research descriptive experimental -observation (naturalistic vs lab) -survey -case study -correlational studies -epidemiology
correlation Are two variables related? 1. Do they move together or opposite? 2. How strongly? (if they are strongly related, we can predict one from the other)
correlation coefficient POSITIVENEGATIVE NO ASSN / - number = direction = strength weak (0 -.40) moderate ( ) strong (.70 – 1.00)
correlational studies POSITIVENEGATIVENO ASSN
To a group of people, give a questionnaire about their degree of shyness. Are shy people happy? To this same group, give a questionnaire about their degree of happiness. Each person has two scores. Use correlation. Is there a relationship between shyness & happiness? (Did one cause the other?)
correlational studies Correlation is NOT causation! A A B B C B A
example e.g. Ice cream sales positively correlate with the occurrence of violent crime. ice cream sales Variable 1 Variable 2 violent crime
independent variable dependent variable experimental research confounding variable
experimental research Interested in a specific treatment? Compare its effects to a control condition. “baseline” comparison
internal validity external validity - generalizability experimental research statistical vs clinical significance
repeated measurements withdrawal designs single case designs multiple baseline
family studies adoption studies twin studies genetics genotype phenotype
molecular genetic studies linkage analysis association study - searches for approximate location of a gene - tests a candidate disease gene
behavior over time prevention studies cross sectional -health promotion -universal -selected -indicated - diff age cohorts compared at same time longitudinal - one group tracked over time sequential - cross sectional study done longitudinally