|
Common
types of psychological evaluations
Achievement
(Or aptitude) tests measure one’s knowledge or mastery of a specific area.
These tests are often administered by schools and educational institutions.
Subjects such as language and mathematics are often the topics of such
assessments.
Diagnostic
psychological evaluations are used by psychologists to determine if an
individual exhibits any signs of specific psychological diagnosis. These tests
are useful in determining if any psychological conditions are underlying an
individual’s behavior.
Intelligence
tests differ from achievement tests in that they measure one’s potential for
learning as opposed to what one already knows. These tests have often been
criticized as being culturally biased. It is for this reason that many school
districts will not administer intelligence tests.
Neuropsychological
tests are designed to measure difficulties with cognitive functioning. These
difficulties may include one’s ability to reason, think, or speak; often the
result of brain damage, stroke, or substance abuse.
Occupational
tests are designed to match your interests with the interests of persons in
known careers.
Personality
tests are used to assist psychologists in developing clinical diagnoses of
personality traits.
Commonly Used Psychological Evaluations
(These
evaluations are not available online due to copyright laws and the need for
testing security reasons. Many of these assessments require spontaneous
responses.)
Alcohol
Use Inventory (AUI)
The Alcohol Use Inventory (AUI), assists chemical
dependency counselors, psychologists, and social workers assess the reasons
behind an individuals alcohol use. This
evaluation also assists in classifying an individual according to DSM-IV®
classifications, which aids in identifying appropriate and specific
treatment options. This test includes a self-assessment format
that enables substance-abuse professionals to
compare an individual's perceptions about his or her use of alcohol with the
interviewer's perceptions and those of family members and others.
BASC-2
system
The BASC-2 system is designed to assess the behaviors and emotions of
preschool through college-age individuals. The BASC-2 system enables assessment
from three vantage points – self, teacher, and parent/caregiver – to help
ensure a balanced evaluation. The system allows an extensive view of adaptive
and maladaptive behavior and measures areas important for both IDEA and DSM-IV®
classifications. Developed by renowned authors Cecil Reynolds, PhD, and Randy W.
Kamphaus, PhD, the BASC-2 system is respected for its developmental sensitivity.
This multi-dimensional tool provides strong support to clinicians in helping
children and adolescents thrive.
Source: pearsonassessments.com
BASI™
(Basic Achievement Skills Inventory)
BASI is an achievement test that assesses math, reading, and language
skills for children and adults. This may be used to identify areas that require
reinforcement.
BHI™
2
(Battery
for Health Improvement 2)
The BHI 2 is a toll used to assess medical patients. It encompasses a
multi-dimensional approach that address psychological, social, and biological
issues that enable medical professionals diagnose issues may be relevant to the
course of a patient’s medical treatment. Based on the principle that
psychological and social issues may interfere with a patient’s response to
treatment, and it’s outcomes, this evaluation is designed to improve the
effectiveness of medical treatments. The BHI also aids medical professionals
help those who are survivors of violent crimes.
The Children’s Depression Inventory
The Children’s Depression Inventory
assesses signs of depression in children and adolescents (Ages 6-17).
This evaluation looks at behavior, affect, and cognitive responses in
evaluating an individual. The person being evaluated responds to series of
statements, and chooses an answer that best describes how he/she is feeling at
the time. Some areas addressed in this evaluation include feelings of
worthlessness, depressions, and hopelessness.
This assessment may be administered at
school or in a medical or therapeutic environment.
CAARS
(Conner’s'
Adult ADHD Rating Scales)
CRS-R
(Conner’s’
Rating Scales-Revised)
The Conner’s’ Adult Rating Scales have been designed to address
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children and adults (CAARS is for
adults only). The CRS-R may be administered to children as young as three years
of age. This evaluation is used in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of
ADHD.
Some common behaviors identified through the Conner’s Rating Scales include:
-
Oppositional behaviors
-
Cognitive difficulties
-
Hyperactivity
-
Anxiety
-
Perfectionism
-
Social difficulties
DPRS®
(Derogatis
Psychiatric Rating Scale)
The Derogatis Psychiatric Rating Scale (DPRS)
instrument, formerly known as the Hopkins Psychiatric Rating Scale, is
psychiatric rating scale used to validate patients’ self-reports.
Some elements of this scale include:
Source: Pearson
Assessments DPRS
GAMA
(General
Ability Measure for Adults)
The GAMA is an intelligence test that uses sequencing, matching, and
construction of shapes, colors, and designs. The test is non-verbal and
self-administered.
ISO-30
(Inventory of Suicide Orientation-30
for adolescents 13-17 years old)
Developed by Dr. Theodore Millon, a renowned leader in the field of personality
development, the ISO-30 is a tool for measuring the risk of suicide. The
evaluation is often used to identify at-risk adolescents, facilitate therapeutic
intervention, and measure progress after treatment.
Millon Clinical
Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-II/III/MACI)
The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-II/III/MACI)
has been used for more than twenty years and is the second most widely used of
all psychological tests. Not only does the MCMI evaluate Mental Health problems,
more importantly, its strength is in determining underlying personality patterns
that are essential to understanding and effectively treating clients. These
personality patterns are also vital in identifying Thinking Errors that can be
treated with a Cognitive Behavioral approach.
MMPI-2™
(Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2™)
MMPI-A
(Minnesota
Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent™)
The MMPI-2 remains the most widely used and widely researched test of adult
psychopathology. Used by clinicians to assist with the diagnosis of mental
disorders and the selection of appropriate treatment methods, the MMPI-2 test
continues to help meet the assessment needs of mental health professionals in an
ever-changing environment.
This test can be used to help:
-
Assess major symptoms of social and
personal maladjustment.
-
Identify suitable candidates for
high-risk public safety positions.
-
Support classification, treatment, and
management decisions in criminal justice and correctional settings.
-
Give a strong empirical foundation for a
clinician's expert testimony.
-
Assess medical patients and design
effective treatment strategies, including chronic pain management.
-
Evaluate participants in substance abuse
programs and select appropriate treatment approaches.
-
Support college and career counseling
recommendations.
-
Provide valuable insight for marriage
and family counseling.
Source:
Pearson Assessments
MSI
(Multiphasic Sex Inventory)
The Multiphasic Sex Inventory (MSI) is a self-report questionnaire which
consists of statements about sexual activities, problems, and experiences. It
has scales which assess the level of openness about the deviant sexual
behaviors. It is intended to be used in assessing sex offenders to develop
treatment plans and to be used during treatment to assess progress. It must
never be used when the defendant is denying the offense.
PDS
(Posttraumatic
Stress Diagnostic Scale)
The Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS) assessment is designed to
identify and diagnose PTSD according to DSM-IV® diagnostic criteria. This
assessment may be also used as a tool for monitoring PTSD throughout the course
of treatment. This test is designed for adults.
Rorschach
Most people have heard of the famed
Rorschach test, developed by Hermann Rorschach, MD.
This test was designed to determine personality traits by interpreting a
subject's responses to inkblot images. There are only ten Rorschach inkblots.
These inkblots are used to assess personality structure and possible
psychopathology. This test is widely used and highly respected. The cards break
cultural and language barriers because they do not require the use of reading
for administration. This test can be administered to anyone five years of age or
older.
Substance
Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI-3/SASSI-A2)
The Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory
(SASSI-3/SASSI-A2) was designed to detect addiction even in resistant clients.
Based on empirical data, the SASSI not only measures reported substance use,
but, more importantly, detects personality and social system characteristics
that research has shown to be disproportionately present in addicted individuals
including subtle characteristics that are not easily predicted and so are harder
to fake. Levels of present exposure to systems that use alcohol, as well as ACOA
features, are identified by the SASSI and may prove important to rehabilitative
efforts.
T-JTA
(Taylor-Johnson
Temperament Analysis)
The Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis (T-JTA) is an assessment designed for
adults, as a toll to identify personal characteristics that influence one’s
relationships with others. This assessment is often used in marriage or couples
counseling. This assessment may be administered individually as well, proving
insight into ones self-awareness of traits and temperament in dealing with
others. This assessment is useful in encouraging discussion in a multitude of
relationship counseling and enrichment settings. This assessment has also proven
to be useful in pre-marital counseling as well.
Click here to close this window |