ASSESSMENT

Assessment is the process of gathering and discussing information from multiple and diverse sources in order to develop a deep understanding.

• Assessment is fundamental aspect of forensic psychology

• Assessment mainly serves in

Categorization

Formulation

treatment

Conceptual issues in Assessment

Forensic psychological assessment is the use ofscientific methods to systematically evaluate a personin relation to specific legal purposes.

•In assessment Qualitative and quantitative measurement and observations

• several conceptual and methodological components of assessment are interrelated

• major function of assessment in forensic practice is that of prediction

Classification

•It is the division in to categories or classes

• we divide complex problem in to categories

•Good scientific classification provides

Clarity

Comprehensive

Acceptability

Fidelity

•Mental health profession follow the categorical framework that is DSM(recently available DSM 5) and ICD 10.

•They defined psychological dysfunction categorically.

• Medical model- categorical model

Self reported factors

Observable factors

Estimation of outcomes

Description and categorization

intervention

Dimensional approach

• Dimensions are ways

• In dimensional approach we look for the number of ways that needs to be considered

•Dimensional and categorical approach have reciprocal relationship

Diagnosis and formulation

• Diagnosis refers to specific form of categorizationinvolving the identification of signs and symptoms andtreatment related to it

• Formulation refers to approaches concerned withanalyzing specific cases to produce explanation ofproblems

Data Gathering• Data gathering is collecting information from different sources

•Psychological assessment data is usually self reported one.

• Data is gained through structured and semi structured interview

•Do not ask leading and threatening questions

•Ask open ended questions

Interview

• It is the most accessible source of self report information

• Interview helps in maintain rapport with the person that is necessary for positive change.

• They are highly flexible way of gathering information.

•Assessment interviews are structured.

Considerations for interview

1. Clarity of questions

2. Degree of understanding of questions by the person being assessed

3. Interview conditions

4. Range of complexity of problems being assessed

5. Training and expertise of interviewer

6. Validity of the interview

Test theory• Most of the psychological tests and assessment tools are theoretical based.

• Classical test theory is that any observed performance is thought to be composed of true performance and error.

• Item response theory is based on notion that probability of discrete outcomes on tests is a function of both individuals and test item parameters

Test-retest Split half

Alternate form Internal consistency

RELIABILITY

VALIDITYCriterion related

Content related

Construct related

SpecificityPerson not having particular attributes will be correctly identified or alternatively negative cases are correctly identified (True negatives)

Specificity=true negatives/(true negative + false positives)

SensitivityPerson having particular attributes will be correctly identified as having it or proportion of positive cases are correctly identified(true positives)

Sensitivity= true positives/(true positive + false negative)

Power

The term power refers to the predictive accuracy of an assessment instrument that can be positive or negative predictive power.

Base rates

Also known as prior possibilities, it is the relativefrequency of occurrence of an event studied within apopulation of interest

Normality judgments

where normality is assessed on the basis performance in relation to a test standard

Deficit measurements

we compare current level of performance with pre-morbid functioning.

Hypothesis Formulation: It involves the application of scientific method to

individual cases.

First step – is the adoption of a theoretical orientation as the basis for generating hypotheses.

Ingram (2006), suggests 7 dominant types within clinical practice:

1. Biological models

2. Crisis and stressful situational transitions

3. Behavioral and learning models

4. Cognitive models

5. Existential and spiritual models

Psychodynamic models

Social, cultural and environmental models

Psychological assessment can be broken down into a number of activities. These would include:

1. Problem definition

2. Theoretical formulation

3. Hypothesis generation

4. Data gathering

5. Data analysis

6. Specification of outcome goals

7. Intervention planning

8. Monitoring of intervention effects

9. Use of monitoring data to adapt interventions

Iterative assessment approach:

It involves gathering and evaluating information at different

times or rates, with integration and reformulation taking place

at a later time.

The assessor will use learning from earlier stages to inform the

overall assessment

The validity and utility of any assessment can be seen to

involve a no of generic activities. These include:

1. Initial theory development

2. Consideration of ethical issues

3. Clarification of hypotheses

4. Development of an over all formulations

Psychodynamic theory:

Psychodynamic approaches can be seen as having four

main perspectives. They’re dynamic in nature, suggesting

that all behavior are purposeful and motivated . The

psychological conflicts present in a person will always be

unique and are generally too complex.

They are developmental in nature, suggesting a need to

explain the past in order to accpunt for the present. This

also include stage model of development which include

stages like:

Oral, anal and phallic (Frued)

Erickson for example went on to postulate 8 stages of

psychosexual development rather than 5

Placed greater stress on the role of the ego as more than a

servant of the id

Emphasis on the environment during development in

enabling growth, adjustment, self awareness and the

development of a positive “identity”

Structural theories:

Suggest the existence of differing conscious and

unconscious psychological structures(Id, ego, super ego)

It lacks a clear subject-object division, so that one thing

might stand for another or many others

Adaptive theories:

Relationships between ‘internal’ and ‘external’ worlds are

influenced by behavior and systemic influences. The

experience affects the way one intersects with the world.

Psychodynamic theories few key aspects to assessment:

1. Need to go beyond the surface presenting problems

2. Need to focus on intersection b/w underlying internal

psychodynamic processes & current interpersonal and

social situation

3. Need to focus on early disruption in adjustment &

parental relationships

4. Internal world force structure perceptions of the world

5. Adjustment to psychological pain involves balance b/w

healthy and unhealthy approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Theory(CBT):

It focuses that each individual is part of a much broader and

unique matrix of social and biological influences

It is fusion of behavioral and cognitive psychology

The approach involves 7 key principles:

1. Inform a better understanding of others

2. Basis of the approach is ‘collaborative empiricism’

3. It require adapting over the course of interventions

4. Acts as a framework for assessment, formulation and

intervention

5. Good therapeutic relationship is necessary

6. Focus should be on current problems and mutually agreed goals

7. Approach is complementary to diagnostic categories but such categories are probably only marginal to the course of interventions

It provides a variety of methods to assist in the process of assessment including functional analysis, which attempts to establish functional relationships b/w covariates

Systemic theory:

It suggested that individual psychological functioning tended to operate using holistic and self organizing

Concerned to offer an explanatory framework for complex social systems.

Current systemic approaches stress the need to see therapist

themselves as part of the system and the approach is seen to be

based on collaborative interaction between ‘helpers’ and

‘helped’

It consists of 7 stages:

1. Definition of the problem

2. Deconstruction of the developmental course of problems

3. Establishing links b/w problems & ordinary difficulties

4. Exploration of attempted solutions

5. Beliefs about difficulties & responses to these

6. Discussion & evaluation of what worked in the past & what

did not

7. Decisions to persist with some attempted solutions

Integrative theories:

Refers to systematic efforts to draw from & integrate

more than one theoretical approach. These can be in the

form of pre-structured approaches or use of assessment

mixes based on likely

The use of assessment & intervention mixes is often

justified by analogy with treatment in medicine. Its

appropriate to use different drugs formulations to

address different problems. Such use of different drugs

in medicine doesn’t imply use of different theoretical

bases.

Social inequalities theory: Social inequality can be defined as structured differences or

hierarchies of power that limit & constrain some & privilege others

Issues of social inequality remain largely peripheral in the current practice of applied psychology. This is despite the fact that ‘low status’ groups in society tend to experience the most negative & disempowering contacts with psychologists & psychological therapists

Assessment within this model involves five stages:

1. Definition of difficulties

2. Analysis of broad systemic forces operated across person’s development history

3. Analysis of the manner in which they have sought to deal with these forces

4. Analysis of ways in which person has gained power &

agency in their life

5. Analysis of ways in which changes to broader context

can contribute to positive changes

Presented by

Sarah wasi

Faiza ilyas