Psychological Assessment and Diagnosis Flashcards

A client presents with recurrent, unexpected episodes of intense fear that peak within minutes. During these episodes, they experience palpitations, sweating, and a fear of losing control. They have since begun to worry persistently about having another attack. Based on the DSM-5-TR, which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer: Panic Disorder

The key features described—recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern about future attacks—are the core diagnostic criteria for Panic Disorder according to the DSM-5-TR. Generalized Anxiety Disorder involves pervasive and excessive worry about multiple domains, not discrete panic attacks. Social Anxiety Disorder is focused on fear of social situations, and Agoraphobia is a fear of situations where escape might be difficult, which can co-occur but is a distinct diagnosis.

In the context of psychometric assessment, what does the Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) estimate?

Answer: The range of scores an individual might obtain if they were to be re-tested multiple times on the same instrument.

The Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) is an index of the reliability of a test that estimates the amount of error in an individual's test score. It is used to create a confidence interval, which represents the range within which an individual's 'true' score likely falls if they were re-tested repeatedly.

A psychologist is asked to conduct a cognitive assessment of an 8-year-old child from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background who has limited English proficiency. The standardised tests available are normed on an English-speaking Australian population. Which of the following actions is the MOST ethically sound approach?

Answer: Attempt to source assessment tools normed for the child's specific cultural and linguistic group, and interpret any results with extreme caution regarding their limitations.

The APS 'Ethical guidelines for psychological assessment and the use of psychological tests' state that psychologists must be aware of the limitations of using English-language tools with CALD clients. The most appropriate action is to seek out culturally and linguistically appropriate tools. If such tools are unavailable, any assessment must be approached with extreme caution, acknowledging the significant limitations on validity and using a multi-method approach that doesn't rely solely on potentially biased test scores. Using interpreters for standardised tests can invalidate the norms, and simply allowing extra time does not address the cultural or linguistic bias inherent in the test items.

On the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), the primary function of the validity scales, such as Negative Impression Management (NIM) and Infrequency (INF), is to:

Answer: assess the client's approach to the test and the potential for response distortion.

The validity scales of the PAI are specifically designed to evaluate the test-taker's approach and the potential for invalid responding. Scales like NIM assess for exaggeration of symptoms ('faking bad'), PIM assesses for presenting in an overly positive light ('faking good'), and INF/ICN assess for carelessness or random responding. They do not directly measure clinical syndromes or interpersonal style, though they provide essential context for interpreting those scales.

A psychologist has gathered the following information for a case formulation: the client has a family history of depression (predisposing), recently experienced a relationship breakdown (precipitating), and has a core belief of being 'unworthy' (perpetuating). According to the '4P model' of case formulation, which factor does the relationship breakdown represent?

Answer: Precipitating

In the 4P model, 'Precipitating' factors are the immediate triggers or events that occurred shortly before the onset of the presenting problem. The relationship breakdown is the acute stressor that likely triggered the current episode. 'Predisposing' factors are historical vulnerabilities (e.g., family history), and 'Perpetuating' factors are those that maintain the problem (e.g., core beliefs).

Which of the following is the most critical initial step when commencing a psychological assessment with a new, competent adult client?

Answer: Obtaining informed consent.

Obtaining informed consent is a foundational ethical and legal requirement that must precede any assessment or intervention. According to the APS Code of Ethics and the Psychology Board of Australia's Code of Conduct, psychologists must fully inform clients about the nature and purpose of the assessment, confidentiality limits, and other relevant details before services begin. While other steps are essential parts of the assessment process, they must occur after informed consent has been secured.