Psychological assessment
Psychological Assessment
Psychological assessment (pronunciation: psy·cho·log·i·cal as·sess·ment) is a process of testing that uses a combination of techniques to help arrive at some hypotheses about a person and their behavior, personality and capabilities.
Etymology
The term "psychological assessment" is derived from the Greek word "psyche" which means soul or mind, and "logia" which means study. The term "assessment" comes from the Latin word "assessus" which means to sit beside or to judge.
Definition
Psychological assessment is a process that involves the administration of psychometric tests, which are standardized measures of behavior. These tests are designed to measure a person's psychological attributes such as intelligence, personality traits, and behavioral tendencies. The results of these tests are used to draw inferences about a person's mental state and predict their behavior.
Types of Psychological Assessment
There are several types of psychological assessments, including:
- Clinical Interview: This is a structured conversation between a psychologist and a client designed to gather information about the client's history, current symptoms, and potential areas of concern.
- Personality Assessment: This involves the use of formal tests to measure personality traits and styles.
- Behavioral Assessment: This involves observing a person's behavior in a specific setting.
- Cognitive Assessment: This involves testing a person's mental abilities such as memory, attention, and reasoning skills.
Uses of Psychological Assessment
Psychological assessments are used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Diagnosis and treatment planning in mental health settings
- Screening for psychological disorders
- Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions
- Assessing a person's suitability for certain jobs or roles
- Legal and forensic purposes
Related Terms
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