Both didactic and experimental methods will be used. Introduction to the theory and practice of psychological assessment focusing on personality measures and instruments used in career counseling. Includes the theoretical, ethical, and practical issues of construction, administration, scoring, and interpretation of psychological tests and evaluation of assessment instruments. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-R will also be learned as an instrument for assessing intelligence and for its interface as an assessment tool for psychopathology. Psychometric properties and proper use of these instruments, as well as factors affecting their reliability and validity will be covered.
Additional focus is on synthesizing data, diagnostic interviewing, and report writing skills.
Methods of empirical research particularly applicable to clinical and counseling situations will be covered, with primary emphasis on evaluation and application of published research. Secondary emphasis is development of skills necessary for completion of thesis project. Critical review of theoretical perspectives and current research on the development and maintenance of major forms of maladaptive behavior. Discussion of formulations, symptoms, and progression of various disorders will interface with a consideration of appropriate therapeutic interventions. Includes biological causes of normal behavior, organic causes for behavioral disorders, and drug influences on behavior.