PSY4406 - Psychological assessment and intervention - 2019

This unit will provide students with a theoretical and practical overview of individual differences, and how these may be assessed and treated using evidence-based approaches. The course of study will include the theoretical background to the development of classes of tests, detailed examination of a range of models of ability and other individual difference issues. Test evaluation methods and a review of recent trends in test development theory will also be covered. The unit will also cover the administration, scoring, and interpretation of a range of psychological tests and classification tools in various psychological settings. An overview of evidence-based interventions for common clinical disorders will also be discussed.

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Describe and discuss theoretical bases for undertaking psychological tests, and the place of psychological assessment in various settings of psychological practice;
2. Select, administer, score and interpret psychological assessments, including common psychiatric conditions, neurocognitive abilities, and personality traits;
3. Integrate and summarise information obtained during psychological assessments in the form of a professional report;
4. Describe and discuss limitations of psychological assessment tools and how they can be misused, and assess the ethical considerations of administering, interpreting, and reporting of test results;
5. Appraise approaches to psychological intervention from the theoretical and empirical evidence bases;
6. Integrate assessment and intervention knowledge and skills for behavioural changes and symptom improvements.

• Essay (1500 words) (30%)
• Psychological report and summary (1500 words)(40%)
• Secure online Quizzes (MCQ)(30%)

Students should expect to spend an average of 20-25 hours per week. Broadly, this time will cover:

Video materials (2hrs)

Synchronous & asynchronous discussion (2hrs)

Synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities (2hrs)

Weekly readings (4-6hrs)

Weekly skills-based assessment (4-6hrs, including formative assessment)

Knowledge-based assessment (4-5hrs, including revision)

See also Unit timetable information

Psychology