Evaluating Assessment Instruments
Applications In Personality Testing
Computer-generated MMPI-3 case description In the case of Mr. J, the computerized report displayed various results. High T response
was generated for various tests. Infrequent responses were highly reported whereas the response bias scale T score is one the second-highest level. The highest T score level was obtained for Emotional internalizing dysfunction whereas the lowest T-score was generated for hypomanic activation. The result generated showed 4 unscorable reports which indicated that the test was repeated many times. Infrequent responses have 35 items on them. No underreporting was done by the client. Substantive scale interpretation showed no somatic dysfunction. Response done measure through the scale indicates a high level of distress and significant demoralization. Reports also indicate a high level of negative emotionality. And these also indicate high levels of emotional dysfunctionality in the client due to which he is unable to get out of stress and despair. There are no indications reported regarding thoughts and behavioral dysfunction. Interpersonal functioning scales indicate that he is lacking positivity in his life and he is more embarrassed and nervous in any kind of situation. He has become socially awkward and feels distant from every person out there. He is more of an introverted kind of person. The diagnostic considerations report that he has an emotional internalizing disorder which includes major depression, generalized anxiety, and excessive worrying disorders. Other than that the client is also facing personality disorders due to which he is becoming more negative regarding every situation of life. He is also having several anhedonia-related disorders. The client's report also indicates that he is suffering from interpersonal disorders as well. He is facing social anxiety and an increased level of stress as well. A various number of unscorable tests were also obtained like (DOM, AGRR, FBS, VRIN, DSF, etc.). Critical responses were evaluated regarding suicidal death idealization up to 72%, helplessness and hopelessness scored up to 86%, demoralization up to 80%, inefficacy till 77%, stress 68%, negative emotions 8%, shyness 69% and worry 65%.
Ms. S psychology report Ms. S was serving in US Army and was having long-term anxiety and depression
disorder. Her disorders got better as soon as she started medication. There were good effects of medication, especially in the depressive situation. But she started having acute symptoms of distress and depression from the few days again as one of his platoon mates committed suicide. There was no such aspect observed in the familial history of the client. Various tests were performed and these tests include, a cognitive ability which indicated that the patient has a low average range for cognitive ability scoring. There were certain weaknesses present which was responsible for low-level estimation of functioning. She was a good average in several of the tests like reading, sentence comprehension, Nelson Denny reading test. The score was improved from 37 to 47%. Overall the scoring rate was as low as it was thought to be because she was well educated. Her performance was reduced on WAIS-IV and other weaknesses were observed in calculations. In some of the areas, her scoring was good which included the Ruff 2 & 7 Selective Attention Test. Her language was fully fluent and there was no impairment observed. All of her expressions and language were correct. There were no signs of visuospatial abilities observed and everything regarding them was completely normal. Ms. S through her results showed no
problem with her memory retention but there was a small impairment seen in her attention- demanding list. As far as her mood and personality were concerned she had a valid profile but at this time she was going through extremely distressful conditions. These conditions were not strong enough to name them depressive disorder but still, they had a quite huge impact on her. There was no self-harm condition observed. Individual therapy will be recommended to the client in which treatment of her anxiety disorder will be done. She will be given different tasks that will help her distract herself from various things that are going on in her mind. She will be allowed to use the calculator as well to see her shortcomings and in this way, her mind will be diverted from the stressful condition and anxiety she is feeling.
Psychological evaluations
As the psychological evaluations are concerned both of these teats have their importance and generated their kinds of results which were accurate in both of the scenarios. Both of them met the APA standard and a good level of professionalism as well. Both of the tests provided their way of assessment of the client's psychological situation and both of them were right in their diagnosis. MMPI-3 test was used in the analysis of both clients and it showed the incredible results of their mental health situation. The psychometric methodologies that were applied during Mr. J's session were substantive scale interpretation, externalizing and interpersonal scale, and cognitive dysfunction scales whereas in the case of Ms. S the methodologies applied were cognitive ability testing and other reading and writing tests and methods. Two additional tests of personality and emotional functioning are, thematic appreciation test (TAT) and the rotter incomplete sentence test. These both can be used in both cases for the critical analysis of the mental state of clients.in rotter tense, we can easily analyze the heart desire, wishes, and emotions of the client. Their fears and attitudes can be known as well and can be evaluated easily. TAT test cards can also help in the evaluation in which the photos are shown to the client where they tell the cards according to their mental state, which helps in the analysis as well.
References
Gregory, R. J. (2014). Psychological testing: History, principles, and applications (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.Chapter 8: Origins of Personality Testing. Chapter 9: Assessment of Normality and Human Strengths
Ben-Porath, Y. S., & Tellegen, A. (2020). MMPI-3 Case Description Mr. J – Interpretive Report [PDF]. https://www.pearsonassessments.com/content/dam/school/global/clinical/us/ assets/mmpi-3/mmpi-3-sample-interpretive-report.pdf
U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. (2006). Testing and assessment: A guide to good practices for workforce investment professionals [PDF]. Retrieved from http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEN/ten2007/TEN21-07a1.pdf
Kennedy, N., & Harper Y. (2020). PSY640 Week four psychological assessment report [PDF]. College of Health and Human Services, University of Arizona Global Campus, San Diego, CA.