Psychological Assessment lecture 2500-EN_O_47
As an introductory course on psychological assessment, the lecture will
focus on the theoretical foundations of contemporary psychological
assessment, covering its basic goals, principles, strategies, methods and
controversies, and will provide an overview of key areas in diverse
contexts of application: clinical, forensic, business and educational. An
integrative, “scientist-practitioner” model will be emphasized.
Professional competences of a psychologist-diagnostician will be
discussed – from theoretical and methodological knowledge through
technical skills to “soft” competencies such as relational,
communicational and cultural competence. The lecture is based on
European models of assessment, mainly GAP and a model of
psychological competences by Robert Roe, both approved by EFPA
(European Federation of Psychologists' Associations).
The course is meant to provide a basic understanding of current and
also to some degree historical psychological assessment practices and
increase students’ relevant research, and critical thinking skills. Particular
attention will be put on presenting empirically grounded approaches and
a classical controversy of clinical vs. mechanical (actuarial) prediction and
diagnostic judgment. An important part of the lecture is to promote a
critical approach to diagnostic methods and a reflection on the conditions
of their use, including potentials and limitations of the employment of
different methods such as interviews, particular questionnaires and
projective tests. The course introduces students to selected assessment
measures – those, which are the most commonly used and are of the
utmost importance in the psychological assessment domain.
Type of course
Learning outcomes
Knowledge:
student knows models of psychological assessment in different areas
of psychological work;
student understands diagnostic investigation as a process of decisionmaking
(creating and testing hypotheses) and understands how
different cognitive and emotional phenomena influence this process;
student knows the methodological and ethical standards of using
assessment tools, both qualitative (interview, projective tests) and
quantitative (tests and questionnaires);
student knows and understands the meaning of professional
psychological competencies.
Values:
student is aware of the different socio-cultural contexts of maintaining
the process of psychological assessment and the impact of final
diagnosis on the participants wellbeing;
student understands the social role of diagnostician and its
implications.
Assessment criteria
The course ends with a final exam. The exam will be in the multiple choice
format and the questions will cover the material from lectures and the
assigned obligatory literature. There will be 40 questions, each worth 1
point.
Grades are based on the individual scores in the exam.
Positively evaluated, active participation during the lectures (that is
preparation - reading assigned literature on time, answering lecturer’s
questions, critical thinking, participation in group discussions) will be
rewarded with up to three bonus points, which will be added to the
points scored on the exam.
Attendance rules
Students are expected to attend the lecture regularly and come on time.
Two unexcused absences are possible. Exceeding this limit results in
failing the course.
In specific cases in which a student could not attend lectures due to some
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: