Should I administer tests as part of the evaluation?
Psychological testing is a valuable method for gathering information when evaluating an individual. However, it is important to recognize that relying solely on one measure or assessment method is not recommended. Tests and questionnaires can be helpful because they provide specific information that contributes to our overall clinical understanding of the client.
The selection of which measures to use in the evaluation process ultimately depends on personal preference. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that these measures heavily rely on self-report, which is influenced by self-awareness and the level of comfort with self-disclosure. For example, a client who does not want to reveal their depression may produce a low score on a depression inventory, even if they are indeed experiencing depressive symptoms. On the other hand, someone who wants to emphasize their level of depression might rate items on a test in a way that inflates their score. Therefore, it is advisable to prioritize clinical judgment based on one's knowledge, training, and experience, as it is likely to be more accurate than solely relying on self-report measures.
To ensure a comprehensive evaluation, it is important to incorporate multiple sources of relevant and reliable information. Depending solely on one test is not only futile but also ethically questionable. This viewpoint is supported by the American Educational Research Association, et al. (2014) and the American Psychological Association (2013, 2020).
References:
American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, & National Council on Measurement in Education. (2014). Standards for educational and psychological testing. American Educational Research Association.
American Psychological Association. (2013). Specialty guidelines for forensic psychology. American Psychologist, 68(1), 7-19.
American Psychological Association, APA Task Force on Psychological Assessment and Evaluation Guidelines. (2020). APA Guidelines for Psychological Assessment and Evaluation. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/about/policy/guidelines-psychological-assessment-evaluation.pdf
