Available in 2024
Course code

PSYC6507

Units

10 units

Level

6000 level

Course handbook

Description

Psychological assessment is critical for understanding the strengths and limitations of individuals with a clinical disorder. This course provides students with the opportunity to explore and analyse the theoretical underpinnings and practical approaches to measuring psychological constructs. The course explores issues of validity and reliability, cultural and ethical considerations. Students acquire practical skills in administration, scoring, interpretation and reporting of various psychological tests across the lifespan. Assessment covers many areas of expertise and skill including understanding referral questions and disorders of cognition, acquiring relevant information about the client's history, choosing appropriate psychological tests, administering tests in clinical and other settings, interpreting test results and writing a report summarising assessment results with conclusions and recommendations for intervention, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of such interventions.


Availability2024 Course Timetables

Callaghan

  • Semester 1 - 2024

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Identify and understand the relevant aspects of psychological test construction and critically appraise them. (Competencies 2.3, 3.1, 3.16)

2. Relate social, cultural and ethical issues (public safety) to psychological testing and apply this knowledge to the choice of appropriate tests. (Competencies 3.2, 3.12, 4.2.2)

3. Perform appropriate standardised psychometric testing as part of a broader assessment to assess and interpret aspects of functioning. (Competencies 3.4, 4.2.2)

4. Interpret and communicate findings in oral and written formats, including formal psychological reports, using culturally appropriate language. (Competencies 3.6, 3.8, 3.16)

5. Develop appropriate psychological and behavioural interventions based on results from psychometric assessment. (Competencies 3.4, 4.2.2, 4.2.3)


Content

  • Identification and understanding of psychological test development and critical appraisal of psychometric properties of commonly used tests
  • Disorders affecting cognition across the lifespan including review of sensory processes, perception, attention, executive function, language, memory and learning
  • Understanding referral questions (reasons for assessment) and acquisition of relevant history
  • Selection and administration of appropriate psychological tests including intelligence, aptitude, adaptive, achievement, personality, behaviour and vocational assessment
  • Standardised administration of a test of intelligence, mood and outcome scales
  • Interpretation of assessment results, report writing and recommendations for intervention
  • Social, cultural (including indigenous) and ethical issues that arise when conducting psychological assessments and reporting results

Requisite

This course is only available to students enrolled in the Master of Professional Psychology [40117], the Master of Clinical Psychology [40187], or the Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) [11539].


Assumed knowledge

It is assumed that students will have completed a four-year program in Psychology which has been accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).


Assessment items

Written Assignment: Adult Cognitive Assessment and Report
Compulsory Requirement: Pass requirement - Must pass this assessment item to pass the course.

Written Assignment: Child Cognitive Assessment and Report
Compulsory Requirement: Pass requirement - Must pass this assessment item to pass the course.


Contact hours

Semester 1 - 2024 - Callaghan

Online Activity-1
  • Self-Directed 1.5 hour(s) per week(s) for 13 week(s) starting in week 1
Seminar-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 1.5 hour(s) per week(s) for 13 week(s) starting in week 1

Course outline