Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques and Health Care

Psychological Measurements

Lecture, Chapters 15 & 17

Cognitive-Behavioral Assessment

nIn contrast to the medical model, this form of assessment does not assume the “problem” resides within the individual, instead the behavior is the problem. Therefore the behavior is the focus of assessment.

nThis form of assessment:

lIs more direct than traditional assessment

lMakes fewer inferential assumptions

lRemains closer to observable phenomena

lIs based on the behavioral model

Procedures based on Operant Conditioning

nIdentify the critical responses

nObserve frequency, intensity, duration, and baseline of behavior

nAttempt to increase or decrease the behavior

nEvaluate effectiveness and cycle back though the steps

Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques

nSelf-report – assumes that the person’s responses reflect individual differences and measure some other observable behavior. There are many such scales available but they all have problems associated with face validity (capacity and willingness to be truthful, response bias, poor reliability, poor validity, & lack of norms)

nFunctional Analysis – interested in clarifying the problem, environmental antecedents and consequences of behavior, and making suggestions for treatment.  Cognitive functional analysis is particularly interested in the internal dialogue or self talk that occurs immediately prior to a behavior such as self appraisals and expectations.

nInstruments that focus on thinking patterns – are based on Beck’s cognitive model of psychopathology which identifies schemas or organizing principles that affect subsequent behavior.  Includes scales such as the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale and the Irrational Beliefs Test.

Psychophysiological Techniques

nPhysiological Assessment – utilize physiological responses (I.e. heart rate, blood pressure, galvanic skin response, etc.) to assess psychological states.

nTreatment applications: This includes such devices as the polygraph and a whole range of biofeedback equipment.

nEvaluation: Psychophysiological assessment appears to have the potential for increasing scientific rigor in psychological assessment.

Computers in Testing

nComputer-Assisted Interviews

nComputer-Administered Tests

nScoring and Diagnosis

nInternet Usage – pros and cons

Neuropsychology

nClinical neuropsychology studies the relationship between behavior and brain functioning in the realms of cognitive, motor, sensory, and emotional functioning.

nDevelopmental neuropsychology assesses the neurological development of children and how impairments may affect later functioning.

nAdult neuropsychology – Halstead-Reitan Battery and Luria-Nebraska Battery

Anxiety and Stress Assessment

nPsychological stress is composed of frustration, conflict, and pressure, and anxiety is the reactionary state.

nState vs. Trait anxiety:

nMeasures of anxiety: Test Anxiety Questionnaire and Test Anxiety Scale.

nMeasures of coping, ongoing occurrences of stress, and social support

Quality of Life Assessment

nThe construct of Quality of Life

nPsychometric Approach

nDecision Theory Approach

nMeasuring Quality of Life

lSF-36

lNottingham Health Profile