Question

Cite and explain five (5) assessment activities in five (5) different areas of psychology.

Answer 1

Psychology is the science of human mind and behavior. Psychology can be studied under different dimensions such as clinical psychology, social psychology, forensic psychology, industrial-organisational psychology, counselling psychology and so on.

Each dimensions are different and assessed in different ways. Clinical psychology mainly deals with abnormal psychology and behavioral disorders.assessment activities include, mental status examination (MSE) where a detailed examination on appearance, psychomotor function, thought, speech, memory, cognition, information processing and so on , this inturn will throw light on certain aspects of psychopathology or behavioral disorder as such. Case history taking, this will enable the psychologist to gain an indepth information on the client's childhood history to current data, which include, social, family, educational, sexual, marital history.Psychological testing,it enables to measure the performance of the client's behavior through standardised testing tools which has a pre-set objective.This enables the psychologist to arrive at the diagnosis and to execute further measures. Psychoanalysis, the free association technique helps in arriving at the diagnosis and treatment methods.One to one discussion, again this aims at getting an insight into the clients soacial, family and economic history.

Social psychology it deals with the social interactions and their influence on human mind and behavior. Assessment include studying the client's behavior, social connections, cognitive thinking, attitude, values , beliefs, decision making skills,interpersonal relationship, family structure all these help at arriving at the diagnosis.

Forensic psychology deals with the application of psychological kowledge and process within the legal process. The role of an expert witness is played by the forensic psychologist. The assessment activities of a forensic psychologist is to stand a trial and to determine the validity of defenses.Assessment include assessing thelevel of intoxication, prevalence psychopathology or behavioral disorder, social and family background, econmic status and so on.

Industrial psychology is an applied discipline of psychology.It combines the principles of psychology along with measurement of performance under different work settings.Assessment includes administering of psychological tests, biographical information, interviews, work samples, assessment centres.

Counseling psychology it aims at faciliating personal and interpersonal functioning across life span.Assessment activities include, face to face interview, administering of psychological tests, obtaining social, economic and family history in order to arrive at the diagnosis.