clinical psychology spring 2015 kyle stephenson. overview – day 7 behavioral assessment ▫theory...
DESCRIPTION
Concepts in behavioral assessment Sign ▫Inference about performance or response ▫Symbolic of other characteristics Sample ▫Identify characteristics of interest ▫Assume these traits carry over to non-test situationTRANSCRIPT
Clinical Psychology
Spring 2015Kyle Stephenson
Overview – Day 7•Behavioral Assessment
▫Theory▫Controlled observation/performance▫Self-monitoring
•The clinical report▫Content & samples
Concepts in behavioral assessment•Sign
▫Inference about performance or response▫Symbolic of other characteristics
•Sample▫Identify characteristics of interest▫Assume these traits carry over to non-test
situation
Concepts in behavioral assessment•Functional analysis
▫B.F. Skinner Precise analysis of stimuli that precede
behavior and consequences that follow Learned behaviors Influence of consequence Precise description
Antecedent conditions Consequent events Can use this knowledge to understand motive
and alter behavior
Concepts in behavioral assessment•SORC method: a model for
conceptualizing clinical problems from a behavioral perspective▫Stimulus to behavior▫Organismic variables▫Response or problem▫Consequence
Overview – Day 7•Behavioral Assessment
▫Theory▫Controlled observation/performance▫Self-monitoring
•The clinical report▫Content & samples
Observational Method #1•Controlled observation
▫Clinical or natural settings▫Environment is “designed”▫Trigger specific behaviors so they can be
observed▫Situational testing
Example: Interaction Behavior Code
Observational Method #2•Controlled performance technique
▫Contrived situations that allow for control & standardization
▫Behavioral avoidance assessment Series of tasks requiring increasingly
threatening interactions Fear arousal assessed in addition to behavior
▫Influence of researcher can be an issue (internal vs. external validity)
Exercise Symptoms Anxiety (1-10) Similarity (1-10)
Run in place Heart rate increase
2 2
Spinning Dizzy 9 9*Overbreathing Short of breath 8 9*Straw-breathing
Some shortness of breath
5 2
Stare @ self/spot
Unreal 10 10*
Lift head quickly
Nothing much 1 0
Tense body Tingling, hot flash
7 5
Other
Interoceptive assessment
Overview – Day 7•Behavioral Assessment
▫Theory▫Controlled observation/performance▫Self-monitoring
•The clinical report▫Content & samples
Observational Method #3•Self monitoring
▫Records of emotion, thought, behavior▫Frequency, duration, intensity▫Shows stimulus & triggers▫Dysfunctional Thought Record: a
compilation of the patient’s automatic thoughts
▫Can be inaccuracies in self-reports
Panic Attack Record
Date: ______________________ Time began: ___________ Time ended: ___________
Triggers: ________________________________________________________________
____Expected ____Unexpected
Maximum fear: 0---------1---------2---------3---------4---------5---------6---------7---------8 None Mild Moderate Strong Extreme
Check all symptoms present to at least a mild degree:___ Pounding heart ___ Sweating ___ Hot/cold flush___ Tight/pain in chest ___ Choking ___ Fear of dying___ Shortness of breath ___ Nausea/Diarrhea ___ Fear going crazy___ Dizzy ___ Unreality ___ Fear of losing control___Trembling ___ Numbing/tingling ___ Other:_____________
Physiological Component
Behavioral Component
Cognitive Component
The physical symptoms I experienced were….
Heart beat fastMy hands shookGot sweaty
The way I acted or things I did that were observable to others were…(Also indicate whether you escaped from situation or avoided it)
The laser pointer was shaking in my handMy voice was shakyI didn’t come back on Tue for rest of training
The thoughts I had were….
I am blowing this training
My colleagues are bored stiff
They can tell how nervous I am
Other Behavior Assessment Techniques•Role-playing
▫A technique in which patients are directed to respond the way they would typically respond if they were in a given situation
•Inventories and checklists▫Self-report techniques▫Identify behaviors, emotional responses,
and perceptions of environment
Overview – Day 7•Behavioral Assessment
▫Theory▫Controlled observation/performance▫Self-monitoring
•The clinical report▫Content & samples
The Clinical Report•Referral source: address the referral
question!•Aids to communication
▫Language▫Individualize reports▫Level of detail
Cite items and observations
Sample Psychological Report
Sample reports•Therapy intake report
•Court-ordered report
•Neuropsychological report
Take-Home• Behavioral assessment is typically the most time-
intensive method, but often provides the best information regarding real-world problems of clients
• There are many types of clinical reports, but all share the goal of answering the referral question, providing appropriate context, and giving recommendations