PSY631Syllabus
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Instructor: William P. Wattles, Ph.D. Office: CEMC 109G  Phone: 661-1639
Class meets: Wednesday 5:30-8:30 p.m. CCHS 111
Office hours: 9:00-10:30 Monday-Friday & by appointment
E-mail: wwattles@fmarion.edu    Web page: http://fpweb.fmarion.edu/wwattles

Texts:   Clear here to print a copy
     Groth-Marnat, G. (2003). Handbook of Psychological Assessment (5th ed.) New York: Wiley
     American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC. American Psychiatric Association.
     Graham, J. R. (2006) MMPI-2: Assessing Personality and Psychopathology (5th. ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
Grades: Final grades will be determined as follows:

 Attendance policy: The FMU catalog states: "It is the responsibility of the student to attend all scheduled meetings in the courses in which he/she is enrolled. If a student is absent more than twice the number of required class ... sessions per week during the regular semester ..., a grade of NC of W will normally be assigned..." Thus, students missing three or more classes (20%) will be dropped from the class.

Reports: Students will prepare a minimum of four evaluations.  They will interview the client, administer appropriate tests including the MMPI-2, score and interpret the tests and write a report for each. The report must meet professional standards as discussed in class and demonstrated in sample papers. Late papers will not be tolerated and will be assessed a minimum of 10 points per class that they are late. Any exceptions must be approved by me in advance.

The program must include evidence of competence in the following areas:
B. Understanding of methodology used to investigate questions and acquire knowledge in the discipline. This could include study in research design and/or methodology, statistics or critical thinking and scientific inquiry. At a minimum, there should be one course in research methods and/or statistics as applied to psychological questions."

Advanced psychometric theory (factor analysis) is presented with coverage of measurement statistics used in the MMPI-2 and other tests. Theory and statistical background is applied to these instruments and the evaluation of instruments that assess personality and psychopathology including projective techniques and vocational interest inventories.

C. Applied Psychology
1. Coursework in the theory, history, and applications of psychological principles and theories appropriate to the sub-discipline;

...

... The following phrases taken from the indicated reference materials document coverage of history and theory in the respective courses:

• Psychometric theory (reliability, generalizability theory, construct validation)
• Behavioral assessment theory
• Basis of projective testing
• Ethical principles
• Basis of actuarial assessment vs. Content interpretation
• Basis of interest testing

3. Ethical and Professional standards.

Ethical principles as related to assessment activities

• Examination of psychometric techniques applied to the assessment of personality and psychopathology
• Psychometric theory
• Behavioral assessment theory and methods
• Basis of Projective testing
• Basis of actuarial vs. content interpretation
• Interpretation of the MMPI-2, Millon
• Basis of interest testing and familiarity with the Strong
• Mental status exam and neuropsychological screening
• Use of structured diagnostic interview schedules
• Relationship of assessment to referral questions and findings to treatment planning

1. Be accountable to program planning documents, the catalog, and IBAMPP and accreditation standards as published that relate to this course.
2. Introduce the graduate student to the scientific basis for psychological assessment procedures.
3. Develop an Understanding of psychometric theory as applied to assessment procedures.
4. Develop understanding of the psychometric principles of reliability, validity, utility, generalizability.
5. Establish a basis for the ethical and responsible use of psychological tests.
6. Develop the ability of students to administer, score, interpret and report findings from selected psychological assessment procedures.
7. Develop report writing skills that combine background information, observations of behavior and assessment results in a technical style.
8. Provide expert knowledge and practical skill development with the MMPI-2.
9. Provide basic knowledge and practical skin development with projective tests of personality, mental status exams, neuropsychological screening and vocational interest.
10. Develop sensitivity to culture, racial and other diversity issues that have historically been issues of concern in regard to psychological assessment.