Download TAT is only used as a tool and should be used with

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With anything in life knowing all the variables is important to solving any
problem; assessing mental health is no different. In math there a variety of different
theories to figure out equations in mental there are a variety of different assessment
methods that are used as tools to figuring out a diagnoses. Clinical assessment helps
with evaluating an individual’s mental functions and psychological health. (Seligman,
Walker, & Rosenhan, 2001)
Clinical assessments help to determine cognitive functions to place diagnosis on
the individual. Individuals such as children commonly are assessed for learning
disabilities or behavioral problems. (Romito & Weinstock, 2011) A clinical assessment
of an individual helps the professional determine a treatment plan that is suited for the
individual and is beneficial to their particular needs. (Students First Project, 2013)
Individuals may experience physical symptoms due to a psychological problem
such as depression or have secondary psychological problems due to some physical
conditions such as a stroke. In the most common form of assessing mental health,
interviewing (Romito & Weinstock, 2011) , the professional will ask an individual about
their medical history and see if they have had a physical examination recently for that
very reason. (Seligman, Walker, & Rosenhan, 2001)
Interviews by the professional can be structured or unstructured. A structured
interview contains standard questions and an unstructured interview is flexible and the
client communicates about his/her concerns. (Seligman, Walker, & Rosenhan, 2001)
Unstructured interviews can lead to unreliable information and structured interviews are
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more commonly used. Interviews with clients whether they are structured or
unstructured, are only successful though if the individual trusts the professional
conducting the interview otherwise the client will not be honest. (Seligman, Walker, &
Rosenhan, 2001)
At times what an individual expresses in an interview may be different than what
the professional has observed to be true. This does not necessarily mean the client has
given misleading information. In different environments individuals display different
behavioral styles and observes may have bias observations. When this happens the
method of behavioral assessment is beneficial for all parties. Behavioral assessments
can occur in the office by the professional and the client can record their behavior,
thoughts, the duration, how often, and where. (Seligman, Walker, & Rosenhan, 2001)
As previously stated some physical symptoms are caused by underlining
psychological problems. During the method of a psychological assessment one or more
of the physiological process are measured that reflect autonomic nervous system
activity. Individuals are not always aware of their physiological reactions and this
assessment confirms physiological components to emotional reactions and how strong
it is and if treatment will affect it. (Seligman, Walker, & Rosenhan, 2001)
Psychological testing is another assessment method used to unlock the nature of
client’s problems. There are thousands of types of testing in this category with
subcategories of psychological inventory, projective tests, and intelligence tests.
Psychological testing is widely used and many people have taken a psychological
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inventory test. The most popular form of this test is called the Minnesota Multiphasic
Personality Inventory or MMPI. The test itself is a variety of “true” and “false” questions
that the individual applies to themselves. (Seligman, Walker, & Rosenhan, 2001)
Projective tests are used by the cinemas often when showing Psychological
testing in a movie or show. Projective tests help reveal what may be hidden in the
unconscious state of mind and use pictures to do so. (Seligman, Walker, & Rosenhan,
2001)The public is often captivated by the Rorschach Test more commonly known as
the ink blot test. In this test an ink blot is shown and the individual is supposed to
instantly respond with what they see. Although this test is very popular with the public
most professionals do not see this test as a valid assessment and has become
outdated. (S.P.A.R.C., 2012)
The Thematic Apperception Test or TAT is another commonly used projective
test where an individual’s pattern of thought, attitudes, observational capacity, and
emotional responses to the test is evaluated. The TAT itself is a set of cards that display
different scenes with human figures in them. The individual taking the test must tell the
story of the card that is being examined. The individual must tell what event is
happening in the picture, what has led up to the moment being pictured, how the figure
is feeling, and what the outcome will be. In doing this the individual shows how they see
themselves and what they expect of the relationships in their lives. Besides the verbal
story the professional also views and notes the individual’s manner, vocal tone, posture,
hesitations, and other signs of an emotional response the picture. (Encyclopedia of
Mind Disorders, 2013)
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TAT is only used as a tool and should be used with other methods of
assessments it also cannot be used for all types of individuals or in all situations. It can
be used to measure the progress in an individual by repeating the test. If the individual
for example has a Dual Disorder their progress in terms of how they see themselves
and the world around them can be documented and retested as they progress in their
treatment plan. (Helwig, 1972) The results of TAT will vary with the administrator
because they will interpret the information differently. The 1992 Code of Ethics of the
American Psychological Association requires the professionals giving the test to
examine the cultural and social difference to interpret the test more responsibly.
(Encyclopedia of Mind Disorders, 2013)
TAT was developed by Henry Murray, Christiana Morgan, and their colleagues at
the Harvard Psychological Clinic in 1935. There are controversies about the history of
TAT because of prejudices against women during this time and the relationships
between its founders. However the starting of TAT is agreed upon. Murray had an
undergraduate student mentioned that she had a son who while recovering from an
illness cut out pictures from magazines. With these pictures he made up stories and
started the group wondering if this could be applied to therapy to uncover an individual’s
fantasies. (Encyclopedia of Mind Disorders, 2013)
Clinical assessments are all tools used to complete the puzzling picture of an
individual, what makes them that individual, and the problem(s) that individual is facing.
There are a variety of methods each with our pro’s and con’s, validity, and use.
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Reference
Encyclopedia of Mind Disorders. (2013). Thematic Apperception Test. Retrieved from
Encyclopedia of Mind Disorders: http://www.minddisorders.com/Py-Z/ThematicApperception-Test.html
Helwig, H. D. (1972). The Thematic Apperception Test Study of Drug Abusers. Texas
Tech University.
Romito, K., & Weinstock, L. S. (2011, January 12). Mental Health Assessment.
Retrieved from WebMd: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-healthassessment?page=2
S.P.A.R.C. (2012). The Rorschach Test. Retrieved from SPARC:
http://www.deltabravo.net/cms/plugins/content/content.php?content.35
Seligman, M. E., Walker, E. F., & Rosenhan, D. L. (2001). Abnormal Psychology 4e.
New York: W. W. Norton & Company Inc.
Students First Project. (2013). Mental Health Assessment. Retrieved from Students
First Project: http://studentsfirstproject.org/supports-services/supportsservices/mental-health-evaluations/
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Learning Plan 1: Scoring Guide 1 Report on Assessment Methods
Scoring Standards:
10/5 = Excellent quality; criteria is fully demonstrated; no errors are evident; all key concepts
of theory are addressed
8/4 = Acceptable quality; minor flaws or errors exist or are omitted; Information is correct
4/2 = Criterion attempted but needs improvement; response shows minimal understanding of
concepts; details and support are lacking
0 = Criterion is unacceptable or not complete - response is incorrect, irrelevant or missing.
10 = Criterion is met
0 = Criterion is not met
5 = Criterion is met
0 = Criterion not met
Criteria
Values
Report describes the purpose of clinical assessment.
10 8 4 0
Report describes the methods of clinical assessment.
10 8 4 0
Report explains one method of clinical assessment. (i.e. clinical interviewing, MMPI,
TAT, WAIS-III, etc.)
10 8 4 0
Report describes the historical development of the clinical assessment method/tool
chosen.
10 8 4 0
Report analyzes the method of clinical assessment that she/he has chosen.
10 8 4 0
Report analyzes the relevance of the clinical assessment method chosen to a client
with a dual disorder.
10 8 4 0
Report is completed according to prescribed deadlines.
10 0
Learner distinguishes between fact and opinion.
5420
Learner synthesizes information from a variety of sources.
5420
Learner uses bias free language.
5420
Learner applies standard rules of language structure including grammar, spelling
and punctuation.
5420
Learner is consistent with established criteria.
5420
Learner organizes information.
5420
Learner produces evidence of learning.
50