What Does a Psychological Evaluation Consist Of?

The psychological evaluation process It is one of the most important components of intervention in the field of psychology. This is why it is possible to propose effective measures to treat specific problems based on what has been observed.

In this article we will see how it is defined and What a psychological evaluation consists of and the diagnosis it leads to.

The birth of the idea of ​​psychological evaluation

The historical moment in which the greatest scientific rise and development of the psychological particularities of the human being took place corresponds mainly to the 19th and 20th centuries (although a considerable volume of previous studies and research is assumed).

With this and from the development of certain knowledge disciplines such as statistics, pedagogy, experimental psychology among others, It was possible to establish some first approximations to the concept of diagnosis.

As in most aspects linked to the field of psychology, the definition of this phenomenon has been reformulated based on the new contributions that authors have proposed throughout history.

Within the most contemporary perspectives there are three theoretical currents that have served as support to explain what type of variables should be the object of diagnosis: the environmentalist (emphasis on situational factors as behavioral determinants), the interactionist (relevance of the interaction between subject and environment) and the cognitivist (cognitive style as a behavioral basis).

Psychological diagnosis and its components

The findings of the three psychological currents mentioned have made possible a deeper and more complete definition of what the diagnostic process implies. Taking into account its general meaning, diagnosis involves the analysis of data collected with the purpose of evaluating (or knowing) certain aspects of a diverse nature.

Applying this characterization to the field of psychology, the object of study is the description of the cognitive, emotional and behavioral particularities of a specific subject. Therefore, it seems relevant for this purpose to consider how this individual relates to his or her usual interaction contexts.

Furthermore, it is assumed that the diagnosis has the ultimate purpose of intervention (as the most frequent objective, although not the only one) and It is delimited at all times within the scientific-technical field. Its process involves the combination of different work methodologies.

The three elements of diagnosis in psychology

A diagnosis has three main elements: the subject on which the process falls, the object that establishes what contents base the diagnosis and its purpose, which motivates the application of a specific intervention where the causes or factors that promote it are reflected. the observations presented in the diagnosis.

Furthermore, the proposed intervention can be qualifying (place occupied by the subject with respect to a reference group), modifier (what influential causes must be modified), preventive (implementation of alternatives to avoid a certain future situation) or restructuring (reorganization of influential factors for preventive purposes).

The phases of the general psychological diagnosis process

There are various contributions made by expert authors in the field on the number and type of procedures that should make up the diagnostic process. It seems that, however, There is some consensus on including four main phases each of which has different more specific stages.

1. Planning

In the planning phase, we distinguish preliminary information search regarding the subject and his environment, an analysis that supports the initial assumptions (depending on the classificatory, preventive or restructuring nature of the diagnosis) and, finally, the configuration of the diagnostic development where the initially proposed analysis variables are established.

2. Development

A second stage consists of the development of the process, in which the theoretical framework is delimited on which to base the contributions that facilitate the study of the units of analysis, being as simple as possible and presenting a predictive capacity adequate on the results of future observations.

3. Verification of the hypotheses

Subsequently, a third step is the verification of the theoretical hypotheses initially proposed regarding what was found in the observations made during the evaluation.

4. Writing the report

Finally, a results report must be prepared which includes the pertinent data of the evaluator and the evaluated person, those referring to all the procedures applied during the process, the findings and their assessment and, ultimately, the pertinent guidelines that will guide the subsequent intervention process.

The report must be adapted to the recipient in terms of form and type of language used, as well as in the tone and expressions used in it, so that they understand it.

Characteristics of the Psychological Report

A psychological report is a document that reflects the result obtained from the analysis and contrast of hypotheses initially raised, which have motivated the evaluation of the subject in question.

This instrument has an objective character, in such a way that The communication of the data found to the recipient party is facilitated.

In a generic way, a report must include identification data of the evaluator and the evaluated person, the objectives that motivate said report, the presentation of the information collection techniques, the procedure used, the results obtained, the conclusion and final assessment of the examiner and the guidelines to be put into practice as an intervention.

Besides, The format and style of a psychological report can be differentiated depending on of the criterion that is taken as a basis for its elaboration: theoretical (according to the guidelines of a specific theoretical model), technical (organizing the results based on the tests and techniques applied) and based on the problem (the demand or reason for consultation. a specific structure in the report).

On the other hand, the psychological report It has legal validity and is considered a scientific document (the findings are replicable) and useful (includes final guidelines for psychological intervention).

The behavioral or functional approach in psychological evaluation

There are several types of approaches that can be taken to guide the psychological evaluation process of an individual:

From the most behavioral (or cognitive-behavioral) psychological currents, the functional approach is usually the approach used during the reference diagnostic process. This model allows for a more complete study and analysis of the determining variables in the evaluation process because it defends the premise that behavior must be considered taking into account a multiplicity of influential factors, both internal and external.

Thus, human behavior should not be understood as the result of the sum of individual factors since each interaction that occurs between two (or more) already results in a type of influence that is totally different from the aggregate of its original causes. Given its enormously complex and plastic (or modifiable) character, its explanation should be approached following this same philosophy: that of considering its determining elements as also complex and variable.

The characteristics of the functional approach

The functional approach prioritizes environmental or contextual variables (at first) and interactionists (at a later time) as determinants of the individual’s behavior, thereby prioritizing the analysis of this type of variables in the diagnostic process. Its postulates derive from the Theory of Behavior Modification and the contributions of authors such as BF Skinner, mainly.

Within this model three perspectives can be distinguished. which differentially emphasize the influence of the environment, the characteristics of the subject or the interaction of two factors: the behavioral-situationalist perspective, the cognitive-behavioral and the cognitive-social behavioral perspective, respectively.

Given the relevance of the observable factors defended by this theoretical proposal, the variables taken as the unit of analysis are those that occur in the present moment, which are accompanied by antecedents and close consequences.

At a methodological level, its assumptions are evaluated experimentally through objective observation of the subject’s behavioral repertoire as a reflection of internal abilities and capacities. It corresponds, therefore, to a within-subject deductive-inductive methodology.

This model has both an interventional (or modifying) and a preventive purpose, given that it has incorporated the interaction between the subject and his environment as a variable under analysis. Thus, it understands the dynamic power of this relationship between both elements and gives behavior a meaning of modifiability and adaptability (hence its preventive capacity).

Psychological evaluation as a process

As can be seen from reading the text, The psychological evaluation process becomes a set of rigorously established procedures which are essential to enable an adequate diagnosis and, subsequently, a psychological intervention appropriate to the particularities of each specific individual and the therapeutic objectives that they wish to achieve.

In this sense, the functional approach has been presented as a model that has significant theoretical support, which allows a complete analysis to be carried out on all the variables that may be influencing the current state (symptoms, behaviors, cognitions, etc.) of the individual.

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