Strategies of Behavioral Assessment

This presentation explores the various strategies of behavioral assessment and

highlights their importance in treatment planning and evaluation.
Outlines
1. behavior interviewing
● Mental state examination
● Mini Mental State Examination (MMSI)
● Interpreting interview data
1. Behavior observation
2. Cognitive behavior assessment
3. Psychophysiological Assessment
4. Self report
 Overview

Behavioral assessment techniques

Direct and indirect measures of the
can be diverse and varied
person 01

05
02
Organized into general categories for
better understanding

Emphasis on understanding person- 04

environment interaction 03
Relevance to treatment planning and
evaluation
Behavioral Interviewing
● Interview approach to gather information about
behavior
● Directly asks questions to understand thoughts
and feelings
● Can provide insights into underlying factors
● Helpful in treatment planning and intervention
Mental Status Examination
(behavioral interviewing)

The mental status examination is It reviews the major systems of Considered essential to psychiatric
modeled after the physical medical psychiatric functioning practice
exam
Purpose of the Examination

● Used as part of a formal psychological

assessment
● Determines appropriateness for
psychological testing
● Screens for basic case management issues
● Assists in diagnosis and treatment planning
 Comparison with Psychological Tests

Psychological tests cover many areas

Appearance, affect, and mood can be
assessed in the mental status exam
observed 01

05
02
Tests provide more precise and
validated results

Delusions, misinterpretations, and 04

perceptual disorders can be identified 03
Tests assess attention, insight,
memory, abstract reasoning, social
judgment
Importance in Acute Settings
● Not enough time for comprehensive
psychological tests
● Mental status examination provides quick
evaluation
● Helps determine immediate course of action
● Can prevent needless distress to the patient
 Conducting the Examination

Guidelines are available in

Structured and unstructured versions
psychiatric literature
exist 01

05
02
Practitioners vary in their approach

Comprehensive and focused 04

instruments 03
Examples: North Carolina Mental
Status Examination, Mini Mental
Status Examination
Typical Areas Covered
● General Appearance and Behavior
● Feeling (Affect and Mood)
● Thought Content and Perceptual Disorders
● Cognitive Functioning
● Orientation and Memory
● Insight and Judgment
 Conclusion

The mental status

examination plays a crucial
role in psychiatric evaluation
01
02 It provides valuable
information for diagnosis
and treatment

Practitioners should consult 03

available resources for guidance
Interpreting Interview Data
This presentation is about interpreting and integrating interview data into a
psychological report. It explores the importance of clinical judgment and
provides principles for interpreting interview data. The presentation also
discusses different methods of organizing interview information.
Introduction

Interpreting and integrating Clinical judgment plays a crucial Life decisions and treatment success
interview data into the psychological role in determining which can be influenced by conclusions and
report involve clinical judgment information to include or exclude recommendations in the report
Interpretation Principles

● Interviews are used to develop tentative

hypotheses about clients
● Evaluate interview data by considering
supporting information from outside the
interview
● Emphasize supported interview data
relevant to the referral question
● Only include material directly related to the
purpose of the referral
 Handling Interview Information

Information can be organized

into a chronological history or
interpreted as raw data
01
02 Chronological history
focuses on objective and
accurate presentation of
information

Raw data interpretation makes 03

inferences about personality,
coping style, mood, and affect
Organizing Interview Information
● Develop a coherent narrative of the person's life
● Connect early family patterns to current symptom patterns and interpersonal difficulties
● Trace the development of vocational interests from early childhood to maturity
● Explore difficulties related to authority figures and their impact on relationships
● Identify recurring themes and their resolution attempts
● Examine how depression affects relationships and social distancing behavior
 Domain-Based Organization

Organize interview data List domains on the left side of

around various domains 02 the grid, and data sources at the
top of the grid

01 03
Use a grid to categorize and Interview data as one of
organize different domains multiple sources of information

04
Thank you for your time 😊
 Behavioral Observation

Directly observing behavior Allows for identification of

in natural or controlled 02 patterns and triggers
settings

01 03
Provides objective data about Helpful in creating behavior
behavior management plans

04
Cognitive Behavioral Assessment
● Assessment focusing on thoughts and beliefs
● Indirectly explores the influence on behavior
● Inferences made regarding the cognitive
behavioral connection
● Useful in understanding and treating certain
disorders
 Psychophysiological Assessment

Helps identify underlying Assessment of physiological

physiological contributors responses to stimuli
01

04 02

Used in combination with other Measures physiological changes

assessment techniques related to behavior
03
Self-Report Inventories

● Questionnaires filled by individuals to

assess behavior
● Provides subjective insights into thoughts
and feelings
● Used to gather selfperceptions and
experiences
● Aids in treatment planning and selfreflection
Thank you for your time and attention 🙂