Prospectus

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Psychodiagnostics

Course
2013-2014

Admission requirements

There are no formal admission requirements, but students are expected to be familiar with the theories covered in the first year (relating to personality, clinical, social and cognitive development psychology). Students are also expected to be familiar with terms from the field of psychometrics, such as test construction, standardisation (stanines, deciles, T-scores, etc.), reliability and validity.

Description

This course provides an introduction to psychodiagnostics for children and adults. Students will acquire knowledge and skills in the field of psychodiagnostics according to the guidelines of the Basisaantekening Psychodiagnostiek (BAPD), a quality label of the Dutch Association of Psychologists.

The focus in the lectures and work groups will be on the diagnostic process, hypothesis development and testing, the intake procedure and reporting. The students will use an online programme to develop proficiency in the psychodiagnostic skills. Information about diagnostic tools, tests, questionnaires and observations is pivotal here. The topics covered will include research into intelligence and personality, psychopathology, learning problems, vocational interest and professional competences. The students will carry out assignments that will help them acquire practical knowledge of diagnostics for hypothesis testing, selecting research tools, and interpreting and reporting results.

Course objectives

Upon completing the course in Psychodiagnostics, the student will possess:

  • Demonstrable theoretical knowledge of the psychodiagnostic process and how it can be used to address different diagnostic questions.

  • Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the different steps of the diagnostic process (from intake to recommendation).

  • Skill in developing and testing diagnostic hypotheses.

  • Some skill in recognising, selecting, scoring and interpreting diagnostic resources (observation, interview) and tools (tests, questionnaires).

  • Skill in documenting in writing the steps of the psychodiagnostic process (from intake and hypotheses until recommendation) according to the guidelines that also apply for the BAPD.

Timetable

Psychodiagnostics (2013-2014):

Mode of instruction

There are seven lectures in total. These will not only cover the compulsory reading but will also provide some insight into the work of a psychologist working in the field of psychodiagnostics.

An interactive computer programme will familiarise students with the professional skills that are required for precise psychodiagnostic assessment. The students will master these skills in seven compulsory work group sessions. Four of these sessions will focus on skills in the field of youth diagnostics, and the other three on skills in the field of adult diagnostics.

Assessment

The final grade comprises the grade for the work group assignments (40%) and a written examination (60%). Students must have passed each section. The online computer assignments are also compulsory. The work group assignments can all be found on Blackboard.

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences implemented the Ephorus system on 1 January 2006, for use by instructors for the systematic detection of plagiarism in students’ written work. Please see the information concerning fraud .

Completing the 2012-2013 Psychodiagnostics course

A new version of the Psychodiagnostics course was introduced in November 2013. The following applies to students wishing to complete the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 Psychodiagnostics courses: only those students who only need to pass the examination can complete the course. These students must register for the examination for the 2013-2014 course (see ‘Examination’), and their grade for this must be 5.5 or higher.

Blackboard

Additional information can be found on Blackboard

Reading

  • Lecture material

  • Kievit, Th, Tak, J.A., & Bosch, J.D. (2008). Handboek psychodiagnostiek voor de hulpverlening aan kinderen (7th edition). Utrecht: De Tijdstroom. ISBN 9789058980328. (about € 67)

  • Luteijn, F. & Barelds, D. (2013). Psychologische diagnostiek in de gezondheidszorg. Boom Lemma Uitgeverij. ISBN: 978‐90‐5931‐984‐4

  • Van der Molen, H.T., Schmidt, H.G. de Jong, M., & Osseweijer, E.M. (2011). Vaardigheden in psychodiagnostiek: Course on www.vaardighedeninpsychodiagnostiek.nl. Den Haag: Boom Lemma Uitgevers. Please note: this book contains a personal code that provides access to the online course. All students must have a unique code before the course begins.

Completing the Psychodiagnostics course from 2010 or earlier

A new version of the Psychodiagnostics course was introduced in November 2011. An expiry date was set for grades for sections of the previous version of the course. Students who registered in 2010 or before could complete the previous version of the course before 28 October 2011. If they did not complete the previous version of the course before the deadline, they needed to follow the new course in full.

Study book service

Members of the Labyrint study association can purchase the books at a reduced rate from the Labyrint study book service on producing their Labryint membership card. Alternatively, there are the academic bookshops.

Registration

Course

Registration for the course is compulsory. Registration for the work groups is on a first come, first served basis. If a particular work group is full, students will have to attend it at another time.

Examinations

Registration for the examination is compulsory. Students can register in uSis from six weeks to 10 calendar days before the examination. Students who do not register on time, will not be allowed to sit the (re)examination

Contact

  • Youth diagnostics:
    Developmental and Educational Psychology Unit

    • Dhr. Dr. M.J.W. van der Molen

  • Adult diagnostics:
    Clinical, Health and Neuropsychology Unit